My First True Mix!
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Posted on Jan 13, 2006 08:20 am
Drako
Member Since: Sep 15, 2004
Hey All -
Well I've finished my first "real" mix. Up until now I've only been using a drum machine. Recently I had the chance to borrow some drum mics and I've recorded my first song with acoustic drums. I would really appreciate any feedback on the quality of this song. I'm pretty happy overall. The track still doesn't have that professional sound, but I'm assuming its because I haven't mastered it? What are your thoughts? Thanks! Link to the song is below.
members.cox.net/davidgarver3/DFR_new.mp3
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Jan 13, 2006 11:36 am Sounds very live, not a studio sound. Like the mics are maybe too far away from the source. I'm accustomed to more reverb on vocals. Has a very fun/party sound though and rather enjoyable. Doesn't seem to have much stereophonic sound. I'd spread the voices out, same with the kit. There are much more knowledgable people than me here, and you should prolly pay them more mind than me. Enjoyed the listen!
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 13, 2006 04:45 pm Dude thats awesome! Great song. Jack Johnson meets the Chili Peppers. Great light-hearted song.
I'm listening on cheapie headphones, and the MP3 is 128 kbps so I can't really comment on sound quality or the spectrum. It sounds great tho. I definitely agree that it could use some more stereo separation. Pan a few things here and there and see what all you end up with.
DrakoMember
Since: Sep 15, 2004
Jan 13, 2006 05:19 pm Thanks for the input!
I just realized that when I exported the project file to MP3, it exported to a mono file. That would explain the lack of seperation. Damn I'm such an amateur. =)
DungBeatle I think I will add a touch more reverb on the vocals. They sound too dry right now. Good call.
Jan 13, 2006 05:33 pm Drako,
Just listening. I think it sounds great! Lots of energy in the performance. Bass is awesome, but it sounds slightly distorted at times (maybe that was on purpose?) Guitars sound good...vox are good...drums are good. To my ears this is a great song!
Jim
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 13, 2006 06:57 pm Gotta agree with guitar jim on the bass thing. It seems to come and go though. I think it might be the kick and the bass fighting a bit for the same spot in the mix. Hard to tell though, it may be the mono mix as well. Other then that it sounds good as far as the rest of the mix goes. Agree as well on the need for a bit more reverb on the vocal parts. Not too much though. Ok its getting near the end now were everything is driving hard and the bottom end distortion is really coming out. I would double check and make sure you are not clipping on any of the tracks, or it could be the final mix down is were the clipping is coming in. Try mixing it down with the levels all lowered about 2 or 3dB and then use a maximizer to get the overall level back up again.
DrakoMember
Since: Sep 15, 2004
Jan 16, 2006 09:16 am Noize -
Yes you are right. My main stereo output channel is clipping in Nuendo. I'm new to recording so I wasn't sure how to get rid of this without the overall level of the song being really low. Do they have maximizer plugins? Or will I need an entirely seperate program? I'll poke around and see if Nuendo has any maximizing capabilities. I will also see if I can EQ the bass a little better to fit better with the kick drum.
Thank you everyone for the excellent feedback! This site has been so valuable to me.
David
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 16, 2006 08:19 pm Drako, after you mix down to the stereo track you can re import it back into Nuendo and they should indeed have a maximizing pluggin in there.
One way to cheat if they dont is to use a compresor limiter. Very light on the compresion as you dont want to squeeze it into lifelessness. Then up the gain a tiny bit, try to hit around -2 or -3 dB. Then set the limiter to around the same number -2 or -3dB. This will allow the compresor to add the gain back and the limiter will keep it from clipping.
Last resort would be to use the Normalizing function. Again set it to normalize max ceiling at -2dB or so. But that is an absolute last resort.
