Does a professional mixing engineer make sense?

[middletom]

Dear Gearslutz

As a band, we're thinking about recording our music with a friend of us, who has decent equipment and many years of experience in live mixing. We already recorded a demotape with him in a nice little room.

The links below are single audio-tracks of a song we made (maybe it helps you to get a better impression of the room and the equipment it was recorded with).

The question now is: Would it be possible to get a professional recording out of this material, if we send it to a professional mixing and mastering studio?

We recorded through the following equipment. The first mic/DI-monotrack for each Instrument is on the left side, the second on the right side on your monitors.

BASSDRUM:
- beta S2
- Hifi-Speaker (Sub Kick DIY)
SNARE
- Top: Ramsa V002
- Bottom: SM57
FLOOR TOM
- 1: Ramsa S-5 Clip
- 2: Ramsa S-5 Clip
RACK T / HIHAT
- Ramsa S-5 Clip
- Rode NT2A
OVERHEAD
- 2x Beyerdynamic MC930
BASS
- DI
- Shure SM7b
GUIT
- Audio Technica AT4050
- Ramsa V002
VIOL 1/2/3
- DI Active
- Ramsa D70
SHAKER
- 2x Beyerdynamic MC930
VOC MALE
- Peluso 2247 LE
Voc FEMALE
- Peluso 2247 LE

LINKS:

Whole Track
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/02%20Titel%2002.mp3

Single audio tracks (Please tell me, if one of them isn't working properly)
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/BassDIuMIC.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/BassdrumMicuSub.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/Floortom1u2.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/Guit1.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/Overhead.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/RacktomuHihat.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/Shaker.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/SnareTopBottom.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/Viol2.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/Viol3.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/ViolDIuMic.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/VocBack.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/VocGirl.aiff
http://web194.theta.ibone.ch/MH/VocMainDouble.aiff

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!
Middletom

[BasementRecords]

Hope this helps.

http://www.basementrecordsstudio.com...onal-engineer/


let me know

www.BasementRecordsStudio.com

[middletom]

Hey. Thanks for your answer.
I really get, what you're talking about in your video. It's not the equipment, that makes the mix. As well as it isn't the instrument that makes the music.

Anyway. My actual question was: if the quality of the tracks is good enough to be professionally mixed.

If they are - aside from the performance - We would spend more money on a professional mix, than we'd pay for the recording to get a professional record.
While it is clear to all of us that "fix it in the mix" is not what we are looking for, and we are also aware of the "what goes in will come out"-law.


We're thankful for every input from you guys.
Thans
Middletom

[mdoelger]

Not bad at all. Absolutely workable.

And you don't really need to spend a lot of money.
Just check ME out. First mix free if you don#t like it.

Besides me, there are tons of professional mixers here, who will deliver a very good product without loads of $$.

Cheers!

[BasementRecords]

Originally Posted by middletom

Hey. Thanks for your answer.
I really get, what you're talking about in your video. It's not the equipment, that makes the mix. As well as it isn't the instrument that makes the music.

Anyway. My actual question was: if the quality of the tracks is good enough to be professionally mixed.

If they are - aside from the performance - We would spend more money on a professional mix, than we'd pay for the recording to get a professional record.
While it is clear to all of us that "fix it in the mix" is not what we are looking for, and we are also aware of the "what goes in will come out"-law.


We're thankful for every input from you guys.
Thans
Middletom

Yes, sorry that was one thing I forgot to mention. Yes your recordings sound very clean to use in a mix. i would just go with mixing I would not waste time or money going back to recording.

Let me know if you need any help.

Basement Records Studio

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by middletom

Hey. Thanks for your answer.
I really get, what you're talking about in your video. It's not the equipment, that makes the mix. As well as it isn't the instrument that makes the music.

Anyway. My actual question was: if the quality of the tracks is good enough to be professionally mixed.

If they are - aside from the performance - We would spend more money on a professional mix, than we'd pay for the recording to get a professional record.
While it is clear to all of us that "fix it in the mix" is not what we are looking for, and we are also aware of the "what goes in will come out"-law.


