My first serious recording(first mix)

[ericlingus]

Well it's time I post a recording to be critiqued here. This is my first serious attemp at recording. Before I would just record ideas and bits and pieces. Right now there are no vocals but i'll record them soon. I used a firebox into cubase LE. The guitars were done direct with a vamp2, the drums are beatcraft and the synth was a triton LE. What do you think? Probably not your type of music but listen anyways. I'd appreciate any feedback.

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=3787

[NL5]

I'm not too familiar with this genre, but here is my two cents -

Overall, it sounds decent. The reverb on the snare is too much and too long IMHO, and the crashes are way too loud.

Tha's about all I got.

[ericlingus]

thanks. I kinda like the long reverb on the snare. I will try others out though. I agree about the crashes being too loud. Thanks for your input.

[ericlingus]

oh and forgot to say that those are scratch guitars. I plan on re recording them with my mesa F50 soon. What do you think of the song? Shit, I just realized the second guitar cuts out for a second or two at the end. Cubase LE is being a bitch lately.

[nave]

The drums do take that arena rock sound a little too far I think.

The song: As an instrumental it sounds like the "post-rock" genre. Like "Explosions in the Sky" or something but heavier. It's not bad at all. The atmosphere I think you probably want is there.

But, here's my unauthoritative gripe:

The change to the slow part in the middle is good.

But, if the song as a whole is going to remain that long and repetitive at points, maybe it still needs something more in terms of more dramatic arrangement, layering, dynamics, climaxes. etc.

Maybe that's already your plan?

Maybe I just have ADD.

[Dogman]

I like the tune....the long verb on the snare may muddy the sound a bit. Shorter verb should make it cleaner. Tame the crashes....I definitely agree with that.....

All nits are simple adjustments, they just take time to figure out. The overall vibe is way cool. Guitars could use a bit more in the lower end. Maybe getting rid of some of the highs in the cymbals will help that sound fuller. I like the changeup, and can't wait to see what it sounds like with vocals. That could be a really cool area of the song.

I'd say overall, drums are too bright. When the fast kick comes in, it is pretty high...lacking some low end beef. Add some low end to the drums, and that should help fill the song up some.


Cool tune man.....

[ericlingus]

yeah i'm into that repetitive almost hypnotic kind of song structures. Haha it never occured to me that the drums sound arena rock like but now that you mention it your right lol. What can I say that's the drum sound I like for this kind of music. I just went by what sounds good to me even if it doesn't fit with the this style of music or whatever. Thanks for listening man!

[nave]

Originally Posted by ericlingus

yeah i'm into that repetitive almost hypnotic kind of song structures.

I figured as much.

The trick with making that type of music is keeping listener engaged.

But, I think you are probably on the right track.

[ericlingus]

thanks a lot dogman. I definately agree with the cymbals suggestion. The problem I had was getting the synth to not be drowned out by the guitars. That was the hardest part for me. I had to cut the lows and highs for the synth to come through. I'm not much of a fan on bottom heavy guitars anyways though. I'll work on the drums some more. I agree about the kick drum. I still like the snare sound though! . As for the vocals, you may be dissapointed because they are going to be distant black metal sounding and I didn't plan on having any vocals for the slow middle section unless I can find a good female singer or something . Or hell even male vocals. Thanks a lot for all the feedback so far guys. I'll keep working on it. I think it's coming along pretty well. This is all new to me.

[ericlingus]

funny thing is I thought the song didn't drag at all. I guess you havent heard the music I listen to. Man if you think THIS is repititive haha. Imagine just one riff being played for like 8 minutes haha.

[rayc]

I reckon the fast drumming spoils the riff and works contrary to the build up.
Well recorded though.

[ericlingus]

you mean at the end ? or all the fast drumming parts? Thanks for the compliment on it being well recorded. Much appreciated.

[sikter]

PC-speakers here but anyway:
There are some drum issues here. It seems to my like you overdid drum section.
I would wait for vox track first and see how everything turned out then. It’s going to be cool song, man.

[ericlingus]

what do you mean by me overdoing the drum section? Thanks for the kind words and advice.


what does everyone hear think of the drum programming I did? Do the drums sound good? Is it obvious that they arn't real?

[random.hero]

yay this track reminds me of a pinball game i used to have on my computer...
it was pretty cool and the theme song was arena rockish repedative like this.

[random.hero]

i like it btw

[ericlingus]

haha thanks.

[ericlingus]

anyone else? Thanks to everyone so far.

[yvesa]

Nice song, I like it.
This song needs real drums

The acoustic sound "sounds" a bit " too nice" for the song it seams. Have you tried playing it with a Bathory:Twilight of the Gods type acoustic sound? Might help blend the song together better - although it still sounds nice like this. Would keep a bit of "harshness" throughout. Hope that made sense :P

Nice job

[ericlingus]

I didn't use an acoustic guitar. I used an electric for everything. A shecter c1 xxx. That's the only guitar I have. Thanks for listening man. I kinda like the programmed drums. How do they sound? What do you think should be changed recording wise or songwise?

[yvesa]

I meant the slightly distorted clean sound, just personal taste though