The Official "Please Check Out My Mix/ Music" Thread

[Mark D.]

G22 JGK (Xzibit): Works, with the beat. I like the clarity of that file you'd
posted before. Perhaps the playback on the remix page is lower resolution?
It just seems rounded off in the highs. The vocal lacks a little impact also.

MusicFiend804: Kick a bit too loud in the chorus, clap better on verse &
weak on chorus. Chorus vocals are ok. Verse vocals have midrange bump,
possibly room sound. This suffers from the a fast growing problem in a lot
of beats. No bass line and a subby kick not tuned to follow those chords.

Sponsered User 1: Squashed. Chorus too busy. Too bad since the mix is
generally clear. Good rap. Verb/delay doesn't usualy work on rap but with
this vibe, it does. It's different in a good way, but it's a little bit too loud.

Sponsered User 2: Spatializing is your strength. Same over-compression.
But in a sparser song it's not as bad. The heavy FX on that verse rap also
works too. The kick is dull. Nice 'clack' snare. An interesting loose cannon.
The distorted whatever could have been painful, but it's not. Pretty good.

[MusicFiend804]

Originally Posted by Mark D.

G22 JGK (Xzibit): Works, with the beat. I like the clarity of that file you'd
posted before. Perhaps the playback on the remix page is lower resolution?
It just seems rounded off in the highs. The vocal lacks a little impact also.

MusicFiend804: Kick a bit too loud in the chorus, clap better on verse &
weak on chorus. Chorus vocals are ok. Verse vocals have midrange bump,
possibly room sound. This suffers from the a fast growing problem in a lot
of beats. No bass line and a subby kick not tuned to follow those chords.

Sponsered User 1: Squashed. Chorus too busy. Too bad since the mix is
generally clear. Good rap. Verb/delay doesn't usualy work on rap but with
this vibe, it does. It's different in a good way, but it's a little bit too loud.

Sponsered User 2: Spatializing is your strength. Same over-compression.
But in a sparser song it's not as bad. The heavy FX on that verse rap also
works too. The kick is dull. Nice 'clack' snare. An interesting loose cannon.
The distorted whatever could have been painful, but it's not. Pretty good.

Thanx Mark But yeah i got the beat already done no Seperates.

[g22]

[QUOTE=Mark D.;5617291]G22 JGK (Xzibit): Works, with the beat. I like the clarity of that file you'd
posted before. Perhaps the playback on the remix page is lower resolution?
It just seems rounded off in the highs. The vocal lacks a little impact also.

[QUOTE]

Mark, thanks for the FB, thats interesting because the original file I posted was the original wav file from my MPC converted to flac, whereas the remix file was the result of bringing that file into ableton, mixing it with the vocals with absolutely no adjustments other than the track volume of each, and exporting it into a new wav file.

On one hand I've always thought that each DAW does something different to the sound of projects, and try to avoid using them for that reason, and sticking to all hardware. Maybe ableton altered the sound a tad, because I felt the same way. Especially since the remix I posted was a wav file, and the instrumental was flac. The wav version is supposed to sound clearer, not the other way.

On the other hand it could just be the vocal track and any effects used on it altering the overall sound. Either way, my ableton crashed right after I exported so I can't make any more adjustments even if I wanted, but anyway thanks for the FB, appreciate you taking time to listen to everyones tracks on here.

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by MusicFiend804

i got the beat already done no Seperates.

I get a lot of those. I once got an R&B ballad beat, that had no bass line. That a must. So I got my custom 5 string bass & played the part. I then ducked the bass on the kicks with a compression side-chain, as they had an 808 hitting with one note, not tuned to that song as so many don't. If synth bass would have fit better, I would have played that. I surprised the client by doing that. It'd helped that song out a lot.

Originally Posted by g22

bringing that into ableton, no adjustments, exporting a wav file. It could just be the vocal track and any effects used on it altering the overall sound.

Likely not. It wouldn't alter it that much. It had to be Live doing that. I've heard people say Abelton isn't great with audio quality. It could be that Abelton doesn't do good conversion from FLAC to .wav on a final output. Every conversion step will alter digital audio. Some less than others, and some DAWS less than others. This is an extremly good example. Maybe test another FLAC again, no vocal, just import and export?

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by g22

I thought the production was really good, esp on the first track, well mixed, very melodic arrangement, nice job.

The 2nd track was good too, different vibe, but I liked it.

I think the vocals need some work though. They seem to be overpowered by the production, like the energy of the vocals don't match the high energy of the track, but overall great job on the rest.

