Early Mix - Thoughts Please... Go Hard On Me!

[milkyc]

Hi, Please rip-apart my mix...

Autotune on sustained notes is a bit strange at the mo.....

Snare is weak and sounds a bit 'cheap' also.

But any other major flaws?, Recorded in a harsh'ish backroom, Multi-Tracked on Protools through a PROFIRE 2626.

Only my 2nd attempt at mixing one of our bands tracks, all help appreciated!

We are planning on getting these mastered once all happy with results... even if it takes weeks per song!!

Thanks in advance

Mike

[JulianFernandez]

Mmm, where to start?

I think you should try to re record the band and try to make them groove a little more... The playing is all over the place time wise.
Those cymbals sound cheap too...

I think you´ll have a really hard time trying to get it right with those tracks... Go back to square one and try to make the drummer play with more confidence (if it doesn´t work, try to record the song section by section or even using just a couple of goods bar for each section of the song...)

Don´t give up on it yet... thumbsup

[milkyc]

Thanks for your reply,

Yeah I think your right.. Out of our 6 songs we recorded, this was our weakest so wanted to work on this first. . . I think the groove is lost with a LOT of additional guitar tracks added ontop of guitar tracks that may not be as tight or messes with the rhythm.

The hats 16th's are too loud from our overheads so I had to use sample crashes for this song, maybe better samples will make them sound not as 'cheap' ?

Before we re-record, I will attempt another song and see if it comes out any better...

Many thanks!

Mike

[milkyc]

Any more additional feedback out there? Cheers

[Acaine]

(i am going to give you feedback on the sounds of the instruments and this is coming from an 19 year old who hasn't been in the music business for long so dont take my word for any of this feedback.)

I think Julian is right about going for the whole thing again. recording drums i find easier in a non parallel room but if your live room is basically parallel its pretty easy to place big objects in front of the kit to make things not parallel if that makes sense you will notice your drums will sound a lot nicer. Microphone placement is a very big part also, try different ways of micing the kit record a few tracks maybe.

I take it this is your band, I think you guys need to gel a bit more in your music really try to grasp the emotion within all of your songs no matter what it is. once you guys do you will notice you will tighten up loads because you are all getting into the song giving better results. REALLY GET INTO IT!

not a bad mix though keep it up
i'd like to hear the next ones man

[Joram]

You have a lot to do!
1. work on the arrangement first. Search for contrasts: between verse and chorus, between guitarparts etc. Strip the song to it's bare essence (which is probably the lyrics). Than decide which direction you want to go:for example "guitarsong" with additional instruments or perhaps a more rythmic 80's sound with space for snare etc.
2. practise extensively before you record.
3. keep the instruments in tune (also drums!), make it a habit.
4. Before recording, have an idea what the endresult should be and try to find information on how to reach that goal. Keep it simple and straight forward.

Have fun and don't give up.

[milkyc]

Ok thanks for you replies.....

I've frazzled my head... I'm going to give my mixes a few days rest, nothing is coming out as clear as I planned!!!

Please could you post your thoughts on another song (snippet attached)

Any better then the first mix I posted above?

Not sure if I can make it much better at all, (guitar needs re-tracking due to bum notes) would it help if I posted my separate tracks pre-mixed (snare, kick, bass, vocals, etc) for you guys to tell me if I'm wasting my time or not trying to get a great mix?

Thanks in advance

Mike

[Acaine]

ok i had another listen its an improvement on the last song

your kit is still sounding pretty weak how are you micing the kit up? i could give you advice on how to get it sounding bigger from knowing this.

and also how are you recording the guitars what amp and what mics?

and do you over dub vocals? and have any EQ and Fx on them ?

[milkyc]

Hi,

Ok thanks,

The recording process went a little like this...

Recorded ghost tracks to work over, then through a profire 2626 drums were recorded first.

DRUMS:

Recorded in a home-made acoustic panel padded booth, plenty of room around the kit for the kit to breath.

Rode nt5's o/h (recorderman placement)
SM57's x 2 (top and bottom of snare, phase flipped)
kick d112
3 x PG56'S for toms

Then added BASS in same booth.

AMP - Ashdown MAG C410T-300 EVO II / MUSIC MAN SUB-5 BASS
Mic'D using the D112 (6inches from selected speaker) and also DI straight out of the AMP for additional track.

Guitar next, in same booth.

Small 65ish'watt Fender amp (can't remember which, but it packs a punch!) Guitar - Gibson BFG, closed mic'd (sm57) and d112 behind amp (12inches away), also DI straight out of pedal board for additional track.

Vocals next, in same booth, using a SM58, Can't remember what effects I added on the above, tweaked around that much since. (B/Vox added after)

Small soft pads, acoustic guitar parts have been added also afterwards but it's more about trying to get a much stronger drum sound, to work on top of, the other layers haven't really been looked at in that much depth yet. Just struggling with getting this drum sound strong.

Let me know if you want any more details, I can post original dry audio tracks, print screens of sessions, etc, etc.... Many thanks!!

Mike

[Acaine]

well it sounds like you have the right idea with recording techniques for the kit i really recommend trying to make it not parallel with any wall really does make the difference.

the other thing is get your band to really feel the song it produces better recordings. This may sound basic but it really does help.