Just... dull! Any advice?

colinyc · 4th October 2005, 11:51 PM

Just got done mixing this. I really don't think the mix is bad at all, it's just that it seems so dull compared to pro level stuff. Just, I don't know, flat. Like someone stole all the sparkle and shine away.

I know this is probably because:

1. tracked in a living room (very very dead room, walls covered in carpet)
2. using budget gear (002, digimax, RNP/RNC, 57's, 58's, Oktava 319, AT4040, etc...)
3. bad mix monitoring (room/speakers)
4. mixed in the box on protools
4. I'm an earless talentless hack? :)

I just want to know what steps to take to make it better. I thought maybe it was just muddy at first, so I tried taking a little bass out. Then it just sounded dull with no bass!

So, yeah, any advice? Will a good mastering engineer fix this a little/lot? Is my EQing anywhere near being right?

Any advice is appreciated!

djui5 · 5th October 2005, 01:13 AM

It's not muddy....

I think part of it is the performance. Some guys are playing too fast...if you know what I mean. Kinda how a virgin guy plays guitar solos....if that makes any sense.

Maybe slow down the song a little.

If that's not an option, then try some automation. Everything's sitting safe in the mix. Plus, it needs tightening up in places. It's a little loose.

ahh...I'm too hungry for this..gotta go eat.

JustinPhelps · 5th October 2005, 02:09 AM

Don't know if you meant to do this but it seems like you changed tempos after the intro..and I thought it sounded like everyone wasn't in sync for a little while when the song begins..I personally think you should always avoid tempo changes unless it really helps the song. (like at the end, slowing down or speeding up) Other then that..I think it sounds pretty good. Like djui5 said, it sounds alittle loose.

Nice job!!

opentune · 9th October 2005, 05:35 PM

I wouldn´t say that this mix is dull. Sounds ok, the instruments are well
balanced.

Maybe you could get more out of it if the performance would be a
little better. Any chance to re-record it? If that´s possible you might
ask the band to slow done the track a little, like djui5 mentioned.

Would help alot, if the the band wouldn´t play so "hectically".
(sorry4poor english)

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5th October 2005, 01:13 AM	#2
djui5 Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,680	It's not muddy.... I think part of it is the performance. Some guys are playing too fast...if you know what I mean. Kinda how a virgin guy plays guitar solos....if that makes any sense. Maybe slow down the song a little. If that's not an option, then try some automation. Everything's sitting safe in the mix. Plus, it needs tightening up in places. It's a little loose. ahh...I'm too hungry for this..gotta go eat. __________________ _________________ "What is a crossfire hurricane & why wasn't I born in one?" Randy Wright http://www.myspace.com/djui5

9th October 2005, 05:35 PM	#4
opentune Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: good ol´germany Posts: 644	I wouldn´t say that this mix is dull. Sounds ok, the instruments are well balanced. Maybe you could get more out of it if the performance would be a little better. Any chance to re-record it? If that´s possible you might ask the band to slow done the track a little, like djui5 mentioned. Would help alot, if the the band wouldn´t play so "hectically". (sorry4poor english) __________________ Just to keep it light, none of us can really claim to be engineers unless we know how to drive a steam locomotive. Now those were engineers! Ethan Winer / april 08 I always thought the "New York Trick" was a girl named Roxie who I met at The Temple Bar. max cooper / september 2006

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5th October 2005, 02:09 AM	#3
JustinPhelps Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 88	Don't know if you meant to do this but it seems like you changed tempos after the intro..and I thought it sounded like everyone wasn't in sync for a little while when the song begins..I personally think you should always avoid tempo changes unless it really helps the song. (like at the end, slowing down or speeding up) Other then that..I think it sounds pretty good. Like djui5 said, it sounds alittle loose. Nice job!!