Rough Hard Rock Mix, Help Please!

[Sword in Hand]

Hey, here's a rough mix of a band that I did recently. Extremely minimal gear. Mixed ITB.

Let me know what you think.

[Sword in Hand]

bump

[Atari]

Not much to say about this I think. It sounds like it should to me. Maybe the kick has too much sub. It bothers me after a while. Rest sounds perfect! What gear was used?

[Sword in Hand]

Hey,

Gear used:

Input:

Drums: c1000s on overheads
Snare at4033 (I think, might have been sm58)
Kick D6
Toms 58s
Room 58 or at 4033 (those I'm not sure on)

Guitars: Mainly Podxt with a Fender Texas special/Epi Les Paul (can't remember exactly, might have been both)
Some guitar layers through a Marshall Valvestate combo 57 and 4033 room mics

Bass: Through Bass Podxt with mexi fender J-bass

Synths: DI fireface

Vocals: at4033

Used samplitude plugins and a few waves effects.

Everything went through the pres, dry and flat, on the Fireface (except toms went through Echo Mona) A/D/A.

I really try to get the most out of what I have. Considering that, I think this mix sounds pretty good.

[Sword in Hand]

double bump

[Jay Kahrs]

Listening on the $50 3-way speakers I have on the 'puter it sounds pretty good. The first thing that jumped at me was that the vocal was pretty loud...outta the pocket.

Interesting song...lots of parts & directions for that to go in mixing.

[Doctor_Tone]

Hm, the beginning (the first 8 seconds) sounds nearly exactly like the beginning of "Hope" from the Apocalyptica-Album "Cult". And Jay Kahrs is right. The voice is a little bit too loud. But I like the rest

Regards

Stefan

[Sword in Hand]

I thought that they might have been. Anything else?


Thanks

[prizo]

Originally Posted by Sword in Hand

Guitars: Mainly Podxt with a Fender Texas special/Epi Les Paul (can't remember exactly, might have been both)

Nice sound.... what head/cabinet was it based on?
Lots of eq?

[Sword in Hand]

Hey,

I used at least two different sounds for the distorted guitars. One was probably a Modern head and cab, like the Treadplate (triple recto and boogie cab, or line 6 cab), the other was probably JCM 800 or Soldano Super lead (with more vintage cab). I did this to get a grinding high sound and a full lowend combined, because I find it hard to get both with just one sound, it usually sounds too thin or too muddy. The eq was high passed to about 100-150 with a small bump in the lower mids, scooped in the mids and about 4-5dbs boost at 2k. That's all I did.

Let me tell you something, the guitars have a lot to do with the bass. You might already know this, but I played the bass as evenly as possible, without compression and added a little later. Also, the drums need to be played very very well. There isn't any sound replacing or beat detective type thing going on.

I hope more people will chime in

Thanks,
sword in hand

[djui5]

What a cool song

I think the guitars in the beginning have wayyyyyyyyyy too much low end. They're eating it all up...

The drums could be a lot punchier. The OH's seem ok, but could come up a little in places.

The vocals level I like, but it sounds brittle in the top at places.

If the snare/kick had more punch, kick had a touch less 50hz, OH's came up, bass came up and was clear, and the guitars lost everything below 100hz or so, I think it would be killer.

Also, the chorus needs to be more airy...little less distorted guitars...mystical is what we're going for here I believe.

BTW, it seems like everything gets all mushed together near the end....

[Sword in Hand]

Yeah it feels like the song is just a tad crowded and its dynamic range is choked.

The guitars are already passed to 150hz.

I noticed that my bass track had some boost below 100 maybe that's the problem. The kick drum definitely needs some cut below 70. I don't know what should be done to make the drums feel more alive, but I see what you're getting at. I would think that the overheads have to do with the drums having their own space right? The problem is my room, and overheads don't have the greatest sound. I'll try bringing them up and see what happens. It might be that I mastered the song wrong or something.

Thanks,
Luke

[ctms777]

I like the song and I really like the mix, but you hardrock-guys usually get this right.

But I really hate that Synthlead at the start, find a different sound for that, it's afwul. It's not a bad melody, just a cheap synthpatch. Try getting rid of the Pitch Envelope at the attack of the sound, or is it some kind of portamento-setting? Portamento can quickly sound cheesy IMHO. I think it could be a nice melody with a different sound.
Maybe it's just my bad taste...

Again I really like all the other stuff.

[Sword in Hand]

Yeah, I have a sort of love hate relationship with the synth. On one hand it sounds kinda different for this music, but on the other it's a little dated. Oh by the way, this isn't some band, I wrote, performed, recorded and mixed this all by myself. I don't know why I didn't say that up front.

Thanks for all the help,
sword in hand

[ctms777]

I agree it's nice to have a different sound like a synth in a production like this. Sets you apart from the competition. Maybe an "earthier" more mysterious sound would work nicer here.
I must say that with the gear you used that's quite an impressive effort, shows that these days it's all about good engineering/musicianship, not so much about the gear. Oh wait, this is gearslutz;

"You defenitely need analog summing and need to print to 1/4 inch tape. that would make all the difference"

[Sword in Hand]

Yeah,

I think the fact that I had to learn for years, with basically four budget mic pres (on echo mona) and 3 or 4 budget mics, all ITB, it really helped me become a better AE. With that said, I have some new stuff coming in and can't wait to hear how that will up my quality. I also look forward to years of learning the art and craft that is Music and Recording.


sword in hand