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This one's near and dear: polishing an old song for release - Mix thoughts?

Profile picture for user DogsoverLava
Submitted by DogsoverLava on Sat, 06/19/2021 - 10:29

Hi guys. You've heard this song years ago. We got a pretty clean mix then but I never released the song as it had video game samples in it that I didn't have clearance for. Well I've changed that - stripped them all out and made my own sounds so it's time to get this ready for release after all these years.

The song is called Galaga King and is about the video game Galaga and a boy we called "The Galaga King". Galaga was a 1981/82 game so I've tried to capture that era of rock & rock production. Think Coney Hatch (Canadian reference) or other straight ahead rock n roll from the era. Thematically it's a narrative that tells the story of my journey through adolescence, and encountering the world beyond our childhood walls & the consequences when they fall through the character of the Galaga King.

I would love a little direction on this for anything obvious I'm overlooking

The MP3 is too big to upload so I'll include a drop box link
https://www.dropbox…
https://soundcloud…

 

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audiokid
Samplitude
audiokid

(only a suggestions) Would you consider allowing members to remix this? I only suggest this for awareness (not because you aren't doing a good job), on how difficult it can be (including myself) to mix our own work, particularity if including our own vocals in a mix. (The mixing our own vocal volume too low in a mix syndrome). I think it would be very interesting and extremely beneficial to hear how your mix would sound letting others mix it for you. Then I suggest letting members master it after we've listened to the mix.
Sun, 06/20/2021 - 12:18 Permalink
audiokid
Samplitude
audiokid

100% better! When "there is a boy, his name was Michael" comes in, it would be excellent if you drop the level of the snare (or other parts) to give the mix some dynamics in there. Note: The snare seems to be one volume which isn't an excuse or setback of it being a drum machine per-say. Drum programming in pop/rock can be every bit as realistic and dynamic as a real performance. Its just learning how to program it or using a better process to do it.
Sun, 06/20/2021 - 12:38 Permalink
Profile picture for user DogsoverLava
DogsoverLava

wrote: Note: The snare seems to be one volume which isn't an excuse or setback of it being a drum machine per-say. Drum programming in pop/rock can be every bit as realistic and dynamic as a real performance. Its just learning how to program it or using a better process to do it.


I'll get on that -- there's a section of the song that had looped drums - I need to dig into that and unloop them so I can make individual adjustments. I do want that driving incessant feel of the drums as it's an emulation of the video game pace itself - but you're right to catch that snare - it needs some organic adjustments for sure. This is great feedback. It's always weird bring vocals up when you are the singer - you get that naked fear response hearing yourself featured. Thanks for pushing me forward on that.
Sun, 06/20/2021 - 12:46 Permalink
audiokid
Samplitude
audiokid

As a reference I always compare my mix to others:

This is obviously different speed etc but the drums, bass and how the harmonies are worked within this mix by the really cool 80's song "Diesel > Sausalito Summer Nights" I used to sing back in the day reminds me of your sound. This is the sound I am hearing for you.

Sun, 06/20/2021 - 13:26 Permalink
Profile picture for user DogsoverLava
DogsoverLava

wrote: This is the sound I am hearing for you.

 

What a cool track - I really like it.... to my recollection I've not heard this before. Steve Miller meets Chilliwack meets Prism.... Very good sonics. here's with all the looping off on the drums and each snare hit given some variation and general dynamic consideration. https://www.dropbox…

DogsoverLava · Galaga King Master 2021V7

Sun, 06/20/2021 - 13:45 Permalink
audiokid
Samplitude
audiokid

Ya… I like how this bands vocals fit in with the snare drum kit sound. Same as the bass too. Your song made me think of this right away. You have similarities.👍🏼 I don’t hear enough of a change in this last mix to quench what I’m imagining you to do for your drums. It sounds better with your voice more up front. Nice change! Thanks for posting your mix. 😊
Sun, 06/20/2021 - 18:00 Permalink
Profile picture for user DogsoverLava
DogsoverLava

audiokid wrote: Ya… I like how this bands vocals fit in with the snare drum kit sound. Same as the bass too. Your song made me think of this right away. You have similarities.👍🏼 I don’t hear enough of a change in this last mix to quench what I’m imagining you to do for your drums. It sounds better with your voice more up front. Nice change! Thanks for posting your mix. 😊


Thanks Chris -- I'm going to sit on this for a bit and marinate. Still working out album artwork so got time for sure. The vocals seem a little too out front right now when I play on my listening station, but really good in the headphones. I feel a bit exposed as these are single tracked so it's all me. As for drums - I'll take a deeper look - particularly the second half of the song. Really appreciate the advice and the time you took to listen.... let's rest this for now and revisit later this week.
Sun, 06/20/2021 - 18:23 Permalink
audiokid
Samplitude
audiokid

wrote: The vocals seem a little too out front right now when I play on my listening station, but really good in the headphones. I feel a bit exposed as these are single tracked so it's all me.


I know exactly what you mean. I had a good friend tell me to mix my vocals so they’re just above what I feel comfortable with and they will be dead on. If you place a stereo reverb (check how the phase sounds in mono though) on the 2 bus it usually helps everything glue together. I will often add a touch of 120hz (or there abouts) to something in the mix so it adds balls to a mix but I’d you may leave that for mastering if it’s better added on the entire mix instead. Not sure this is what you could do but just thought to mention that. Have a good week!
Sun, 06/20/2021 - 18:55 Permalink
Profile picture for user DogsoverLava
DogsoverLava

https://www.dropbox…

Trying to bring a little more cohesion to this. Cleaned up a few vocal pops and gave things a bit of a boost in the 100's . I also changed the EQ and compressor on the main vocal a bit to add some sweetness and take away some of the sharp edges on some phrases. a few more drum and drum dynamic tweaks. I'll be listening in the car today as well as my home system.

DogsoverLava · Galaga King Master 2021V8

Wed, 06/23/2021 - 08:50 Permalink
Profile picture for user DogsoverLava
DogsoverLava

Thanks Chris - I appreciate the help. It sounded really good both here in my studio space where I have fairly neutral setup, and then field tested in my truck and my home stereo. Sounds great on headphones too. (of course I say great with a * as I think my recordings would benefit greatly from a better interface at this stage in my development). Many many thanks. R.
Wed, 06/23/2021 - 14:31 Permalink