My second mastering attempt!

[dgcobb]

Here's my second mastering attempt. This one has many more layers than the first one, so it was a nice challenge. I think I've found a pretty good technique, but comments on the mix or master are definitely welcome. This is one that I wrote, so I'm throwing my neck out and singing the second verse

Raindrops by Maggie & Dylan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

[dgcobb]

any thoughts?

[mikeg09]

Its good I like it! I would only say one thing, With her vocals, I would raise up a little bit of the high mids or something in the highs to make her voice sparkle a little more!!!

Thats the only thing in the song that I would have wanted to hear more. I like what you did with your vocals man the mids cut nicely and sweet. Try to make her vocals sparkle a little more but not too much because I Kinda like the fact that your vocals and hers do not sound identical. Did you record your vocals through the same chain as hers?

[mikeg09]

I do like the sound of her vocals though they sound fluffy. Try to keep her vocals sounding fluffy while still making them sound more sparkly.

Sorry for the choice of words I’m using to describe audio but I’m pretty sure you know what I mean lol

Great song bro. I don’t know how you do it but the emotion in these tracks are wonderful!

[dgcobb]

thanks mike, I think what you're wanting is some top end "air", in the 10k-20k range. I'll go add some and see how it sounds. I actually meant to do that because I thought montana sky could use a little sparkle too.

Yep I recorded my vocals through the same chain. She makes it sound a lot better though haha.

[mikeg09]

Yea but just a little not too much. Thats crazy man it just goes to show that performance is probably more important than gear because it doesnt sound like yall went through the same chain even though yall did lol. Both sound good though.

Lets see what other people have to say because im only listening through my studio headphones. I know them well but still, one day I need to get moniters..

[john caldwell]

The male and female voices are missing upper mids to my ears, not the VHF aire range. Think of the "thhhe" sound of "the". As it is now, there is a scoop that detracts from intelligibility, particularly in the male case.

The male-female octave pairing is an arrangement high point. I'd exploit that much more, and not necessarily return to the precisely-executed female smooth pad sound.

You sure about the rain sample being re-introduced at that volume mid-track? How about a softer and gentler rain sound, or at least much quieter?

Nice feeling and track overall.

John Caldwell

[mikeg09]

Yea I was thinking about the rain part too that it could be a little more smooth but then again thats just a matter of taste. Im not ganna pick apart somebody elses mix to every last little detail because thats not what its about at the end of it all. Its about whether or not the emotion of the track is felt and I think this song acheived that very well. Just needs some MINOR touch ups.

[dgcobb]

thanks for the thoughts and advice john! That's strange that you say the vocals are lacking high mids, because I already boosted them around 1200hz. However, it was only a 1.5db boost, so I could add more. Maybe the guitar or the piano are hogging the high mids, and I need to separate the instruments from the vocals with EQ?

"The male-female octave pairing is an arrangement high point. I'd exploit that much more, and not necessarily return to the precisely-executed female smooth pad sound."

When you say the "octave pairing" are you referring to the part before the chorus with several harmonies? Also, what do you mean by returning to the "precisely-executed female smooth pad sound"? Once I introduce the male harmonies I don't return to just the female vocals, I sing harmonies until the end of the song. I'm just not sure what you're referring to.

As for the rain sample, I recorded this outside my window so it is what it is. I will definitely try reducing the volume or taking it out mid song though. I guess I had it louder so it sounded like rain and not background static...

Thanks for the support Mike! However, I do appreciate constructive criticism because it makes me better. After all, that's half of why I'm posting these songs!

[mikeg09]

No problem Dylan,

Thats true though, I guess your a lot nicer than me because I think you did really really well!

But your right man

[dgcobb]

John can you please elaborate on your advice?

Thanks