Mixdown inspiration

S8-N · #1 10-03-1999

I haven't ever seen a post on this topic and this may not be the proper forum but here goes...
I think everyone has an album that they think is the perfect mix... Maybe I am the only one, I don't know... After reading posts from several of you I'd be interested to hear what you think is the ultimate mix...
I think I mentioned somewhere that I use the first Korn album as a reference guide for heavy stuff...
For music of a more eclectic nature the new Mr. Bungle album "California" has awesome production... And I doubt that a whole lot of money was spent on it since they have never had a hit song or video and rarely tour... But it sounds so SSSMMMOOOVVVE.
Do yourself a favor, no matter what kind of music you like (they touch on all styles) check this album out...
I recently got to see 'em live and it was a (sac)religious experience.
Hey Ed... I bet you're gonna say "Van Halen 1"...
Since I got my new monitors I am listening to all of my favorite recordings through 'em... and on the subject of high end... some albums have lots more high end than others... I never noticed this on my home stereo...
O.K what are your "ultimate mix" choices???

Emeric · #2 10-04-1999

Have to go with Ed on Boston's first album, that was/is a fantastic album, songwriting as well as recording wise. One of my favorites is Pink Floyd, The Wall as well as Dark Side of The Moon. I've been listening a lot to Lisa Loeb's album Cat Tails (think that's what it's called), the recording quality of this is superb. Speaking of Deep Purple, Machine Head is a great one. The Purple album your referring is House of the Blue Light, I think.

tmcbrinn · #3 10-04-1999

I agree that Korn's albums are well mixed as far as the heavy stuff goes, but ever see them live? I did, and they sounded kinda muddy...I think its hard to get those 7 strings to come out clear in concert.
Anyway, if anyone's ever listened to Type-O-Negative, I think they do an excellent job with space and placement.

Brad · #4 10-04-1999

Praise be to Scholz! I have to agree with everyone who mentioned Boston 1. Also, The Alan Parsons Project's Eye in the Sky is an awesome sounding album. Alan Parsons also engineered another album mentioned on this thread-Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.

Brad · #5 10-04-1999

Hey Ed,
Boston's first album was mostly recorded in Hideaway (his basement studio) as well. From what I've read, the mastering and the addition of a few tracks took place at the Record Plant. '
My point? That this album, which most will agree is one of the best engineered in history, was mostly made at home. Talk about inspiring!
And I also agree, Ed, that the 2nd Boston album sounded great (and Scholz was pissed because the record company took the recordings before side 2 was complete.) I think side 2 of Don't Look Back is some of the best Boston music ever!

Even · #6 10-04-1999

S8, you made a post a week back on acoustic questions and sound room muting and so on. So heres a new album "perfect mix" that may peek some intrest. Craig Chaquico "Acoustic Planet" He and the boys did this baby digital and take the time to thank folks like Ensoniq, MOTU and Carvin and fostex. So he is using all the same stuff we ask about. 100% instrumental. great mix, killer moods

Fishmed · #7 10-04-1999

There are too many great modern productions to list, but if I had to go with a clasic I would have to say that ZZ Top's recordings are my favorite.

S8-N · #8 10-04-1999

Speaking of the first Korn album... It was recorded at a cheap-ass studio in L.A... Indigo Ranch studio and produced by a man named Ross Robinson who was previously unknown to mainstream music...
Since then he has recorded Coal Chamber, Soulfly, and Slipknot... Some of the new bands than are shaping the heavy sound of tomarrow...
An interesting note... Korn went with a different studio and producer for their newest album and it sucked...
Food for thought.

Eddie N · #9 10-04-1999

i tried looking for an old post were it made reference to some audio s/w that could " rip " eq off a cd , and apply that exact eq to your mix... i couldnt find it.. does anyone remmember what im talking about ?

- eddie -

S8-N · #10 10-04-1999

Yeah... That was Steinberg's Freefilter... Type freefilter into the search engine and that should bring it up...
Be forewarned... Freefilter isn't... It's quite expensive... I decided to just try and use my ears to rip off other peoples EQ settings.

cricketking · #11 10-04-1999

looks like i need to get the first Boston album...some other personal faves for production:
-new NIN
-anything Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry
-Jane's Addiction "Ritual..."
-Smashing Pumpkins "Melancholy..."(possibly a Boston influence on guitar sounds?)
-the Cure "Disintegration"
-radiohead "OK computer"
and surprised no one mentioned Zep- In the light or Kashmir?(can't beat the strings...except maybe on Strawberry Fields or I am the Walrus...)
sorry for the indulgence....

ps-i always thought it would be cool if you could buy books similar to the guitar tab types they sell for specific albums, but instead have them have a song by song detail of mic/recording and mixing process and the creative decisions involved...anyone know of anything like that??

...damn, my fingers are cramping
cricketking

S8-N · #12 10-05-1999

Oh yeah...
Rick Rubin is another awesome producer... Chilli Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", Slayers' "South of heaven", and Beastie Boys' "Licensed to Ill"...
Weird that my two favorite producers both have the same initials... Rick Rubin and Ross Robinson.
It's late...

