Need advise

musical5 · 6th April 2004, 11:55 PM

Howdy,

I tried this over at "show and tell". Im sure its not ready for that. I just want some feedback, on how the mix is sounding. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Justin

Crash · 7th April 2004, 02:18 AM

This is absolutely smokin'! My only comment would be that I could stand to hear just a hint more bass guitar. Having said that, I am listening on my little Mac speakers so the bass may not be an issue either. Excellent vocal work, as well as the floor tom, sounds awesome. Can you give us some details on your recording? I think you are ready for show and tell. It sounds good man!

Crash

musical5 · 7th April 2004, 04:31 AM

Crash,

Thanks a lot for checking it out. The bass was a 6 string fretless and puts out some serious low end. I would guess PC speakers cant even translate it. My signal path was real simple, just an AT4050/ DRS-1/ RNC on the amps and vox. I used a sansamp DI into the Phoenix DI (IM loving this combo). I can take no credit for the drums since its a loop with added cymbal samples and a live snare through the last 2 choruses.

Thanks again,
Justin

Jax · 8th April 2004, 02:32 AM

Nice n' clear overall. Somewhat like Warren Zevon, but less bluesy.

I'd go for a different cymbal sound. They sound small and thin, not supporting the dramatic feel of the tune. To my ear, they should sound like big ballad crashes, not splashes or small crashes. The cymbals need some body. The ride patterns and rhythmic layers at the last choruses are very cool, but they distract attention from the singer. I'd make them happen when he's not singing.

In the chorus at the last 1/4 of the song, things get a little cloudy due to the bass and offbeat crashes. The bass could be a bit tighter and less "tuba being blown"-sounding. The note doesn't seem to hold, instead it pushes out like a big cushion and then falls under the mix. I don't know, maybe the fretless doesn't work for me.

The crashes, while interestingly placed, would support the tune better if they happened mostly on the downbeats during the chorus and sounded like big, dramatic (dark) crashes. The ride needs more wash for this kind of tune, as well. Although room sound seems to no longer be in fashion, I think the cymbals need to sound like they were played in a room. The sampled drums don't sound like they were played in the same place as the cymbals. Any way to slightly lower the toms throughout? In the chorus, I'd like to hear a punchy snare on every 2 and 4 instead of the open snare, to change up the feel a little bit.

The vocs are great! I'd take the melodic elec gtr at the end lower in the mix and reverb it some, and pan it about 60% to the right.

Hope that helps.

musical5 · 9th April 2004, 08:46 PM

Jax,

Thanks for checking it out. I does help a lot.

Justin

musical5 · 11th April 2004, 12:31 AM

Here is a revised mix. I added some things and took your suggestions to heart.

Thanks

Lee Tyler · 11th April 2004, 10:57 PM

Agree the bass needs more attack and more amplitiude. Also second the drum comments regarding crashes. The snare needs to be more up front. Vocals are real nice but I wonder if a little compensatory EQ on the backing vocals might help both of those vocals "fold" together a bit more coherently without the VERY slight mud I am hearing. I would also bring up the lead and backup vocals a tad to stand just a wittle' bit louder in the mix than they are in this version. Great job! ---Leeloo

musical5 · 12th April 2004, 08:30 PM

Lee,

I cant for the life of me get that bass to have more attack. I wish I could. Its a 6 string fretless that cost more than my car! Its just super deep sounding. Any suggestions??

Thanks

Jax · 12th April 2004, 08:43 PM

Got a Transient Designer or similar plug-in?

Might help, but the fretless is pretty "cushy" to start with.

Listening to revised mix now...

Cool, the crashes landing on more of the downbeats. They still feel a little thin, though. And cymbal work is outta the way of the singer, nice.

More comments when I have time to listen to the first version again back to back with the revised.

Lee Tyler · 12th April 2004, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by musical5
Lee,

I cant for the life of me get that bass to have more attack. I wish I could. Its a 6 string fretless that cost more than my car! Its just super deep sounding. Any suggestions??

