Duets Karaoke Competition II

[Cz]

Wow, everyone's complaining about the heat. The Seattle region is nice and comfy in comparison then.

I almost forgot about the voting deadline. Thanks for the reminder, kcl822. Now that I think about it, the more songs one sings, the fewer songs there is to vote for since one cannot vote for one's songs. Um.... I guess that's good... less work.

Originally Posted by Hellychan

Yeah, I should try this, even if I know that's it's technically impossible for me T_T'

* /me looks forward to hearing Hellychan's amazing voice *

[Lichtkrieg]

I come often in the general section and i have never pay any attention to the duet karaoke thread. Today, I just felt like I should learn more about this

I just finish listen to the competion (thx to GipFace for the link) and wow!! You are amazingly skillfull! I never tough we have such great voice on animesuki. Can't wait to hear more! That was a wonderful idea kcl822.

[Shiemi]

Waaaahhh! I've been vacationing in a mountain with my family and I'm finally back. I had a sort of emergency at the time of broadcast and wasn't even at home, even if that happened before going to the mountain. Sniff!

Thanks to basket for the logs and the yousendit link that was still working today. LOL Also thanks to SCHDOWFOX, although I kind of saw basket's link first. Hehehe! My dad doesn't allow bit torrent on this PC so I immediately looked for the first posted direct download. lol

Thanks to my partners: Cz, Hellychan, and ChainLegacy!!! It was fun!!!

Can't congratulate anyone yet as I've just recently started to listen to the entries, but I bet everyone was great. I just listened to Hellychan and Chibi Nasu and that was great plus sounded difficult! Eep! Great rapping! Now I'm listening to llama and Jojo. This is tough! If every song is this good I might end up voting all entries with tens!!!

[kcl822]

Thank you for everybody who voted! I'm going over the scores and whatnot, but it might take me a day or two to post them (still no electricity for my computer... I wish I had a laptop now). It looks like it might give a very interesting result. Stay tuned~

[Cz]

Don't worry. Results can wait. The heat wave is hitting this area right now and it's so hot. Luckily electricity is still available. You should be glad that the electricity did not go out during your broadcast.

[Shiemi]

Originally Posted by kcl822

Thank you for everybody who voted! I'm going over the scores and whatnot, but it might take me a day or two to post them (still no electricity for my computer... I wish I had a laptop now). It looks like it might give a very interesting result. Stay tuned~

That sounds pretty bad. At least I have my dad's computer even if he doesn't allow bit torrent or any kind of what he might consider "strange" (actually anime) downloads.

Results can indeed wait, but I wonder what you mean with interesting result.

[Cz]

There's no electricity in parts of New York: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/22/ny.....ap/index.html

[basket]

Originally Posted by lwl12

There's no electricity in parts of New York: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/22/ny.....ap/index.html

That doesn't sound good at all... especially for those people who really need it like the elderly and people on medications/using pacemakers. I really hope they can restore electricity soon...

in a completely unrelated note I am already trying to find songs for the next duet karacomp...

[Shiemi]

Originally Posted by lwl12

There's no electricity in parts of New York: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/22/ny.....ap/index.html

I hope they'll be able to restore it soon enough. I've been without electricity by an extended period of time before (not when I was in Japan) and it's horrible, my most recent experience being when Ai-chan was a newborn by the last months of 2004. It's true that people with sickness, medical devices, and such suffer even more.

basket, already looking for songs? Maybe I should do that too and even look for partners for next year to start rehearsing already. Anyone obsessed enough to pair up with me so early? I actually did that with lwl12, except that we partnered up after the solo kara comp that came after the Duets kara comp rather than after the duets kara comp itself.

[basket]

Originally Posted by Shiemi

basket, already looking for songs?

Yep! In fact, I already have two songs in mind... I just wonder who I could sing it with (or whether I can find the lyrics for one of them )

Originally Posted by Shiemi

Maybe I should do that too and even look for partners for next year to start rehearsing already. Anyone obsessed enough to pair up with me so early?

I wouldn't mind trying a song.

[Chibi Nasu]

Yeah, I'm already thinking about what to sing for the next competition, and I can't seem to narrow it down from the.... million or so songs I'm considering XD

But I'm also up for preparing duets with someone! *waves*

[kcl822]

After all the trouble (shakes fist at the NYC electric company and Verizon), here are this year's duet winners. Yay!! Congratulations~

From the judges:
1st - Chibi Nasu and Serez
2nd - Chibi Nasu and SP
3rd - Shiemi and Hellychan


From the peers:
1st - Chibi Nasu and Serez
2nd - Shiemi and Hellychan
3rd - Chibi Nasu and Hellychan


Congratulations to the winners! Chibi Nasu, Serez, please email me your home address so I can mail you the prizes.

