Need advice on 'fun' rock song....

dh80 · 1st November 2006, 09:14 AM

This mix is driving me mad. I can't quite get it, and I'm seeking mixing tips or advice. Thanks!

http://download.yousendit.com/6A0FB20F030F2B7C

matthew.sawicki · 2nd November 2006, 01:58 AM

The guitar's feel a little low to me, and I feel like the vocals could be a little more out front. IDK. Who am I anyways?

I like what you have you going though.

chief lutt · 2nd November 2006, 02:30 AM

it says not available. will try again later.

chief lutt · 4th November 2006, 08:25 AM

i like it a lot. 'fun' is definitely the word. nice touch in the beginning there. unfortunately my amp's acting up and can only listen to it through headphones and laptop soundcard. good luck!

watson_studios · 4th November 2006, 05:01 PM

I would say the vocals need more compression, they seem to be a bit inconsistant volume-wise and some of the lines disappear in the mix. The guitars could be wider - not so centered, this would give the vocals more space. Just my opinion.

Jon

dh80 · 5th November 2006, 05:00 AM

Thanks so much! I plan to work on this on Monday and I will definitely take y'alls advice.

Any other ideas before the weekend's over?

Thanks! Take care!

TyRip · 5th November 2006, 05:18 AM

I agree on giving the guitars a little more spread.

I like the nasty mp3 effect sections but the high end is maybe a little much, it kinda hurts.

You also have tons of presence on the kick but the bass seems to live almost exclusively in the sub lows. Maybe you could try adding a little grit/push to the low mids of the bass.

It sounds like I have a lot of criticisms but I really do like it and I think it is really close to sounding great. I like the bloom/space of the drum kit. Nice work.

electric jones · 6th November 2006, 05:04 AM

I suggest centering the hi hat during the "lo fi" sections (instead of left), when it seems you're going after a mono / AM radio feel. It's inconsistent to me, especially with the vox, guitar, kick and snare right down the middle (and the hi hat panned right during the main parts of the song). I like the sound of the vox during that section, but the higher frequencies of the guitar need to come down some. IMHO.

Good song, btw.

dh80 · 6th November 2006, 10:35 AM

Thanks SO much for all of the fantastic ideas and feedback from each and every one of you. Lots of great tips. Also, thanks for the encouragement!

Here's what I came up with. I clipped the solo in half (seemed to go on and on without really developing, imho). I added a touch of percussion to the chorus. I also added a cheesy "Beach Boys"-ish "Ahh" hidden in at the end of the choruses. I also completely redid the vocals. In addition to all of this, I incorporated everyone's ideas here. They all seemed to be perfect.

Let me know what you think!

http://download.yousendit.com/26E64DE808A2A896

electric jones · 6th November 2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dh80

Thanks SO much for all of the fantastic ideas and feedback from each and every one of you. Lots of great tips. Also, thanks for the encouragement!

Here's what I came up with. I clipped the solo in half (seemed to go on and on without really developing, imho). I added a touch of percussion to the chorus. I also added a cheesy "Beach Boys"-ish "Ahh" hidden in at the end of the choruses. I also completely redid the vocals. In addition to all of this, I incorporated everyone's ideas here. They all seemed to be perfect.

Let me know what you think!

http://download.yousendit.com/26E64DE808A2A896

Nice job, it's really coming along.

It seems that there's an awful lot of "click" in the lo fi kick drum (not sure how else to describe it), which you might think about eq'ing down. IMHO.

dh80 · 6th November 2006, 10:52 PM

Does this address the clickiness issue? (7 second sample, A-B'ed, first is original EQ, second is altered). If not, what frequency would you adjust?

http://download.yousendit.com/6691BAFB401385B7

electric jones · 8th November 2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dh80

Does this address the clickiness issue? (7 second sample, A-B'ed, first is original EQ, second is altered). If not, what frequency would you adjust?

http://download.yousendit.com/6691BAFB401385B7

It sounds like you eq'd everything, instead of just the kick. I think it sounded better the first way, since the other drums/instruments were affected. Can you eq only the kick in the lo fi part? Or is it a loop that would require you to mess with everything?

watson_studios · 8th November 2006, 10:31 PM

The song is so close to being great mix - one thing...