We're thankful for every input from you guys.
Thans
Middletom

Sorry but what Basement says is not entirely true, there is a reason expensive equipment is well expensive, it's because it sounds great, while a great engineer can get a high quality mix with less than the best, most great engineers don't want to work with prosumer gear, so odds are if you want a really good mix you might want to check out someone who is a pro with real gear. BTW if you feel the performances on your recording are strong, that would be the priority unless the recording totally ****ed up

[steveschizoid]

Also, none of us with any significant experience, skill and gear will work for free. Anyone whom you would want to pay to mix your music is busy mixing music for other paying customers.

I would agree on a price, then work until you were happy, but I would not do a mix for free.

[BasementRecords]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

Sorry but what Basement says is not entirely true, there is a reason expensive equipment is well expensive, it's because it sounds great, while a great engineer can get a high quality mix with less than the best, most great engineers don't want to work with prosumer gear, so odds are if you want a really good mix you might want to check out someone who is a pro with real gear. BTW if you feel the performances on your recording are strong, that would be the priority unless the recording totally ****ed up

I know what your saying, it has nothing to do with great sounding equipment in comparison to price. I just mean that you should go with the portfolio not the glossy looks of a studio. Thats all. I know a lot of people who make music sounds way better using a mbox and pro tools, instead of a guy with 30 grand worth of equipment because he dedicates him self more and the other guy does not.

No bad vibes with you just putting it out there. I appreciate the input, like i said it is true that the more expensive the equipment the better the quality can be. But its what you do with it not what you have.

Thanks for the input.

Basement Records Studio

[mdoelger]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

Sorry but what Basement says is not entirely true, there is a reason expensive equipment is well expensive, it's because it sounds great, while a great engineer can get a high quality mix with less than the best, most great engineers don't want to work with prosumer gear, so odds are if you want a really good mix you might want to check out someone who is a pro with real gear. BTW if you feel the performances on your recording are strong, that would be the priority unless the recording totally ****ed up

I totally agree. I don't do this "professionally" in terms of full time job. I am a weekend mixer. So I don't have no vast client list and don't have a room full of vintage gear.

I don't tell people my mixes will always go #1 on billboard. But when I am given decent tracks to work with I will deliver very good sounding mixes.

And because I love doing this I do the first mix free, and people can decide if they like my service later. Thats all.

I have the possibility to really work with heart on mixes I get. Money is a bonus.

I don't have to pump out mediocre mixes just to feed my family.

[BasementRecords]

Originally Posted by mdoelger

I totally agree. I don't do this "professionally" in terms of full time job. I am a weekend mixer. So I don't have no vast client list and don't have a room full of vintage gear.

I don't tell people my mixes will always go #1 on billboard. But when I am given decent tracks to work with I will deliver very good sounding mixes.

And because I love doing this I do the first mix free, and people can decide if they like my service later. Thats all.

I have the possibility to really work with heart on mixes I get. Money is a bonus.

I don't have to pump out mediocre mixes just to feed my family.

You investing your time into your work makes you a professional at what you do. People do pay you so that makes you a professional at your craft.

I never said that "professional" Means: Hollywood famous musician. Not once. I said a real professional does what he can with what he has.

Think of it like this there are tons of professional guitar players out there, and they are not famous. They have no #1 hits on the charts. It all has to do with knowing your tools. And being very good with them.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by BasementRecords

I know what your saying, it has nothing to do with great sounding equipment in comparison to price. I just mean that you should go with the portfolio not the glossy looks of a studio. Thats all. I know a lot of people who make music sounds way better using a mbox and pro tools, instead of a guy with 30 grand worth of equipment because he dedicates him self more and the other guy does not.

No bad vibes with you just putting it out there. I appreciate the input, like i said it is true that the more expensive the equipment the better the quality can be. But its what you do with it not what you have.

Thanks for the input.

