Virtual orchestras, Amateur song-ers, and me

Hah. I have been out of the animeblogger’s loop for a few weeks (you know, with the holiday and the crazy work schedules) and I can’t believe I almost missed the karaoke pimpage of Jeff and Omo. Woo-hoo. Yes, give me some karaoke love.

As Omo mentioned, AnimeSuki hosted their 6th semi-annual karaoke competition. And of course, this karaoke-whore cannot resist the call. I have no shame. And I repeat. I. HAVE. NO. SHAME. Inevitably, I submitted my entry.

Yesterday was the 7-hour live broadcast of the karaoke-a-thon. Alas, I missed it because I am bound by bills. And more bills. So instead of bumming inside the house whilst being enthralled by the beauteous warblings of fellow karaoke enthusiasts, I had to earn my steady paycheck. Boo. I should have brought headphones to work.

Ah. But there is silver lining beneath those gray clouds. Lwl12 of AS posted the entire transcript of the IRC log. A small excerpt brought a smile to this blogger’s face.

{} = my added comments…

[021206.111559] <+yukie> planetarium by otsuka ai?
[021206.111600] <+drather> i like this song
[021206.111600] <+kantarou-chan> OOH!
[021206.111601] * @Cz np: [AnimeSuki.info] Ten - Planetarium (Hana Yori Dango) {Here I go.}
[021206.111604] <+kantarou-chan> What’s this?
[021206.111604] <@cz> oops, forgot
[021206.111605] <+kantarou-chan> Oooh.
[021206.111606] <+fome> oooh
[021206.111607] <+fome> ooooooh
[021206.111610] <+triple-m> Sweet!
[021206.111610] <+yukie> hana yori dango is a drama ;_;
[021206.111611] <+mpeters13> wut
[021206.111611] <+fome> so nice
[021206.111615] <+fome> matured {When you say matured, what does that mean truly mean? Like old? Gah.}
[021206.111615] <+kantarou-chan> Nice opening. {Thank you muchly.}
[021206.111616] <%flan> “anime or game” be teh ruel! {I was able to circumvent it. I am special.}
[021206.111619] <+mpeters13> no fair! lulz
[021206.111620] <+chibinasu> But it’s based on an anime, so it’s ok ^^
[021206.111622] <+fome> sounds train
[021206.111623] <+rosie-chan> < <
[021206.111624] <+fome> trained {Not really.}
[021206.111625] <+kantarou-chan> So lovely. {I paid this person to say that.}
[021206.111626] <+rosie-chan> but it’s from the drama
[021206.111628] <+rosie-chan> not the anime < <
[021206.111628] * +Kantarou-chan never trained.
[021206.111628] <+adonic_meki> Wasn’t this the one that the person asked kcl if it was okay and kcl said yes? {Like I said, I am special.}
[021206.111629] <+kantarou-chan> -_-;
[021206.111633] <+rosie-chan> it’s nice though
[021206.111634] <+chibinasu> Good control over her voice {Awww…}
[021206.111640] <+kantarou-chan> I love this.
[021206.111644] <+kantarou-chan> It’s very… mature. {There goes the word again. Old, much?}
[021206.111644] <+rosie-chan> very pretty *_* {At least, she said it’s purty.}
[021206.111645] <@kcl822> :)
[021206.111645] <+fuyu> this is good
[021206.111646] <+fome> yeah
[021206.111647] <+hirose> well is not the cute cute usual type {I cannot do the cute little girl voice. It will kill my vocal chords. And my housemates might kill me.}
[021206.111648] <+hellychan> yeah
[021206.111652] <+hellychan> mature {I can probably have a drinking game with this word.}
[021206.111652] <+hirose> i like it {Ooooh, someone likes it.}
[021206.111654] <+kantarou-chan> Reminds me of Emiko Shiratori, for some reason. {Omigod! Emiko Shiratori sounds, you know, mature (because she is old). Ick. I don’t know if I should be pleased or not. =P At least, I know what to sing in the next competition, FF IX’s Melodies of Life. Hee.}
[021206.111655] <+shiemi> I know, flan. :p
[021206.111656] <+kantarou-chan> I know
[021206.111659] <+kantarou-chan> XD
[021206.111659] <%basket> So many good singers in groups 1 and 2… {Yes, we try. We try. Erm, I am included… Right? I love to beg for compliments.}
