Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Demacio 'Demo' Castellon

[Sirocco]

In this months Sound on Sound: Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Demacio 'Demo' Castellon

great article he goes over what happened with the mix of '4 minutes'.

"The mastering wars? Haha! Tim and I are partly to blame for that!"

[M.j.O.r.]

demo's awesome. one of my fav. engineers definately.

[M.j.O.r.]

good read too, i was just saying how for this month they should do 4 minutes or actually anything off o Hard Candy. The spike stent stuff is actually off the chain too. great article

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by M.j.O.r.

good read too, i was just saying how for this month they should do 4 minutes or actually anything off o Hard Candy. The spike stent stuff is actually off the chain too. great article

yeah its the only reason i pay the outrageous import price for the mag :(

[BrettMorello]

Sorry I burst into this thread. I'm not into hip hop at all, but I read the article, did a search on GS and came on this topic.

I was a bit disappointed in the article.. well not the article itself but the general idea. But maybe it is because I am not into hip hop. And off course, the charts prove me otherwise, I can't do anything but respect people who can make this kind of record sale numbers nowadays.

But what kind of struck me... First of all, there is the enormous track count. May look pretty cool on paper, and I understand they don't want to use out of the box sounds but for me personally it would be completely out of line. It really gave me the impression they just stacked loads and loads of sounds on eachother to see where they were heading. Maybe because I don't have enough knowledge of sample sounds, but the end result doesn't blow me away. i mean, that brass sound isn't that spectacular is it.

And I also still find a bit odd that he actually seems proud of that mega loud mastering these days. I understand a track this kind may need it, but they are realy pushing the limits. Again, the song is pretty catchy, (I find myself imitating Justin's 'MAdonna' a lot when I hear it on the radio:)), I gues I am just a bit disappointed I didn't get more insight in the idea behind producing/mixing such a chart buster. The only impression I now had was: let's just run many sounds through an expensive desk and see what happens. I know that wasn't how it went, but just want to give you some insights on my thoughts.

I was far more inspired with the articles of Nick Launay or Liam Watson, but it may be a genre thing.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by BrettMorello

Sorry I burst into this thread. I'm not into hip hop at all, but I read the article, did a search on GS and came on this topic.

I was a bit disappointed in the article.. well not the article itself but the general idea. But maybe it is because I am not into hip hop. And off course, the charts prove me otherwise, I can't do anything but respect people who can make this kind of record sale numbers nowadays.

But what kind of struck me... First of all, there is the enormous track count. May look pretty cool on paper, and I understand they don't want to use out of the box sounds but for me personally it would be completely out of line. It really gave me the impression they just stacked loads and loads of sounds on eachother to see where they were heading. Maybe because I don't have enough knowledge of sample sounds, but the end result doesn't blow me away. i mean, that brass sound isn't that spectacular is it.

And I also still find a bit odd that he actually seems proud of that mega loud mastering these days. I understand a track this kind may need it, but they are realy pushing the limits. Again, the song is pretty catchy, (I find myself imitating Justin's 'MAdonna' a lot when I hear it on the radio:)), I gues I am just a bit disappointed I didn't get more insight in the idea behind producing/mixing such a chart buster. The only impression I now had was: let's just run many sounds through an expensive desk and see what happens. I know that wasn't how it went, but just want to give you some insights on my thoughts.

I was far more inspired with the articles of Nick Launay or Liam Watson, but it may be a genre thing.

I agree with everything you said

[M.j.O.r.]

Theres other articles that im sure you would really like too, they do a pop and hip hop mix every other time, theres one on JJP and manny marroguin as well and both of those guys are dope. John mayer and the alicia keys stuff is simply amazing. check it out its worth the subscription dude

[filterayok]

I'm still waiting for ONE person to tell me they GENUINELY loved that song... And this includes the target audience of young girls they're going after.

[MYAMS]

Originally Posted by filterayok

I'm still waiting for ONE person to tell me they GENUINELY loved that song... And this includes the target audience of young girls they're going after.

I like this version that leaked a while ago better- it had a funky bassline and more of a minimal groove. The horns came in but were not the basis of the whole track.

[ron160]

bought this one when i was in the uk last weekend. with all respect to demo, but how can you be proud of mixes that sound squashed and lifeless like this ? there are tracks on madonna's cd that i just can't listen to in my earbuds cause the distortion drives me crazy. it's not just on her album, all of demos mixes on timbalands album sound like this too. i know , some of you might be saying that's probably the mastering guys fault, but i read an article (forgot where it was) where they say that demos mixes already look like a brick when they go to mastering. i remember when i first heard 4 minutes when it leaked on the web, i was like : alright..that's maybe some radio rip, the original will sound better.
bought the cd : the original sounded exactly like that other file..

anyway, just my 2 cents..

[CharlesD]

Just bought PDF! Read thru all article.
Man its cool interwiev i have learned a lot from Castellon!

[piccazzo]

I was a bit disappointed in the article.. well not the article itself but the general idea. But maybe it is because I am not into hip hop.

So Madonna is Hip-Hop now just because Timbaland did the track ? ?
So then Nelly Furtado and Justin And BRITNEY are Hip-Hop acts to...

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by ron160

bought this one when i was in the uk last weekend. with all respect to demo, but how can you be proud of mixes that sound squashed and lifeless like this ? there are tracks on madonna's cd that i just can't listen to in my earbuds cause the distortion drives me crazy. it's not just on her album, all of demos mixes on timbalands album sound like this too. i know , some of you might be saying that's probably the mastering guys fault, but i read an article (forgot where it was) where they say that demos mixes already look like a brick when they go to mastering. i remember when i first heard 4 minutes when it leaked on the web, i was like : alright..that's maybe some radio rip, the original will sound better.
bought the cd : the original sounded exactly like that other file..

anyway, just my 2 cents..

