[Cash and Change]

I actually think the whistling sounds good as is, I think it would start to sound odd if you increased the volume too much.

[Jean Of mArc]

Hey XPRT,

Yes, I see your dilemma. We do need that lead to come out a bit more, but we don't want the listeners' ears to suffer as a result.

There are a few ways that you can bring out a sound without causing damage:

1. Raise the volume. Obvious, but not always to good effect.

2. Double the line, and then pan one of them left and one of them right. You can usually keep the same volume, but having it come from two sides at once gives it more presence. Rap uses this technique a lot.

3. Parallel compression. I've never done this, but it might help the situation:
http://www.tenthegg.co.uk/tips/t008/

4. EQing. Basically, you raise the volume, but use EQ to take down the really high, harsh frequencies a bit so that it is more mellow. Best thing to do would be to blast up a node in your EQ, scan through the frequencies until you find the really harsh ones, then bring it below the middle line so as to lessen it. Then you can raise the volume without much damage.

If these don't work, try asking someone who knows what they're talking about haha, because I'm a noob at this stuff. But we really have to find a way to bring the lead out more... there must be a way.

[Jean Of mArc]

Originally Posted by Cash and Change

I actually think the whistling sounds good as is, I think it would start to sound odd if you increased the volume too much.

The alternative would be to take the other instruments DOWN a bit. They might sound fine on your speakers, but the guitars and such are much louder than the whistling on mine, and they are set to pretty average levels all-around.

Of course, you could get a few more people to say how it sounds for them... maybe I'm in the minority.

[XPRTNovice]

Just played with whistling levels and re-uploaded. Does this strike a good balance?

http://soundcloud.com/xprtnovice/not...i-you-whistled

[Jean Of mArc]

You're going to hate me for this... but you can probably actually put the guitar back up a tad.

In other words, it DOES sound better, but it might be a bit too far in the other direction. Either way, you've proven that you CAN make it more pronounced without being irritating! :D

So, just adjust it a bit, fix the rhythm towards the end (if you haven't already) and you're good to go!

[XPRTNovice]

Upgraded to mod review:

Alright mods, do your worst! Even if you and the judges hate it, all I did during all parts of this was laugh my ass off, so I'm happy.

http://soundcloud.com/xprtnovice/not...i-you-whistled

Thanks,
XPRT

FARMBOY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg_78pV0-Lw
GOLD SAUCER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT4xRwi5gUU
There are a couple of prelude and chocobo theme licks in there too.

[Flexstyle]

<MODREVIEW>

Oh man. I love this so much. Just a couple of minor nit-picks:

- The off-beat (and I don't mean tempo, I mean the position of the musical bar it plays in) harmonica/accordion/whateveritis sound that starts around 3:12 needs to be nudged so that it lines up a little nicer with the rest of the track, timing-wise.

- A little bit in the very ending sounds just a tad chaotic (too many musical ideas at once) and could be transitioned a bit better, around 3:34 or so.

Other than that, I got nothing. The mix is nice and rich, and for this genre you don't have to be perfect, IMO. Gotta keep some o' that down-home authenticity in there, which you've done very nicely. Also, absolutely love that "booty appreciation" whistle at the end, had me cracking up over here.

Really good work, and I want to see this on the homepage in the not-too-distant future. I personally think (aside from that timing issue I mentioned on my first bullet point) it's a winner as-is, but a couple more opinions won't hurt.

</MODREVIEW>

[XPRTNovice]

Thanks Flex! That goddamn accordion is giving me so much trouble. If I didn't like the way it sounded so much, I'd take it out. The soundfont that I used has a nice quality sound but it's realistic enough that you get the pre-noise hiss from an accordion, which effs up my timing. Good catch, I think I can just slide the bar there and be done with it. If not, it's coming out!

And agreed on the ending. I think I can clean that up.

Thanks again for the praise and the feedback. I'm glad my whistling skills have gotten some use other than annoying anyone in my house or workplace.

[Jean Of mArc]

No surprises here, I knew this one would be a winner.

Again, great work man. I have no doubts this will make it in, and deserving so. I look forward to seeing it on the front page soon!

[XPRTNovice]

Thanks Jean.

Just out of curiosity, can I expect one mod review, multiple, or what? I'm just wondering how long I should hang out in Mod Review mode before I go ahead and submit this.