[021206.111702] <+yukie> she has a beautiful touch to her voice for sure {Again, thank you. Picture me preening.}
[021206.111702] <%flan> You said “too”.
[021206.111702] <+hirose> sounds like an old japanese music singer {Old japanese singer? Emphasis on old? Like Enka? I am beginning to have a complex.}
[021206.111703] <+kantarou-chan> The cute voices…. kill me.
[021206.111704] <+kantarou-chan> ;3;
[021206.111704] <+mpeters13> talk about control. wow
[021206.111707] <+kantarou-chan> Because I can’t sing cute. {Me too. Sniff.}
[021206.111708] <+kantarou-chan> Yeah < 3
[021206.111711] <+kantarou-chan> It’s lovely
[021206.111712] <+hirose> jaja
[021206.111712] <+fome> yeah, folk singer
[021206.111716] <+triple-m> Sounds like Kanon a little
[021206.111735] <+fome> fits the song too
[021206.111738] <+mpeters13> she’s losing it a little around this part {I wonder which part they are talking about. I was probably already out of breath.}
[021206.111741] <+fome> yeah
[021206.111745] <+shiemi> I like this song.
[021206.111749] <+fome> intonation wavers sometimes
[021206.111755] <+mpeters13> her pitch is starting to flange too {I blame it on poor lungs.}
[021206.111755] <+fome> i think she is focusing too much on tone {Nah, I was simply inept.}
[021206.111803] <+hellychan> yeah
[021206.111805] sounds old… {There! They said it. I sound OLD. Gosh, I am only twenty-ish. Ahem.}
[021206.111808] <+shiemi> Didn’t recognize it at first as I’m used to Ai Otsuka’s voice, but then realized the song it was.
[021206.111812] <+mpeters13> i’m waiting for
[021206.111813] <+chibinasu> But it’s a difficult song to sing, so can’t expect perfection on a straight take Yes, you tell ‘em, dude! Although I might have cheated a bit…
[021206.111815] * +Haplo needs to run and get food but will be back!
[021206.111820] <+mpeters13> yondeiru mune no…
[021206.111822] <+fome> true chibi
[021206.111837] <+hellychan> yup
[021206.111837] <+mpeters13> kagayaku mono wa, itsumo koko ni
[021206.111838] <+mpeters13> lulz
[021206.111844] <+fome> the volume kinda comes in and out {Again, out of breath.}
[021206.111844] <+drather> wow, we’re way ahead of schedule
[021206.111846] <+drather> nice :)
[021206.111850] <+fuyu> I like her vibrato {Me likes meh vibratto too. That’s the only thing I am confident in my twittering.}
[021206.111854] <+kantarou-chan> >_>
[021206.111855] <+kantarou-chan> You know.
[021206.111857] <+kantarou-chan> What’s a vibrato? D:
[021206.111901] <+hirose> well i enjoyed listening to this song {Why, thank you. I loved recording it too!}
[021206.111902] <+drather> get to hear more entries than i thought i would {And I didn’t get to hear any of them, dammit.}

(I trimmed some lines, btw.)

Criticisms aside, it is still oh-so-good for the ego. I cannot believe everyone was nice, polite, and sweet. (Edit: I was browsing through the entire log and these people were very nice with their comments.) I remember the inclusion of some false notes yet no one lambasted it outright. It will take a while before someone slaps away the silly grin on my face. Yuu~tsukuyo, kaodasu kieteku kodo~mo no koe too~ku too~ku... Hee hee. At least, I have proof to my housemates that my Japanese singing can be appreciated. To a certain extent. And I am not truly insane.

Okay. Ego-tripping over. Slap away.

The initial broadcast is over but the competition is only beginning. Unfortunately, I have to wait to download the show before I know who to vote. I have heard some drafts from other AS-contestants; and they are awesome from what I have heard. It should be tough to choose.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. My money would’ve been with Omo if only he finished his song.