Basement Records Studio

while there are no doubt some people who maybe have some decent gear and don't know anything, the probability of someone not knowing anything and having an mbox some m audio speakers and a prosumer mic pre is probably a lot higher. Real engineers use and own real gear. Yes if you're looking for an engineer what their work sounds like is the number one thing,
but if it sounds like a record the odds they got that sound with prosumer gear is not likely to say the least

[BasementRecords]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

while there are no doubt some people who maybe have some decent gear and don't know anything, the probability of someone not knowing anything and having an mbox some m audio speakers and a prosumer mic pre is probably a lot higher. Real engineers use and own real gear. Yes if you're looking for an engineer what their work sounds like is the number one thing,
but if it sounds like a record the odds they got that sound with prosumer gear is not likely to say the least

I believe we have the same idea. We just view one side or the other a little more than one another. I guarantee you your right about the better the equipment the better possibility the sound. I just know that you dont have to spend a tone of money on someone who will do it only just as good as the other guy who does it half price.

If you just look at the portfolio thats where you can trust the engineer.

You have very good advice.

[middletom]

Thanks again for the answers. It will help us a lot making the right decisions!

One concern about the demotape is the room sound of the location.. What do you think about it? If we are going the way described in the first post, we'd rerecord the whole thing including additional tracks at the same location..

Is the roomsound disturbing for a good mix, or is it workable?


We're not looking for getting a free mix. We're absolutely up to pay for good work. It's just that we want to be sure that it is possible to work with these recordings.

Any opinions on the roomsound?
Thanks
Middletom

[ProFool]

Cool track and perfectly mixable/workable ...

[mynaemisjonas]

what he said.

I like the song and style too.

[middletom]

Thank you guys!

This was really helpful!

Wish you all the best!
Middletom

[cyjanopan]

Originally Posted by middletom

Thanks again for the answers. It will help us a lot making the right decisions!

One concern about the demotape is the room sound of the location.. What do you think about it? If we are going the way described in the first post, we'd rerecord the whole thing including additional tracks at the same location..

Is the roomsound disturbing for a good mix, or is it workable?


We're not looking for getting a free mix. We're absolutely up to pay for good work. It's just that we want to be sure that it is possible to work with these recordings.

Any opinions on the roomsound?
Thanks
Middletom

My only concern is snare sound, but I just checked raw track and it is fine, just weird mix

[RubberDuck]

Hi

First off this is a great song and the tracks were really well recorded, the only track that was a bit weird was the Kick Sub track but not a biggie

I hope you don't mind that I had a go at mixing it

http://db.tt/xU0n4VJ

I'm no professional or anything I just mix tracks I get from friends or off the web for fun so any help or criticism with the mix would be cool.

If the OP don't wish mixes to be put up I will take it down but the song was really enjoyable to mix.

RubberDuck

[mrfairplay]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

Hi

First off this is a great song and the tracks were really well recorded, the only track that was a bit weird was the Kick Sub track but not a biggie

I hope you don't mind that I had a go at mixing it

http://db.tt/xU0n4VJ

I'm no professional or anything I just mix tracks I get from friends or off the web for fun so any help or criticism with the mix would be cool.

If the OP don't wish mixes to be put up I will take it down but the song was really enjoyable to mix.

RubberDuck

the mix sounds good to me a little busy side but i think that was the goal. Well this is what I have learned about music whether indie, pro whatever. Hire a pro, do what he or she says to get ur end up to standard and turn their ass loose on your mixes and let THEM go through the heartache of mastering. Even if I could afford a multimillion dollar master utopia id still send it out for mastering rather doing it myself. Less stress on you for one cause even though most can do it all most cant do it all above standard. Its better to trust in folks who are dedicated to their craft like mastering thats all I want them to live and breathe. Cant hire a plumber if you need a lawyer! :-) Keep on keeping on! and if this is just a hobbie for you id love to hear what u can do if u were serious! :-)



keep my day job a little longer?
http://www.pittradio.net/music-profiles/songs/2816

[drak12]

Originally Posted by mdoelger

Not bad at all. Absolutely workable.

And you don't really need to spend a lot of money.
Just check ME out. First mix free if you don#t like it.

Besides me, there are tons of professional mixers here, who will deliver a very good product without loads of $$.

Cheers!

What ballpark figure or range is 'not a lot of money' - just asking in case I get a track together that I fancy sending off for mastering.
Thanks