Mix Help Needed - too much bass?
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Posted on Sep 30, 2012 10:16 pm
coolo
Frisco's Most Underrated
Member Since: Jan 28, 2003
So, I FINALLY got around to working on the mix of this song that I recorded a couple months ago. I need some help with the bass though. I'm completely lost as to if the bass is too strong in the mix or not. Also any comments about the placement of the vocals. Do you think they are too upfront in the mix? Too loud? And of course anything else that strikes you, I'd love to hear.
Thank you in advace, as always.
Song is called Float Away on my HRC profile.
www.homerecordingconnecti...ype=2&src=2
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Oct 01, 2012 07:54 am As a pre-emptive statement I'll say I am listening to this on some little Dell desktop speaks, I'll try at home later, but as a whole I think the mix itself seems a mite favoring the low side, which isn't too bad until the little horn squaks come in, it makes them sound a little out of place. The vox I don't think are too out front, perhaps a little reverb of something would help, but again, these little cheap speaks might be part of the problem.
What are you monitoring through?
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Oct 01, 2012 12:36 pm I'm monitoring through my KRK monitors, but I'm also giving a listen through my desktops speaker system and my headphones, just for more opinions, so to speak. The way my room is set up now, I'm noticing if I put the bass (frequencies) to where it sounds good on the KRKs it is overpowering everything when I listen on my desktop system.
And thank you for the listen/opinion.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Oct 01, 2012 09:01 pm Yeah, I know what you mean. I monitor on my Tannoys in my tiny arse apartment room, which is generally a bit boomy. But, surprisingly, the bass was a bit overpowering in the car, so I had to cut it back a bit. I expected the opposite. :P
Anyway, good to see you getting some stuff out, Coolo! I'll be back home in Iowa tomorrow night, so I'll listen to it on Wednesday. :)
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Oct 01, 2012 10:15 pm I'm only taking 2 classes this quarter (my last before graduating), so hopefully I'll have some time to work on some stuff that has taken a back seat to school over the past 2 years.
And great, I look forward to your take on things Jbot.
Oct 01, 2012 11:22 pm I hear lots of low end, but I think it sort of suits the vibe of the song. The plucking bassline and the kick sound like they are occupying the same space, maybe scoot them apart a little. I always end up debating with myself about whether the kick should be lower (50-75hz) and the bass more at like 100 or the other way around. I usually play with both until I convince myself one way is cooler. I think in your case maybe keep the kick in the low rumbly area and nudge the bass into the 100-120hz realm.
I also agree the vocals might benefit from some verb or panning or something. They sound a little dry. The horns and the ambient pad thing sound fine.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Oct 02, 2012 08:32 pm Thanks for the feedback quickxkid. I'll play around with the bass and kick, but I'm pretty sure I tried to do what you mentioned with it already. Maybe getting a little more extreme with it will help.
And yes, I know exactly what you mean about the dry vocals. I've tried lots and lots to make them sound less dry, but having no luck getting it to sound good. Maybe I need to try a different type of reverb on them.
Thanks again.
Oct 02, 2012 09:13 pm No prob. I'm glad to see a mix critique. These are the reason I joined this community. Well, that and I wanted to promote my own thang but had no idea how.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Oct 03, 2012 12:30 pm Well, the amount of bass sounds good to me. Vocals are a tad dry as was described. Besides verb, you can try maybe something like a fast short delay. They come through nice and clear though.
On the bass vs. kick, I dunno. To me, the kick sounds like it's at a lower frequency than the bass, and there is a bit of separation. However it is quite a punchy kick, and I think that punch overpowers the bass a little. Maybe it could use a little more separation, in which case, I'd try lowering the kick more and leaving the bass where it is, or bringing the bass a little more forward, or backing the kick/drums off a tad.
I feel like the brass works fine for the song. However, to me, the choir sounds felt a bit out of place towards the end.
Oct 03, 2012 07:17 pm Sounds like its missing some high-mid definition. I would try and sit the vocals with more mids and compression. Try a small room verb to give it some space. What sounds dry in mixes is usually not dry, a few subtle small verbs, a gentle chorus, a short delay that is inaudible.
Too much bass on my system as well (though could just be the lack of high mids). The vocals are too bassy for my taste.
Great to hear some recent work Coolo!
Oct 04, 2012 09:21 pm Yeah, maybe in addition to the eq separation in the low end you could spice up the high mids on the vocals. I think that might be the ticket.
I don't think any levels need to be changed tho. I like where the drums are sitting. Although i do agree that the choir at the end is a biiiiit too overpowering. I think it fits but it could scoot back a tad.
*idea*
Sidechain the kick and the bass? That way nobody has to give up any beef and everybody gets along. Slight tho, we don't need any fatboy slim pumping or anything.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Oct 05, 2012 04:46 pm Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll try to get back to this on monday and see if I can improve it a bit.
It's funny though, most of the suggestions on the vocals that were presented are already in effect on the vocal (except the eq to the high mids. It was that way, but I changed it because the backup higher vocal part was standing out too much. I think you are right though, I need to play with the eq some more). There is a slight delay on it turned way down with the delay having a change in formant. Also there is a bit of room reverb on it.
As for sidechaining the kick and bass, I have no idea how to do that, so I'll just work on the eq a bit more.
But I really appreciate all the feedback!
Oct 06, 2012 01:05 am I'd google or youtube a tutorial, its a good trick to know.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Oct 20, 2012 02:56 pm Ok, finally was able to get back around to updating the mix on this one. There is a new version here:
www.homerecordingconnecti...ype=2&src=2
And the old version here (if you want to compare and contrast):
www.homerecordingconnecti...ype=2&src=2
I'm wondering if the verse vocals are too loud? Did the kick and bass line get separated better? Any other issues that stand out to you? I feel like this new one is a big improvement.
Oct 21, 2012 08:04 pm I don't think the vocals are too loud, and I think the bass/kick relationship is fine. Overall, a pretty good mix.
The only thing that is rubbing me the wrong way is the vocal performance, but you cant mix that away. It's not terrible, but not super good either.
All in all, good dynamics, I like how different parts get layered on until the end.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Oct 21, 2012 11:01 pm The vocals, I was doing my humpty hump voice.