Edit: I actually submitted an old-ish recording of Ai Otsuka’s Planetarium since my newer ones are mostly non-anime. Hee. I think I posted it here too. Or something. Here’s an excerpt.

Beware of Spoilers. You have been warned.

12.03.06 @ 5am

anime-ish, WTF!

Naddie 12.03.06 / 6am

You should include your uploaded mp3 in this post :D I missed my own turn too :( And only got to listen fully at the 7th group’s airing. And yes my moniker was naddie :P

It was a rough draft of the song since I didn’t get the chance to properly record a good one. Stupid finals. Stupid sore throat. Stupid blocked nose. *grumbles* Eh, here’s to the next competition, which I might consider entering, provided I don’t have any deadlines/important things around then :D

Mendaa 12.03.06 / 7am

I can hear a bit why they’d think you sound old, I’d guess it’s both the fact that the song is not in a high octave and your tone, which sounds like it was do to really pushing the air, and as you said you were really out of breath. Not saying that it’s a bad thing, in fact I think the tone really matches the song, and though you may sound a bit “old” it really blends with the piece and is quite gorgeous.

But that’s just my two cents, or however much money that phrase is supposed to refer to =P

Ten 12.03.06 / 7am

Naddie: I wanted to re-record the song but I was kinda busy and there’s this procrastinating thing. So ended up submitting an old one. I guess we have to wait for the download before we can listen to the entire broadcast. Hee. I can’t wait to hear your part.

Mendaa: Hehe. I understand where they are coming from since we’re used to the sweet cute voices in the anime OP/EDs. I don’t really mind them saying it’s “mature”. I am just being silly. I amuse myself. XD

Naddie 12.03.06 / 10am

Ten, I actually really like your voice! :D It goes really well with the song, and I have to say Planetarium is one of my favourite songs by Ai ever. (Darn when’s the second season airing again?)

Ahaha, don’t expect too much of my entry ^^; I just recorded it to see if the song would suit my voice, and worst of all I didn’t use a mic at all, but used the laptop’s “mic”, which picks up on anything it can hear. T_T; But there was only a few hours before the deadline so I thought “Oh well here goes nothing!” I mean, might as well turn in something you might regret rather than regretting not submitting it in the name of fun :D (But oh my God, I sound like a really small boy? Ooh err.)

I can’t wait for the torrent either! Sounds like there were lots of great entries! “SNAKE EATAH”? That I gotta hear :D Metal Gear will never sound the same again. It’s gonna be a pain to vote though, from the sounds of it :P

Ten 12.03.06 / 3pm

Thanks. I didn’t really like my recording either since I didn’t really practice to reach some high notes, even some of the transistion, and the breathing. And I tend to suppress my voice since I record at night (and I don’t want to wake up the housemates). I just thought it would be fun to join. Plus, I’d be called a wuss by a friend if didn’t. =D

I want to hear your entry, Nadieeee!!! I’m looking forward to Providence, Shiema, Mieyo, and of course, SNAKE EATAAAA! entries. There seems to be a lot a great voices in this comp. It is just awesome. I love it when fellow karaoke’ist join hands together.

Hey, Naddie, you should join omgsong.net. It is not a contest but we just upload some j-pop or anime OP/EDs for others to “critique” or to “enjoy”. It’s a good community. UNfortunately, it’s down for the last couple of days. When it comes back up you should give it a go.

Naddie 12.03.06 / 7pm

Well, I actually had put it up in my journal earlier, so here’s the link the a suckier version of “Puzzle” from NHK ni Youkouso xD;;

Naddie - Puzzle

Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you ;) And I swear I didn’t try to sound cutesy it just came out that way trying to sing a song with that key & octave :O (Keyword being trying. I’m sure I strayed a lot of times.)

Wow for someone who didn’t practice much you sound so wonderful. *listens to it again and again* Man I love this song.

And I loved Providence’s voice :D Have you gone to his SoundClick where he sang the Mononoke Hime theme? I swear I melted.

Ten 12.03.06 / 11pm

Meh likes your purty, sweet, and innocent voice!!! I can’t hear the “little boy” quip they were saying. XD You certainly must join next year again. *pumps fists in the air* And we should’nt miss the broadcast either.