Thank you for everybody who participated in this!

For comments in individual entries by me and Nighwish, click on the appropriate... umm... I forgot what those are called...
Oh, yea - the spoiler tags!


Chibi Nasu and Hellychan

Spoiler:

Nightwish: First listen though it sounds quite good. Interesting effect you have going with the separate sounding (one sounds close the other distant) ... Normal quality "issues"... The rapped part was a little iffy, not really sure about it. Can't place my finger on why, will need to listen to it again. Good attempt though. The rest of the vocals seem good all the way through. I keep thinking Eva for some reason, I think there must be a similar musical motif used in the BGM of NGE... heh, I guess it is just a common tune.
Anyway, second time through and I think it is the timing that is the
issue with the rap. It just isn't on target and due to the speed the slightest drift is noticable. Doesn't impact much on the overall performance though. Good overall.
kcl: Nice voice, I must say. Let me steal your voices!! Singing is really, really good, timing is really good, rap is good (get my drift?). But then rap parts are always difficult unless you're a natural at it. Even the pronounciation is good. Happy to listen to you guys.

Jojo and llama

Spoiler:

Nightwish: Quality could do with some work; the voices are not individually well defined, by which I mean Jojo's voice is more noticable that llama's when they sing togther. They work well togther though... timing seems to be right on the money. Not formed a solid opinion yet,
will re-listen. Ok, on my second listen the voices sound clearer than I first thought, though I did catch a minor moment of wavering tempo and a little
off-key-ness... . Cute?
Maybe. Pretty good though.
kcl: Cute song warning! But then I did this a wihle ago so I shouldn't say anything about it... Anyway - llama's voice is cute, like expected. I'm surprised at Jojo's voice as well. It matches with the song. Timing is almost perfect, pitch is almost perfect as well. If it wasn't a cute song I would have been happy... But I won't vote against it though.

Gipface and Kawatori Shinji

Spoiler:

Nightwish: O.... K.... Umm actually I have a pokemon album. I probably shouldn't admit that. Umm... ok back to the contest... Umm the rapped bit at the start made me cringe slightly... but in fairness to them it is more the song than the singing The later ones are better... one of the voices is clearly a little weaker than the other but they both suffer on different parts of the songs... (bit of wobble on some of the sustained notes). Having said that, the two work well together almost all of the time. It has a authentic Karaoke feel... lots of effort and enthusiasm but not what you would call technically perfect. I'm quite impressed by some of the higher notes though! Yup, only need one listen, that was good. Though I will probably listen again anyway Plenty of room for polishing and perfecting it, but some how that would take away from the charm. Second time around I'm still really taken by the balance of high-vocal backing and deep rap... even if the rap is not crystal in places, it's actually kind-a catchy. I think I'll keep this one even if it is cheesy .
kcl: What to say, what to say... Guess I should say something after all...
Enthusiasm is great, pitch is off from time to time, timing is okay most of the time.
One good thing - the voices works very well and blend really nicely.

Kent and Candypop

Spoiler:

Nightwish: I'm liking the tune so far -- wooow, close voices -- step away from the mic people . Too much distortion ... Male voice (Kent?) is a little off in places; trying to ignore the distortion I think the problem is your breathing, it isn't quite right. I've thought about that since the last contest and I think that is the biggest problem for most people in these contests -- it leads to vocals that don't flow right... they sound "spoken". I suffer from it myself. Which is why you'll never hear me sing . Muhahaha... ahum.
Female voice (Candypop?) seems fairly stable most of the way through, though it too had the odd moment. That said, they were both wonderfully in sync and
sounded like they were enjoying it. All in all a very good entry, but still more breathing from the diaphragm... it should give your voice more depth and strength! Second listen it really grows on me. Nothing else to add really. Good stuff.
kcl: Kent: you should make up your mind if you want to sing it low or high. Sometimes the timing is off for both of you. A little more work and you can pull it off! As for pitch, listening to the original some more might help. I think the voices blend together really nicely. Another entry from you two would be nice in the future...

