Rock Mix - Any suggestions?

[imacgreg]

Here's one song of an EP that I am currently mixing. I'm looking for general mix advice, but a couple things in particular:

I seem to always have problems with my snare not being long enough. I think this is the case with this mix as well. There is a nice ambient sample mixed in with the snare, but I still don't know if it is cutting it. I know the lead vocals are a little low in the chorus, there is definately some level automation I need to do.

Any tips/suggestions/ideas are welcomed and appreciated!
Thanks

[djui5]

The snare needs some more crack...

Right around 3-5K or so...

Nice mute automation....

I also think (believe it or not...) that the vocals could come up half a db or so..

As a matter of fact...the tom's could use a little more snap also...they seem kinda "dull" if you know what I mean.

The guitars are rocking though. And overall it's a great mix. Nice work.

[not_so_new]

Hey man. I am listening on a laptop with junk speakers (waiting for The Sopranos ) but I completly agree with djui5, snare needs more crack, 3k ish or up. Also maybe a bit of sizz like 8k (my laptop speakers peak out around there, but hey so do my ears so take it for what it is worth). Again I am not on a good system or anything but that was my first take.

As far as the snare not long enough (???) I think you are missing some room to glue it together. If you recored with room mics bring them up a bit. If you did not then set up some speakers in a good room with some good mics and buss the drums to the speakers. Record and mix to taste.

I know lots of people like that dry in your face sound but there is some room in the big league productions most of the time that pull the whole thing together. Check out Aenima from Tool. Not the same style of music but the prodution is great and even on the fast stuff some room sounds creep into the mix. Big help

Not so sure I would bring the vox up too much (again I am on a laptop here so djui5 could be spot on here). I tend to error on the side of a bunch of compresson for ld vox so I would like to see more comp to even it out a bit but I think the general level is good for the most part. A few more fader rides on the vox would really help?? It really gets lost before the stop in the middle of the song and a few other places it is a bit low.

All in all nice work!!

[imacgreg]

Thanks for taking the time to listen! I can definately see adding a bit of top to the snare. I actually haven't used any EQ yet (during mix) on the drums except for kick. I also did record some rooms, I think I'll crank those up a bit to help the snare out a little. As far as the vocals I think I'm definately on the same page as you guys.


Thanks again,

Ian

[not_so_new]

NO EQ yet?? Well then you are looking good man!! A little crack on the snare, ride the vox and you are on your way.

Great work!

[JohnMcD]

I agree, good job. I like the level of the recording as well as the open dynamics left. This will rock when mastered.

In a funny note, I actually like the drums the way they are. It has "personality". Vocals could go up a bit, but what the hell, I'd bang my head to the music, not the singing.

It'll definately rock when mastered. Turning up the volume, it is very clean and has space to live in. Out of curiosity, how did you mic the drum kit?

-John

[imacgreg]

Wow! Thanks for the compliments. The kit was a nice DW that the band borrowed from some buddies. Here's a rundown of the mics:

All drum mics went into our Oram console

Kick in- ATM25 -distressor
Kick out - D112
Snare Top - SM57 - distressor
Snare Bottom - SM57 - DBX160
HH - KM184
L/R OHs - New AKG451's
Ride - Old 451
Floor/rack tom - 421s
Stereo Rooms - Modified U87 Copies faced away from kit
Mono Room - Tele U47 - 1176 all buttons in

Thanks for taking a listen!