Heavy Pop Rock - Drum and Bass Mix

[Benzilla]

Well, I am relatively new to the recording world and brand new to these forums, but I thought I would post a drum and bass mix of a song I'm working on for my band for some advice/feedback! I am trying really hard to learn how to record and mix, and the drums and bass always seem to give me the most problems. I get them to where I think they sound ok, but I really don't know what a good drum/bass mix by themselves should sound like!

When comparing the mix to commercial recordings, it feels like the commercial recordings tend have have more sparkle - especially in the overheads (the drums were recorded without a room mic). It also feels like commercially recorded drums tend to pop out a little more, whereas my mix (cymbals especially) sounds a bit roomy. Also, there doesn't seem to be much stereo seperation in the overheads, which were recorded in an XY configuration in a large room. Maybe it needs a Stereo Widener?

It would be nice to have some sound clips of what a good modern rock drum/bass mix sounds like! Anyone have any?

Here's the link. Please be honest, but remember I'm still new and trying to learn.

http://Benzilla10.fileave.com/smile_drumandbass_mix1.mp3

[Myriad_Rocker]

A lot of the rock mixes these days are supplimented with samples. Additionally, they're recorded in really good rooms with great mics, pre's, and engineers. Instead of XY, try spaced pair.

What is your room and treatment like? What mics are you using? What pre's? Are you recording to tape or hard drive?

[Benzilla]

Originally Posted by Myriad_Rocker

A lot of the rock mixes these days are supplimented with samples. Additionally, they're recorded in really good rooms with great mics, pre's, and engineers. Instead of XY, try spaced pair.

What is your room and treatment like? What mics are you using? What pre's? Are you recording to tape or hard drive?

Well, unfortunately I didn't record the drums so I don't know what mics were used. The drums were recorded in medium sized room converted for studio use. It had a raised wooden floor, wood wall panelling, ceiling, etc... and modest acoustical treatment. Everything was recorded digitally at 24-bit, 96kHz - and everything was mixed in the box using Nuendo 2 and Waves plug-ins.

Unfortunately, I don't have the budget right now to afford all of the microphones needed to record drums myself. But for $40 a song we can track drums at this studio.

[Benzilla]

Does anyone think the drums in this mix are a little roomy?