Breaking Benjamin Style Band Mix...

[SDB_12]

Update:
Final Mastered Version below: Depending on how the rest of this ep goes, I may come back to revisit this song. I need to move on for now though. Any thoughts?

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Hey guys,

I'm mixing an EP for a Hard Rock band on a small label, kinda reminds me of Breaking Benjamin a little, and am looking for any comments on this mix so far. I'm still working on getting the electric distortion guitars to fit a little better under the vocal. Any comments at this point as far as vibe and placement of sounds? Again, this was a quick EP for the band, as they will be cutting the full record later this year.

It's not brought up to level yet...so it's a bit quiet in volume.

Thanks

[graymj86]

It sounds really compressed when the bass and kick come in. Other than that I think it's good. The guitar tone is fine, I just think the solo needs to be brought up some. I think you captured everything very well, great job!

[SDB_12]

Very interesting. I really appreciate the quick reply! thumbsup I had not really noticed TOO much compression. Really, there isn't much on the kick, but the sample that I have mixed under the kick is certainly compressed so that's probably what it is. Thanks for pointing that out. I've been concentrating on the guitar tones for some time lately and think I need a breather from it.

Thanks again! Anyone else?

[EddieTheRed]

It sounds good, but it doesn't sound like a record.

I think the vocal needs to come down a little and the guitars need to come up. The rhythm guitars need more mids, they sound really scooped and small.

More distortion and high mids on the bass would help make the guitar sound bigger.

The drums should be way bigger, harder and brighter, if you intended for this to sound like a modern rock record. Especially the kick and snare need top end boosts, and a different approach to compression. Use a slow attack/fast(ish) release so the transients get through. And maybe add a little low mids to the snare to give it some body: it's mostly the snare wires at the moment.

There'd probably be some mileage in bringing up the close mics and using artificial reverb to get a bigger sound rather than relying on the overheads. Sounds like the drums were record in a relatively small/dry room?

Parallell compression over the drum bus (post reverb if you don't have room mics to squash) could help, too.

Besides that there's a floor tom hit at 2:00 or so that really leaps out and could do with being brought down . . .

Automation is your friend!

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by EddieTheRed

It sounds good, but it doesn't sound like a record.

PERFECT! This statement sums up my thoughts exactly. I really enjoyed your comments and this is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm at a point where making things sound "good" isn't really my issue, it's the overall vibe and making it sound like a "record" that I'm pushing more for and trying to nail now. The drums were recorded in a 22'x24' room with 10' ceilings, with 6 movable 8x4' walls packed with fiberglass insulation...maybe the positioning of the walls is contributing to the small sound of the drums. You gave me lot's of useful tips, I'll be going at it again here in a bit.

Thanks!

[EddieTheRed]

Originally Posted by SDB_12

You gave me lot's of useful tips, I'll be going at it again here in a bit.

Looking forward to it

[SDB_12]

Updated with a new version. The new mix is at the top and named mix7_16.

[Chris Lago]

I think you need Steven Slate drums on the snare

By the way, nice quote Eddie, I love it

[SDB_12]

Ha! If I had Steven Slate Drums that would be a no brainer. But I don't. It's on my list though

[eascholz]

Drums sound OODLES better, but the distorted guitars are still pretty wimpy! If I were you, I would un-scoopify them a bit and not worry about them fitting under the vocal. Sounds like the rhythm guitars are hard panned anyways, yeah?

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by eascholz

Drums sound OODLES better, but the distorted guitars are still pretty wimpy! If I were you, I would un-scoopify them a bit and not worry about them fitting under the vocal. Sounds like the rhythm guitars are hard panned anyways, yeah?

Thanks, I do like the drums much better. But I do agree with the guitars sounding wimpy. Unfortunately, they were recorded with scooped mids (artists choice)...which I should have advised against. I think if I can get the guitars in the place they need to be, I would start to really like the mix. A little more work on it today, but then I'll have to move on.

Thanks!

[SDB_12]

Final Master posted above. Moving on for now.

[EddieTheRed]

Originally Posted by SDB_12

Final Master posted above.

The guitars sound much better and the drums sound superb.

Great work, man

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by EddieTheRed

The guitars sound much better and the drums sound superb.

Great work, man

Thanks Eddie. I appreciate all your feedback!

[Geoff Duncan]

hey just found this - sounds epic man. nice job

guitars sound HUUUUGE