Exactly...compare them to the Spike Stent mixes on the same album.

There's always a healthy amount of BS in the Sound on Sound interviews, or at the very least a fair amount of glossing over details, but in the last few issues they've really chosen bad interviewees in my opinion. I know people who've worked with Demo, and apparently he's a really nice guy, so I wouldn't want this to come across as slagging someone off...but the sounds speak for themselves. I think he mixed some of the Timbaland/50Cent tracks, and they're absolutely smashed and distorted sounding too.

[M.j.O.r.]

for some reason i dont think they pick the article on the actual sound of the mix but just the people involved. i thinks its more interesting that way. i look up to the team of engineers that camp has, so whatever i see that they do i read and see what theyre talking about. good stuff either way, and hes a dope engineer

[neon]

Any decent dude would mix that song and because is Madonna and Justin T. will have lots of Airplay.

For me this song sucks,,and sounds just average.

[pw8888]

Average ?
Does someone here like the SOUND of this track ?

Please....

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by pw8888

Does someone here like the SOUND of this track ?

Please....

not too much ...5/10 or so

i dont hate it but its the song that really pisses me off - very mediocre and 1-dimensional

[pw8888]

I was talking about the sound (5/10) is fair.

Now If we talk the quality of the song....SO BAD !!!!!
I really liked (yes liked) Timbaland work.....but now....I don't understand him anymore...

[riteup3]

On the same album, I don't know who mixed "Dance 2night" feat. the same personel, but the mix is banging. Song aint too bad either, much better than the 4 Minute crap.

[Masterer]

Originally Posted by BrettMorello

And I also still find a bit odd that he actually seems proud of that mega loud mastering these days. I understand a track this kind may need it, but they are realy pushing the limits. Again, the song is pretty catchy, (I find myself imitating Justin's 'MAdonna' a lot when I hear it on the radio:)), I gues I am just a bit disappointed I didn't get more insight in the idea behind producing/mixing such a chart buster. The only impression I now had was: let's just run many sounds through an expensive desk and see what happens. I know that wasn't how it went, but just want to give you some insights on my thoughts.
.

Definitely NOT the ME's fault. Ive been there and the shit is usually smoked before it gets to mastering. Nothin' you can do but turn it down or leave it alone so you don't have to ruin the other tracks on the record that aren't obliterated. It ain't nothin' to be proud of.
I'm not old school, and I don't believe in limiting [pun intended] someones creativity, but sometimes a bad idea is just a bad idea... no matter how cool the song is.

[sevendaysoff]

Originally Posted by pw8888

I really liked (yes liked) Timbaland work.....but now....I don't understand him anymore...

he must be out of fresh ideas, or out of old middle eastern vinyl to steal ideas from.

[pw8888]

hum....second solution is the one I think...

[loncali]

I read the article, it wasn't really informative. The actual song "4 minutes" has a nice and simple melody, but it is very badly mixed, there is no room for the track to breathe. The horns sound so synthetic and fake, and the compression is over-used.

Noticed that most of Demo's tracks on Shock Value had the same over-compressed sound.

I think he is trying too hard to sound like Dr Dre, but doesn't realise sometimes less is more.

Dr Dre produced song called "Hold On" from Young Buck's album is an example of how to properly mix a track driven by horns.
YouTube - Young Buck feat 50 Cent - HOLD ON

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by riteup3

On the same album, I don't know who mixed "Dance 2night" feat. the same personel, but the mix is banging. Song aint too bad either, much better than the 4 Minute crap.

Dance 2Night - Mad-Eyes - Madonna song lyrics, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland would appear to be demo again.

I've not really heard the entire album...how do "She's Not Me", "Beat Goes On", "Give It to Me" compare to the other tracks? They're spike mixed tracks....

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by loncali

I read the article, it wasn't really informative. The actual song "4 minutes" has a nice and simple melody, but it is very badly mixed, there is no room for the track to breathe. The horns sound so synthetic and fake, and the compression is over-used.

Noticed that most of Demo's tracks on Shock Value had the same over-compressed sound.

I think he is trying too hard to sound like Dr Dre, but doesn't realise sometimes less is more.

Dr Dre produced song called "Hold On" from Young Buck's album is an example of how to properly mix a track driven by horns.
YouTube - Young Buck feat 50 Cent - HOLD ON

weak dre mix compared to his others...vocals are lacking meat and sound very nasally as well

[Dr.Wu]

i thought the interview was just a lot of asskissin.
sure you need to stack all these tracks to come of with a pile of poop like this.
the brass sounds like comin from a general midi module.
another fine example of disposable popcrap.

[phillysoulman]

Bloody awful cd.
Shame on its "CREATORS"
What were they thinking??
What were they smoking??
I made a frisbee out of it and threw it to a neighbors dog.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Dance 2Night - Mad-Eyes - Madonna song lyrics, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland would appear to be demo again.

I've not really heard the entire album...how do "She's Not Me", "Beat Goes On", "Give It to Me" compare to the other tracks? They're spike mixed tracks....

whoever did 'voices' needs a reality check..badly..

[theblotted]

nice, another SOS article on how NOT to do things..

[pedrodash]

I love this song. Specially the instrumental... I really like the brass sound, because it is not supposed to sound as real brass but to use the bad-sounding-synth-brass with creativity and I love this beat. But I guess it'd be a better song if it was in a JT album and with different vocal harmonies/construction.
But, again, I like this beat.