How is the mixing in this song.
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Posted on Jun 13, 2008 09:35 am
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Member Since: Feb 16, 2006
Curious as im new to mixing all these things. Live instruments, reason sampled drums, samples, and vocals.
Currently using headphones, but would like to know if its mixed ok, what could be done to improve it? Is any of it done right, any comments?
Thanks.
Here is the song.
cube.keppie.net/~david/What_Is_The_Truth.mp3
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CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 13, 2008 02:04 pm I like the guitar tone, drums could use a little reverb in my opinion. Vocals are a good tone but overprocessed for my taste, they also seem to sit on top instead of in the mix, you might try just bringing em down 0.5db or so. Also, if you roll off some of the lows in your guitars the kick\bass would probably cut through better, they seem to be fighting a little bit.
If you are new to the game I would say it's a worthy effort. Go read up on some of the mixing articles in the tips section and just keep trying different things. All in all, it sounds better than some of my first mixes, you are on the right track.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 13, 2008 02:42 pm I can't really hear to well on these computer speakers (at work). I can hear what Tripps is talking about regarding the guitars though. I think you should probably roll off a bit of the lows in the guitar tracks. I think you will find that the solo'd guitar tracks will sound quite thin by themselves but in a mix they work great.
Jun 13, 2008 03:03 pm Thats actually what I did. I soloed all three guitar tracks and found that they sound best when I boosted bass, then the mids. Before I did that they sound very thin and also wet (if that makes any sense).
Ill go back tonight and cut the bass on those tracks, and drop the vocals a bit.
Thanks for the input
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jun 13, 2008 03:55 pm Speaking of reverb on drums, I would say the kicks have plenty of reverb, I would just look at reverb on the high hats and snare sounds. Maybe move the doubletime hats closer to the middle (less left).
I agree, it sounds like the vocals are too "wet". Maybe ease off the reverb on the vox a bit? I don't feel like the vox are competing eq wise with the guitars and that's prolly why you feel the need to boost them.
But it's not bad for an early mix.
Jun 14, 2008 01:09 am The tune is a good one, but the entire thing is distorted to the point of pain. Turn down some levels!
I like your user name. Are you a celiac?
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jun 14, 2008 03:16 am I agree good tune. The first mix actually sounds better to me, but I'm listening on headphones. I think it's a result of levels as well (2nd mix), things just sound kinda overloaded. But not bad for just starting out, adjust the levels some and it'll sound fine.
Dan
Jun 14, 2008 02:02 pm really great stuff! there does seem to be an all encompassing distortion when all the parts are together, if you could clean it up just a touch it would completely rock!!
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 14, 2008 02:13 pm Balance wise the second mix is better. Vocals are sitting nicely and are not sounding over-processed anymore. I agree is just seems little hot.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 14, 2008 07:34 pm Yep, agree with Tripps on the second one sounding better as far as balance goes. But as well it does indeed sound as if the master buss is being overdriven a good deal.
With that said though this is what sounds to be a killer tune indeed. All the elements are there for sure. It is just a matter of getting the mix to mix without the extra distortion that is probably being caused by the mains being over loaded. Simply bring them down out of the red and then you should be all good.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jun 16, 2008 05:36 am i like the tune also, i actually listened to the whole thing...thats good or me.
keen to hear the finished version.
I suggest pulling out some mids in the hihats.
Jun 16, 2008 08:57 am Hey guys, thanks again for all the help. Ill going to drop the levels in the mix tonight when I get home from work. I think the issue when im mixing is I turn the main up in the cubase mixer instead of just turning up my headphones and then I end up with a the song being too hot and close to clipping.
Also, im glad everyone likes the song.
Herb Utsmelz - I am. No wheat products for me. Also no lactose. So basically I cant eat an american diet
Ill post the song later tonight.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jun 16, 2008 01:51 pm Yeah, I was going to advise to just turn down the main instead of re-adjusting levels... then I read your last post, and it makes sense. You should definitely turn down the main mix.
Jun 18, 2008 11:57 pm My roommate isnt around to post the song on his website, but I have the final version up on my purevolume page.
Lowered all the levels.
www.purevolume.com/nosuddenmovements
Last song on the page.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 19, 2008 01:30 am I am starting to think something was recorded a little hot perhaps? It still sounds overdriven to me.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 19, 2008 09:20 pm Yep, still has that hard clipped distorted sound.
I as well am wondering if indeed it was simply recorded way to hot.
Jun 26, 2008 09:55 am I guess I did record everything too hot, but lesson learned (pretty new to all this recording, mixing and cubase stuff). Most of my newer stuff is recorded at much lower levers and its sounding alot better. If I get a chance Ill post something I did that is newer. Just gotta remember to turn done those inputs. Thanks for all the help guys.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 26, 2008 12:49 pm Cool, I will be waiting to hear some new stuff because minus the distortion it is a good song and a decent mixdown.
When I set my gain for drums, I have the drummer smack each drum really hard and make sure they don't clip. But I then have them play through a song and usually end up turning something else down. Even if they are beating the heck out of the snare during the intitial setup they always seem to hit harder during a song.
I always double check as in the past I have set everything, thought it was good, then ended up with clipping after the song was complete.
Also, lessons learned are the greatest part of the whole engineer aspect. Once in awhile we gain a better understanding of something or learn a new trick and it feels like being a kid in a candystore, except this time we actually have some money :)
Jul 04, 2008 01:24 pm Ya im new to the whole recording and mixing scene myself, but I agree. It definitely does sound like it was recorded hot, the final version sounds best in my opinion, but still distorted like it was recorded that way.
Can change some levels during mixing, but if it was recorded hot it cant be fixed, no matter what you do itll still be distorted i believe.
But yeah, other than the overall distortion, it sounds like a great song.
