In this round in the studio, we've taken a little bit of a different tack. I write the material and normally sing it, but my drummer is in several bands, and he plays in one w/ his brother in law.
His brother in law has a distinctive tone to his voice that I like, so I had him come in and demo on of our rock oriented pieces. He's done two so far, and I've got him tracking a couple more to see if his voice simply trumps mine in better deliverance of the material.
I can honestly say, on the two he's done so far, I prefer his vocal - and I'm a pretty tough customer to please that way.
We wrapped up the vocals on this last night in a vocal session (same one that completed Brown Haired Girl), and I mixed the rough tracks this morning.
As per usual - any/all comments are wholly appreciated. I know I don't do a quid pro quo much here anymore - as I used to so many years ago - but I do like to share and gather thoughts from additional knowledgeable folks who have critical ears, and whose contributions I do appreciate, weighed with knowing they know, and act upon accordingly.
One of the things I learned here ... as I was learning, is Recording.Org folks have the expertise that can (and often does) help put me on the right path ... so all input is valued.
Attached files Lover who won't.mp3 (4.7 MB)
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Boswell, post: 462916, member: 29034 wrote: Great vibe to this o
Boswell, post: 462916, member: 29034 wrote: Great vibe to this one, Kevin. You're right about the singer - this type of material suits him.
One problem I had is with the kick drum. It's right there at the very low end, but when I switch my sub out it disappears. I generally try to give a kick some presence above 120Hz so that it can be heard if not felt on speakers that don't go all the way down.
Perfect, B. Exactly the reason additional critical listeners matter. I tend to try to pump the beater in the 2.7-3k range ... but what I might think is enough (when I "hear" it cut through), may not translate -- because I am LISTENING FOR it versus simply hearing it like a casual listener. It's almost like paying TOO much attention and becoming a little overly sensitive to the result.
I will address.
Thanks so much for the help!!
Btw ... our guitarist is a Brit. :D
New version - with suggested alterations. I brought up more in t
New version - with suggested alterations. I brought up more in the beater range and worked the EQ w/ focus on that clarity. I also nudged the bass guitar down a db to clear room for more kick sound.
[MEDIA=audio]https://recording.o…
This is a good tune! Very Bruce Springsteen/John Cougar. Very 80
This is a good tune! Very Bruce Springsteen/John Cougar. Very 80s, very fun. Brings to mind mixer Bob Clearmountain who coined that era sound.
Im not sure if the bass and vocals are a bit too up front, or not. Im also on the fence if the mix is generally just a bit cluttered with upper mids. I also wonder if a little more umph on the snare in the 200hz area would make it a bit stronger without messing w the vocals and guitar.
Fun song, very enjoyable.
kmetal, post: 462934, member: 37533 wrote: This is a good tune!
kmetal, post: 462934, member: 37533 wrote: This is a good tune! Very Bruce Springsteen/John Cougar. Very 80s, very fun. Brings to mind mixer Bob Clearmountain who coined that era sound.
Im not sure if the bass and vocals are a bit too up front, or not. Im also on the fence if the mix is generally just a bit cluttered with upper mids. I also wonder if a little more umph on the snare in the 200hz area would make it a bit stronger without messing w the vocals and guitar.
Fun song, very enjoyable.
Love your ears and thoughts KM. I try to listen to what I call (in my way) the "frequency meshing" ... and try to hear the "cluttered bunching" you mention. I will address that in future attention.
Thank you!
kevinwhitect, post: 462935, member: 11453 wrote: Love your ears
kevinwhitect, post: 462935, member: 11453 wrote: Love your ears and thoughts KM. I try to listen to what I call (in my way) the "frequency meshing" ... and try to hear the "cluttered bunching" you mention. I will address that in future attention.
Thank you!
Glad to help. Take my thoughts with a grain of salt, ive been reduced to a phone for everything since my hiatus, and housing move.
That said listening on tiny speakers like a phone can be very revealing in the mid/upper mids, and masking in general since the full audio spectrum is squished thru little speakers. Larger full range speakers can sometimes spread things out in a way that doesn't reveal this as readily.
Cheers Kevin!
kmetal, post: 462936, member: 37533 wrote: Glad to help. Take m
kmetal, post: 462936, member: 37533 wrote: Glad to help. Take my thoughts with a grain of salt, ive been reduced to a phone for everything since my hiatus, and housing move.
That said listening on tiny speakers like a phone can be very revealing in the mid/upper mids, and masking in general since the full audio spectrum is squished thru little speakers. Larger full range speakers can sometimes spread things out in a way that doesn't reveal this as readily.
Cheers Kevin!
All ears, and all listening devices are still warmly appreciated.
kmetal, post: 462934, member: 37533 wrote: This is a good tune!
kmetal, post: 462934, member: 37533 wrote: This is a good tune! Very Bruce Springsteen/John Cougar. Very 80s, very fun. Brings to mind mixer Bob Clearmountain who coined that era sound.
Im not sure if the bass and vocals are a bit too up front, or not. Im also on the fence if the mix is generally just a bit cluttered with upper mids. I also wonder if a little more umph on the snare in the 200hz area would make it a bit stronger without messing w the vocals and guitar.
Fun song, very enjoyable.
I'd agree on the vocal being too upfront and a bit abrasive EQ-wise - I'd be looking for more warmth in that for sure - and a bit more warmth overall in the mix.... the song is pretty choice but the mix has that brittle glass sound to me and is missing cohesion.
DogsoverLava, post: 462952, member: 48175 wrote: I'd agree on th
DogsoverLava, post: 462952, member: 48175 wrote: I'd agree on the vocal being too upfront and a bit abrasive EQ-wise - I'd be looking for more warmth in that for sure - and a bit more warmth overall in the mix.... the song is pretty choice but the mix has that brittle glass sound to me and is missing cohesion.
I tend to work quickly, and then relax my ears and listen back after they're rested. I've got some compression on the two bus, but I applied a relatively light touch - basically a limiter trimming wild peaks - just enough to glue things in place.
I agree with your assessment on the lead vocal. I liked it so much, I mixed it hot. I need to pull it back into the bed a little more. I'd not caught the abrasiveness issue, though ... but will listen and adjust. I did poke the 2k range a bit to cut through.
Glad you liked the tune over all, and thanks for the input!!
Great vibe to this one, Kevin. You're right about the singer - t
Great vibe to this one, Kevin. You're right about the singer - this type of material suits him.
One problem I had is with the kick drum. It's right there at the very low end, but when I switch my sub out it disappears. I generally try to give a kick some presence above 120Hz so that it can be heard if not felt on speakers that don't go all the way down.