New song, critique mix if you have a moment
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Posted on Dec 21, 2011 12:19 am
coolo
Frisco's Most Underrated
Member Since: Jan 28, 2003
Hi I just posted up a new hip hop song, and could use some tips on the mix. This is a new room for me, so I'm still trying to get used to it. Issues I most need help with.. is the mix bass heavy? Are the mids too muddy?
The song is called Funk Phenomenon and its on my profile (only song there). Thanks for any ideas or comments.
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Dec 21, 2011 03:04 am Everything sounds great except that random whoooooooom bass sound. It's a bit much. The bass line could probably occupy a bit more lows. But thats just a thought, it sits good where its at. This song sounds straight outta the 90's :) The vocals to me sound a little...hmmm....not dry, but you know what I mean? Unaffected? I'm thinking delay, maybe synced to quarter notes. They cut through nicely, but they sound maybe a bit boring. Again, just a thought.
Dec 21, 2011 03:10 am Awww, can't listen. Mp3 players not working for me.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Dec 21, 2011 09:17 am Sounds good here. Not really my kind of music pers'e, but I always listen to yours stuff... dig the lyrics/prose.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Dec 21, 2011 12:24 pm Thanks guys for listening and the comments. It'll probably be after the new year before I can go back and revisit the mix, but I'll definitely take a look at that 808 boom. Interesting thought on the vocals, I'll experiment with some stuff and see what it's like.
Appreciate that Hue.
CS, I put the mp3 here if you want to listen:
www.beatbridge.com/funkphonomenon.mp3
Dec 21, 2011 10:06 pm Having a listen now! Laptop speakers.
Vocals could use a bit distortion? Some phrases, not all the time. Agree with delay on some phrases, or verb on stabs on some words. Maybe more compression or automation. The performer is losing some words in the verse.
Love the change from the intro to the verse!! Love the rising alarm synth.
I would mute the beat/synth/bass/lead for a beat or 2 every now and then. Like at the end of the first chorus, let the vocals really pop out and keep it interesting. The beat gets boring after a while (no offence!!)
The hook is 'Funk Phenomenon' and previous rap. Give it a distinctive sound compared to the rest of the vocals. Pitch a copy an octave lower, delay the 'In a' with a slapback or something, stereo widener on some words. Lay a couple of other tracks to emphasise the 'and A'. Just throwing ideas.
Listened to it 4 times now. Sick song, nice flow :-). Would love to work with you someday!
All in all mix sounds good to me, just arrangement tweaks and polishing.
Dec 21, 2011 11:50 pm I thought the same thing as CS, my "minds ear" always heard some distinctive effect on the "Funk Phenomenon" maybe even under the existing dry version, doubling it up and effecting the other with a slight phase or flange to give it some memorable texture.
Of course, I listened to it on my Chromebook, so it could be the speakers, but the low frequencies sounded pretty weak...I'll have to listen through my monitors tomorrow.
Nice rap though, not that it's my style, but I enjoyed it.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Dec 29, 2011 12:35 pm Sounds good on my system. Vocals are all around very cool and flowy. My only beef, I would like a little sizzle on the vocals, just a tad more sssssibilance. They seem a tad dull.
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Dec 31, 2011 04:56 pm Well...I don't like it. Bah humbug!
The vocals are good as usual. The bass line feels too articial/toneless. The 808 is too intense, but I do think it's a really cool idea. The keyboard stabs...NO! BAD COOLO! BAD!
I still love your music in general, which is why I thought I should mention that this kind of sucks by comparison. It is not subjective. I am correct (of course it's subjective, I'm just a jerk). I wouldn't be nearly as critical of it if I didn't respect the rest of your work so much.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jan 06, 2012 08:29 pm Cool, thanks for all the comments guys. I'll have to back and revisit this one and see what I can do about spicing up the vocals a bit. You guys are trying to make me work with the selective emphasis stuff, damn! Mr. Sanders. I'm always open to collaborate if you have any ideas, just let me know.
Ha ha sorry Quincy, I don't think there's much I can do about this beat, I'm sold on it. But I was planning on doing a remix of it with another beat that I did that I think is awesome. You've inspired me to make sure that I do it. Although I can't figure out why you don't like the synth stabs....
Cpt, I'm not sure if you remember you sent me some bass lines a long time ago. I didn't forget about them. If you go to www.bossmonk.com and scroll down to the second audio player called 'captain scrappy' you can hear a beat I put together using one of them (I sampled it/chopped it and it is pretty different than what you sent).
Jan 07, 2012 12:12 pm Looking forward to the update.
If you've got any new songs, stem one out and I'll mix it. What do you think?
