poor tracking = "challenging" mix

Jax · 8th November 2002, 02:30 AM

I'm mixing some material that a band recorded 10 years ago at a good (former) local studio. The main problem is with the drum mix. Apparently, the drummer had a heavy ride cymbal above his two mid toms, IOW above the middle of the kit. The result is TONS of ride cymbal bleed esp. in the snare mic. It sounds like the reflections and volume of the ride attack - which is a VERY pronounced PANG! - bounced right into the snare mic. Oddly, this is much less apparent in the tom mics.

In mixing this cluster****, I have no choice but to sharply gate the snare. Otherwise, the compression and eq that works best for the snare bring the ride pang to another level of obnoxiousness. When the hi-hat is played, it also bleeds loudly into the snare mic. All the snare samples I've tried for replacement don't go well with the overhead and room mics snare sound. There's a great sounding pair of room mics that should be mixed in.

So now I have a drum mix with a snare gate that opens and shuts very quickly, and includes the ride pang and hi hat wash each time. The cymbal bleed is keyed-out as much as possible on the snare hits and it's just barely acceptable.

I don't know how the engineer who recorded this let the bleed problem go undealt with. Must have been a quick and dirty job even though it was a nice studio.

Just venting before I go back tomorrow. I still have to mix 4 or 5 other songs recorded the same way. Glad this part of the forum is here!

Jax · 8th November 2002, 02:38 AM

One more thing: the engineer should have at least asked the drummer to move the ride over by the floor tom... and/or try a lighter ride. This ride doesn't fit the songs. It sounds like a ride you'd hear in 80's speed metal, as opposed to 90's noise rock/grunge.

alphajerk · 9th November 2002, 03:17 AM

can you say soundreplacer. its not always evil when it saves your ass.

Jax · 10th November 2002, 01:11 AM

I said soundreplacer. I didn't want to, but I said it.

I went into the live room, recorded 3 types of hits (semi-rimshot, mid drum, and off near a lug for overtones) on my Noble and Cooley Alloy Custom and replaced every hit from the original track. Time consuming, but it worked out very well, actually.

There's a little wierdness between the tone of snare in the OH's and room mics compared to the snare track, but it's far preferable to the prior shitola.

Fibes · 16th November 2002, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alphajerk
can you say soundreplacer. its not always evil when it saves your ass.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ah ah ah ah ah ah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ah!

He's gone all alphajerk.

Did I really hear that?

alphajerk · 16th November 2002, 02:07 AM

well, no one blames poor tracking for a crappy sounding mix.

Fibes · 16th November 2002, 02:39 AM

I know. I'm able to laugh 'cause I know the story. I'm just glad you came back from...........................

Call you when I get home. I'm outta here.

Jax · 16th November 2002, 11:44 AM

uhh..

how do I put this

wtf are you talking about?

bjornson · 6th December 2002, 10:59 PM

It's probably that most evilist cymbal from the 80's........
The EARTH RIDE! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAHHHAHHHHAHAHH

Jax · 7th December 2002, 12:39 AM

The client told me it was a Z Power Ride. I don't think Zildjian made a Power Ride in the Z line. Whatever it was though, it sounded pretty much the same as any clanging, shitty Earth Ride.

ha ****ing ha ha ... ..

At least I got paid.

alphajerk · 7th December 2002, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fibes
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ah ah ah ah ah ah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ah!

He's gone all alphajerk.

Did I really hear that?

well i mixed it without soundreplacer... hopefully fully get paid sunday. glad dis bitch is out of my hands.... now to track his new band RIGHT and @ 96khz.

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8th November 2002, 02:30 AM	#1
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,668	poor tracking = "challenging" mix I'm mixing some material that a band recorded 10 years ago at a good (former) local studio. The main problem is with the drum mix. Apparently, the drummer had a heavy ride cymbal above his two mid toms, IOW above the middle of the kit. The result is TONS of ride cymbal bleed esp. in the snare mic. It sounds like the reflections and volume of the ride attack - which is a VERY pronounced PANG! - bounced right into the snare mic. Oddly, this is much less apparent in the tom mics. In mixing this cluster**, I have no choice but to sharply gate the snare. Otherwise, the compression and eq that works best for the snare bring the ride pang to another level of obnoxiousness. When the hi-hat is played, it also bleeds loudly into the snare mic. All the snare samples I've tried for replacement don't go well with the overhead and room mics snare sound. There's a great sounding pair of room mics that should be mixed in. So now I have a drum mix with a snare gate that opens and shuts very quickly, and includes the ride pang and hi hat wash each time. The cymbal bleed is keyed-out as much as possible on the snare hits and it's just barely acceptable. I don't know how the engineer who recorded this let the bleed problem go undealt with. Must have been a quick and dirty job even though it was a nice studio. Just venting before I go back tomorrow. I still have to mix 4 or 5 other songs recorded the same way. Glad this part of the forum is here! __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.**

8th November 2002, 02:38 AM	#2
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,668	One more thing: the engineer should have at least asked the drummer to move the ride over by the floor tom... and/or try a lighter ride. This ride doesn't fit the songs. It sounds like a ride you'd hear in 80's speed metal, as opposed to 90's noise rock/grunge. __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.

10th November 2002, 01:11 AM	#4
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,668	I said soundreplacer. I didn't want to, but I said it. I went into the live room, recorded 3 types of hits (semi-rimshot, mid drum, and off near a lug for overtones) on my Noble and Cooley Alloy Custom and replaced every hit from the original track. Time consuming, but it worked out very well, actually. There's a little wierdness between the tone of snare in the OH's and room mics compared to the snare track, but it's far preferable to the prior shitola. __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.

16th November 2002, 02:39 AM	#7
Fibes Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 505	I know. I'm able to laugh 'cause I know the story. I'm just glad you came back from........................... Call you when I get home. I'm outta here. __________________ Fibes "you can like it, or not like it."

9th November 2002, 03:17 AM	#3
alphajerk There is only one Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,291	can you say soundreplacer. its not always evil when it saves your ass.

16th November 2002, 02:07 AM	#6
alphajerk There is only one Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,291	well, no one blames poor tracking for a crappy sounding mix.

16th November 2002, 11:44 AM	#8
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,668	uhh.. how do I put this wtf are you talking about? __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.

6th December 2002, 10:59 PM	#9
bjornson Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 533	It's probably that most evilist cymbal from the 80's........ The EARTH RIDE! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAHHHAHHHHAHAHH

7th December 2002, 12:39 AM	#10
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,668	The client told me it was a Z Power Ride. I don't think Zildjian made a Power Ride in the Z line. Whatever it was though, it sounded pretty much the same as any clanging, shitty Earth Ride. ha **ing ha ha ... .. At least I got paid. __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.**

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