[...] if there is something I would try to improve, it would perhaps be to change the reverb in the piano.

Thanks for the suggestion, glad you found parts of the adventure interesting.

Really nice and funny piece. I've really enjoyed it

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Don't know what's funny about it though?

very fun start ... interested to see where it goes!

Well, it didn't go very far... Hope you enjoyed the short journey ???

So how did I...

us[e] PianoTeq as a tool to craft a better draft

PianoTeq was used to
- craft the inital tune - sometimes words come first and others the tune, this time they both appeared at the same time in my mind
- draft the harmonic progression and try out various musical genres - would a choral be suitable, a disco, a ballad or something with a Latin feel as was the final choice
- what vocal harmony should be added

Once I had decided on the basic sketch I shared the following steps with you above...

Bravo DEZ! You have worked incredibly hard on the project and now you can see a good result. I like very much the short section in the middle where the choir and the soloist sing together - it sounds amazing. Of course the Fifth iteration is very good. If I search and think, if there is something I would try to improve, it would perhaps be to change the reverb in the piano. It sounds a little separated from the vocals as the vocals have their own different reverb, if possible try a similar reverb on the piano and maybe it would blend, sound together, even better. But, this is just a thought. You've done a great job with this one and the journey/project. Congratulations DEZ!

Best wishes,

Stig

PianoTeq was used to
- craft the inital tune - sometimes words come first and others the tune, this time they both appeared at the same time in my mind
- draft the harmonic progression and try out various musical genres - would a choral be suitable, a disco, a ballad or something with a Latin feel as was the final choice
- what vocal harmony should be added

Once I had decided on the basic sketch I shared the following steps with you above...

This is it for now...

What's new
- Retiming of "I'm gonna ..." to make it much tighter - no divas in this studio, Vocaloid does what is requested !
- Guiro on Drums removed, HP and LP filters engaged to balance percussive elements
- Beginning 2 bars of Piano before each phrase made louder
- Saturation added to final mix and reverb adjusted accordingly
- Forgot to add on Stage IV - chorus tempo cut to add contrast.

I did think about extending the chorus - but I think there's a limit to how much DEZ people want to hear. Maybe I'll revisit and find that I totally disagree with myself on edits / harmony / melody / choice of instrumentation / etcetera

Here it is in its Fifth iteration

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...rn%205.mp3

Enjoy!

What's changed
- Improved articulation on 'to it' - still don't like it, but no matter how I try to sing it to myself I'll leave it for now...
- Added more to the piano to lead into the various key changes a little smoother
- Added more voices to the choir in parts ... still a work in progress
- Started using REVERB as a musical effect rather than just a 'place mat'
- Re-examined the drums and overall balance

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...rn%204.mp3

It was going to be an exploration of how inspiring PianoTeq could be in crafting a song / piece I was going to share much about how I construction melody / harmony to achieve something that might be worth listening to, but as it is - it's here as a "recording featuring ... !"

I'm now struggling to find the energy or inspiration to continue the journey....

Here's the above musing put into place as an idea...

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...rn%203.mp3

The Chorus is in the relative minor - but I've changed the key to major!

Stage II

What's changed

- Better articulation offered by soloist; still hate the phrase 'to it', I'll sleep on it !
- Thicker choir, placed further back in the mix with added harmony
- PianoTeq dynamics tweaked
- Drum first appearance changed; got rid of the wooden sticks Bossa Nova rhythm ... didn't quite fit !

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...rn%202.mp3

.
Really nice and funny piece. I've really enjoyed it

Verse
=====
I'm gonna turn my life around;
I'm gonna make you really proud.
I'll get right to it!
CHOIR [Please help him do it; he's gonna turn his life around!]

I'm gonna change my thought process;
I'm gonna try for real success
I'll get right to it!
CHOIR [Please help him do it; he's gonna change his thought process!]

I'm gonna strive to do what's right;
I'm gonna face my greatest fight
I'll get right to it!
CHOIR [Please help him do it; he's gonna strive to do what's right!]

Chorus
======
As time will surely flow;
I have so far to go!
I'll fight 'gainst every blow;
Let me, forever grow!

FRENCH IDEAS
============
Elle va changer toute sa vie;
J'en suis fier de ma belle fille !
Mais c'est à coup sûr !

What's changed

- Better articulation offered by soloist; still hate the phrase 'to it', I'll sleep on it !
- Thicker choir, placed further back in the mix with added harmony
- PianoTeq dynamics tweaked
- Drum first appearance changed; got rid of the wooden sticks Bossa Nova rhythm ... didn't quite fit !

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...rn%202.mp3

Here's an initial song idea...

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...20Turn.mp3

====================================================

It has a tune, accompaniment and some drums. I will revisit it over the coming days / weeks and try to craft it into something worth listening to; hopefully???

WORDS:
(1) I'm gonna turn my life around, I'm gonna make you really proud;
I'll get right to it.
(2) Please help him do it! He's gonna turn his life around.

(1) I'm gonna change my thought process, I'm gonna try for real success;
I'll get right to it.
(2) Please help him do it! He's gonna change his thought process.

???