Need feedback as quick as possible (Pop/Rock Ballad)

[dh80]

Need mixing critique and opinions ASAP. Thanks SO much for your time!

(Can't attach for some reason....)

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...81A3CD7AEF2990

[Rogervandeberg]

Very Cool song

Sounds great!

If i have to give some suggestions, maybe you can fattten up the distorted guitars a bit during the chorus. And this is more a personal opinion, but maybe a little (little!) de-essing on the voice!

Keep up the Good work!

[dh80]

Thanks! I was almost thinking about de-essing the vox, but decided it was just my imagination. Thanks for pointing out that it wasn't!

Also, the guitars hadn't occured to me, so I'll try to thicken 'em up!

Thanks so much!

P.S. I love your avatar, I have a t-shirt with that on it. :)

[Rogervandeberg]

Anytime!

[djui5]

Yes, vocals have this brittle top end that would be tamed somewhat with a de-esser.

I like the bass, sounds nice.

I'm not sure the chorus guitars need fattening, though it couldn't hurt any, but they seem to be lacking midrange entirely. Also, the lead line on the right needs to come up a lot. It should stand out way more.

Another thing, the drums don't change between chorus and verse. They need to be more direct and louder in the chorus, but softer and quieter in the verses, as the verses are quite a bit mild. Maybe more clean rythm in the verses too, and the vox sitting back more. Bring out the vox during the choruses.

Drums/guitars in the bridge need more verb. Should be very airy sounding.

Also, I can hear the vox or buss compressor messing with the vox. Might wanna adjust the settings.

Was this mixed on a Mackie?

[Beardhead]

I also think the chorus should stand out more. The distorted guitars don't bring the chorus up really, they're just a different sound but they don't push the chorus. I wouldn't mind the chorus being louder than the verse, also. If the chorus would stand out a bit more, I would go all goose-pimply when the song changes into it.
I like the guitar motive in the verse.
Very nice sounding voice!
Overall, I think there are many people out there who will love this song!

BTW, my girlfriend said exactly the same thing.

Claus

[roxxon]

The chorus needs some beefing up.
The on verse tracks the vox mix is much more evenly balanced.
Too much verb in the mix.
Sometimes less is better.
I like the song overall.
D-essor is a good suggestion for the vox.

You can make the overall recording sound much better with some minor tweaks.
This song has some decent potential with some minor mix improvements.

Thanks for posting it.

[dh80]

Thank you all so very much. I'm gonna load it up and play with those suggestions right now.

Really, you all have no idea how much it means to me, so thanks from the bottom of my heart!!

No, it actually was all recorded directly into the comp, then mixed therein. Only a little bit of outboard gear...

[dh80]

Thanks again for the feedback. I messed with it a lot more, but it's 90 degrees and I don't like it hotter than 62, so I'm hot and cranky, lol. Any more advice?

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...376C9A6703DAD5

[roxxon]

Better vox mix.
Guitars shold be compressed and brought back, a tad.
They jump out pretty harshly, as they are.
Keep tweaking.
You'll get there!
The overall new mix is an improvement.

[dh80]

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...E8FE4A3839F3FA

Mix #3. I cooled off a little, so I'm trying this AGAIN. I tastefully compressed the guitars and mixed them in better. I also eased up the compression difference between the chorus and verse (it was pretty startling in Mix #2, I think), plus I eq'd the vocals to make them a little less harsh, and also added a hint of shaker and an occasional tambourine one-shot.

Sorry to keep asking, I just REALLY want to get this one right. I'm so used to mixing hard rock stuff that this whole style has caught me slightly off-guard. That's why I appreciate y'all's feedback so much.

Please let me know if this one is any better/worse and what I can do to make it better.

Thanks so much for your time, patience, and help!

[djui5]

Mix 3 sounds a lot better. I don't think you can "fix" the distorted guitar sound in the chorus, aside from re-tracking it.

Nice work on the song though. It's turned out as good as it can be I think. Plus it's a killer song, and that's really all that matters!!

[Rogervandeberg]

I agree with djui5!

great work! the third mix is very good, im jealous! I wonder what kind of gear and techniques you used!

[roxxon]

That 3rd mix sounds way better!
It is a pretty cool song.
My only complaint would be the electric guitars' tone on the power chord section.

If it were me, I would seriously think about re-tracking it.

Overall, it's a cool song, as is.

[dh80]

Thanks so much! I would type out a gear list, but it's a very humble list indeed. :)

I am definitely going to retrack the guitars. Wondering which amps I should use? I tried using a very 'scooped' Treadplate amp for it before. Should I keep the treadplate and boost the mids, or try another amp altogether?

[roxxon]

Maybe a direct in, with a nice tube pre-distortion might be an idea.

I have one of those NADY's with two AX7s it rocks, with or without an amp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ype=osi_widget

I got mine for way cheaper on Ebay.
You have a lot of tonal control with these babies and they have a real heavy duty build.

An even better price on that NADY unit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-NADY-TD-1-TU...QQcmdZViewItem


I don't know what types of guitar amps you have access to.
I like Fender tube, Mesa Boogies and some of the Peavy and Carvin stuff, all-tube amps.Some Marshall 50s are cool too.

[dh80]

That is very nice looking! I'll look into that!

I have access to a Fender and Mesa Boogie. I also have the Line6 Pod XT, for that matter.

[roxxon]

Fender or boggie are both good choices.
What type-brand of guitars are being tracked?
Pick-ups?

And FX units?
Stomp-boxes?
If any or is it all rack gear?

Cheers,
Roxxon

[Rogervandeberg]

Originally Posted by dh80

Thanks so much! I would type out a gear list, but it's a very humble list indeed. :)

I am definitely going to retrack the guitars. Wondering which amps I should use? I tried using a very 'scooped' Treadplate amp for it before. Should I keep the treadplate and boost the mids, or try another amp altogether?

2 months later and i still like the track! Sits high in my playlist! I really like to know how you did it, if you think it's too humble to post, you can also PM me if you want!


Great track!