Yuushi and Chibi Nasu

Spoiler:

Nightwish: Umm do I know this... no, must be a newer ending/opening. More Chibi? Interesting mix of vocal effects -- though not delibert it works . People buy expensive voice-altering DSP boxes to get the same effect you got with a cheap mic Humm, you're not keeping time as well as you could, at least that is how it sounds. I don't know the song but it sounds very slightly shifted in places. I think you're only slightly out from each other but it is perceptable. Well, you can both sing. So how else can I be harsh... Not really sure it's just pretty good. I like it a lot actually.
Second listen it only improves.
kcl: I like this song (for obvious reasons). I think the second voice (forgot who it was...) kind of drags a little... the song is supposed to be bouncy and short, but I sense a drag. As for the harmony... it seems to be slightly off from each other at the chorus(I know how difficult it is since I tried it but couldn't do it). The other parts are okay though. Good job~

Shiemi and ChainLegacy

Spoiler:

Nighwish:: I'm expecting good things from these two... don't disappoint me! Shiemi's voice still isn't served well by her equipment... but it just about clear enough... strip back the muffle and it would really shine. Chainlegacy, well what can I say... that rap style works for you
Overall my expectation were not disapointed. Had all the normal KaraComp quality issues, but I guess it can't be helped. I don't know the song and can't
make all the words out because of the muffle, but most of it is listenable never-the-less. Well done both of you Thoroughly enjoyable.
Second listen highlights a few of the tempo/timing issues, but nothing too serious. Something to think hard about when rapping as the timing can really make or break the quality. Still liking it though .
kcl: I got the original and listened to it - rather interesting. I think ChainLegacy's doing a great job on this song. Even his voice matches the whole song! As for Shiemi, it seems slightly off-tempo throughout the song. But I love the chorus part. Great voice, Shiemi! Just... work on the timing?

Jinto and Hellychan

Spoiler:

Nighwish: Umm. Don't know this one either... ooo sounds like it could be an 80's power-ballad. Helly's voice doesn't quite have the power-ballad punch, but I think Jinto's would... Timing is off. You're both are basically in sync but you're not putting emphasis on all the right parts of the song; many but not on all (at least, not enough on all of the points I felt should have had more power)... maybe that is the song, but it sounds like you're not
"really going for it" in places where the style desires that you do. Aside from that the vocal quality is very good; little more pratice to strengthen the voice wouldn't go a miss (breathing I tell you!), but basically good stuff.
kcl: This song style reminds me of the 80's as well. Jinto's voice... sooo nice... If he could keep the pitch. Helly's voice is cute, like always. She does a good job on this song. Kawaiiii~

Shiemi and Cz

Spoiler:

Nighwish: Lots of moving on there KCL? Oooo I like this song Did one of you do this song before? Maybe it just fits your voices? Your voices both sound, for whatever reason, muted /quiet / reserved. Normally makes me think of a weak voice -- in fact I think you could both strengthen your voices with work. However, for this song and this pair it works as-is. Cz not blasting everything out of the water by over-powering Shiemi's trade-mark muffle makes it work. Ran out of time, will need to listen again. Second listen... more time to take in the charm of the voices. Cz, your voice is far from perfect but I think it works for your role in this song. Sounds good, but I think you're holding back -- probably more breathing issues -- if you pushed it as-is you would end up off key; right sort of pratice and I thnk you could make it more powerful and clearer. Same applied to Shiemi to a lesser extent -- need to sample her
voice on a better mic to see if it loses any of its current muffled charm.
kcl: I like "moving on", if you couldn't tell, NW.
Anyway - Cz keeps getting better and better every competition. Great job!
If you can sing a bit stronger next time you'll win everything!~
Unfortunately, the voice doesn't blend that well - one is too soft compared to the strong voice... Be strong, Cz!
PS: Shiemi, can I steal your voice again? And your talent while I'm at it?

llama and basket

Spoiler:

Nightwish: Awww Basket and Llama? Again llama sounds to quiet for the other voice most of the time, though she tries to push through towards the middle and the balance gets better. More of a mixing criticism than the singing. Basket, basket, basket, you're a little off key in places I think. Actually so was llama just then. Still it is a very good effort; a nice song done with the right level of enthusiasm and sincerity. Not perfect, but is actually something I would listen to again ... ooh thats a point nothing has been un-listenable yet.
Second listen... still the off key bits are clear. I'm sure it is breathing! ...but still
the unpolished nature gives it a lot of extra appeal and a quite charming honesty.
kcl: I'm grateful that you sang an entry, basket. so I hope I'm not destroying you with my comments. Beginning needs a lot of work, but it gets better so I guess that's okay. Put more emotion to it, basket! You can do it!
llama does a *great* job on this song. The harmonies needs some work though (specially in the middle). The ending is great though. I don't see any major timing errors so that's good. Nice song too.

