mix critique

[peterr]

Hey guys,

my first project, just want some opinions.

the artist is happy with the product (not my songs - or my taste but its catchy)

I tracked and mixed (in the box - PT LE).

this is the pre-mastered version of my raw mix. There is nothing on the master fader. Mastering done by a ME with a 'cheap but decent' reputation.

I did this for free - cost the artist $50Aus for AKG414 hire and $300Aus for the Mastering Engineer - 5 tracks

Midi drums - yukko, but no other way - budget/gear

there's a lot of things im not crash hot on - Vocals have slight buzzy sound, vocals pump a bit in verses, bass a bit weak, midi drums, midi drums, midi drums, crap vocal 'verb in breakdown, timing not tight in some spots. I liked the acoustic sound and didn't mind the sansamped electric guitar.

as a side note - what is up with windows media player???? I read something about a feature "Auto Levelling" of volume, I think it screws this track badly on my version of WMP. Sounds like a MAJORLY pumping compressor.

Listen to the track on Real Player and it sounds exactly like the mix did in PT.

Gear Used:
Mbox, PT LE, Valley People Transamp Mic Pre, Waves Gold, Demo of Fruity Loops (for Drums), AKG414, BF Sansamp Plug. Thats all - I feel so ashamed of this list - but alas I am poor.

so after my rambling - what thoughts?? no picking on the drums.

Peter

[JohnMcD]

I like it. Very clean recording despite your observation of buzz on the vox. It'll be a blast when it's mastered. From what I could tell on crappy computer amplifier and speakers, it seems to be recorded in similiar ways to how I choose to record. I also looked at the winamp frequency level indicator. That is how I came to that conclusion.

Like I said, when this is mastered, it's going to sound great. I think you're nit picking. But it shows you'll go far with "perfection". That would make me feel more secure as a client.

I'm curious, have you ever worked with a really "busy" arrangment?

-John

[NeoVXR]

well done.
I think it sounds "independent" and it shall stay so. the fans love it this way. acoustic guitar is great!

the only thing, it's the bass that would like more personality in sound. somewhat too conservative or classic.
no picking on drums, but it should be easy to give them more stereo. It corresponds with the too friendly bass.
make drums and bass sound more self-confident..
you might check where the noise comes from, that reveals in the silence at track start. ahh .. was it the mic?

[peterr]

thanks guys,

John - I've really only done this project and mixed another one for some mates. I think this song was pretty easy to mix as it wasn't really that busy.

I'm pretty new to this whole game but I read a whole heap of info on forums like this one to learn what gear i need and how to use it. I guess my mix philosphy is to 'make space' for each instrument. I like to hear each instrument in he mix and I don't like mud.

Neo - I think the Voxs was the Mic - AKG sizzle, plus a very clean pre (transformerless valley transamp) probably not a great combo for vocals. I attempted to EQ it out but wasn't that successful.

Agreed about the bass and drums. Just not rock enough. I think the song really need some drums and bass with real character and class. The bass is to just bass - no string noise. The drums are just too perfect sounding for me.

any more comments to help me on my way??

oh yeah - the mastered version. Came back a bit more polished, drums sat further back in the mix which I didn't like, it was louder, some of the vocal harshness was tamed. The track was better for the mastering but definitely lost some of the already weak drums.

[JohnMcD]

My simple advice. Don't worry about the drums being "rock". If it doesn't serve the song and artist, then it doesn't belong. Don't fuel your recording ego by making something that isn't. That is part of the art of music. Knowing when it is "right".

A different genre should stretch your imagination as well as a busier arrangment.

Good luck!

-John