is it a frequency issue
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Posted on May 14, 2009 05:32 am
bahcoach
Member Since: Dec 26, 2007
hi guys,
my pc is not all that powerful, because of this am not able to mix everything at ones ie. the instrumental and the vocals. So what i do is that i work on the instrumental as a project by itself, then bounce it, then import the mixdown to the vocal project and now work on the vocals.
my problem is that the drums tend to loose their punch when combined with the vocals. i normally highpass on the vocals at 120hz. my kick peaks at around 100-115hz. Any idea why??
Another thing is that my instrumental mixdown is at -6db without any effect/processor on the master. is this an ideal level before i add the vocals?
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Nate Mc.Formally Hydrial69Member
Since: May 06, 2009
May 14, 2009 07:51 am im thinking it would have to do with your monitors.
what are you monitoring with, and what program are you using?
i ran off a crapy computer before, and never really had that issue, so i dont think it is based from the computers power itself.
May 14, 2009 08:19 am Nate.
i have M-Audio Bx8s, cubase sx.
When instrumetal is playing by itself, the punch is there, kik is clear and so is the snare (its hiphop/dancehall kind of music, so this must really hit hard), but when i add in the vocals the punch seems to die. kik does not cut thru.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
May 14, 2009 10:46 am Are you running a multiband, or regular compressor on any of your tracks?
May 14, 2009 12:53 pm Hue,
yeah i have a regular compressor on most tracks, mainly on the kick, snare, bass and another compressor on the overall drumkit group channel.
can mixing the kik,snare,hats,bass and main vocals together first, then add the accompanying instruments/backing vocals later be a good way to work on it?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 14, 2009 01:42 pm My standard routine.
Solo the kick up to a good level.
Bring the bass in and make them work together.
Mute bass and bring the OH's to a nice level with the kick.
Bring the snare up until it is slighty louder than in the OH's (but the OH's still provide some air). Same process as the snare for toms.
Bring the bass back up. Now the drums and bass should be working well together.
Next I bring up all vocals and make sure they sit well with the working bass/drums.
Last but not least I bring in the rythm (keyboard, guitars, etc..). Then solo's etc...
So yeah, for me drums/bass/all vox/rythm/solo.
When I do drums/bass/rythm/solo/all vox in that order, it always seems that my rythm tracks are louder than needed (which makes me bring up the vox) then both seem to overpower the bass/drums.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
May 14, 2009 02:29 pm Your problem may be caused by your compressor settings. It may be the case that you're overcompressing, or compressing at the wrong time.(attack n release settings) Causing things to 'duck' other things unintentionally.
May 14, 2009 02:51 pm CptTripps
"When I do drums/bass/rythm/solo/all vox in that order, it always seems that my rythm tracks are louder than needed (which makes me bring up the vox) then both seem to overpower the bass/drums." i think thats my problem
let me try out drums/bass/all vox/rythm/solo and see
Thanx all for all your help.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 15, 2009 12:51 pm Let us know how it goes.
Also, if you kick is peaking at 115 that is probably simply due to tuning. It is workable you just need to carve a nice spot for the bass and kick to work together. If you want it to hit lower, google the "drum tuning bible" for different tuning and muffle techniques.
If your kick is 115, notch just a cpl db of 115 from the bass and boost a little 70-80 or whatever needed to give them their own freq. Vice versa for the kick if needed. Just notch enough so they each have their own space but do not sound thin in that area. Find a happy place :) If this is done correctly the vox usually slide right in, maybe a light cut around 250 to remove any mud yet keep the highs shining.
One last thing, give the bass a bump around 800 which will help to define so you can hear each note and you end up needing less volume to "hear" it.
