Acoustic Mix

Posted on Feb 17, 2012 11:02 pm
quickxkid
Member Since: Jan 30, 2011

I don't mix much acoustic stuff, any advice guys?
It's a cover by a band called The Spill Canvas. I obviously do the vocals no justice whatsoever.

http://soundcloud.com/quickxkid/bound-to-happen

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J-bot
Byte-Mixer
Member
Since: Dec 04, 2007

Feb 18, 2012 01:05 am

Hmm, what mic/technique did you use for the lead guitar?

The rhythm/bass sound great to me, but I'm thinking the lead sound could use a bit more sparkle in the high end. Having a slightly different tone from the rhythm is making it fit in the mix nicely, and I wouldn't mess with anything but maybe the high end. I feel like the highs could be a little more crisp/sparkly to help it ring out more.

Granted, I'm listening through my cans right now (I'll listen on the tannoys tomorrow though) so take my thoughts with a grain of salt (as per usual haha)

Also, something my brother mentioned to me (and why I took my Children of Pripyat track down) If you can't sing the vocals to do it justice, then find a singer. Else people listening to your mixes might not take you quite as seriously if you've got sloppy sounding vocals up. I will re-post my song once I either A) re-track them with a better vocal job on my part, or B) get someone like Dematrix to sing em or something. Haha.

I'm not in absolute 100% agreement with my brother, but he's worked alongside people like Wynton Marsalis and Maria Schneider. Though that was strictly score editing work, but he does have a master's degree in music engineering through Univ. of Miamai, which he never did anything with. (He's a financial advisor through Merrill Lynch these days, and working to establish a client base right now)

Anyway, I took my track down to be on the safe side since it's really not one of my more stellar vocal attempts. I'll put it back up once I find the gusto to belt out some vocals again and get to re-tracking it. :D

Which for the record, the mix of the vocals sounds good. Maybe a better pre might warm them up a tad, but they sound clear, and I feel they're in a good place position/mix wise.

EDIT: Okay, gave it a listen on the speakers this time, and I think my opinion stands. In fact with the slight tonal difference between the lead and rhythm guitars, I think you could stand to bring the lead forward in the mix a smidge without things sounding cluttered. I still think the lead could use a little more top end detail. It sounds just a tad "stuffy" to me. I mean its a clean/clear sound, but I think it could be a tad more detailed and add that little bit of shimmer to the mix.

Everything else still sounds great though, so yeah. Anyone else wanna chime in? Make sure I'm still sane? xD

quickxkid
Member
Since: Jan 30, 2011

Feb 18, 2012 09:53 pm

Haha sanity aside, thanks for the tips. Yeah, I've sang in bands and stuff before but I wouldn't consider myself a vocalist. That's why a lot of my covers end up as instrumental.

I agree with your thoughts on the lead. The mic technique for it and everything (except DI bass) is a rock band mic above and pointed down at the spot between the hole and the neck. I actually did add a lot of high end to all the guitars but I could stand to add a bit more to the lead. (Vocals are a rock band mic too. Best mic for the money imo lol)

J-bot
Byte-Mixer
Member
Since: Dec 04, 2007

Feb 19, 2012 12:59 am

This might have been covered in some other threads on here, but if you happen to have a small-diaphragm condenser mic, try using that for acoustic guitars. I've read and heard that SDC's work very well with acoustic instruments. Or, another thought is to use one mic on the sound hole, and use another mic up on the frets (was it around the 12th fret, or somewhere else?) to catch the whole string vibration, and mix as needed. :) I think Beerhunter may have mentioned it somewhere.

But as they gits are right now, I wouldn't worry about tracking them again, since they sound good enough to my ears. It's more something to keep in mind for the future when you feel like experimenting. :)