Fishmed · #13 10-05-1999

Ok, here are some of my modern favorite mix/productions:

1) Dream Theater: Falling into Infinity
2) Lovewar: Soak Your Brain
3) Megadeath: Criptic Writings
4) Quennsryche: Empire

Lorddiagram · #14 10-05-1999

I agree with the Led Zep - "In the Light" I have it on vinyl and man! Right now I am really enjoying the mixes and sounds on "Return of the Greivous Angel - a tribute to Gram Parsons" There are tracks with many different artists (Elvis Costello, Emmy Lou Harriss, Beck, Lucinda Williams.) I also enjoy Brian Eno/David Bowie - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Alright - I gave me 2 sense (cents)

lD

Jim Marquard · #15 10-05-1999

Okay folks,

somehow we forgot my all time favorite (if you were stranded on a island what album would you want?). Abbey Road by the Beatles. Now most people think Sgt. Pepper (a great album and done on 4 track by the way), but Abbey Road has superb musicianship and the engineering is awesome. This album is the Beatles at their best (imho) and done on eight track.

Others on this thread mentioned Pink Floyd--Dark Side is cool but listen to the Final Cut, it will blow your mind--especially all the holophonic stuff.

Boston is also mentioned--have they actually done a poor recording? Catch them in concert and you will be amazed. Soundtrack perfect audio.

Don't know if anybody here listens to Christian music, but DC Talk's Jesus Freak is way awsome production (and music) wise. Phil Keaggy is also awesome.

I didn't see much jazz music on this thread. Don't overlook it people. Some great lessons in engineering and sound to be found in jazz.

Peace, Jim

Rhoadz · #16 10-05-1999

Two Thumbs up to Fishmed for the Dream Theatre reference! Infinity was great album.

to Jim:
one of my favorite jazz albums is
Cannonball Adderly with Miles Davis: Something Else. Slick tunes, musicians and production!

Rhoadz · #17 10-05-1999

Two Thumbs up to Fishmed for the Dream Theatre reference! Infinity was great album.

to Jim:
one of my favorite jazz albums is
Cannonball Adderly with Miles Davis: Something Else. Slick tunes, musicians and production!

keybuffer · #18 10-05-1999

I'm new here - trying to make some decisions about a home studio - I keep stumbling over the decision to do recording on my PC or to go for something like the Roland 880EX. Anyway, I'm learning a lot from these forums. For now, I just wanted to say that this site has been invaluable to me and THANKS Ed for reminding me about Pat Travers - haven't heard it in years - a great piece of work. Time to go dig thru the LP's.

Cooperman · #19 10-05-1999

People, people, people...

We have all overlooked the great producer/engineer Max Norman. My two favs of his - Ozzy Osbourne "Blizzard of Oz" and Megadeth "Youthanasia" - all I can say is TONE TONE TONE.

Paul

SilentSound · #20 10-05-1999

Joe Barressi engineered WEEZER's Pinkerton album. It is very raw, but beautifully recorded. Very natural yet ethereal at times. yeah

S8-N · #21 10-06-1999

You gotta be shittin' me!!!
No one here has heard Mr. Bungle ??? It is my opinion that no one should attempt to mix an album untill you have heard all 3 of theirs...
Stop what you are doing and get their first album "Mr. Bungle" and then work your way up to their newest..."California"
These guys are low-rent do-it yourselfers (with the exception of Mike Patton) and can flawlessly mix metal, jazz, funk, be-bop, noise, punk, and any other form of music I might have left out ( sometimes within a single song...)
Jazz God, John Zorn produced their first album and it is hard to beat, although thier other two albums are just as hard to put down...
Find their shit... if you don't love it... then I'm just WRONG... and I'll blow ya...

-Not really...
S8-N

S8-N · #22 10-06-1999

Oh yeah,
Cooperman... Blizzard of oz...Fargin' awesome!!!
Megadeth??? I'll pass...

-S8-N

Fishmed · #23 10-06-1999

Cooperman,

I was torn between Criptic Writings and Youthanasia, both were well produced. Although Criptic Writings was not as heavy, it's drums is what gave that project an edge over the other.

Jim Marquard,

Lovewar is a Christian band.

Cooperman · #24 10-06-1999

I think Youthanasia has a far superior guitar tone to CW. Infact in my opinion that album has the best guitar sound I've ever heard in my life - check out Addicted to Chaos and Killing Road - turn it up real loud and it'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

My fav live recording would be Ozzy's Live and Loud - the guitar tone is so thick and yet when Zakk is soloing and there's just bass playing underneath, the sound is still really upfront and in ya face - unlike other 1 guitar bands

[This message has been edited by Cooperman (edited 10-06-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Cooperman (edited 10-06-1999).]

drstawl · #25 10-06-1999

That Mr. Bungle is certainly tasty shit!
WB 1991? Trevor Dunn, Heifetz, Mike Patton,
David Shea, Jennifer, Lisa Wells, Theobald Brooks Lengyel.
David Bryson: Engineer;
Bob Ludwig: Mastering;
Matt Murman: Assistant Engineer

Just bought their album via CD-NOW. Thanks S8-N.
Is this the mix/ tone/ ambience you're looking for? I thought that YOUR mixes were more "in your face." It really comes down to what the Prince of Darkness <wants> on the final mix.