My 2nd Song Post - It's Not My Fault (My TV Made Me Do It) - Help me refine this mix.

mhartman · 25th July 2006, 02:47 PM

Any comments/criticism are greatly appreciated. I'm trying to get this to sound more like a radio ready tune. Thanks in advance for your help!

Mike

By the way, this is me writing, playing, recording, and mixing everthing, so any praise/blame begins and ends with me.

mhartman · 25th July 2006, 09:21 PM

Alright, maybe if I list out the gear that I used on this, someone will listen and comment:

Guitar - Gibson Les Paul Special (w/P90's)
Guitar Amp - Randall RM20 with Tweed module. Recorded with an SM57 in a Randall ISO Cab with the Celestion Speaker. Cransong Flamingo pre through a distressor on the manual's "tape" setting.
Bass - Cheap Yamaha tracked through a Sansamp and distressor.
Drums - BFD with some additional samples thrown on the Kick and Snare.
Vocals - AT4060 through Cranesong Flamingo and distressor.

DAW - PC Based Cubase SX3
Converter - Apogee Rosetta 200
Monitors - Wharfedale 802a's

Oh yeah, and I just upgraded all of my cabling to Gothem cables.

Any comments now? Tell me I suck and don't know how to use my gear if you want to (as long as you mean it and you tell me how to improve).

bcgood · 25th July 2006, 10:55 PM

Overall all it sounds pretty decent for what it is. Most of the things that I think that would improve it involve taking away certain elements, for instance some of those snare rolls, (Around the 1:19 mark). They sound kind of strange and don't fit. Other than that I would just try to get the mix to sound a little bigger and not so in your face. Maybe a little delay or nice verb on the 2 buss or just added to the mix, sparingly of course. The lyrics are pretty cool but don't make sense at times, for instance what did the t.v. make you do? At any rate keep on rockin in the free world, it definitely has potential!

bcgood

nrehk · 26th July 2006, 12:08 AM

Hi I think the guitars are a bit lacking mid-bass frequencies, they sound to me a bit too harsh.
At the beginning in the left guitar some cuts are audible.
Another thing I don't like is the snare drum, I would prefer it more "snappy", maybe with a more audible compression.

For the remaining details, I like the mix and the song, especially the voice, well stuck in your face.

My 2 cents.

Enrico

roxxon · 26th July 2006, 12:55 AM

The overall instrument mix and vocal mix is pretty damn good.
The guitar could use some toning down in spots.
It's too over-powering and harsh in some places.
Maybe some compression. could be employed to even things out a bit more.
The drum, bass sound are very decent and I like the vox.
It's a cute song.

Good work...
Just tweak it a bit.
Everything should sound just fine with a bit of fine-tuning.

You don't suck...At mixing or engineering!
Your vocal mix is very good and you created some good sounds with the help of the band.

Cheers,
Roxxon

mhartman · 26th July 2006, 01:58 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I agree with everything said (except maybe that the vox sound good -- singing is definitely my biggest weakness). I'm off to tweak the guitars and try to get the snare drum bangin'. Any additional comments would be greatly appreciated.

roxxon · 26th July 2006, 04:32 AM

Don't be so hard on yourself...The vox are not bad at all.

texdc · 26th July 2006, 08:00 AM

I dig this song, and especially like the 2nd verse.

Most of my comments on frequencies may be a result of the mp3. Could you post a wav?

As it is, here are my comments:

I like the guitars, but the choruses need another meaty guitar part, or two, underneath the existing part to really make them huge. The bass sounds good. I'd start over with the snare, though. It really doesn't do anything for me at all. The vox is good, I like the edge. Maybe some cheese BGVs in the spirit of the song on the choruses as well. The cymbals don't ring out and, yes, some longer delays & drum verb could give some depth. Good arrangement/variation between sections.

Keep rockin', you'll get it.

mhartman · 26th July 2006, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. I definitely appreciate the feedback. I hear what you mean about the snare tex. Getting the right snare sound seems to be eluding me at the time. I guess that it will take some listening and experimenting. Texdc, with the chorus guitars, would you suggest an additional doubled part, or something to compliment the parts that are already there?

Thanks again, Mike

texdc · 26th July 2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhartman

Texdc, with the chorus guitars, would you suggest an additional doubled part, or something to compliment the parts that are already there?

Thanks again, Mike

Something to compliment, a rythym/thickness part. Beef or Muff is what I'm thinking of. I'm not a guitar player, so I can't get more specific than that.