Yeah, I heard Providence’s voice. I enjoyed his Frank Sinatra and the Mononoke Hime songs. His Scarlet was really good but I wanted him to it more angsty. I think he nails the technical stuff. And I want to hear Meiyo!!! They say she sounds like Shakira. That should be cool. And Snake Eater Lady!! They say she’s a shoo-in for the top prize.

Which program do you mix with? I am stuck with audacity. And I don’t know a lick about using the effects. I want to learn how to use reverb. XD

Naddie 12.04.06 / 12am

I’m definitely entering the next one provided I have the time :D And this time, I definitely have the mic, lol.

Yesss, there are so many people I want to listen to. So many good contestants, how do they expect us to vote for just one winner? It’s crazy!

I used Goldwave to mix :) But I suck at using the effects so I don’t know how to use them on the song either, haha. Audacity is good too actually if only for the fact that it can play the song while recording on top of it. (Goldwave can’t do that so I had to mix it manually.)

Btw, re: OMGSong, I think I’ve heard of it before. Aren’t the critics kinda evil or ego-crushing or something? xD; At least from what I’ve heard.

Ten 12.04.06 / 3pm

The critics in OMGsong can be strict but they’re mostly giving constructive criticism. So far, I haven’t seen an “evil” remark, Hee hee. They’re a good bunch.

Would you believe that Hung of AnimeNano is holding a karaoke contest??? Whoa, the karaoke love is spreading. YOu should join too. It should be fun. Although the deadline is two weeks. Ack. Too short, though. And I have a cold.

Naddie 12.04.06 / 9pm

Another contest? :D Hee, maybe if I can record a decent song I’ll join :P But darn, the reconstruction of the house is starting today so that’s going to be a bit noisy :( Oh well. Thanks for alerting me to the contest! *hurries off to record something*

omo 12.04.06 / 9pm

you flatter me so.

Naddie 12.05.06 / 11pm

Speaking of which do you know a good site that has a good collection of anime ed/op karaoke? It’s tiring to search around for it :( Besides, for songs from shows like Rurouni Kenshin it’s even harder since it’s a bit old now…

Ten 12.06.06 / 12am

The best one I can think of at the moment is Nipponsei. But of course, they have the newish ones. I usually just browse arround boxtorrents.com’s OST section.

Try http://gendou.com/amusic/ also. But I think they are mostly newish too.

Naddie 12.06.06 / 11pm

Yeah I have all those sites bookmarked but none of them have the really oldish ones and Anime Karaokes aren’t really up-to-date with all the oldish ones either… Oh well. Will have to do with what I have then ^^; Thanks Ten.

Kabitzin 12.07.06 / 12pm

That is sooooo cool! I remember when I first clicked that link I was prepared for some horrible Ali Project warbling or something, but it was so serene and well sung that I really enjoyed the recording. It’s great that they recognized your talent and even the criticisms were very constructive. It was also great that you were able to *ahem* skirt around the rules.

That’s so funny that everyone said your voice sounded “old”. I didn’t think that at all, although it is definitely not that cutesy bubblegum voice that pervades so many OP’s. I thought more along the lines of “has depth”.

Also, I had to look up what a “vibrato” is… =(

Na-chan 03.10.07 / 10pm

Ahh… You sing so lovely… May I ask, where did you find the karaoke track?

Rosemary 05.04.07 / 2pm

Wow~~~ I see my nick up there XD I liked it though~

(I came across your blog ’cause someone was googling my info ahaha)

ysp: duh!

Virtual orchestras, Amateur song-ers, and me

17 Comments

Have your say (as long as you're not asking where to download "stuff").

Unfortunately, comments left prior to May 13, 2006 were not imported in the WP transtition.

ysp: duh!

Virtual orchestras, Amateur song-ers, and me

17 Comments

Have your say (as long as you're not asking where to download "stuff"). Unfortunately, comments left prior to May 13, 2006 were not imported in the WP transtition.

Have your say (as long as you're not asking where to download "stuff").

Unfortunately, comments left prior to May 13, 2006 were not imported in the WP transtition.