First Song Post

[Carcruzjo]

Well this is actually my very first post on this forum! I've been recording and mixing for about 8-9 months.

I've been wanting some criticism on this mix and would like some beneficial suggestions from you guys ! The worst element in the mix I believe is the bleed from the hi-hat and would like some ideas on how to minimize the bleed.

[SimmonsCS28]

I think the drums need to be panned out better. Everything but the guitar at some parts was sitting in the middle of the mix it seemed which felt like it was choking the sound. Pan the drums out more, open the mix up a little, and I think that will make it sound much better. I like the tune.

The best suggestion I have for the high hat, even though I didn't really hear the bleed you were talking about so maybe I'll have to listen to it a few more times, but maybe try using a gate on some of the other drums to isolate the bleed from the hi hat.

[SimmonsCS28]

Alright so I took another listen and realized that you did actually have the guitars panned out so that helps but definitely try panning the drums out and maybe push the guitars even further out to give the drums a space to fit in. Also, the breakdown at 1:40 where it's just the vocals and cowbell, I'm glad I can actually say this with actual purpose but... I'VE GOT A FEVER! and the only prescription, is more cowbell!! lol Bring the cowbell up a dB or two. I couldn't hear it very well and it would have totally rocked more if it had stood out behind the vocals.

How much compression are you using on all of this? To me it sounded like the mix was pulsing which is you're using too much compression, or incorrect compression, can have that effect.

[AstralPStudios]

For the hat issue, you can roll off the low end between 200-250 and use a baxandall curve to brighten it a little more.

Too much verb on the kit it's too buried.

I would either bring the guitars up about 1-2dB or bring the vocals down a bit.

Those are the only things I have to say.

[Carcruzjo]

thanks alot for the pointers guys! im going to start making some changes to the mix soon. i think some of the pulsing effect is contributed from too much parallel compression on the drum bus and from compressors i have on the overheads/bass grt. maybe thats why it also lacks stereo image? im thinking of not parallel compressing the overheads. i might try using the SPL Vitalizer on the overheads/grts just to see if it gives the mix wideness and more room for center elements.

[Carcruzjo]

ok so i tamed the compression on the OH's and used Center (instead of the Vitalizer) on them to open them up a bit. i also sent them to the main mix bus instead of parallel compressing them. then i eased off the side-chain on the bass grt. i tweaked the EQ on the grts just a tad and used the Shuffler to bring them out a bit. and lastly i panned out the harmony vocals (about 90% L/R) and automated the verb on them. oh and i almost forgot lol i raised the cowbell a couple db! what do you guys think?