Frequency-wise, it should sit under the current parts and fill them out. Try just one on the first chorus, and then double this new part again on the others.

mhartman · 26th July 2006, 05:22 PM

Thanks man, I appreciate the insight. I'll post an updated mp3 when I've had some time to address the issues.

Mike

watson_studios · 26th July 2006, 06:10 PM

Great song! Has a melody that definitely has potential.

First off, being a drummer myself, Please use some more cymbals - I only hear 1 in the entire song, panned slightly left. I don't know much about BFD, I use DFH Superior and I always have at least 3 or 4 different crashes.

Kick and snare are sitting fairly well in the mix but I agree, You need a new snare sample - this one is very rattley sounding.

For guitars, I would try boosting around 500 to 700hz midrange but then pull them back to compensate.

I like the vocals - I would try some aaahhh and ooohhh harmonies in the chorus, It would really fit this type of song and thicken up the chorus.

Great job - reminds me of Bowling for Soup.

watson_studios · 26th July 2006, 06:12 PM

One more thing I forgot.

As posted earlier - if it was me - I'd go for the harmony backing vocals in the chorus instead of adding a guitar part.

Jon

mhartman · 26th July 2006, 08:50 PM

Awesome feedback Jon. Thanks.

watson_studios · 26th July 2006, 10:51 PM

Well , with permission from mhartman,I'm posting my little test I did to see how the chorus would sound with some backing harmonies. This is just an idea - there could be lots of other harmony variations to try. This is just the first chorus.

Let me know what you think.

Jon

mhartman · 26th July 2006, 11:33 PM

Thanks Dim. I knew that you would hate this one, but I think that it is more of a genre thing. This one, again, is about the cheerleaders and the beer. Right on though, among other things, the drums need work. BTW, thanks for the friend add on myspace. I'm thinking that my next tune needs a bit of feeling, I may have to stray from the bubblegum genre a bit.

texdc · 26th July 2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watson_studios

Well , with permission from mhartman,I'm posting my little test I did to see how the chorus would sound with some backing harmonies. This is just an idea - there could be lots of other harmony variations to try. This is just the first chorus.

Let me know what you think.

Jon

Good idea. Not exactly what I'd do, though.

Too many cooks? I'll step out. Hope you get what you want, Mike.

mhartman · 27th July 2006, 01:05 AM

Jon: Cool harmonies. I'll have to digest them for a while to see how I feel about them on this one. I definitely think that the harmonies rocked on your song "Friday." here I'm wondering if the choruses needed to be formed with the harmonies in mind from the beginning. I really appreciate you going above and beyond by showing me what you have in mind. By the way, where you using effects on the harmonies? What'd you do to get them so tight?

All: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post a revised version when I have had time to do some soul searching as to exactly what sound I'm after.

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25th July 2006, 09:21 PM	#2
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Alright, maybe if I list out the gear that I used on this, someone will listen and comment: Guitar - Gibson Les Paul Special (w/P90's) Guitar Amp - Randall RM20 with Tweed module. Recorded with an SM57 in a Randall ISO Cab with the Celestion Speaker. Cransong Flamingo pre through a distressor on the manual's "tape" setting. Bass - Cheap Yamaha tracked through a Sansamp and distressor. Drums - BFD with some additional samples thrown on the Kick and Snare. Vocals - AT4060 through Cranesong Flamingo and distressor. DAW - PC Based Cubase SX3 Converter - Apogee Rosetta 200 Monitors - Wharfedale 802a's Oh yeah, and I just upgraded all of my cabling to Gothem cables. Any comments now? Tell me I suck and don't know how to use my gear if you want to (as long as you mean it and you tell me how to improve). __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

26th July 2006, 01:58 AM	#6
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Thanks for the feedback guys. I agree with everything said (except maybe that the vox sound good -- singing is definitely my biggest weakness). I'm off to tweak the guitars and try to get the snare drum bangin'. Any additional comments would be greatly appreciated. __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

26th July 2006, 08:00 AM	#8
texdc Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 98	I dig this song, and especially like the 2nd verse. Most of my comments on frequencies may be a result of the mp3. Could you post a wav? As it is, here are my comments: I like the guitars, but the choruses need another meaty guitar part, or two, underneath the existing part to really make them huge. The bass sounds good. I'd start over with the snare, though. It really doesn't do anything for me at all. The vox is good, I like the edge. Maybe some cheese BGVs in the spirit of the song on the choruses as well. The cymbals don't ring out and, yes, some longer delays & drum verb could give some depth. Good arrangement/variation between sections. Keep rockin', you'll get it. __________________ "Rockstars. Is there anything they don't know?" -Homer

