Mix critique needed! ( Hip Hop )

DjRio · 17th October 2004, 12:43 AM

Hey all...

Here's a snippet of a first mix i just did in the studio for one of the groups im producing.....

Just wanted to hear some critiques on what can be fixed, etc...

Thanks in advance..

Roswell

Gregg Sartiano · 17th October 2004, 01:54 AM

Sounds good from what I can hear on CPU-system speakers -- I was surprised not to hear an 8-bar hook after the first sixteen, but it doesn't sound like the "formula single" anyway.

Mix sounds fine as far as I can tell on these speakers. There's a lot of bottom coming through on the CPU system, but I think that's just the Logitech sub talkin...

I like the sustain sound that comes in at the top of the second verse -- nice build there.

DjRio · 17th October 2004, 06:39 AM

Thanks! I noticed afterwards on other speakers that the bass is pretty loud haha..
I think i'll be turning that down for sure.
And yea its not in full song mode yet... there's actually going to be a singer on the hook. Should be quite nice...

djui5 · 17th October 2004, 08:33 AM

The ad-lib thing in the middle of the first verse is a tad too loud I think.....

I like the balance of everything.......

Not diggin the snare though.....I think for a "Darker" song like this it should have a little more meat....

Also....the "chimes" should have some really bright verb on them.......to make them stand out a little more...and the piano too...

Maybe put some delay on the "shaker" thing on the left......1/4 notes.....or 1/2 notes.....whatever floats your boat.

Just my thoughts.....

Tight song though.

DjRio · 18th October 2004, 12:20 AM

Thanks Randy for the suggestions...

How do i make a bright sounding verb?

EQ the Reverb channel?

thethrillfactor · 18th October 2004, 06:26 AM

Nice balance.

Mix is a little 2D sounding though.

Some fine tuning in the panning could help.

Also some EQ ing through out can help give it more dimension and size.

The snare needs to be tweaked.

Sounds like there is a slight space right before the attack.

Fix that and maybe layer it with it a sidestick pitched to push the"thack" in the sound.

Also i like the vocals up and adlibs up so i guess its a matter of opinion.

In the first verse the adlibs could be automated a touch.

As well as the lead which i would reEQ and compress and automate to really pull people into the words.

Just an opinion.

DjRio · 18th October 2004, 05:10 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions.... Now for some questions!!

Question about samples.... if you have a main sample ( ex. the one in this song ),
is it a good idea to have it as a Stereo track? Or is it better to keep it mono...

I have this one strapped across as a Stereo and im wondering if that takes up too much "space", especially in songs that i might have alot of percussion, and maybe more samples on top.

And also, Thrillfactor, u say you'd recompress, would u add more?

I typically record with a 2:1 ratio going into Pro Tools, and then when mixing, i add another 3:1 ratio afterwards... is this too little? Or just about right.

As well as EQ, i usually subtract rather than add. I might add a little around the 6k area to give it some presence... is this the right way to go about it, or is it better to add more rather than take away.

Thanks for your time...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FX in a hip hop mix	killahertz	Rap + Hip Hop engineering & production	3	2nd February 2006 12:04 AM
hip hop mix - advice needed	scius	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	4	19th January 2006 01:01 PM
POP/ROCK/HIP HOP MIX CRITIQUE & MASTERING ADVICE	matt f	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	7	19th October 2005 10:16 PM
First Full Mix! Critique Needed...	DjRio	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	9	18th May 2004 11:26 PM

17th October 2004, 12:43 AM	#1
DjRio Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 63	Mix critique needed! ( Hip Hop ) Hey all... Here's a snippet of a first mix i just did in the studio for one of the groups im producing..... Just wanted to hear some critiques on what can be fixed, etc... Thanks in advance.. Roswell

17th October 2004, 08:33 AM	#4
djui5 Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,680	The ad-lib thing in the middle of the first verse is a tad too loud I think..... I like the balance of everything....... Not diggin the snare though.....I think for a "Darker" song like this it should have a little more meat.... Also....the "chimes" should have some really bright verb on them.......to make them stand out a little more...and the piano too... Maybe put some delay on the "shaker" thing on the left......1/4 notes.....or 1/2 notes.....whatever floats your boat. Just my thoughts..... Tight song though. __________________ _________________ "What is a crossfire hurricane & why wasn't I born in one?" Randy Wright http://www.myspace.com/djui5

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

17th October 2004, 01:54 AM	#2
Gregg Sartiano Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 1,781	Sounds good from what I can hear on CPU-system speakers -- I was surprised not to hear an 8-bar hook after the first sixteen, but it doesn't sound like the "formula single" anyway. Mix sounds fine as far as I can tell on these speakers. There's a lot of bottom coming through on the CPU system, but I think that's just the Logitech sub talkin... I like the sustain sound that comes in at the top of the second verse -- nice build there.

17th October 2004, 06:39 AM	#3
DjRio Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 63	Thanks! I noticed afterwards on other speakers that the bass is pretty loud haha.. I think i'll be turning that down for sure. And yea its not in full song mode yet... there's actually going to be a singer on the hook. Should be quite nice...

18th October 2004, 12:20 AM	#5
DjRio Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 63	Thanks Randy for the suggestions... How do i make a bright sounding verb? EQ the Reverb channel?

18th October 2004, 06:26 AM	#6
thethrillfactor Gear Guru Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 11,152	Nice balance. Mix is a little 2D sounding though. Some fine tuning in the panning could help. Also some EQ ing through out can help give it more dimension and size. The snare needs to be tweaked. Sounds like there is a slight space right before the attack. Fix that and maybe layer it with it a sidestick pitched to push the"thack" in the sound. Also i like the vocals up and adlibs up so i guess its a matter of opinion. In the first verse the adlibs could be automated a touch. As well as the lead which i would reEQ and compress and automate to really pull people into the words. Just an opinion.

18th October 2004, 05:10 PM	#7
DjRio Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 63	Thanks for all the suggestions.... Now for some questions!! Question about samples.... if you have a main sample ( ex. the one in this song ), is it a good idea to have it as a Stereo track? Or is it better to keep it mono... I have this one strapped across as a Stereo and im wondering if that takes up too much "space", especially in songs that i might have alot of percussion, and maybe more samples on top. And also, Thrillfactor, u say you'd recompress, would u add more? I typically record with a 2:1 ratio going into Pro Tools, and then when mixing, i add another 3:1 ratio afterwards... is this too little? Or just about right. As well as EQ, i usually subtract rather than add. I might add a little around the 6k area to give it some presence... is this the right way to go about it, or is it better to add more rather than take away. Thanks for your time...