Cz and Hellychan

Spoiler:

Nightwish: Are you grinning Kcl? I am sure I could detect a smile there...
Anyway, on with the next song... wait didn't we have this already? You can't pronounce "One day, one dream "? Recording is clearer than the other one. Not
sure what to say about this one. Cz's understated voice once again works well with the quiet companion voice... Helly we can hear you clearly at last! Just kidding... seriously though its pretty good. Power/enthusism has the right tempo keeps up with the general good timing. Voices are probably off in places but the "general KaraComp quality issue" masks them... Nice.
kcl: I don't smile, NW - you should know that by now! You must be getting old. :P
Moving on, I wonder what it took to get your voice up to that register. Sounds nice though. Really cute-sounding too! Harmony needs some work (in fact, that's one of the hardest thing to do in a duet), but otherwise, I don't see anything else that's wrong with the song. Oh, yea, there is. The song is cute now. Cute!! Must... run... away...

Chibi Nasu and SP

Spoiler:

Nightwish: How many Chibis is that now? Madam, you appear to be missing a whole frequency range... still, I'm really starting to like the old-time-radio effect ... Ooo both voices have it this time... it's like reverb-overload! ok ok recording quality aside. Need to listen again.
Second time... timing is a little off in some of the solos, but the
two voices are well synced on the shared parts. Wow, 2am, maybe my judgments are impaired... Sorry guys, can't think of anything else to say -- I'm liking it but can't think points to expand on, approve of or criticise.
kcl: Chibi's voice on this song seems to shine. That's one way to describe it. SP's voice is slightly strong for this song, but it doesn't sound that bad. Harmony needs works (I think the harmony part is one of the most difficult thing for duet people to work on). Timing is good for most part, and no major complaints with pitch (there are minor complaints though). The ending might need some work though. But otherwise, a nice song to listen to.

Shiemi and Hellychan

Spoiler:

Nightwish: Your two voices work well togther. Helly you are slightly off key in one or two places. Shiemi, still muffled. Can't really say much more -- Very good stuff, as expected from you two.
kcl: I must say, the hamorny is well done (except at the end). Maybe is because the voices are very similar. In short, I like this combo.

Chibi Nasu and Serez

Spoiler:

Nightwish: One minute and I think I've only heard one voice so far ... ah here we go... Wow... these two are on the ball with this song. Strong voices, perfect tempo and pitch; well I'm pretty sure, in spite of the lacking frequencies. I think these two are breathing better
than most this time around. Serez... don't know that name, would like to hear more. We already know Chibi can sing, sounds like another good pairing. Very well done.
kcl: It almost sounds like one person is singing the whole thing! (it reminds me of my sisters singing together - very difficult to tell them apart). Except for some pitch issues from time to time (very minor though), the song is perfect. Can't say anything else.

Now I need a break (until the next karaoke competition, which is the solo one, starts)... When will that be? Who knows. But it can't hurt to start working for it.
Hint: is in a couple of months.

[Chibi Nasu]

o.O I'm rather surprised.

Heh... reading all this makes me realize I need to get better recording material than my $7.00 mic from WalMart xD

I'm sure Serez will be shocked -- she's extremely self-conscious about her voice, so I had to nearly literally chain her down and force her to record with me... haha She doesn't come online much, so I'll try to catch her by phone and get her to send you her address and stuff. And I totally never realized how much we sounded alike until I was recording my vocals over hers XD

[Maybe you can time the competition around Christmas? XD]

Madam, you appear to be missing a whole frequency range... still, I'm really starting to like the old-time-radio effect ... Ooo both voices have it this time... it's like reverb-overload!

Hehe... yeah, we recorded from the same microphone (since he's my brother and all ^^ )

[Jinto]

Congratulation to the winners Chibi Nasu and Serez

I want to say thank you to all participants of the competition. You made it a delightful event

And special thanks to kcl822 and Nightwish, your comments are always a nice read. And I learned a new term... 80's power balad (never heard before ).

And finally special thanks to Hellychan, my partner uhm idol

[NightWish]

Yes, well done everyone. Congratulations to Chibi Nasu and Serez. So many good songs by Chibi, keep them coming! And make sure your friend enters the next contest too -- I want more of her voice!

Originally Posted by Jinto Lin

And special thanks to kcl822 and Nightwish, your comments are always a nice read.

You're welcome. ... I thought I waffled a bit... but meh.

Originally Posted by Jinto Lin

And I learned a new term... 80's power balad (never heard before ).

::laughs:: ... Power Ballad, yes... just think "Boston", "Foreigner" or similar. You'll know it when you hear it... look for the 80's band with lots of guitars, more pieces to the drum kit than they ever actually play, big hair (probably) and singing about love...

