hip hop mix - advice needed

[scius]

i've been mixing this forever and just can't seem to get it perfect. any advice is appreciated.

[farjedi]

HI, Although generally I think this is ok my feeling is that the vocals are too boosted in the high frequencies(or cut in the low).Either way they sound to harsh and that will make for uncomfortable listening at any great lengths of time. Are you compressing the masterbuss? I would strip all your processing off the vocal and come again. Bear in mind siblance too. Also that swirling pad made me feel a bit sea sick maybe tone that down a shade.
It's advisable to have a track you like either in your sequencer or in a cd player for reference. Unless you have a 'golden ear' and have the tonal balance locked it's easy to start boosting tops(or whatever) cos initially it makes it sound better to you. You continue on your path and create a mix you think works. Then A/b to a commercial tune and your face drops in dissapointment. Done it sooo many times. Until you train your ears to the correct balance this is a ok helping hand.
Believe me I am still learning this art as well and I'd say you already got a pretty good idea what your doing.
Sometimes if a mix aint going right turn off all the processing and it's suprising how our eq,comp etc selections were'nt actually beneficial. Just keep trying and you will get there...good luck

[Frugaljr]

The difference between this and other finished projects that I have heard is that the backing synths aren't quite exciting enough. The vocs and drum loops are fine, the backing sounds could be slightly more exiciting. I like that the lyrics are clear. That is actually missing in many "big label" releases. Don't mess that up, but try to bring some life to those synth parts. It is really tough to give energy to the backing stuff while preserving the vocal. That is what seperates good from fantastic. The addition of even 1db of top to a part can be the difference.

Good luck!

[scius]

thanks for both of your suggestions...i removed processing from everything and started from scratch...amazingly i ended up with a pretty similar result. it sounds a lot better though.

let me know what you guys think.

[scruffydog]

Hi
I actually liked this track..good work.
But as you know tracks need to be so very strong.
Drums swing well and the flow swings too..a few glitchy moments bring it down to demo level.
Intro is stock demo and sounds weak...the keys are the weak link.
to me they sound like first takes and not that well formed but support the track well as it comes to life.

That basic melody that rises and falls really needs to be voaclised at some point and I would suggest a female....the chances for the track improve with the addition of something to grab onto..a take home message.
I know the flow is not about a chorus but..hey..I need a chorus bud.
This track swirls and builds and shows a potential for bigger ideas..
But you got to brush up on the keys and perhaps define a little more.
everything has to move as one..
needs more work so archive carefully!!
and come back to it..
Scruffy