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Hi everyone,

Would you mind having a listen to my mix and telling me what you think? One of my first full band mixes, so any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks!
Ben

http://recording.or…

Attached files Never Had Too Much to Say.mp3 (4.4 MB) 

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DonnyThompson Sat, 02/13/2016 - 21:19

First of all, your sound cloud link is invalid... second, Sean is correct. If you look to the bottom right of your post window, just next to the "post Reply" button, you'll see another button "Upload a File". Click on that, and then select the MP3 from your computer's HD, and upload it. It will take a few minutes, more or less, depending on how fast your internet connection is. The RO media player will support up to 320 kbps ( stereo or mono) MP3 files.

Sean G Sun, 02/14/2016 - 14:44

There seems to be some peak distortion when the bass and drums come in...sounds like it was recorded or mixed too hot...sounds like the guitars, maybe also the organ track, if I was trying to isolate which tracks it is in the mix.

The guitar sounds too harsh...especially where the guitar comes back in at 1:56...the distortion effect sounds though it is breaking up.
The guitar at 2:36 sounds much cleaner and less abrasive.

I'd go back and back things off then repost the results. I'd like to hear it again, not as hot. It sounds like a good little tune otherwise.

Boswell Sun, 02/14/2016 - 15:22

I agree with Sean. I would try using the same mix ratios but reducing the amplitude of all the channels feeding the mix by at least 6dB, possibly 10dB. Only then could we separate out any recording problems from a mix problem.

The guitar in the intro - is it your intention to have it sounding like the guitar pickup channel only? This solo would be a great opportunity to have a good acoustic guitar sound recorded through a microphone, and doing that would set the rest of the song up better.

The thing that does come through this trial mix is that it's a good song, and it's well worth putting a bit of effort into getting the recording and mix sorted out.

DonnyThompson Mon, 02/15/2016 - 01:43

I guess I'd ask first... is your intention for a lo-fi sound? I'm not saying that's a bad thing, a lot of artists like the sound of lo-fi for effect; Beck made a fortune off that sound. If this is your goal, then I'd say you're not too far off, but at that point, my critique would be more performance-based. You've got more than a few sections where the kick and the bass guitar aren't together, and it's taking away from the song; while artists like Beck were lo-fi in overall tone, they were always locked in tight with all the instruments, and you don't have that happening here. You've got different instruments all falling at different points around the down beat of many measures, and it's distracting... at least for a musician who is listening and who is used to hearing tight performances, regardless of whether it's lo-fi or hi-fi.

OTOH, if your intention is for a hi-fi sound, then follow the instructions posted above by my colleagues. They gave you good advice.

ben.heff10 Wed, 02/17/2016 - 18:26

Sean G, post: 436248, member: 49362 wrote: There seems to be some peak distortion when the bass and drums come in...sounds like it was recorded or mixed too hot...sounds like the guitars, maybe also the organ track, if I was trying to isolate which tracks it is in the mix.

The guitar sounds too harsh...especially where the guitar comes back in at 1:56...the distortion effect sounds though it is breaking up.
The guitar at 2:36 sounds much cleaner and less abrasive.

I'd go back and back things off then repost the results. I'd like to hear it again, not as hot. It sounds like a good little tune otherwise.

Boswell, post: 436249, member: 29034 wrote: I agree with Sean. I would try using the same mix ratios but reducing the amplitude of all the channels feeding the mix by at least 6dB, possibly 10dB. Only then could we separate out any recording problems from a mix problem.

The guitar in the intro - is it your intention to have it sounding like the guitar pickup channel only? This solo would be a great opportunity to have a good acoustic guitar sound recorded through a microphone, and doing that would set the rest of the song up better.

The thing that does come through this trial mix is that it's a good song, and it's well worth putting a bit of effort into getting the recording and mix sorted out.

DogsoverLava, post: 436306, member: 48175 wrote: Dude -- this is a great little song. It's got an early Oasis vibe. I can hear how I'd want produce this (if I could) --- Right now it's a mess sound wise (way too hot and muffled) but I love the track/song - Stellar songwriting and arrangement.

DonnyThompson, post: 436308, member: 46114 wrote: I guess I'd ask first... is your intention for a lo-fi sound? I'm not saying that's a bad thing, a lot of artists like the sound of lo-fi for effect; Beck made a fortune off that sound. If this is your goal, then I'd say you're not too far off, but at that point, my critique would be more performance-based. You've got more than a few sections where the kick and the bass guitar aren't together, and it's taking away from the song; while artists like Beck were lo-fi in overall tone, they were always locked in tight with all the instruments, and you don't have that happening here. You've got different instruments all falling at different points around the down beat of many measures, and it's distracting... at least for a musician who is listening and who is used to hearing tight performances, regardless of whether it's lo-fi or hi-fi.

OTOH, if your intention is for a hi-fi sound, then follow the instructions posted above by my colleagues. They gave you good advice.

Thanks everyone!!! Been working on a new version for a few days now, should have something better up soon. Donny, I'll be honest, I was going for a hi-fi sound, and I'll try and tighten up the rhythm section and a few guitars that I found are imperfect timing-wise as well.