The kick is very inconsistant (don't worry about the kick in the lo-fi part,it's an effect)
The kick in the rest of the song is in & out all over the place - sometimes it clicks, sometimes it don't. If the original kick recording is that inconsistant, I would do a sound replace with drumagog or something similar..That's the only thing that makes this mix sound amateur.

At the beginning of the song - the first 4 kick beats after the lo-fi part are good and constistant, then it's all over the place - drop maybe 2 or 3db of 3k on the eq - still a little fwappy sounding

I am referencing the last download before you posted the AB test.

Jon

dh80 · 9th November 2006, 02:44 AM

Thanks much! Timing, or lack of compression? Will definitely check into it thanks! The kick is triggered (it's MIDI, I played an electronic kit) using BFD's Ayotte kick. Would you recommend something else?

watson_studios · 9th November 2006, 04:35 AM

It's not timing, If you are already using midi triggers - You may need to edit each midi note that represents a kick hit. Make sure that the velocity of each note is consistant. For most, if not all of the song, you should just assign full velocity (128) to each of your kick notes. I guess it would depend on which software you're using. I use Cubase and it's easy to change the note velocity in the midi track. It just sounds like your velocities are ranging from medium to hard - thus inconsistant kick performance. Let me know how this works out.

Jon

dh80 · 9th November 2006, 06:48 AM

Let's see... ALL kicks at 127, -3db at 3k. What do ya think?

http://download.yousendit.com/DB5985E153B9F13E

watson_studios · 9th November 2006, 08:25 AM

Wow!. The kick is all there now,consistant, punchy. Good job. It's amazing how the song has evolved from the first post in such a short time. That's what's great about this forum - you learn a lot and hopefully get usefull critiques on a mix. Now the song has a good solid foundation. There's just a few more things I would do if I was mixing this song for myself.

1. I would bring up the harmonies in the chorus - I almost have to fight to hear them.
I would double the lead vocal but mix them back with the harmonies. I always doubletrack the harmonies and split them so there are two hi harmonies panned hard left & right and two low harmonies hard panned - gives a huge sound and re-enforces the chorus. This is just my style though, everyone has there own vision and direction for their own songs.

2. I would bring up the crash cymbals a bit also - especially going into the chorus and the cymbal riding through the chorus - not a priority but I'm still struggling to here them.

Great job.

Jon

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
dance song try thingy fun times at the carnival	sethastian	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	4	4th April 2006 11:13 AM
Rock Song Baby! Advice/Suggestions/Comments???	blankmedium	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	4	22nd March 2006 04:04 AM
advice needed for alternative rock song	JackInslee	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	3	11th August 2005 01:41 PM
Hard rock song	Zeppelin4Life	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	0	2nd July 2005 08:20 PM
Fun Pop Song (mix critiques welcome)	Ahellam	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	0	1st May 2005 02:14 AM

1st November 2006, 09:14 AM	#1
dh80 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Need advice on 'fun' rock song.... This mix is driving me mad. I can't quite get it, and I'm seeking mixing tips or advice. Thanks! http://download.yousendit.com/6A0FB20F030F2B7C

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:

2nd November 2006, 01:58 AM	#2
matthew.sawicki Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 520	The guitar's feel a little low to me, and I feel like the vocals could be a little more out front. IDK. Who am I anyways? I like what you have you going though.

2nd November 2006, 02:30 AM	#3
chief lutt Gear Head Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ca Posts: 45	it says not available. will try again later.

4th November 2006, 08:25 AM	#4
chief lutt Gear Head Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ca Posts: 45	i like it a lot. 'fun' is definitely the word. nice touch in the beginning there. unfortunately my amp's acting up and can only listen to it through headphones and laptop soundcard. good luck!

4th November 2006, 05:01 PM	#5
watson_studios Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 38	I would say the vocals need more compression, they seem to be a bit inconsistant volume-wise and some of the lines disappear in the mix. The guitars could be wider - not so centered, this would give the vocals more space. Just my opinion. Jon

5th November 2006, 05:00 AM	#6
dh80 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Thanks so much! I plan to work on this on Monday and I will definitely take y'alls advice. Any other ideas before the weekend's over? Thanks! Take care!