[Cz]

Wow, congrats to Chibi Nasu and Serez for winning the first prize. Also to Hellychan, Shiemi and SP for getting into the top 3.

Thank you to kcl822 and especially Nightwish for taking the time to write such long reviews. I really need to sing louder? I think I did for One Day One Dream, but I think it's the audio normalization that brought it down? I will try to do better next time.

Originally Posted by Shiemi

Anyone obsessed enough to pair up with me so early? I actually did that with lwl12, except that we partnered up after the solo kara comp that came after the Duets kara comp rather than after the duets kara comp itself.

Actually, I did that with Hellychan. We decided on the song last year.

----

So I'm up for another DKC. This time, maybe a 3-person triplet, or more. I wish kcl would hold these karacomps more often.

[Chibi Nasu]

If we were aloud groups of 3 or 4, I would be an extremely happy person *has two songs she wants to do, one with 3 people, the other with 4*

[Cz]

I am pretty sure kcl822 said that that is allowed. After all, she allows up to 4 partners for this one, and I think I asked her if group songs were ok and I think she said yes.

Of course, in that case, maybe it's better if kcl increased the quota a bit so these people can sing more than one song.

[basket]

Originally Posted by kcl822

llama and basket

Spoiler:

Nightwish: Awww Basket and Llama? Again llama sounds to quiet for the other voice most of the time, though she tries to push through towards the middle and the balance gets better. More of a mixing criticism than the singing. Basket, basket, basket, you're a little off key in places I think. Actually so was llama just then. Still it is a very good effort; a nice song done with the right level of enthusiasm and sincerity. Not perfect, but is actually something I would listen to again ... ooh thats a point nothing has been un-listenable yet.
Second listen... still the off key bits are clear. I'm sure it is breathing! ...but still
the unpolished nature gives it a lot of extra appeal and a quite charming honesty.
kcl: I'm grateful that you sang an entry, basket. so I hope I'm not destroying you with my comments. Beginning needs a lot of work, but it gets better so I guess that's okay. Put more emotion to it, basket! You can do it!
llama does a *great* job on this song. The harmonies needs some work though (specially in the middle). The ending is great though. I don't see any major timing errors so that's good. Nice song too.

*hides in a deep hole* ^^;;

Well, considering how much time we had to practice this song (we finished it a day or two before the original deadline, I think, and we started about two weeks before that after trying out another song that didn't work out, plus I had to change recording software mid-way) and the fact llama didn't have much time either because she was working, I think it turned out pretty well.

Originally Posted by kcl822

Now I need a break (until the next karaoke competition, which is the solo one, starts)... When will that be? Who knows. But it can't hurt to start working for it.
Hint: is in a couple of months.

I think I will be submitting two entries for this competition. One that doesn't count (as always) and one that will count (for the first time in the solo competition, as well). The actual song will be a secret though to most people until the last minute.

[ChainLegacy]

Originally Posted by kcl822

After all the trouble (shakes fist at the NYC electric company and Verizon), here are this year's duet winners. Yay!! Congratulations~

From the judges:
1st - Chibi Nasu and Serez
2nd - Chibi Nasu and SP
3rd - Shiemi and Hellychan


From the peers:
1st - Chibi Nasu and Serez
2nd - Shiemi and Hellychan
3rd - Chibi Nasu and Hellychan

Shiemi and ChainLegacy

Spoiler:

Nighwish:: I'm expecting good things from these two... don't disappoint me! Shiemi's voice still isn't served well by her equipment... but it just about clear enough... strip back the muffle and it would really shine. Chainlegacy, well what can I say... that rap style works for you
Overall my expectation were not disapointed. Had all the normal KaraComp quality issues, but I guess it can't be helped. I don't know the song and can't
make all the words out because of the muffle, but most of it is listenable never-the-less. Well done both of you Thoroughly enjoyable.
Second listen highlights a few of the tempo/timing issues, but nothing too serious. Something to think hard about when rapping as the timing can really make or break the quality. Still liking it though .
kcl: I got the original and listened to it - rather interesting. I think ChainLegacy's doing a great job on this song. Even his voice matches the whole song! As for Shiemi, it seems slightly off-tempo throughout the song. But I love the chorus part. Great voice, Shiemi! Just... work on the timing?

Thanks very much for your comments. I wasn't too confident about this entry, though I guess I never am.

Congratulations to the winners and good job to all of the contestants. Thanks for being my partner, Shiemi, I'm glad someone was willing to (someone as good as you ) . Good job and I'll (hopefully) be back again next time!