Hardcore Mix - Suggestions?

[John Suitcase]

I recently recorded this band, and have been goofing around with the mix a bit. I think it sounds good, they were going for a sort of Sick Of It All type thing.

I won't even describe the recording circumstances, so as not to spoil the comments ;-)


http://www.suitcaserecordings.com/FamilyMix.mp3


Listen to it loud!

[polishpunker]

The drums sound really flat. The guitars do not fit in the mix at all. They are too panned L/R. Is there a bass guitar in the mix? If the recording circumstances were bad, it shows in the mix like a red flag. It's not a horrible mix but nothing great. I used to do mobile recording up until a few months ago. I eventually remodeled two rooms room in my house to accommodate a nice control room and a large tracking room.

www.myspace.com/greaterthanpro

I still have my road case with all my equipment in it next to my desk for all my preamps. But that is the next thing to go out at the end of the driveway for someone to take. Nothing comes cloase to doing a studio recording unless you have a really nice acousticly designed house and you bring your SSL into the living room...not a chance. For a cheap myspace demo, location stuff is great. CD worthy=studio time. Orchestras, choirs, jazz bands...most professional music ensembles sound great for location recording but not much else. Thats just my opinion. I've been there and done that...and it's done. Keep up the work though, if you clients are happy, you did your job.

[John Suitcase]

Thanks for the comments!

I'm curious what you mean by 'flat'? There's not a room mic in this track, though I usually would use one, if the room sounds good.

I think the guitars may be a little out front, but I often end up with mixes that have a lot of guitar. Just my personal taste, I suppose.

I think you're right about studio tracks sounding better, since the room (and the gear) is a more controlled variable. On the other hand, though, I like the live feel and enrgy that comes with people having fun making a record. I've done lots of work in traditional studio environments, and that's great, of course, with the right band.

Anyway, thanks for the comments, I'm always trying to improve my work...

PS

This was recorded in a garage, with about 20 people standing around, and my little rig pushed up by the garage door.

[djui5]

John,
I think it's good for what it is. Maybe turn up the vox a little...but other than that I think it's working. You can hear everything, and that's most important.

Maybe a bit more crack on the snare...

[John Suitcase]

Thanks again for the comments, I finally got a chance to spend a few more minutes on this mix. Here's an updated version:

http://suitcaserecordings.com/FamilyMix2.mp3

I did a little work to get the snare coming through better (no trigger, but some gate/distortion stuff), and changed some eq on guitars, etc.

Let me know what you think, and if you have any ideas for improvements!

(I wish I had some better pre's, this was all recorded through my Spirit Folio F1)

[Jay Kahrs]

The bands really good. They can play.

Cymbals are kinda loud...

Could use some more bottom end too...just more girth. Strap an EQ across the 2-mix at 40Hz...sweep it around & see what happens.

[John Suitcase]

Finally had a chance to mess with this a little more, any further thoughts, suggestions?

http://suitcaserecordings.com/FamilyMix3.mp3

I added a bit o' verb, multed the snare to get more snap, shifted the eq on the guitars, and added a little more bass.

I think it sounds darn nice. ;-)

[djui5]

Cut a bunch of 240-500hz on the snare. It's got this deep boxy thing going on that sounds distracting...

[Mixocalypse]

Hi John

I give you credit for the remote thing alone! shit some of your remote recordings sound better than my studio jobs

the 3rd one sounds pretty cool. The snare took on a whole new life that time. more of a pop than a crack i guess...
Im only listening on the powerbook speakers, so not too sure about the boxyness that Randy mentioned. Can't wait to listen on the studio speakers.




edit:
Oh yea...listening in the studio now.
a little boxy on the snare... i'd go as far to say maybe a little on the kick too. But its only really apparent to me at the start of the song.
That snare maybe needs something in the hi mids a bit. 2k - 5k some where, a little more crack or sizzle.
I think the GTRS ROCK!

..

[John Suitcase]

OK, I was goofing around and thought I'd use this mix to experiment with some new techniques (used ktdrumtrigger and addictive drums to replace the kick and snare), and did some other 2 buss stuff. Anyone care to tell me what they think?

http://suitcaserecordings.com/WhereAmI.mp3

[Parka Dez]

The snare sounds better, but everything sounds distorted. I think the actual guitar tone is too distorted and there isn't enough definition to the guitars. You can't do anything about this now obviously, but next time try turning the gain down and also try putting a low pass filter around 12-16khz and a high pass around 40hz-60hz. I think that will clear up the guitars alot.

Nice one!

[John Suitcase]

Yeah, I can see that. I was experimenting, and tried throwing an exciter across the 2 buss, trying to get something in the same 'range' as bands like hatebreed. I think I may have overdone it a little bit!

I think the original guitar tone is pretty good, it could use an overdub of a less grind, more crunch type guitar sound, to bring a little definition back.

[John Suitcase]

OK, last mix (unless anyone has more suggestions!) I think it sounds darn good for a quick recording in a garage.

http://suitcaserecordings.com/WhereAmI2.mp3

(I like the Addictive Drums, I may end up buying it. Seems like it sounds pretty realistic, and is relatively easy to get going...)

[captawesm]

for what it is, its alright. the drums sound better. the guitars still sound way too out front and they are a little scratchy, maybe pull down a little bit on the eq at around 1000hz. overall its not bad for a quick garage recording. good luck

jordan

[captawesm]

for what it is, its alright. the drums sound better. the guitars still sound way too out front and they are a little scratchy, maybe pull down a little bit on the eq at around 1000hz. overall its not bad for a quick garage recording. good luck

jordan