5th November 2006, 05:18 AM	#7
TyRip Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 313	I agree on giving the guitars a little more spread. I like the nasty mp3 effect sections but the high end is maybe a little much, it kinda hurts. You also have tons of presence on the kick but the bass seems to live almost exclusively in the sub lows. Maybe you could try adding a little grit/push to the low mids of the bass. It sounds like I have a lot of criticisms but I really do like it and I think it is really close to sounding great. I like the bloom/space of the drum kit. Nice work.

6th November 2006, 05:04 AM	#8
electric jones Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 13	I suggest centering the hi hat during the "lo fi" sections (instead of left), when it seems you're going after a mono / AM radio feel. It's inconsistent to me, especially with the vox, guitar, kick and snare right down the middle (and the hi hat panned right during the main parts of the song). I like the sound of the vox during that section, but the higher frequencies of the guitar need to come down some. IMHO. Good song, btw.

6th November 2006, 10:35 AM	#9
dh80 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Thanks SO much for all of the fantastic ideas and feedback from each and every one of you. Lots of great tips. Also, thanks for the encouragement! Here's what I came up with. I clipped the solo in half (seemed to go on and on without really developing, imho). I added a touch of percussion to the chorus. I also added a cheesy "Beach Boys"-ish "Ahh" hidden in at the end of the choruses. I also completely redid the vocals. In addition to all of this, I incorporated everyone's ideas here. They all seemed to be perfect. Let me know what you think! http://download.yousendit.com/26E64DE808A2A896

6th November 2006, 10:52 PM	#11
dh80 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Does this address the clickiness issue? (7 second sample, A-B'ed, first is original EQ, second is altered). If not, what frequency would you adjust? http://download.yousendit.com/6691BAFB401385B7

8th November 2006, 10:31 PM	#13
watson_studios Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 38	The song is so close to being great mix - one thing... The kick is very inconsistant (don't worry about the kick in the lo-fi part,it's an effect) The kick in the rest of the song is in & out all over the place - sometimes it clicks, sometimes it don't. If the original kick recording is that inconsistant, I would do a sound replace with drumagog or something similar..That's the only thing that makes this mix sound amateur. At the beginning of the song - the first 4 kick beats after the lo-fi part are good and constistant, then it's all over the place - drop maybe 2 or 3db of 3k on the eq - still a little fwappy sounding I am referencing the last download before you posted the AB test. Jon

9th November 2006, 02:44 AM	#14
dh80 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Thanks much! Timing, or lack of compression? Will definitely check into it thanks! The kick is triggered (it's MIDI, I played an electronic kit) using BFD's Ayotte kick. Would you recommend something else?

9th November 2006, 04:35 AM	#15
watson_studios Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 38	It's not timing, If you are already using midi triggers - You may need to edit each midi note that represents a kick hit. Make sure that the velocity of each note is consistant. For most, if not all of the song, you should just assign full velocity (128) to each of your kick notes. I guess it would depend on which software you're using. I use Cubase and it's easy to change the note velocity in the midi track. It just sounds like your velocities are ranging from medium to hard - thus inconsistant kick performance. Let me know how this works out. Jon

9th November 2006, 06:48 AM	#16
dh80 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Let's see... ALL kicks at 127, -3db at 3k. What do ya think? http://download.yousendit.com/DB5985E153B9F13E

9th November 2006, 08:25 AM	#17
watson_studios Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 38	Wow!. The kick is all there now,consistant, punchy. Good job. It's amazing how the song has evolved from the first post in such a short time. That's what's great about this forum - you learn a lot and hopefully get usefull critiques on a mix. Now the song has a good solid foundation. There's just a few more things I would do if I was mixing this song for myself. 1. I would bring up the harmonies in the chorus - I almost have to fight to hear them. I would double the lead vocal but mix them back with the harmonies. I always doubletrack the harmonies and split them so there are two hi harmonies panned hard left & right and two low harmonies hard panned - gives a huge sound and re-enforces the chorus. This is just my style though, everyone has there own vision and direction for their own songs. 2. I would bring up the crash cymbals a bit also - especially going into the chorus and the cymbal riding through the chorus - not a priority but I'm still struggling to here them. Great job. Jon