Pop/Rock ballad - mix advice please!

mikelang · 5th December 2008

Looking for overall mix advice/feedback about this one.

Thanks!

sheever · 5th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelang

Looking for overall mix advice/feedback about this one.

Thanks!

sounds quite ok to me.may the vocal bottom are too much but just question of taste..

Joelv · 7th December 2008

Mix sounds good, curious as to what mic/preamp you used on the vocals?

-Joel

floydisbest · 7th December 2008

Sounds Great!

Maybe de-ess a bit on the vocals?

I like what you did with the vocals during the chorus- what effect/reverb/delay is that?

Maybe mix up the drum sound a bit on the chorus? It sounds pretty good straight too though--

remo · 7th December 2008

Lyrics are very trite and cliched. Chorus sounds like a prechorus. Drums start off well, sets up a hip hop type swing feel, then it drops into trite MOR land. Go listen to BSB "Quit playing games with my heart" listen to how the feel is rhythm based, not guitar/piano. (No, I am not kidding). This will force you to re-write the vocal as it will have to stand up on it's own merit and be the focus, not just "the vocal", like it sounds now...

a rock pop ballard is ALL ABOUT THE VOCAL... it has so be by far the most special, carefully considered part of the song.

Instrumentation wise I'd push the hip hop swing of the beat out the front and drop the guitar/piano..

You need more interesting instrumentation in the verses and choruses, it's too plain and ho hum.

Also after listening to the whole track, I have NO IDEA what it is abour apart from some sappy sad chick doing stuff imagery.. where is the IDENTITY!?!?!

Wally · 7th December 2008

I Like the concept of the song and the mix can be a lil better.

"In My opinion"

I Like Vocals
But im not feeling the drums that close to me i think you should put a compressor on drums and giove it some pump or something but i like everything sounds good

mikelang · 11th December 2008

Thanks so much. I've compressed the drums some and some other minor tweaks.

The mic is an AT2020 and the pre is an Aphex of some kind. Nothing fancy!

The plugin on the chorus vocals is the Antares Filter. It's a really fun little plugin.

remo- I really appreciate your honesty about the lyrics. The thing is, it's not supposed to be an everything to everyone kind of song, it's something pretty specific, and it's either something that means something to you because you relate and it completely clicks, or it means nothing to you because you don't relate. I really do appreciate the honesty though!

5th December 2008	#1
mikelang Gear nut Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 115 Thread Starter	Pop/Rock ballad - mix advice please! Looking for overall mix advice/feedback about this one. Thanks!

7th December 2008	#4
floydisbest Gear addict Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 400	Sounds Great! Maybe de-ess a bit on the vocals? I like what you did with the vocals during the chorus- what effect/reverb/delay is that? Maybe mix up the drum sound a bit on the chorus? It sounds pretty good straight too though-- __________________ Just because you have some crazy-good gear doesn't make you good at what you do, but dammmmn, it sure is fun to have those bragging rights! My Tunes: www.myspace.com/matttenclay I play bass & mix for: www.myspace.com/nathankalish I engineer/mix for: www.myspace.com/cavemanrecords

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7th December 2008	#3
Joelv Gear Head Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Alberta Posts: 38	Mix sounds good, curious as to what mic/preamp you used on the vocals? -Joel

7th December 2008	#5
remo Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 548	Lyrics are very trite and cliched. Chorus sounds like a prechorus. Drums start off well, sets up a hip hop type swing feel, then it drops into trite MOR land. Go listen to BSB "Quit playing games with my heart" listen to how the feel is rhythm based, not guitar/piano. (No, I am not kidding). This will force you to re-write the vocal as it will have to stand up on it's own merit and be the focus, not just "the vocal", like it sounds now... a rock pop ballard is ALL ABOUT THE VOCAL... it has so be by far the most special, carefully considered part of the song. Instrumentation wise I'd push the hip hop swing of the beat out the front and drop the guitar/piano.. You need more interesting instrumentation in the verses and choruses, it's too plain and ho hum. Also after listening to the whole track, I have NO IDEA what it is abour apart from some sappy sad chick doing stuff imagery.. where is the IDENTITY!?!?!

7th December 2008	#6
Wally Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 235	I Like the concept of the song and the mix can be a lil better. "In My opinion" I Like Vocals But im not feeling the drums that close to me i think you should put a compressor on drums and giove it some pump or something but i like everything sounds good

11th December 2008	#7
mikelang Gear nut Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 115 Thread Starter	Thanks so much. I've compressed the drums some and some other minor tweaks. The mic is an AT2020 and the pre is an Aphex of some kind. Nothing fancy! The plugin on the chorus vocals is the Antares Filter. It's a really fun little plugin. remo- I really appreciate your honesty about the lyrics. The thing is, it's not supposed to be an everything to everyone kind of song, it's something pretty specific, and it's either something that means something to you because you relate and it completely clicks, or it means nothing to you because you don't relate. I really do appreciate the honesty though!