Another band, another video (female singer)

jive1 · #1 06-02-2010, 09:16 AM

So this is my casuals band, and this is just a preview clip of our promo video that I'm still working on. I'm doing a little more video processing than the video for my other band, and would like to get some input. I'm still new to this video production this, as this is just my 3rd video that's actually "produced".

Here's the vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBlE14pIQAo

UPDATE:
Here's the completed product.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJUlsaU2d7w

longfinger · #2 06-02-2010, 09:48 AM

Wow slick video! It could be from a TV show. :-)

It seems that the audio was recorded separately, and you guys are "air playing" for the video. Is this accurate? The only comment I could make as far as helping you make as nice a promo video as possible is to go to the audio multi track and apply some pitch correction to the lady's vocals, then mix it back down to stereo for the video sync. Her voice is too much out of tune.

The video looks great visually. Nice guitar playing.

jive1 · #3 06-02-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

Wow slick video! It could be from a TV show. :-)

It seems that the audio was recorded separately, and you guys are "air playing" for the video. Is this accurate? The only comment I could make as far as helping you make as nice a promo video as possible is to go to the audio multi track and apply some pitch correction to the lady's vocals, then mix it back down to stereo for the video sync. Her voice is too much out of tune.

The video looks great visually. Nice guitar playing.

Thanks.

Yes, the audio was recorded seperately. And I did use pitch correction for a couple of sections that sounded a little pitchy to me, but maybe I should take it off or play around with it more. I never had much success with Autotune. But, I'm old and still use Sonar 6. Anyway, I personally don't think the singer was off pitch much as much as the backing vocals made her vocals sound out of pitch. (I'm the guilty party on that, the high harmonies are a b!&%#!)

QORC · #4 06-03-2010, 10:34 AM

listening. not too bad, pal.

crijan · #5 06-03-2010, 12:53 PM

I agree that the backing vocals are what caught me as being off pitch.

One thing I would say about the video production is that I would recommend when you're doing the closeup shots on the singer's face, move the bass player out of the way so that he's not in the shot in the background. It looks fine when it's a waist up shot or full body shot for someone to be in the background, but I think it looks strange on a closeup. I may be being a little too picky, so take it as one guy's opinion.

tycobb73 · #6 06-03-2010, 12:57 PM

Why go separate vocal tracks? Anything can be done in the studio. If the vocals aren't live I can't tell how good she is.

If possible pan the crowd too so you can show that you can draw.

jive1 · #7 06-03-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Why go separate vocal tracks? Anything can be done in the studio. If the vocals aren't live I can't tell how good she is.

I don't think a video cam mic will show how good her vocals are either. Crowd noise, wind, etc take away from the overall sound, IMO. This is our promo video. We tried the live video, but the sound quality isn't as nice. The video is for an agency that does weddings and events, and pretty much every band on their roster does their video this way.

jive1 · #8 06-04-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crijan

One thing I would say about the video production is that I would recommend when you're doing the closeup shots on the singer's face, move the bass player out of the way so that he's not in the shot in the background. It looks fine when it's a waist up shot or full body shot for someone to be in the background, but I think it looks strange on a closeup. I may be being a little too picky, so take it as one guy's opinion.

Opinions are what I'm looking for, thanks for providing it. I agree with you on the closeups. Unfortunately, I didn't have a cameraman or director, so it was hard to frame all these shots. I just set up 4 tripods with cameras for the video, took a quick glance, and let them go. Sadly, I had a bunch of angles that were pretty much useless due to the way they were framed.

I'd do it differently next time, but it was so hard to get everyone together to do a video, that it feels like a victory even if the video came out like crap.

jive1 · #9 06-04-2010, 01:55 PM

Here's the full promo video. It's a little longer in length than expected, so I may edit it down even more. Trying to keep it under 6 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJUlsaU2d7w

Crazyeelboy · #10 06-04-2010, 04:04 PM

How did you get Joe Satriani to play bass for your band?

jive1 · #11 06-04-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyeelboy

How did you get Joe Satriani to play bass for your band?

LOL

I told him I'd teach him some licks.

RicPlaya · #12 06-07-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyeelboy

How did you get Joe Satriani to play bass for your band?

Dude that's Will Lee! Wow

jive1 · #13 06-07-2010, 10:28 PM

I wonder if the bass player will be flattered to know he has been compared to Joe Satriani and Will Lee.

Slax · #14 06-07-2010, 10:50 PM

I dug it!

My cover band is in the process of doing this too. (Just audio at the moment) so this was helpful to get an idea of what other bands are doing.

Thanks for posting!

ding_man · #15 06-07-2010, 11:03 PM

I think you guys all look so goofy, but at the same time I really love it. You all have such different looks!

You guys sound pretty good, but I think vocals are a little too pitchy. Especially backing vocals and the lead singer. And if you this is truly a promo video I think it could be a problem.

jive1 · #16 06-08-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ding_man

I think you guys all look so goofy, but at the same time I really love it. You all have such different looks!

You guys sound pretty good, but I think vocals are a little too pitchy. Especially backing vocals and the lead singer. And if you this is truly a promo video I think it could be a problem.

Well, we got added to the roster of a couple of agencies that do weddings and events, so it hasn't been too much of a problem. The video isn't for music critics or musicians, it's for bridezillas and event planners.

jive1 · #17 06-08-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slax

I dug it!

My cover band is in the process of doing this too. (Just audio at the moment) so this was helpful to get an idea of what other bands are doing.

Thanks for posting!

Here's feedback I got from the agencies.

We should have worn tuxedos and gowns, or at least worn black. That's the look their clientele wants to see.

Stumbo · #18 06-08-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

Here's feedback I got from the agencies.

We should have worn tuxedos and gowns, or at least worn black. That's the look their clientele wants to see.

They couldn't have told you that before?

jive1 · #19 06-08-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

They couldn't have told you that before?

I guess that would have been helpful, wouldn't it.

longfinger · #20 06-08-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

Here's feedback I got from the agencies.

We should have worn tuxedos and gowns, or at least worn black. That's the look their clientele wants to see.

If they want tuxedos and gowns, do they also want the music to match the attire? (Or do the kids want to hear "classic rock" played by guys in tuxes, and ladies in gowns? I guess by now, 1981 is almost like Mahler's era right?

)

Those agencies... so helpful in letting bands know what clients want.