Check my track and let me know what you think, thanks.

J.G. K.'s Xzibit Remix Contest - "Hurt Locker" Submission - Indaba Music

Mucho thanks! Do you mean the vocals in both mixes are over powered or only in the second one? Any advice on how I can fix it? Double 'em up?

I tried to check out your track but freaking Safari keeps freezing when I click play! I don't know why.

Originally Posted by Mark D.

Sponsered User 1: Squashed. Chorus too busy. Too bad since the mix is
generally clear. Good rap. Verb/delay doesn't usualy work on rap but with
this vibe, it does. It's different in a good way, but it's a little bit too loud.

Many many thanks! Sorry to be such a pain in the butt but if you don't mind could you let me know if you mean both the hook and verses are over compressed? For the chorus being too busy, did I mess it up? I was going for a very busy hectic sound on the chorus then a calmer slower sound for the verse to sort of simulate the meaning of the song sonically (Ride of My Life). Did I over do it? And for the verb, you mean I should cut the verb down a bit?

Originally Posted by Mark D.

Sponsered User 2: Spatializing is your strength. Same over-compression.
But in a sparser song it's not as bad. The heavy FX on that verse rap also
works too. The kick is dull. Nice 'clack' snare. An interesting loose cannon.
The distorted whatever could have been painful, but it's not. Pretty good.

Any advice on how I can clear up the kicks?

Guys, thanks a lot! Seriously. Here in China it's hard to get proper feedback because almost no one makes the type of music I do. I should have been here before!

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by J Ingram

So I recently mixed 7 tracks for Paul Wall's new album Heart of a Champion that just came out. Im curious what people think, constructive criticism welcomed There is a myspace stream and its available on iTunes/Amazon/Etc. I did tracks #1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 12, and 14. Thanks!

Sounds good to me. Except, for some reason to me, the vox seem to be a little underpowered. Just a bit. Which is the same damn problem I keep having (among lots of others haha).

You mind checking those two tracks I put up and giving me your opinion?

[Mark D.]

Sponsered User: The over-compression you ask about isn't on one thing, it was on the whole mix. Less of it will make it sound better I think. One can back off the verb / delay a bit, that will help make space in that mix also. Other ways are more about careful EQ here and there. It really could not be described here. It takes sweeping it and knowing what to take out of there, what not to, and how much to use as well.

Something you'll get with practice and patience. It sounds like you spend a lot of time on your mix (which is great, and the most effective: "secret to a great sounding mix"). Which is why few want to do it, and want some 'magic button' to replace it which has yet to be invented and won't be. You show some definite development in mixing skills and sould like there's definitely room to grow. You will if you have patience.

[MixHitz]

Originally Posted by SponseredUser

What up guys and gals,

any and all criticism on these two joints would be much appreciated!!

I hope you take this the right way. If you brought in someone to help produce the first track, I think you might have something.
Great concept

[g22]

Originally Posted by SponseredUser

Mucho thanks! Do you mean the vocals in both mixes are over powered or only in the second one? Any advice on how I can fix it? Double 'em up?

I tried to check out your track but freaking Safari keeps freezing when I click play! I don't know why.

Guys, thanks a lot! Seriously. Here in China it's hard to get proper feedback because almost no one makes the type of music I do. I should have been here before!

I felt like both vocals were a little lacking in energy, doubling or just raising the volume might work, but I felt both beats had a really good, big sound with a lot of energy, not necessarily loud or aggressive, but energy in that I felt the emotion in the music more than I did in the vocals i guess, if that makes sense, but it could just be because they were lower in the mix, so you could try raising the levels or doubling.

Not sure what Safari is, but I had trouble with my page freezing on me yesterday too, wondering if it was my page, but today seems ok if you still want check it out.

futureproducers.com is another feedback forum that gives a lot responses, mostly amateur, but another place to get your music heard. peace.

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by MixHitz

I hope you take this the right way. If you brought in someone to help produce the first track, I think you might have something. Great concept

I agree about the great concept part. While he'd benefit from a different producer's view, I think an engineer would help him more. On site, or remotely. That since I feel the sonics vs. production ideas are where he has the most room to grow. On-site they can mix so he can learn by watching. Remotely they could mix things and send them back. I have a feeling he would take time to listen, and try to figure out what he should change. I mean in the big-picture. I don't expect him to know how to EQ the same by just hearing it. But things like amount of effects, levels, etc that he'd hear would be a good guide for him to refer to.

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by Mark D.

