My first Metal Mix

[zackpennington]

Warning (br00talz ahead!!!1) Ha.

This is the project I've been working on. This is the first of 5 tracks. I mixed in 1 big session (loved it btw, except I tracked separately so it was kind of a bitch to get it all in there.) I mixed it in a friends studio (treated room with 8" Mackie's) so it was nice, but I wasn't used to it.

I'd like mix critiques. I did a quick ozone mastering job. I already know a few things I'd like to change.

Thanks y'all.

-Zack

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2883818/01%20Mantrust.mp3

There's a 5 second gap before it plays and a weird noise too, ignore that please!

Revision #1

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2883818/02%20MANTRUST.mp3

[BrandRecordingCo]

Hey Zack,

Where are the drums? They are paper thin...and have no body. The hard panned guitars sound too much alike making them sound narrow...try to bring different frequencies out in each or something to space them. I'm not feeling much space in the song...of course...you may not want that with a metal tune (I hate metal btw...)

It is true that you don't want the drums to take up too much low end with this style...but they are just too thin. You need to add more punch to them and bring them forward a little. The guitars still should drive this song, but get them all gelling better. The chorus vocal sounds great...but I would try and make the vocals all sit in the mix a little better too...reverb? maybe delay? Maybe just move some frequencies around in the guitars and vocal to get them hugging a little better.

[zackpennington]

Thanks for the feedback! I've def made some improvements in those areas and will post a revised mix in a few days.

[7Hz]

Originally Posted by $uper$tar

Hey Zack,

The hard panned guitars sound too much alike making them sound narrow..

Agree, and bring up the drumz , and try to get a better and tighter snare.

[bobx]

i think you're on the right track, especially for your first metal mix.

I agree that the drums sound very flat. the snare drum has no punch and is lost behind the high gain guitars. same goes for the kick drum. for metal, i think the kick/snare should really hit you in the chest.

you may want to try a different amp/cab setup for the guitars on your next project. try to get 2 different tones to really add some seperation. maybe back off the gain as well... the distortion makes it sound like one big mono track.

[zackpennington]

I did have the same setup for both sides. I double mic'd his orange 4x12 with a pair of 57's, on straight on and one at a 45 degree angle.

For the revised mix, I blended the two mics the opposite way. One with more side mic, the other with more straight mic. I put the trebly tone opposite the main crash cymbal to spread the highs out better. Hopefully will fix that issue.

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys. This is only my 2nd "professional" mix. I listen to this kind of music, but mixing it can be tricky. New version up soon.

[ohmicide]

decent song but the guitars are a tad muddy and the drums are really thin and low in volume, the snare sounds more like a hi-hat to me

just my 2 cents thumbsup

[aclarson]

Guitars sound thick as hell, I like them. Great performances by the band.

Vocals seem like they could maybe be limited a little harder on the screams.

I agree that the drums are too low, the kick is almost non-existent. You need a big kick and snare for this stuff.

Good job overall!

[zackpennington]

Updated mix

Thanks

-Zack

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2883818/02%20MANTRUST.mp3