Singer songwriter mixing techniques (gtrs vox and maybe a piano)

Switchcraft · 20th September 2005

What do you do in the mixing stage of these style acts. The recordings are very simple. One accoustic guitar (double micd with a 414 and a AT4040), sometimes 2 parts, a vocal with some BG here and there, and a piano on a track or two. obviously, the mix should be kept simple as well, but what types of techniques have you found successful for these types of recordings. I am much more accustomed to mixing with drums and bass and multiple singers, and this mix project is making me a bit nervous. This is vague, so you can flame away, but I wouldnt mind some vague answers either. I looking for some techniques from any of you who may have alot of experience with these acts. Think Melissa etheridge or Sheryl Crow only with their gtr.
i am mixing it on an HD 3 system with the waves stuff. I wish I had the URS stuff right about now.

u b k · 20th September 2005

approach #1:

make it ALL ABOUT THE VOICE. then, assuming the drums sound good and the groove has a nice pocket, make them ALMOST as prominent, with the bass driving the song. guitars support, except for fills and anthemic moments.

lots of percussive overdubs with various tik-a-tak things coming and going to drive home the dynamics and create motion and subtle drama across the parts.

fast 2 bus compression, make the whole thing PUNCH.

approach #2:

make it ALL ABOUT THE VOICE. then, make the guitars shimmer and sing and drive the song. less compression, more openness on the drums, duller tone on the d-n-b submix.

longer verb, subliminal delays, slower 2bus comp, make the whole thing VIBEY. push the fx more to make it swim, bury them to make it retro.

i could dream these things up for hours, i love producing. push into your fear, experiment, tell the artist you'd like to try new things, comp some of your time, and make it an adventure for everyone. clients will respond to your enthusiasm; there's nothing an artist loves more than someone else getting excited about their art and using that excitement to take their vision beyond what they imagined.

enjoy!

gregoire
del ubik

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20th September 2005	#1
Switchcraft Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,059 Thread Starter	Singer songwriter mixing techniques (gtrs vox and maybe a piano) What do you do in the mixing stage of these style acts. The recordings are very simple. One accoustic guitar (double micd with a 414 and a AT4040), sometimes 2 parts, a vocal with some BG here and there, and a piano on a track or two. obviously, the mix should be kept simple as well, but what types of techniques have you found successful for these types of recordings. I am much more accustomed to mixing with drums and bass and multiple singers, and this mix project is making me a bit nervous. This is vague, so you can flame away, but I wouldnt mind some vague answers either. I looking for some techniques from any of you who may have alot of experience with these acts. Think Melissa etheridge or Sheryl Crow only with their gtr. i am mixing it on an HD 3 system with the waves stuff. I wish I had the URS stuff right about now. __________________ Discography: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ryan+Schwabe

20th September 2005	#2
u b k Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2004 Location: The Land of Sunshine Posts: 11,297	approach #1: make it ALL ABOUT THE VOICE. then, assuming the drums sound good and the groove has a nice pocket, make them ALMOST as prominent, with the bass driving the song. guitars support, except for fills and anthemic moments. lots of percussive overdubs with various tik-a-tak things coming and going to drive home the dynamics and create motion and subtle drama across the parts. fast 2 bus compression, make the whole thing PUNCH. approach #2: make it ALL ABOUT THE VOICE. then, make the guitars shimmer and sing and drive the song. less compression, more openness on the drums, duller tone on the d-n-b submix. longer verb, subliminal delays, slower 2bus comp, make the whole thing VIBEY. push the fx more to make it swim, bury them to make it retro. i could dream these things up for hours, i love producing. push into your fear, experiment, tell the artist you'd like to try new things, comp some of your time, and make it an adventure for everyone. clients will respond to your enthusiasm; there's nothing an artist loves more than someone else getting excited about their art and using that excitement to take their vision beyond what they imagined. enjoy! gregoire del ubik