26th July 2006, 12:59 PM	#9
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Thanks for the comments guys. I definitely appreciate the feedback. I hear what you mean about the snare tex. Getting the right snare sound seems to be eluding me at the time. I guess that it will take some listening and experimenting. Texdc, with the chorus guitars, would you suggest an additional doubled part, or something to compliment the parts that are already there? Thanks again, Mike __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

25th July 2006, 10:55 PM	#3
bcgood Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Coast Posts: 3,040	Overall all it sounds pretty decent for what it is. Most of the things that I think that would improve it involve taking away certain elements, for instance some of those snare rolls, (Around the 1:19 mark). They sound kind of strange and don't fit. Other than that I would just try to get the mix to sound a little bigger and not so in your face. Maybe a little delay or nice verb on the 2 buss or just added to the mix, sparingly of course. The lyrics are pretty cool but don't make sense at times, for instance what did the t.v. make you do? At any rate keep on rockin in the free world, it definitely has potential! bcgood

26th July 2006, 12:08 AM	#4
nrehk Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 23	Hi I think the guitars are a bit lacking mid-bass frequencies, they sound to me a bit too harsh. At the beginning in the left guitar some cuts are audible. Another thing I don't like is the snare drum, I would prefer it more "snappy", maybe with a more audible compression. For the remaining details, I like the mix and the song, especially the voice, well stuck in your face. My 2 cents. Enrico

26th July 2006, 12:55 AM	#5
roxxon Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: burnaby, b.c. canaduh Posts: 810	The overall instrument mix and vocal mix is pretty damn good. The guitar could use some toning down in spots. It's too over-powering and harsh in some places. Maybe some compression. could be employed to even things out a bit more. The drum, bass sound are very decent and I like the vox. It's a cute song. Good work... Just tweak it a bit. Everything should sound just fine with a bit of fine-tuning. You don't suck...At mixing or engineering! Your vocal mix is very good and you created some good sounds with the help of the band. Cheers, Roxxon

26th July 2006, 04:32 AM	#7
roxxon Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: burnaby, b.c. canaduh Posts: 810	Don't be so hard on yourself...The vox are not bad at all.

26th July 2006, 05:22 PM	#11
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Thanks man, I appreciate the insight. I'll post an updated mp3 when I've had some time to address the issues. Mike __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

26th July 2006, 06:10 PM	#12
watson_studios Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 38	Great song! Has a melody that definitely has potential. First off, being a drummer myself, Please use some more cymbals - I only hear 1 in the entire song, panned slightly left. I don't know much about BFD, I use DFH Superior and I always have at least 3 or 4 different crashes. Kick and snare are sitting fairly well in the mix but I agree, You need a new snare sample - this one is very rattley sounding. For guitars, I would try boosting around 500 to 700hz midrange but then pull them back to compensate. I like the vocals - I would try some aaahhh and ooohhh harmonies in the chorus, It would really fit this type of song and thicken up the chorus. Great job - reminds me of Bowling for Soup.

26th July 2006, 06:12 PM	#13
watson_studios Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 38	One more thing I forgot. As posted earlier - if it was me - I'd go for the harmony backing vocals in the chorus instead of adding a guitar part. Jon

26th July 2006, 08:50 PM	#14
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Awesome feedback Jon. Thanks. __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

26th July 2006, 11:33 PM	#16
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Thanks Dim. I knew that you would hate this one, but I think that it is more of a genre thing. This one, again, is about the cheerleaders and the beer. Right on though, among other things, the drums need work. BTW, thanks for the friend add on myspace. I'm thinking that my next tune needs a bit of feeling, I may have to stray from the bubblegum genre a bit. __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

27th July 2006, 01:05 AM	#18
mhartman Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 378	Jon: Cool harmonies. I'll have to digest them for a while to see how I feel about them on this one. I definitely think that the harmonies rocked on your song "Friday." here I'm wondering if the choruses needed to be formed with the harmonies in mind from the beginning. I really appreciate you going above and beyond by showing me what you have in mind. By the way, where you using effects on the harmonies? What'd you do to get them so tight? All: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post a revised version when I have had time to do some soul searching as to exactly what sound I'm after. __________________ HOMER: “Mr. Burns, you’re the richest man I know.” MR. BURNS: “Ah yes, but I’d trade it all for a little bit more...."

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