jjitter, post: 456795, member: 49846 wrote: Guess this isn't the right place for music made with VSTs.

Not necessarily. > https://recording.org/threads/orchestral-arrangements-from-piano-music.63404/#post-456706

Thanks for the support audiokid

The lines are so blurred these days. Like I do some violin parts with sample libraries (which are miked and are .wav audio files anyways) and then record a live keyboard solo etc. Its all there sometimes. Miked, plugged, sample libraries (not loop libraries).

This place has been my biggest source of learning audio. Really don't want to miss out on some great advice that one can get here. So here is the track I was hoping to get some feedback on. The arrangement is rough, really wanted to focus on the mix because that's where I lack -

[MEDIA=soundcloud]mellowdivemusic/the-light-tomorrow_edit

Thank you!

The high frequencies are all wrong, sweeshy... Specially the cymbals, but I don't think it's your fault. Soundcloud conversion often do this... If you could poste the mp3 files here instead, it'll get more attention anyway ;)

Hey pcrecord thanks for taking some time out.. that makes sense. here is the mp3 attached.

[MEDIA=audio]https://recording.o…

Attached files The Light Tomorrow_mp3.mp3 (4.3 MB) 

jjitter Composition wise it's possibly showing some promise. Sound wise, well, it's sounding like midi done with cheap virtual instruments at the moment. I have no idea what you're using, but to me, it's about modern general midi level in sound, sorry if that's not what you want to hear.

Tony

Nice mood in this, very relaxing. It does sound like GM instrumentation but this could also be what you like and that’s ok.

Mix wise, I would look into Eqing the bass and possibly reducing the decay setting on the bass so it’s not falling into the next 16th note. The bass is too heavy on this.

audiokid, post: 456809, member: 1 wrote:
Mix wise, I would look into Eqing the bass and possibly reducing the decay setting on the bass so it’s not falling into the next 16th note. The bass is too heavy on this.

+1 on the bass. I applied a low shelf to help some, but the bass definitely needs a bit more focus.

Sounds better on the mp3 attached.
Other than the bass the the drums sounds lo-fi and a bit far in the mix.
I'm also not fond of the off pitch melody instruments but it might be your thing and that's ok.
Creativity is there, make an orchestra play that would be very nice ! ;)

Before you start changing things based on what skilled engineers like Marco pcrecord ) are suggesting, consider that SoundCloud is NOTORIOUS for artifacts and lossy sonics. Swirly, shifting, phasey top end and muddy, undefined lows are quite common.
You'd be much better off uploading your mixes directly here on RO and using our media player.
Click on the "upload a file" button and follow the prompts for directory and file choice.
Be patient, the upload time will be determined on your end up your ISP's connection and speed .
I'm going to hold off on listening to what you want critiqued until you upload your file here using the method I mentioned above.
;)
D.

DonnyThompson, post: 456827, member: 46114 wrote: You'd be much better off uploading your mixes directly here on RO and using our media player.

He did ! Look up ! ;)

Hey thank you so much for your replies and honest feedback!

@Makzimia yes I was experimenting with instrument choices here, but definitely need to improve on that. No no its good that I hear it now.

audiokid Since I used digital synthesizers by some renowned synth makers whose example tracks sound great, so it might be the mix and the instrument settings gone wrong in my case, which makes it sound like GM. Although the lead was from a plugged in Prophet synthesizer, I was trying out some new effects like the slightly detuned melody as pcrecord pointed out. But will definitely play around with the bass setting. Bypassing the compressor itself got back a bit of focus, probably higher settings were saturating it.

ronmac right the low shelf! Will definitely try that. Although I am still finding that line where mixing ends and mastering begins to manage frequencies. So if you ask me, I will be very indecisive - whether to a try it on the bass instrument or the master track. If I could hear how a track sounds before mastering and post mastering, think the line should be visible to me with a comparative study. Will hunt this place to see if there has been a exercise like that. There are some on certain tutorial websites, but they are not very extensive studies.

pcrecord thank you for you kind words. yes the depth in drums has been something I have been struggling, especially the snare and cymbals. it either pops out or gets washed. Is it predominantly incorrect EQ because of which it pops out when not washed away? Oh yes this will be fun to orchestrate!

DonnyThompson can't wait for your valuable opinion.

Can't thank you guys enough for helping me rescue the mix!:)

Ok here is just the kit and the bass from the verse part which was eq'ed, some compression, bass guitar is side-chaned to the snare hit, tried lower decay settings as audiokid suggested, and tried my best to balance instruments.

The rest of the performance will be the hats improvised, snare & tom rolls and the melody parts. But mix-wise, is there anything that can be done to improve the balance and focus of the kit and the bass? Maybe I was missing a good start.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

[MEDIA=audio]https://recording.o…

edit - sorry for the last 15 secs of silence.

Attached files LT_Drums and Bass dry mp3.mp3 (1.4 MB) 

You may want to use Soundcloud at some point. If you do, upload an uncompressed .wav file. Soundcloud does its own compression and it's not good to recompress a compressed file because it will compound the audio degradation.

Can't say I have much different to add, but I do agree with the strong bass, even on the re-posted version and the solo clip. I loved the fullness it gave to the song, but it was a bit 'big'. But at least on the solo clip, it's not "bad" until the forth measure notes (the highest bass notes played in the sequence).

bouldersound thatnk for that info! Just when I was wondering if if upload an mp3 to soundcloud instead of a wav, will it skip its own mp3 compression?
It doesn't I guess.

LeeDee Thank for your input. At which stage do you think things have gone wrong here ? Eq, Fader Levels?

jjitter, post: 456920, member: 49846 wrote: bouldersound thatnk for that info! Just when I was wondering if if upload an mp3 to soundcloud instead of a wav, will it skip its own mp3 compression?
It doesn't I guess.

Nope, it applies its own compression on top of what you've done.