Hard Rock Song

JohnMcD · 30th August 2004

Hi all. I would like it if you folks would listen and tell me what you think. I'm mainly worried about translation issues with this
master. This is a 3 piece Russian band out here in Woodburn, OR. They came all the way to my studio in Portland to do
a full album, which I tracked, mixing and am just about to start mastering these guys. Anyway, this is a very rough mastering job I am doing for just this song. You know, feel it out and figure how much I can stretch the sonic boundaries before it collapses in quality.(By the way, there is an audible "click" in the middle of the song. Like I said, a very rough master!) I seem to be one step behind Bang with sonic signatures. Oh well. The way this song was written, the bass guitar naturally sticks out due to the extra B string the guy thwacks on his bass guitar. So hopefully everything is clearly defined in the mix.

I don't have many monitors and stereo sets to switch from to check translation. So I figured this would be the best real
world test that I can procure at the moment.

Thanks in advance and enjoy!

-John

Beezoboy · 31st August 2004

There are many serious issues.

1. Everything sounds as if you miked it 40 feet away.
2. The kick sounds like someone thwacking a piece of paper
3. The guitars are 50 feet away.
4. Bass? What Bass
5. Cymbals?

Lots of problems. Forget mastering this song needs to be mixed.

Hope I don't come off too mean, but this song has a long way to go.

Beez

JohnMcD · 31st August 2004

All right, now we are getting somewhere! I'm glad I'm still in the mixing phase.

Beezo, what were you listening through by chance? What were you comparing the song to in order to come up with that judgement? Or was it obvious from the get go?

I know I'm going to have to raise the guitars in level, but I'm wondering about the distant mic'ing conclusion.

Thanks,

-John

JohnMcD · 31st August 2004

All right, I listened to one of your songs, Barfight. I see what you mean.

Thanks,

-John

rynugz007 · 31st August 2004

I think i would start from scratch on this one with a fresh mix. How were the drums recorded? Is every drum on its own track? The band seems to have a "korn" or "system of a down" kinda vibe going on. Give those records a listen. Things need to be more "in your face". The vocals arent sittin right at all. I'd turn off all the reverbs and delays and get the mix sounding good without the effects first. The verbs and delays have to be very subtle and tasteful for this kinda music. Using more close mic'd instruments and less effects, less room sound will give things more impact show more detail which in my opinion is essential for this kinda music. Everything needs quite a bit of work but the drums are probably the worst right now followed by vocals then guitars and bass which i couldnt hear much of either. good luck

I'll post some of my crappy productions on hear so you can rip my shit to shreds too. ha ha

Beezoboy · 1st September 2004

I'd offer to mix a song to give you a fresh perspective, but one of my card just died leaving me with only 8 channels. Bummer. Seriously, listen to Korn and System. They'll put you in the right ballpark sonically.

And BTW I was listening on Monitor 1's.

Beez

Bang · 7th September 2004

you know John, this isn't all that bad, its a cool production, it sounds like you wanted it to sound like it does. Granted I'm not sure you want it to sound like it does, but its cool. If you are trying for that commerical nu metal sound let me give you some tips.

Tell me what kind of gear you recorded and mixed this on btw...

1. Start with the drums, get the snare and kick up and don't be afraid to get some upper mids in them!! Solo that kick and have it coming out of your speakers and slappying you in the chest! Do the same with the snare! Now build your mix around those guys because they are the main transients. If you ever don't hear the kick and snare clearly, turn every one of your faders down (except them of course!).

How did you record the guitars and bass? Both could use a bit more beef. Oh and as I listen to it again, you can roll off some lows from the overheads or whatever is picking up the hi hat. Vocals will fall into place once you do all the above. I like it though.
Steve
www.bangrecording.com
www.blacklinerock.com

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31st August 2004	#2
Beezoboy Gear addict Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 495	There are many serious issues. 1. Everything sounds as if you miked it 40 feet away. 2. The kick sounds like someone thwacking a piece of paper 3. The guitars are 50 feet away. 4. Bass? What Bass 5. Cymbals? Lots of problems. Forget mastering this song needs to be mixed. Hope I don't come off too mean, but this song has a long way to go. Beez

31st August 2004	#3
JohnMcD Gear nut Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 144 Thread Starter	All right, now we are getting somewhere! I'm glad I'm still in the mixing phase. Beezo, what were you listening through by chance? What were you comparing the song to in order to come up with that judgement? Or was it obvious from the get go? I know I'm going to have to raise the guitars in level, but I'm wondering about the distant mic'ing conclusion. Thanks, -John

31st August 2004	#5
rynugz007 Gear addict Joined: Dec 2003 Location: cincinnati, OH Posts: 463	I think i would start from scratch on this one with a fresh mix. How were the drums recorded? Is every drum on its own track? The band seems to have a "korn" or "system of a down" kinda vibe going on. Give those records a listen. Things need to be more "in your face". The vocals arent sittin right at all. I'd turn off all the reverbs and delays and get the mix sounding good without the effects first. The verbs and delays have to be very subtle and tasteful for this kinda music. Using more close mic'd instruments and less effects, less room sound will give things more impact show more detail which in my opinion is essential for this kinda music. Everything needs quite a bit of work but the drums are probably the worst right now followed by vocals then guitars and bass which i couldnt hear much of either. good luck I'll post some of my crappy productions on hear so you can rip my shit to shreds too. ha ha

1st September 2004	#6
Beezoboy Gear addict Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 495	I'd offer to mix a song to give you a fresh perspective, but one of my card just died leaving me with only 8 channels. Bummer. Seriously, listen to Korn and System. They'll put you in the right ballpark sonically. And BTW I was listening on Monitor 1's. Beez

7th September 2004	#7
Bang Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,701	you know John, this isn't all that bad, its a cool production, it sounds like you wanted it to sound like it does. Granted I'm not sure you want it to sound like it does, but its cool. If you are trying for that commerical nu metal sound let me give you some tips. Tell me what kind of gear you recorded and mixed this on btw... 1. Start with the drums, get the snare and kick up and don't be afraid to get some upper mids in them!! Solo that kick and have it coming out of your speakers and slappying you in the chest! Do the same with the snare! Now build your mix around those guys because they are the main transients. If you ever don't hear the kick and snare clearly, turn every one of your faders down (except them of course!). How did you record the guitars and bass? Both could use a bit more beef. Oh and as I listen to it again, you can roll off some lows from the overheads or whatever is picking up the hi hat. Vocals will fall into place once you do all the above. I like it though. Steve www.bangrecording.com www.blacklinerock.com