Second Breaking Benjamin Style Mix

[SDB_12]

This is the new mix. Sounds much better to me. Let me know what you think!

Hey guys/girls,

So I'm on to the 2nd mix for this bands EP. They remind me of Breaking Benjamin a little, and I figured I'd keep the title going from my last thread. Anyways, what do you think of this mix so far? It's not mastered. I'm mixing in my home studio, on a Mackie 1640i Onyx and using Pro Tools, stock plugs, and Massey plugs. That's about it.

Thanks

[xjake88x]

I think it's sounding good so far, and the data sounds good. The guitars are definitely masking a lot of frequencies and they seem too up front. If you give those guitars a little reverb to create space, then bring them back about 6db the overall blend will sound better. Also the snare sounds really dry maybe give it a little more reverb.

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by xjake88x

I think it's sounding good so far, and the data sounds good. The guitars are definitely masking a lot of frequencies and they seem too up front. If you give those guitars a little reverb to create space, then bring them back about 6db the overall blend will sound better. Also the snare sounds really dry maybe give it a little more reverb.

Hey thanks a bunch! These were two things I was definitely thinking about. I think with a bit of verb the guitars will fit a bit better, and the snare has hardly no verb on it. I played with many verbs and nothing was making it better...so I didn't go with anything. But I think I need to keep trying.

[SDB_12]

New mix posted up top.

[xjake88x]

Whoa that is sounding wayy better. Those changes went a long way. Sounds really good man. Sounds closer to a single than a demo now.

Now that it's a lot better, the only things I've noticed are:

- What reverb do you have on the vocals (particularly in the chorus)? They kinda sound very roomy. Maybe putting a nice big hall on them at a lower level will really make them sound epic and less boxy!
- Also the vocals sound a bit dark or muffled. Maybe you could brighten them up with a little bit more hi's?
- The guitar solo towards the end sounds great with the reverb but maybe backing the reverb down just a hair will make it sound more like a record. Someone told me to try to make my mix sound like a record the other day and it helped my mixing decisions a lot.

Anyways those are just some minor things. It definitely sounds really great though. Good song too. Love the drumming

Jake

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by xjake88x

Whoa that is sounding wayy better. Those changes went a long way. Sounds really good man. Sounds closer to a single than a demo now.

Now that it's a lot better, the only things I've noticed are:

- What reverb do you have on the vocals (particularly in the chorus)? They kinda sound very roomy. Maybe putting a nice big hall on them at a lower level will really make them sound epic and less boxy!
- Also the vocals sound a bit dark or muffled. Maybe you could brighten them up with a little bit more hi's?
- The guitar solo towards the end sounds great with the reverb but maybe backing the reverb down just a hair will make it sound more like a record. Someone told me to try to make my mix sound like a record the other day and it helped my mixing decisions a lot.

Anyways those are just some minor things. It definitely sounds really great though. Good song too. Love the drumming

Jake

Hey Jake thanks a ton! I was the one that told you to make your mix sound like a record!!! Someone told me that awhile back, and it really helped me...I'm glad it worked for you too! hahahaha

Anyways, the only thing I wasn't really liking about the mix was the vocals, so I think you nailed it with your review. As for the guitar solo, the problem is that it was recorded that way. The guitarist wanted lots of verb using his rig, which kinda sucks now b/c it's a bit too much...so not much I can do there. But I plan to really clear up some of the vocals tonight. I really appreciate your input!

[xjake88x]

Originally Posted by SDB_12

Hey Jake thanks a ton! I was the one that told you to make your mix sound like a record!!! Someone told me that awhile back, and it really helped me...I'm glad it worked for you too! hahahaha

Anyways, the only thing I wasn't really liking about the mix was the vocals, so I think you nailed it with your review. As for the guitar solo, the problem is that it was recorded that way. The guitarist wanted lots of verb using his rig, which kinda sucks now b/c it's a bit too much...so not much I can do there. But I plan to really clear up some of the vocals tonight. I really appreciate your input!

OHH you know, now that you mention it, the first time I listened to it I had a feeling it was recorded that way. because it just sounded like verb from an amp or whatever.. yeah and I realized you were the one who told me that about the record.. haha, awesome I remember hearing it on a charles dye video a while back but haven't been thinking from that perspective. i look forward to hearing the latest mix!

[SDB_12]

Final Mix is posted up top. Thoughts!?!?

[xjake88x]

It sounds really good! Bass guitar sounds amazing.

[JamieVU]

sounds a bit dark to me, add a bit of top to the cymbals?
the punch is there but it lacks a little clarity and shimmer at the top end of things

[meliosk]

excellent! this is the color of guitar sound i m looking for ,can you share some tips on guitars and bass mixing?

[zeljkom]

Originally Posted by JamieVU

sounds a bit dark to me, add a bit of top to the cymbals?
the punch is there but it lacks a little clarity and shimmer at the top end of things

I agree. Middle range is the problem here.