Rough new age metal mix completed; any suggestions?
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Posted on Sep 28, 2010 03:36 pm
RockWood610
John
Member Since: May 06, 2007
Hey guys. I was rushed on a recent project I did for some friends (and I warned them not to rush the process) only so they could have a CD ready for a show a couple months back... now, for my own rep as well as theirs, a re-mix/master is needed because the ones they have on disc where not to swift; as I knew they wouldn't be.
Anyways, I am noticing that in my mixes I am getting some what better. I was wondering if some of you guys could download this WAV file and give a listen and toss me any feedback you might have.
www.speilsplashstudios.bu...ghs/abreath.wav
Here is what I am using/have to work with on my system:
-Windows Based 32 bit w/Acid Pro 7 for my Daws.
-Drums where triggered using Toon Track Superior Drummer 2.0 w/expansion packs
-Mics/Guitars where all recorded and processed using Line 6 UX8 interface with gearbox
-Vocals where recorded with an SMb7 mic.
One thing I am curious about, is 'mastering' stages. I have been at this home recording ordeal for about 3 years now. And overall, I am getting better, but I still am not sure of the basics of EQs. I just sorta look at the EQ mapping within the plug-in and move/play around with the sliders and faders.
I think over all my mixes are decent, but they lack a lot of overall lows and highs. I EQ each individual track to where it sounds decent (to me anyways), but the overall mix seems weak at the end. I know the term 'mastering' is a waek one when it comes to home recording and project studios. But I can't think of anything else fitting to call it. Should I be using a EQ during the 'mastering' stages to brighten everything up? I played with the EQ a biut in a test master and got it a bit better, but the over all isn't fitting to my ears. My main issue is I try to compare all my stuff to a commercial CD. But my over all goal each time is to get it as close to the real deal sound as possible...
Thanks in advance.
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Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Sep 28, 2010 10:14 pm Hey man,
sounds good, i can see what you mean though.
I can only see what you mean because the mix is good though, if that makes any sense?
Can i ask what compression you have on your drum tracks as well as O/h's? are you using any room ambience?
the main eq's i can hear that might need some attention are the one ones on guitars around 2 to 3 k. might need a tad more crunch, but maybe only on 2 out of 4, if you have 4 layers.
and possibly a touch less mid scoop on the other.
its damn good mix though sound wise, seems like you have all the ingredients there to make it more awesome.
This is only my 2c though.
Sep 29, 2010 10:46 am Dematrix, I am using the tools I have in Toon Track Superior drummer 2.0. The drums where are recorded via triggers, and the program emulates the drums,
There is an ambiance room mic within the program, and I am using it. As far as the compression goes, I don't think I am using much except for on the kick drum. I am not at my studio box at the moment, so I can't really pull it up and look at it.
As far as the guitars go, there are 2 guitar players in the band. Each player did 2 tracks, so they have 4 guitar tracks total.
Thanks for the comments on the mix. I'll play around with this more and see what else I can come up with...
If anyone else has any input, that would be great as well! Thanks!!
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Sep 29, 2010 11:04 am i use SD2 also.
It can be tricky SD2. For me i find i over eq the drums.
Sep 29, 2010 06:39 pm I find that the damn ambiance mic to be the worse thing in SD2. To much makes the drums sound tin can-ish, and not enough makes them to dull.
I re-uploaded a newer mix. I tweaked the vocal EQ and guitar EQs. Does it sound better?
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Sep 29, 2010 09:56 pm RockWood,
I'm not much of a metal conniseur, but if you upload an mp3, I'll give a listen and post some feedback. Wav file is too big.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Sep 29, 2010 11:10 pm +1
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Sep 30, 2010 01:35 am Hey man,
The bass guitar seems very smothering, its got great nuts, but to me seems to be an eq there you could back off a bit.
as to what that is im not sure right now, somewhere between 50 and 100hz. maybe 300hz also.
my other suggie is,
the kick, seems to have the exact same thing going on with it.
now whether the bass is creating the mud or not remains to be seen.
Me personally, i think drop the the second kick fader a bit in sd2
and make up for it with the inside kick channel which i think is the first one.
If that still hasnt brough out some more click and clarity, i would add a little eq on that channel at 6k and maybe even some @ 10 onwards, but gotta be real careful with 10k on, as it can really stand out if too much is put on.
theyre my thoughts, it depends on the style the dudes want really.
but that style i'd be 98 precent sure they'd want clicky kicks.
with the kick up up bit in vol and eq, they will then be as loud as the snare. i think atm too they are too low in vol.
i hope i dont sound like too much of i dick about it. just trying to help.
hope it does.
Sep 30, 2010 01:58 pm No no no dude. I don't take it as being a dick at all. I'm more then happy to hear feedback on things. I am still learning as I go on a lot of this stuff, so I appreciate any feedback. Especially if someone is willing to donate their time and knowledge on this stuff.
I don't have a great setup for monitoring low end at all at the moment. I have decent Samson Resolv 40a monitors for my mids and highs, but no sub or low end monitor at all. So I am bouncing between my monitors and a pair of good phones I have when mixing. I know them both pretty well, and I could tell the kick and even the toms need some work.
So I really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to tackle this a bit more tonight and see what else I can come up with. I'll post updates if interested.
So thanks again for the feedback!
Sep 30, 2010 04:12 pm The two files within this post have been updated... the WAV and MP3 in case you wanna check them out again.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Sep 30, 2010 08:59 pm i think its a whole hepa better man!
the kicks are alot more noticable now. still seems to be maybe a touch too much of that outside kick coming thru though for me.
Now youve dropped the bass freq in the bass git its alot more clearer too.
I got some better speakers here i will play this again on today.
They arent majorly bass responsive, but they just give a touch of that low end so i know where it is. seems to be just the right amount to get the job done and stay reasonably flat.
can i ask what verb you have on toms and snare?
hey and i dont mind helping out man till your satisfied.
Im a metalhead, i love listening, helping, collaborating, anything to be involved ya know?
I might be helping you, but its also helping me. so its win win.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Sep 30, 2010 11:36 pm So, I'm listening on my good headphones to your updated mix. I think it sounds pretty good in terms of each element having it's own placce. I really like the sound of the "outside" kicks as dematrix called them. When they hit, the lows sound "right" but maybe they are still a bit loud compared to everything else, when they are not on, the lows seem a little lacking though. Guitars sound nice. I also feel like there is some frequencies maybe in the 6-7kHz range that could be boosted. Like there's a hole there. I'm not sure which instrument wants it... maybe one of the guitars?. Also the highs could come up a very little bit I think.
But I'll give you the caveat that I don't listen to metal at all, so I'm not sure the sound that is typical for that genre.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 01, 2010 01:06 am Sd2 has 2 mics for kicks coolo, one for the in and other for the out.
Oct 02, 2010 03:13 am Ok, so I am still tinkering with this mix a bit. I'll post updates when I get more work on it.
What should I be looking to do as far as mastering goes?
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 02, 2010 09:34 am got no clue man.
Have hardly ever looked at it myself.
all i would be comfortable doing is putting a ever so slight compression on the master and i just wouldnt trust myself enough to eq.
Maybe Massive Master might give you a tip or 2.
