sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,993
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Post by sgulley on Aug 9, 2005 3:13:54 GMT
This is a kind of in your face song about how we all play these religious games with God.
I'd like to hear some opinions. I know there is a lot going on so I'd like to hear what might be better omitted or brought up in the mix. Still doing the mix struggling stuff so I'd appreciate the input.
Christian Link below... Thanks, Stan
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Post by mattl on Aug 9, 2005 3:28:35 GMT
great song arrangement stan.. well the obvious thing is the vocal.. too hot and maybe too much verb but it might sound different on a cleaner voc. i understand how when you want the vocal to be heard its tricky...id start with a clean take then play it in the mix and try adding gradual compression (if you can do that with your recorder?). youre playing is getting even better !! really enjoyed the gtr work.
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Post by mcarp555 on Aug 9, 2005 9:34:24 GMT
Nice bass line!
I think the reason this song sounds so busy (it's only drums, bass, rhythm and lead guitars, yes?), is that the lead guitar plays constantly throughout the song, and at the same volume. So during the vocals, it's struggling to keep from being stepped on. And I know you're trying to compensate by pushing the vocal fader up higher and higher. But notice how much more balanced the mix is during the solos?
I would suggest the lead guitar either not play at all during the singing, or only play fills in the gaps between vocal phrasing. If you must have it during some vocals, drop the volume by a lot, then bring it back up again only during the solos. I think if you did a test mix of this song without the lead except in the solos, it'll sound a lot less cluttered. This will also let you bring the vocal back down in volume to fit better in the mix.
There's no point to discussing detailed tweaks like EQ and compression until we get all the parts to stop fighting with each other. Maybe at some point you can mail me a CD with the wav tracks of one of your songs, and let me try mixing it in the 788. Might be a fun project.
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Post by mattl on Aug 9, 2005 12:39:03 GMT
thats a good point stan, on my latest song i just updated with mix in the one point where i had to delete the bass for the one point that lined up with my vocal and you couldnt hear it, took out the bass and its hardly noticeable as the vocal in that spot replaceds the bass, AND i can hear the word now
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,993
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Post by sgulley on Aug 11, 2005 2:59:53 GMT
Well I tried the mix and again and reposted. I did Mikes suggestion on the lead part, and Matt's point of the vocals being too hot. This time I turned off all effects and bounced a submix to a stereo-pair track. Then I used compression on the tracks at -6. I think it sounds much better, but there are still some spots that fizzle out, or get a little out of sync. P.S. -- I downloaded a "Come as You Are" guitar patch off the internet and recorded a track with it, but I had to keep the slider down most of the time because it consumed everything when at level 0. Mike, I like your idea on mailing the WAV files. I think I'll take you up on the offer very soon. Thanks, Stan
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Post by mcarp555 on Aug 11, 2005 8:52:40 GMT
Sure, any song you like. I'll have a bash!
The remix is a LOT smoother overall, I think. There's still a lot of things that could be done, but now the guitar and vocal are not slapping each other over the rhythm. Much, much better than the first version.
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Post by mattl on Aug 12, 2005 0:58:14 GMT
remixed in 1995 eh? yea sounds better. much
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,993
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Post by sgulley on Aug 12, 2005 2:41:23 GMT
Let see... 2005 - 1995 == approx. a decade. Yep, that's me, a decade behind. Better get to scoopin' some metal and get out of my easy chair. ooops.... Stan
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,993
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Post by sgulley on Aug 13, 2005 15:45:48 GMT
OK, Last & final mix (numro tres), and I am happier with it, but I am also getting burnt out on the song even though I think its a keeper for now. If you have time to comment, I would appreciate it. Premastering EQs, and some compression boost, with an extra 2488 "Fantastica" single effect seemed to bring everything out more, and hopefully give a better all round tonal balance. (probably spent 3-4 hours on all these mixes-- oh the evolution process ) Stan
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holzra
Superstar
is that any way to treat an expensive musical instrument?!?!?!?!?
Posts: 879
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Post by holzra on Aug 13, 2005 16:06:42 GMT
never say final . . . ha . . . i like stan, of course i am listening on a laptop, but seems a little more bottom would enhance but it could be these small speakers, just seemed a "little" trebly . . . lyrics great, guitar, great, and you are taking more time on the vocals it seems, felt a lot of emotion and a comfort level with the vocals . . . . hey, my opinion but i think it is a keeper . . . .
r
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,993
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Post by sgulley on Aug 13, 2005 16:59:05 GMT
Roger, Thanks for listening & comments. I cut some lows and highs during EQ which might have subtracted out some good bass tone. I listened on 2 sets of headphones and 1 CD stereo unit. Maybe not enough to get the full picture. One headphone set has a lot of low, and one has a lot of high, so it is hard to mix with the headphones that I have. Maybe some small monitors for my next purchase. Stan
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holzra
Superstar
is that any way to treat an expensive musical instrument?!?!?!?!?
Posts: 879
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Post by holzra on Aug 13, 2005 17:26:02 GMT
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Post by mattl on Aug 13, 2005 22:35:03 GMT
this used to drive me nuts as you guys may recall (and still would if i was obsessed with more pro results i suppose) but whats really working well for me is the tip i got about listening to a cd i know on the same systrem im using to mix on to get a fairly good idea or what its going to sound like. its not perfect but generally its fine on other systems , and thats about all my time allows for lately. but still i want some monitors someday too
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,993
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Post by sgulley on Aug 14, 2005 0:21:51 GMT
Thanks Roger, Those monitors look great. Space is a problem though. I may have to settle for the narrow tower monitors that I can set next to the recorder. But, if I can afford better equipment later those look like the choice.
I performed a Software EQ for a bass guitar on the MP3, and have to admit, it sounds better balanced.
Thank you guys for listening, and helping. The song seems to keep improving on each step. Unfortuately, I don't like to spend the time on mixes vs. recording but I guess we all have to grow up sometime.
Stan
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Post by mcarp555 on Aug 14, 2005 10:16:58 GMT
Hey Matt, I think I came up with that nugget of wisdom. If not, I'll take the credit anyway. . . Stan - all things being equal, you should spend almost as much time mixing as you do recording. Sometimes even more.
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