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Hi everyone,
We have been mixing this song over and over for the past few months as we cannot seem to get it right. At louder levels it seems to be very harsh. We don’t have any boosting on the master and generally subtle eq moves in the high end. Maybe my ears are overly sensitive but I can’t help but think it sounds harsh in the high mids. I’d say that the instruments contributing are they vocals and cymbals. I’m worried the tracks were recorded with too high gain. Let me know if you agree or disagree and any advice you have so we can get this finished and move on.

Thanks so much

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DogsoverLava Mon, 03/22/2021 - 11:56

The pleasant vocal in the verse is a little too smooth sounding in contrast, but your pre-chorus and chorus vocals (and bridge) are the bomb and fits perfect here -- there's just that smooth and low middle toned verse disparity that makes the instruments sound a little harsh by comparison in those sections. You guys are really coming together with your mixes.

The Story of the Sun Mon, 03/22/2021 - 15:25

DogsoverLava, post: 468258, member: 48175 wrote:
The pleasant vocal in the verse is a little too smooth sounding in contrast, but your pre-chorus and chorus vocals (and bridge) are the bomb and fits perfect here -- there's just that smooth and low middle toned verse disparity that makes the instruments sound a little harsh by comparison in those sections. You guys are really coming together with your mixes.

Hey!!
Thanks for the feedback. It’s nice to hear we are making some progress here! Anyway, aside from re-recording vocals, any ideas on how to fix those verse parts which seem a bit harsh?

DogsoverLava Mon, 03/22/2021 - 16:25

The Story of the Sun, post: 468266, member: 51853 wrote:
Hey!!
Thanks for the feedback. It’s nice to hear we are making some progress here! Anyway, aside from re-recording vocals, any ideas on how to fix those verse parts which seem a bit harsh?

I'd leave the instruments as is and maybe take some of the warmth out of the vocal in the verse with EQ - make it a little gritter - but I have to say I gave this a couple listens and really thought you guys nailed it in the way you handled the pre chorus, chorus, and bridge sections... As a band produced demo this is pretty dang complete. I can imagine a producer/engineer would be able to take you guys in the studio and produce something with a total pro polish that would require very little direction.... back in the day this is the kind of demo that would get you signed (or at least get you a sit down).

Davedog Sat, 03/27/2021 - 17:05

Yep. You guys are getting close.

All the posts have been outstanding musically and you remember my issues with the vocal tuning. But on this one you are kinda starting to get that "vocal identity" that your music so needs. A pro pop producer would take your vocals to places and it would be radio ready.....a term we used before the war.......LOL. I like this song a lot. There's little issues here and there but overall it's really good.