Mixing Question
Home > Home Recording Forum > Mixing Techniques > Mixing Question
Posted on Jul 16, 2008 02:45 pm
mclir9
www.witchsmark.com
Member Since: Aug 13, 2006
When peoples listen to a demo of a song I just mixed I will get lots of opinions. Some will say they can't hear the Bass, and yet another person will say the Bass is too loud for the same recording, or that the Mids are too high, but then another will say the Mids are not high enough. What is the problem here, is it that the people are listening on different systems with different EQ settings and then giving me what they hear?? Why is it that all of these people can put in a Metallica CD and universally have a great sound?? I use Harbal and I am confident that I get the spectrum pretty even. Any ideas?? Is there something I can do to fix this dillema??
[ Back to Top ]
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Jul 16, 2008 03:09 pm Well, it depends. for example, if you have someone listen to it that enjoys a lot of bass like someone who has a lot of hiphop in their playlist then maybe they expect to hear something different vs someone who like metal where the bass typically takes the back seat.
Break down the bass into 3 parts, Lows, midrange, and highs. Someone might say that they cant hear the bass, but maybe it's the top end or midrange that isn't cutting through the mix while the low end is and it's muddying things up... so both of them could be right in their assessment.
Also, you can have an even spectrum and have a crappy mix... just because the lows look good, doesn't mean that the instrument producing them is the one that should.
mclir9www.witchsmark.comMember
Since: Aug 13, 2006
Jul 16, 2008 11:14 pm So the bottom line is that I need to do the best I can and realise that those guys in the big studios make boockooo $$$'s for a reason. It's just frustrating, but atleast I have been told my mixing skills have gotten better since the first 4 songs we recorded about a year ago.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 17, 2008 08:23 am Quote:
those guys in the big studios make boockooo $$$'s for a reason
I'd wager those guys also got started similar to you, and learned what works, what doesn't, asked questions, etc. They didn't start out on top. They grudged through mistakes and experience just like you.
You're already doing much better in one year, so keep it up. You're asking great questions.
Keep listening critically, to whatever you can. Listen to how others have engineered a song, and you'll keep getting better.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Jul 17, 2008 09:03 am In short, y'a have to take into consideration who is commenting, and how they percieve the work . While it's good to hear that your friends enjoyed the listen, friends are not necessarily the best source for information on what your next adjustment should be .
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jul 17, 2008 10:31 am Quote:
So the bottom line is that I need to do the best I can and realise that those guys in the big studios make boockooo $$$'s for a reason. It's just frustrating, but atleast I have been told my mixing skills have gotten better since the first 4 songs we recorded about a year ago.
Don't forget that they have access to very expensive equipment and rooms.
Jul 17, 2008 10:32 am ...and we all know the more expensive the equipment is the better the sound will be...
:-)
Every now and then people get big bucks and become known as some sort of "expert" by simply being in the right place at the right time...I've met some "experts" or "professionals" that MUST have just lucked into it...
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jul 17, 2008 10:36 am Ya, I guess "expensive" wasn't the best word to use.... how about "professionally treated rooms and quality equipment"?
Jul 17, 2008 10:37 am hehehehe, either way, I hear ya, just wanted to poke you with a stick a little bit.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jul 17, 2008 01:07 pm Sounds like personal pref to me. Just like my recent stab at metal. Coolo thought it odd that the drums were set back a bit (which is odd for any new metal CD), but back in the 80s-90s the metal I loved was all about GUITAR!!! The drums were audible but not so pronounced as nowadays.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 19, 2008 01:38 pm In the end it all comes down to finding the best balance. I won't say perfect balance because that is not really achievable, there will always be that one system that it will not sound its best on.
But everyone may have a different set up as well, and that will play a major part in who hears what.
An important part in the beginning is making that mix and trying it on as many different systems as you can to find out were you are. Then come back to your mixing set up and remix until you get the most well rounded sound on as many systems as you can, so the balance is as evenly spread between them all. Once that is achieved then you can use that as the reference point for what it will sound like on your mixing system and always try to get to the same point or as close as possible each time.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jul 25, 2008 11:10 pm You get what you pay for........ is true often enough that it has also become myth in many cases.
Many surveys have been done, especially in regard to food and drink and all surveys show that the more expensive the food the better it is even if it is the same food served at two different prices.
This is a psychological enigma that you will not beat. The expensive, well outfitted, "impressive" will always "statisticaly" do better work... e.g. survey says...
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jul 26, 2008 11:02 pm i agree, the better qual. ya gear the better your sound, providing of course you know all the proper micing techniques and know how to work the room.
i think there are alot of mixing techniques used that alot of us never even touch on.
i seem to learn a new thing everyday in regards to this, especially when it comes to fattening the sound and gating.
which is i guess a big slice of it.
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Jul 27, 2008 09:56 am I'm just gonna chime in by saying that sometimes when u "let" ppl have an opinion, they will ultimately have one. Everyone "knows" that a Metallica Cd is finalized and presumes that it has been mixed and mastered to its utmost and their not thinking about the bass or mid. But even metallic albums put next to eachother are different in terms of tone, but no one is asking ur friends if their is too much or too little high end in a metallica album.
sometimes, for the sake of science and art u have to ask someone neutral, someone who doesnt even know its not "finished"