Sponsered User: The over-compression you ask about isn't on one thing, it was on the whole mix. Less of it will make it sound better I think. One can back off the verb / delay a bit, that will help make space in that mix also. Other ways are more about careful EQ here and there. It really could not be described here. It takes sweeping it and knowing what to take out of there, what not to, and how much to use as well.

Something you'll get with practice and patience. It sounds like you spend a lot of time on your mix (which is great, and the most effective: "secret to a great sounding mix"). Which is why few want to do it, and want some 'magic button' to replace it which has yet to be invented and won't be. You show some definite development in mixing skills and sould like there's definitely room to grow. You will if you have patience.

Aaa, wo ming bai, I understand. The compression problem is my lame beginner attempt to mix and master. I will most certainly take your advice to head.

I gotta be honest though. I'm surprised any of you guys actually took the time to reply as I thought the tracks must sound like absolute garbage that's too broken to even begin explaining what any one problem is, on your systems. I made them in an absolutely untreated room with no-name cheap Chinese computer speakers (I'm talkin' $50 dollars for these things, I'd kill for even some cheap monitors!) and an obsolete 1st generation Mbox and 6 year old Powerbook lol. For you guys to even be replying makes me happy haha.

I was born and raised in Chicago and man, I'd love nothing more than to be able to get back to America and have my shit mixed and mastered by you guys that know your stuff. I can't even imagine how it would sound. But back on point, I'll keep doing what I do and practicing until I either get better (and get some proper equipment, monitors and what not) or I get back to the States.

xie xie ni men for the replies. I've got a lot more stuff coming for you though haha

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by g22

I felt like both vocals were a little lacking in energy, doubling or just raising the volume might work, but I felt both beats had a really good, big sound with a lot of energy, not necessarily loud or aggressive, but energy in that I felt the emotion in the music more than I did in the vocals i guess, if that makes sense, but it could just be because they were lower in the mix, so you could try raising the levels or doubling.

Not sure what Safari is, but I had trouble with my page freezing on me yesterday too, wondering if it was my page, but today seems ok if you still want check it out.

futureproducers.com is another feedback forum that gives a lot responses, mostly amateur, but another place to get your music heard. peace.

About the beats, that's what I was going for. It sounds like that to me but I'm on no-name brand cheap computer speakers so I thought it might translate poorly to you guys' systems. Like Mark said, he can really hear the compression. I'm going to take your advice and pump up the vocals and hopefully it'll give it a little bigger sound. Now for the first track you mean both the hook and verses right? For the second do you mean just the verses or the hook as well? xie xie!

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by MixHitz

I hope you take this the right way. If you brought in someone to help produce the first track, I think you might have something.
Great concept

No you're right, if I brought in ANYONE that knew what they were doing I might have something. Problem is that where I am in China I don't have anyone that makes the music I make, so I'm trying to learn and do as much as I can with what I have. But yea, the only thing I care about is the final track you hear.

Besides getting folks that knows what they're doing and getting some proper equipment, is there any advice you can give me to help me learn how to make a better mix? Anything at all. Little shit. Small tips and tricks. I'm starving for knowledge! haha

[MixHitz]

Originally Posted by Mark D.

I agree about the great concept part. While he'd benefit from a different producer's view, I think an engineer would help him more. On site, or remotely. That since I feel the sonics vs. production ideas are where he has the most room to grow. On-site they can mix so he can learn by watching. Remotely they could mix things and send them back. I have a feeling he would take time to listen, and try to figure out what he should change. I mean in the big-picture. I don't expect him to know how to EQ the same by just hearing it. But things like amount of effects, levels, etc that he'd hear would be a good guide for him to refer to.

I still say producer.
The performance could be brought out, which needs a little help. The odds of finding a producer that can engineer are much higher than an engineer that produces.

The song should come first. A spectacular song with an average mix will beat an incredibly mixed mediocre song.

just my worthless opinion

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by ThirtySecond

Appreciate any feedback on these two tracks. Planning to master in the next 2 weeks. Especially could use thoughts on vocals in the verses, but open to any other suggestions. Thanks! J

The mp3 you uploaded, what was the quality of it??

[ThirtySecond]

192

[J Ingram]

Originally Posted by SponseredUser

What up guys and gals,

any and all criticism on these two joints would be much appreciated!!

#1 i think lacks in energy a bit. its a good idea though. i didnt particularly care for the snare sound, but thats just my opinion. as far as the energy, i think using a different vocalist who nails the notes, and knows how to incorporate some overdubs to give the hook some more "hype" might be a good idea. if it was me, id try putting in some tight 32nd note hi-hats and see if that worked.

