Please critique this mix (pop/ r&B)

[Dopamine]

We are going to do final tweaks on this mix and I would love some feedback. (Please only remark on the mix, not the song or production.) I am fairly happy with how it is sounding and I don't want to do any _major_ changes. I think the vocals may be a db or so too loud. I plan on having this mastered professionally. Thanks in advance for the extra set of ears!

[thethrillfactor]

Its hard to comment on one without the other.

A great mix has one & both tied together(production and mix).

If just commenting on the mix only, the biggest weakness i hear is that it sounds like you have 3 songs in one.

The Chorus has more center up the middle but lacks width.

The verses have almost no center up the middle and are too wide.

The bridge is probably the best mixture of both.

There is no transition or build between sections.

This can be done in the mix.

I think the mix in general needs something(a theme) that can tie it together.

If its vocal driven, than the vocals need to sound out of this world.

They sound pretty dry,in your face and i understand that is the sound of a lot of songs today, but i feel your mix could be more unified if the vocals were a little more lush.

I do agree that the vocals are a little hot(db) in general.

If the mix is beat driven than the groove has to hit you(bangin drums and bass).

I think you could sneak a little more body in general(bass) and this would help.

The mix is clear(top end) which is a great thing in itself.

Good luck with it.

[Dopamine]

Thank you for the comments. I will take it all into consideration!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

Thank you for the comments. I will take it all into consideration!

Again mine's is just one opinon so please take it with a grain of salt.

You may get others that totally contradict what i am saying.

What is the feedback you've gotten from other people around you so far?

[Dopamine]

I haven't received any feedback on the mix so far, and I really value the opinions here. Would love to hear some other people's comments.

A major A&R guy heard the rough mix and really liked the song, so I hope this is going to impress him. This was a particularly difficult song to mix, mainly because of the relationship between the (rather odd) kicks and bass.

Any ideas on what we can in the mix to improve the transitions and vocals? I produced this one and after listening to it thousands of times it's hard for me to get perspective.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

Any ideas on what we can in the mix to improve the transitions and vocals? I produced this one and after listening to it thousands of times it's hard for me to get perspective.

Well from the first chorus to the verse the energy drops tremendously.

I think its the bass.

The really synth bass sound in the verse doesn't have the oomph that the chorus has.

Also the kick sound changes.

It needs more bottomn.

I think to improve the transition between verse and chorus you should really enhance the pre chorus(where she says Heartache).

A little dealy on the vocals.

It should build up both volume wise and energy.

Here i would do something with the background synth sounds(effect wise).

I like the pre chorus better in the second verse with the hi pad/string.

Again it should be brought out.

Drama is always a good thing.

On the rap part some kind a stereo harmonization/chorus on the vocal.

I really dig the little breakdown after(vocals and sounds than vocals and beat/bass).

Again some drama here.

Build it up and make it wide.

From here to the final chorus the transition is happening.

If you could figure out what works here just apply to the other parts.

When the final chorus kicks in this is the high point of the song.

You should feel it.

[Dopamine]

Thrill - I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to give me such good feedback. I will definitely heed many of your excellent suggestions!

[jerdude]

well.... thrill has said alot.

the first thing that hit me about the mix is that the kick and snare do not snap and smack me in the face.... the beat just isn't slammin enough.... the kick and snare just aren't crackin.

i only listened to about 1:30. there are some spots where the lead vocal is weak.

i like that your mix isn't to harsh and trebleee. but its not aggressive enough... it feels kinda soft... without enough attitude.

the bass and the kick do not compliment each other.... it doesn't feel tight.... it feels flabby.... i want to hear the more attack of the kick and low end of the bass.... seperated more.... 2 instruments becoming a foundation instead of fighting with each other.

the song sounds interesting...(the lead vocal is kinda weak) and there are some interesting production things going on.... but i do feel that the production is too busy... or just not mixed well.... i can't really find 1 ot 2 things that grab me about the production.... except that there are some good unrefined elements...

keeping it all in perspective... it sounds like a good demo.

just my $.02

[genericperson]

maybe a quick spin through an SSL comp or an Alan Smart C2 would help give it some drive. The tracks are clean enough that they could withstand some 2-buss crush without turning to mush.

Thrill pretty much nailed everything in terms of specifics. In a "general" sense this song wants urgency and drive. So the SSL/C2 could help bring out the attitude the song wants to present. Thrill's suggestions will fix 85% of it, and I think a drive-compressor on the stereo buss will get the extra 15%.

[Dopamine]

Yeah, we're getting Tom Coyne at Sterling to do the mastering. He should definitely be able to improve things!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

Yeah, we're getting Tom Coyne at Sterling to do the mastering. He should definitely be able to improve things!

Tom C is great.

Good luck with it.

[Dopamine]

Thanks again to all for the mixing advice! I took many of the suggestions listed (special thanks to Thrill!) and the mix sounds considerably better. I knew I needed some extra sets of ears!

I will repost the mix once I get it back from Tom.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

Thanks again to all for the mixing advice! I took many of the suggestions listed (special thanks to Thrill!) and the mix sounds considerably better. I knew I needed some extra sets of ears!

I will repost the mix once I get it back from Tom.

Good luck again Dopamine..

Its been pretty hot up here lately.