Micing and Mixing/Mastering Theory/Techniques

[po51393]

I have a home studio Pro Tools setup (setup's in my info). I'm fairly new to the world of Recording and Mixing/Mastering. Here are the mics I have available:
2 - MXL 604 Condensers
2 - Sennheiser MD421 Dynamics
2 - SM57 Dynamics
1 - AKG D-112

I need some suggestions:
I'm waiting to get my amp serviced so I haven't recorded with it yet. When We do, this is How I'll Mic it. Only using the combo NOT the 2x12 cab.
LEFT SIDE - MD421(front) SM57(Back-It's vented)
RIGHT SIDE - SM57(front) MD421(Back)
Since I haven't gotten my amp back yet I've experimented whith Pro Tools to get a good feel for it before we start recording. We've recorded Drums (md421's on the tombs - D-112 on the Kick - SM57's on snare (top and bottom) - Condenser Overheads).
We've also recorded Guitars and Bass using Amplitube. The Problem, is that the Mix's sound REALLY thin. I'm not too sure what to do it about it since I'm not very experienced. I've heard of techniques such as Using Amplitube for a track and my actual amp For another track to make the guitar sound more full. But that still wouldn't solve the Drum Problem. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Any Suggestions on Mixing and Mastering to help me as an aspiring Producer.

2. Any suggestions on Good Books on Mixing and Mastering.

3. Any tips on Micing techniques.

4. Any Suggestions on Good Micing Techniques/Theory Books.

Thanks

[MadMax]

Just a few questions...

What kind of environtment are you attempting to mix in? room dimensions, acouustical treatment, etc...)

What is your signal chain, specifically your amp/monitors. (Mic pre's, AD/DA's soundcard, etc...)

And a few comments...

Your mixing environment is very critical as far as creating mixes that will translate from one place to another. I would suggest you do a few searches for acoustical treatment and soundproofing... and yes, they are two VERY different things.

You don't have to have a perfect environmet to record and mix, (there ain't no such animal anyway) but you should start learning about these things now.

The best way to learn this "stuff" is to just get in there and dig it, by do it.

About your mixes being thin... I take it that the mix sounds fine when you mix, but when your take it elsewhere, THATS where it's "thin"? If so, it's probably your monitors and environment...


Let us in on your gear list and maybe it'll help us pin-point what the other factors could be.

X

[po51393]

First off Thanks alot.
Just so you know, what I mean by thin is almost like when you're listining to something and you turn your subwufer(?) all the way down. It's a real almost "lacking" sound (which is without the vocals) but previous recordings done by the drummers producer without the vocals sounded full. Very "thick" sounding like it wasn't too lacking of anything. But It's not that are mixes are lacking bass or low end either.

Ok. I'm Going to name everything I know of that we have and what it's running into. I allready named the mics so I'm going to skip over that part. Ok.
From the Mic's, I'm running into a PreSonus DigiMax LT Pre-Amplifier. I'm padding all the mics (20dB pad) and then turning up the gain almost untill it clips. (the condensers have to be padded or they clip with the gain down)
MIC INPUTS For DRUMS-
1.Kick
2.Snare Top
3.Snare Bottom
4.Tom
5.Floor Tom
6+7=Stereo Pair Condensers
MIC INPUTS FOR GUITAR
1.SennheiserMD421 (front left)
2.Shure SM57 (front right)
3.MD421 (back left)
4.SM57 (back right)

From there they go to my Digidesign digi002R I/O via Optical Cable. It has 4 XLR and 1/4 inch Jack inputs in the back. I use the #1 1/4 Jack for Direct inputs (guitar and bass). From There I run into my PC via Firewire cable. It runs windows. I'm running Pro Tools LE On a 7,200 RPM 250GB Harddrive by itself with Windows and My music Files. (All of my other stuff is on another matching harddrive but I only have the basics to use up a limited amount space). My sound Card is MORE than enough to get the job done. Then It runs out into two M-AUDIO Bx8a Studiophile Moniters And I also Have pair of BeyerDynamic DT770 Headphones.

I'm in a closed 14 Sqaure foot (aprox.) room With One 4x4 foot closed window. My Amplifier (Guitar) is recorded on 10 in a small (2x6)ft closet that's closed off. We use a very Bright guitar sound (which probably doesn't help) with an almost muddy low end. So it's a little bassy, which helps. As far as the drums go, we have an acrylic vented snare, which also has alot of attack, but the tombs and kick have alot of low end.

This is where I think it's the "how we're micing" and the mixing and mastering "correctly" parts come in though. So that's are setup.