#2 to me is the more interesting of the two IMO. i would personally bring down the distorted sample vocal more to the level of the cleaner sample, it pokes out too far for me. I agree with mark d. in that the kick is a little dull. overall i think it could be revisited to balance levels a bit more, but its pretty cool. i like songs with a lot of space.

[Waynewonder]

Check my mix on my vocals on this track.
I start at around 1:15.
i had nothing to do with the vocals before mine...

LimeLinx - Preview - 14.mp3

[soultrappa]

Hi - im a little new to this game and i was hoping you could give me tips on some of my tracks - i respond well to critisim so dont be afraid to rip em to shreads but at the same time please give mentions of techniques to get them right. Also how do you add more energy to a track as i feel these are missing it.

to hear the tracks go to Soultrappa | Nottingham, UK | Hip Hop / Electro House/Dance/Rance / R&B/Rock | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos | ReverbNation

Thanks soultrappa

[Equiv_Exchange]

Wassup everyone. Here's my submission for Xzibit's "Hurt Locker" contest:

Equivalent Exchange's Xzibit Remix Contest - "Hurt Locker" Submission - Indaba Music

Feedback appreciated. If you like it please vote for it, I would be eternally grateful.

[Bossatmusic]

Originally Posted by o_black

Thanks! I'll try and work on my mixes..just learned some new things before i posted lol...time to try some new stuff out..

It kind of sounds like your taking credit for the Not Afraid beat

[SponseredUser]

Originally Posted by J Ingram

#1 i think lacks in energy a bit. its a good idea though. i didnt particularly care for the snare sound, but thats just my opinion. as far as the energy, i think using a different vocalist who nails the notes, and knows how to incorporate some overdubs to give the hook some more "hype" might be a good idea. if it was me, id try putting in some tight 32nd note hi-hats and see if that worked.

#2 to me is the more interesting of the two IMO. i would personally bring down the distorted sample vocal more to the level of the cleaner sample, it pokes out too far for me. I agree with mark d. in that the kick is a little dull. overall i think it could be revisited to balance levels a bit more, but its pretty cool. i like songs with a lot of space.

Many thanks for the advice. For the second track, yea I spent hours in Amplitube tweakinng the amount of distortion before I finally decided on the level it's at now. I can bring it down though. I can give some more polish to the lows as well. Lemme check that out.

Can you/ya'll check these two here in the meantime?

[peez]

Originally Posted by SuperZT

I enjoyed the music. Stay up.

<---- Thank ya very much

[djryno713]

Let me know what ya'll think of it! Good artist, humble cat, outta Houston, TX Preciate it in advance...100

- Ryno

[CityDump Records]

Originally Posted by djryno713

Let me know what ya'll think of it! Good artist, humble cat, outta Houston, TX Preciate it in advance...100

- Ryno

Sounds good man what plugs u use?

[M.I.N.D Records]

Originally Posted by djryno713

Let me know what ya'll think of it! Good artist, humble cat, outta Houston, TX Preciate it in advance...100

- Ryno

The guys sounds like lil wayne
The prod sounds like lil wayne
the mix sounds like lil wayne

This, sounds like lil wayne.

Good job dude.

[djryno713]

Originally Posted by CityDump Records

Sounds good man what plugs u use?

Preciate that mayne, forreal

Plugins...
Filterbank EQ on clap, hi hat, open hat, cymbal and the 4 diff guitars. c1 in sidechain mode on the bass linked to the kick, and an rbass on the bass. filterbank eq on the vocals. master bus had analog channel 1 and waves ssl comp, then through the inflator and l3

-Ryno

[djryno713]

Originally Posted by M.I.N.D Records

The guys sounds like lil wayne
The prod sounds like lil wayne
the mix sounds like lil wayne

This, sounds like lil wayne.

Good job dude.

Preciate the input, forreal. He gave me a Drake/Wayne feel also. He's got some great production behind him too....100

-Ryno

[emceelioness]

I've been rapping for the longest and been recording myself for about 10 years off and on...I got the basics down but I just need to get my mixes sounding radio ready...anyway, here's a track I did over the notorious thugs beat for this mixtape I'm putting together...wanted to know if it sounds good and if not, what should I do to improve it...Thanx

[yungskeeme]

Hey everyone. I just started my YouTube and need some more comments and feedback on this song. It was produced by my dad of PhillieBOP Productions. I was rapping and my sister and cousin were singing. Tell me what yall think .

YouTube - K.R.K- I Wanna Talk 2 U( Produced By PhillieBOP Productions)