These mixes need

[gettingthere]

Hi all, I am a long-time listener, first-time caller.

I have a couple of mixes that sound okish but not great, it'd be awesome if some of you slutz could have a listen and recommend some improvements.

I am reasonably happy with the tune 'white book' - I am however rather less happy with 'summer breeze'. But suggestions on either/both are welcome.

Also - can anyone point out some good reference mixes for the style I'm doing? I haven't been able to find anything similar enough.

cheers!

[gettingthere]

C'mon, no feedback or suggestions?

As you can tell by listening, I am in need of your help...

[gettingthere]

Ok, last bump, I promise.

I am also accepting negative feedback - anything remotely constructive will be read and possibly replied to! This offer valid for a short time only!

Has anyone even listened to either tune? If so, what did you think? What could be improved in the mix to get this from 'demo' quality to something better?

Ok that's it from me. Peace.

[Hoth]

All feedback is constructive and I dig the songs so take my opinions as what they are.

Summer Breeze: I like the vocals generally, especially the nice panning and whisper effect towards the end. Guitars sound artificial. Sounds like a digital modeler with a phaser/flanger thrown on top to take even more of the umph out of the guitars. They need doubling (at least) with the "lead" lowered. I would add more rhythm guitar with presence to fill out the soundfield. The drums are, well, anemic at best. You need to beef them up in a number of frequencies and make the transients pop. They have the classic recorded in a tin can sound. Generally it sounds like this song was recorded on a four track in 1964. It is unfortunately missing both dynamics and volume. If you contact me, I would be happy to help out.

[Hoth]

White Book: This is a nifty song. I'm only 32 but it reminds me of a lot of the things I like about 60's psychodelic. Noise level in the beginning is too high when the guitar is alone. Again, the recording sounds muffled. There is a fair amount of air missing above around 5k. I actually like the relative levels of instruments in this one but the overall compression coupled with the lack of high frequencies and the "smallness" of the guitar makes me feel claustrophobic. I think both songs suffer from a lack of full frequency along with overcompression. That may be from the original recording or from the production. Again, happy to help if you need.

Good luck.

[virtualsounds]

Vocals need a little lower volume, guitar needs a little more space feeling (reverb or something) and snare needs to be either less plastic or louder.
Try these out..
Both songs that is.

[gettingthere]

Thanks Hoth and virtualsounds for the great feedback - that kinda thing is exactly what I'm looking for.

Hoth I will PM you for a few more details.

Thanks!

[Hoth]

Originally Posted by gettingthere

Thanks Hoth and virtualsounds for the great feedback - that kinda thing is exactly what I'm looking for.

Hoth I will PM you for a few more details.

Thanks!

No problem. In reading back my critique, they might have been a little harsh. I was just putting down on paper what I was hearing in my initial listens. Again, I really like the songs and still enjoy listening to them so that says something more important than what one person's opinion is about the mixing.

[bkbirge]

Cool stuff, I hear some Barrett in there.

Summer Breeze: I like the idea of the flanger for the guitar but the guitar itself is too loud and I'm sure you could find a better sound and a better flanger. If it is modeling it's not bad just not very exciting. Bass sounds good, nice and round fits the music. If you want a little more authentic kind of sound (assuming a retro thing here) you'll want to mic the amp and let some of the midrange through. The problem is with the drums, they just need to be more present, they sound a bit thin and the kick drum sounds like a bad pillow, let the drums resonate. The vocal production is nice and detracts from the rest of the flaws. I'd throw some leslie action in on the organ too for some interest.

White Book: Needs more stereo width, same comment as before on main distorted guitar. This one sounds like there might be some digital sounding processing buildup going on with the guitars. Drums same comment as before, turn 'em up, I kind of like the roundness but it'd be nice to hear the tone too. Right now the drums for both songs sound kind of like what you'd get from a live board tape or a Phish record or am I repeating myself? I like the vocal production again.

Both songs sound like the guitar player is the vocalist and did the mix. Most demos seriously lack in the vocal department and you've not got this problem I think. I do think you can work on the arrangements and balance a little bit but the songs have potential and I like them way better than most of the stuff that's out there these days.