Like I said, any suggestions on Books (micing theory, mixing, mastering, what to look for when mixing in mastering, or anything like that) That are actually good books with the information I need, (because alot of them aren't) and tips for mixing and mastering in general I would really appreciate it.

[po51393]

I'm also very limited on time and don't know where to begin in trying to solve the problem on my own.

[pmolsonmus]

Just so you know, what I mean by thin is almost like when you're listining to something and you turn your subwufer(?) all the way down. It's a real almost "lacking" sound

Sounds like a phase issue. Engage the mono button on your 002 when you're setting up mics. Move mics until you can get a full sound. Or, keep mics in phase as you're setting them up (with headphones on) move them until the phase cancellation wipes out as much sound as possilbe then flip the phase on one of the mics.

If this is Latin to you then you've got a lot of real homework to do before you're ready to hear answers to the other questions you're asking

[MadMax]

First off Thanks alot.
Just so you know, what I mean by thin is almost like when you're listining to something and you turn your subwufer(?) all the way down. It's a real almost "lacking" sound (which is without the vocals) but previous recordings done by the drummers producer without the vocals sounded full. Very "thick" sounding like it wasn't too lacking of anything. But It's not that are mixes are lacking bass or low end either.

OK, this is somewhat contradictory, so let's dig a bit deeper.

First you say your mixes are missing the lows associate with the subwoofer range; e.g 20-80Hz. Then you say that the mixes aren't lacking low end. Is this from the other producer's mixes that you're not lacking low end?

Looking at your gear list it isn't your gear. It looks like either mixing or mic placement or a combination... with emphasis on the mixing being the problem... specifically your eq settings... although, you do have to have usable levels recorded to really do anything with EM'... what do your levels look like?

I'll give you a couple of things to explore and by then, I'm sure there's going to be some more folks to chime in with other things. Let's just start with kik and bass. If we can get those two, you should be able to get going on the rest of it w/o too much difficulty.

Kik - Add some 40-60 Hz on a narrow Q... maybe +3bd. Cut 350-450Hz on a fairly narrow Q maybe -3 to -6 db. You'll have to search for the click... but usually it's right at 3KHz. Go ahead and boost that by a few db on a REAL narrow Q.

As each kik is different, you'll have to listen and make these adjustments with your ears. So, sweep the eq settings slowly, until you hear what's going on... and be sure you DON'T have a compressor on that kik squashing the life out of it. We can get into comps later.

Next, start working with your bass. Where you cut the kik in the 350 to 400 range, boost the bass by what you took out of the kik. If you need some fret noise, look for it in the 3-5KHz range and boost it until you get what you're looking for. Again, don't compress these yet.

Generally, 400Hz on the kik is where the "boxy" sound comes from, and that's the same point that bass guitars like to sit. When you cut the kik, you open a hole for the bass.

If you can get some decent stuff happening with the kik and bass, then it's off to the races on the rest of your mix.

If you can't get anything happening, then the issue is something else in your setup...

How did you track the bass? I would try going through a DI or plugging directly into the digi depending on your rig. Since you're having issues, I would not recommend using a mic right now.

If you can't get the bass by going direct or DI, then you've got a setup problem in your signal chain, or your preferences need to be looked at.

X

[po51393]

First you say your mixes are missing the lows associate with the subwoofer range; e.g 20-80Hz. Then you say that the mixes aren't lacking low end. Is this from the other producer's mixes that you're not lacking low end?

Sorry, let me clear that up. The instruments themselves are not lacking low end. In the mix they are which like you said is probably because of how I'm micing, EQ'ing, and mixing.

Also, I do plug Dirictly in whith the bass and use the Amplitube plugin.
I'll definately go try to Eq everything in like you said.

As for this:

Sounds like a phase issue. Engage the mono button on your 002 when you're setting up mics. Move mics until you can get a full sound. Or, keep mics in phase as you're setting them up (with headphones on) move them until the phase cancellation wipes out as much sound as possilbe then flip the phase on one of the mics.

Thanks but you're right. I'm not completely sure what you meant by "phasing" and "full sound". So obviously I need to do some research. That's also one of the reasons I think a good Book could really be helpful too.

[explosionsinthesky]

if you can, you should post some of your drum recordings i'd appreciate it


-d

[MadMax]

OK, so the individual tracks (solo'd?) are OK, but not when mixed.

Correct?

[amishsixstringer]

Excuse me if i'm being an idiot. I read this fast, because I'm on my way out, but are you trying to use 4 close mics on 2 speakers of a guitar cab? I would start with one...and MAYBE put another one on the same speaker. I wouldn't mic 2 speakers...especially with that many mics. You'll have a phase NIGHTMARE. You have some nice gear though and seem to be willing to learn, so good luck!