I'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES!

[joelpatterson]

Nothing like a touch of self-confidence! Pure power pop for the next generation.

[FossilTooth]

Is this the final mix?

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by FossilTooth

Is this the final mix?

Um, err... of course not! No, actually this is just what we ended up with at the end of the night. And then it went through another D/A/D conversion before becoming an mp3. Trion 8000 on the lead singer, TapeOp Ribbon mics on the drumkit.

[FossilTooth]

I'm sorry if that came off as offensive in any way!

For basic tracks it's pretty cool. Needs some tender lovin' in the mix though. I'm sure you'll deliver.

I like the vintage vibe from the kit. I even don't mind the blaring hi-hat. It sounds somehow appropriate for the track.

That said, the guitars could pop out and engage me quite a bit more. Something's gotta happen at that guitar solo too.

The big thing is that the vocalist needs quite a bit of help. I think you need to control her quite a bit more, and set her back in the track a bit, to take away some of the Karaoke feel, and add some power to the band. Some ambience would be nice.

If I was the producer, I'd probably get another take or two out of her and start comping. She's pretty good in some spots, but is fairly inconsistent in delivery and dynamics.

I think you've got some good stuff to work with. Keep it up!

[joelpatterson]

Hey, thanks! Glad you think there's some potential. Good calls... sure is hard for me to get the big picture like you can.

The guitar player! I said, aloud, "I have NEVER heard a guitar player say, 'Turn me down in the mix,'" by way of trying to corral them, you know how unruly these bands can get-- and he says, "No. I am that guitar player!"

What kind of compression on the vocal? Saturated-ized? I have no idea, tell me.

[Bo Jorgen]

She is a bit weak. Sounds like a girl next door who sometimes hangs with a couple of guys who need a singer.

Not sure compression/processing can save that take. She needs to deliver, come out and play, shake loose, be an artist. It's a rock song.

Vocal coach?

Is the band clear on what sound/direction to pursue? Does she understand what they are doing? She needs to be a part of that. One of the guys. Not the girl who sings.

[FossilTooth]

I don't know what you have for compression or ambience, but the vocal definitely needs some attention.

I think the previous poster was a little harsh... possibly because her opening lines were among the worst ones that she sang. She gets a little better as she goes along though. I do agree that the vocal takes aren't "all there". Any chance of getting some more takes and doing a comp of them?

Once you tighten up the drums a bit with some EQ, make the guitars pop out more, and figure out what the vocal needs, I think you'll be pretty happy with the tune.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

Um, err... of course not! No, actually this is just what we ended up with at the end of the night. And then it went through another D/A/D conversion before becoming an mp3. Trion 8000 on the lead singer, TapeOp Ribbon mics on the drumkit.

Hey waitaminute - am I confused (yes, generally) or do you work for TapeOp?

Anyway, yeah... about the mix. I had typed up a few lines and clicked "post" yesterday, but I guess the server was hungry for some lost bandwidth, cos it was eaten. Here's what I think I typed:

First, although not particularly related to the mix, I bet this band felt their youngest and grooviest in the 80's. The tune sounds like going back in time 20 years.

In that regard, how did the snare come out sounding like Alex Van Halen's? I like it! Hats could come down. The crashes are too loud for me - but I may be too old .

Ok, onto the vocs. Like the other posters said, she starts out a little under-confident or not warmed-up enough, and then gets better. If there are any takes to comp from, or failing that, if re-takes can be done it could help. And she cries for a nice reverb to tuck her into the mix, some short delay to excite her phrases, and maybe a wee bit of chorus to mask the questionable notes. Her level in the mix is too high to me, but some verb etc. would probably smooth her into the mix. PLEASE don't autotune her! Autotune is great for pre-cut Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie bands who want to be a PRODUCT, but this is real music.

When the guitar gets into soloing, I'd say bring it up! Sittin' too far back for me. Solos should demand more attention, IMHO.

My .02, but I don't know wtf I'm talkin' 'bout. Please ignore.

[joelpatterson]

I have to confess I guess I've had a long, twisted and at times pretty confusing realtionship with TapeOp, I guess that means I've worked for them (?)

Justin--I need to find the half hour to download one of your mixes, working on dial-up is a pretty slow slog in this modern world.

Thanks for all the advice and love notes! This was one of those $300/12 hour days, and there were five (!) other tunes that happened that day, all very similiar in feel. I kind of pin myself in a corner with my drum mics, the two TapeOp ribbons as overheads, one CAD E-200 at the ceiling for the snare, and an M-179 out infront of the kick. This does get what the drummer played, and how he played it, for better and verse. The girl singer was, exactly as you've guessed, a neighborhood kid brought in to front the band, which is the songwriter/rhythm guitarist's brainchild. She started in on comparing her own vocal unfavorably to Kelly Clarkson, and to hear her explain why her computer can't copy CDs anymore is a master's thesis in itself. So I kind of froze up and moved on, before we got into Grace Slick or maybe Alicia.

They talk about coming in again, maybe they're be time to tackle this vocal once more. I kind of wondered about harmonies... ah well. All in good time.

[Bo Jorgen]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

So I kind of froze up and moved on, before we got into Grace Slick or maybe Alicia.

LOL, you did the right thing. Grace Slick is holy ground. No amateurs invited. Period.