Thanks

Perhaps increasing the EQ in the bass track in the mids and highs may give you more of the latent attack component that is needed. There are many more experienced dudes on this board that can offer you addtional suggestions. Best of luck and post any updates for our consumption!

---Lee

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8th April 2004, 02:32 AM	#4
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,658	Nice n' clear overall. Somewhat like Warren Zevon, but less bluesy. I'd go for a different cymbal sound. They sound small and thin, not supporting the dramatic feel of the tune. To my ear, they should sound like big ballad crashes, not splashes or small crashes. The cymbals need some body. The ride patterns and rhythmic layers at the last choruses are very cool, but they distract attention from the singer. I'd make them happen when he's not singing. In the chorus at the last 1/4 of the song, things get a little cloudy due to the bass and offbeat crashes. The bass could be a bit tighter and less "tuba being blown"-sounding. The note doesn't seem to hold, instead it pushes out like a big cushion and then falls under the mix. I don't know, maybe the fretless doesn't work for me. The crashes, while interestingly placed, would support the tune better if they happened mostly on the downbeats during the chorus and sounded like big, dramatic (dark) crashes. The ride needs more wash for this kind of tune, as well. Although room sound seems to no longer be in fashion, I think the cymbals need to sound like they were played in a room. The sampled drums don't sound like they were played in the same place as the cymbals. Any way to slightly lower the toms throughout? In the chorus, I'd like to hear a punchy snare on every 2 and 4 instead of the open snare, to change up the feel a little bit. The vocs are great! I'd take the melodic elec gtr at the end lower in the mix and reverb it some, and pan it about 60% to the right. Hope that helps. __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.

12th April 2004, 08:43 PM	#9
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,658	Got a Transient Designer or similar plug-in? Might help, but the fretless is pretty "cushy" to start with. Listening to revised mix now... Cool, the crashes landing on more of the downbeats. They still feel a little thin, though. And cymbal work is outta the way of the singer, nice. More comments when I have time to listen to the first version again back to back with the revised. __________________ When the music is good, the mix is that much better.

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7th April 2004, 02:18 AM	#2
Crash Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 983	This is absolutely smokin'! My only comment would be that I could stand to hear just a hint more bass guitar. Having said that, I am listening on my little Mac speakers so the bass may not be an issue either. Excellent vocal work, as well as the floor tom, sounds awesome. Can you give us some details on your recording? I think you are ready for show and tell. It sounds good man! Crash

7th April 2004, 04:31 AM	#3
musical5 Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gilbert Az Posts: 145	Crash, Thanks a lot for checking it out. The bass was a 6 string fretless and puts out some serious low end. I would guess PC speakers cant even translate it. My signal path was real simple, just an AT4050/ DRS-1/ RNC on the amps and vox. I used a sansamp DI into the Phoenix DI (IM loving this combo). I can take no credit for the drums since its a loop with added cymbal samples and a live snare through the last 2 choruses. Thanks again, Justin

9th April 2004, 08:46 PM	#5
musical5 Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gilbert Az Posts: 145	Jax, Thanks for checking it out. I does help a lot. Justin

11th April 2004, 10:57 PM	#7
Lee Tyler Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: S.W. Florida/Orig. N.Y.C Posts: 93	Agree the bass needs more attack and more amplitiude. Also second the drum comments regarding crashes. The snare needs to be more up front. Vocals are real nice but I wonder if a little compensatory EQ on the backing vocals might help both of those vocals "fold" together a bit more coherently without the VERY slight mud I am hearing. I would also bring up the lead and backup vocals a tad to stand just a wittle' bit louder in the mix than they are in this version. Great job! ---Leeloo

12th April 2004, 08:30 PM	#8
musical5 Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gilbert Az Posts: 145	Lee, I cant for the life of me get that bass to have more attack. I wish I could. Its a 6 string fretless that cost more than my car! Its just super deep sounding. Any suggestions?? Thanks