A critique would be appreciated!

[BruceM001]

Hi all - here's a link to a few old country covers I've been working on as a Christmas present for my dad. I would appreciate constructive criticism if you have it - thanks!

http://members.shaw.ca/diamond_tunes_2/

Bruce

[bozmillar]

You, unlike most of us here, have a timeline to get these finished as well as possible, so you'll have to make some compromises.

I would say that it sounds pretty good. For a Christmas present for your dad? He'll think it's great (unless he's some sort of music producer) and he'll probably end up showing it to all his friends.

it sounds to me like some guitars are recorded direct, and lead/solo guitars (banjos? resonators?) are mic'd. The mic'd guitars sound much more distant and roomy than the rest of the mix.

It also seems that though your vocals are hanging out a little to the right. Either that or my left ear is starting to fail me.

[BruceM001]

You're right about the vocals. I mixed most of this down last night and didn't use my headphones to check positioning. There are a few things like that I'll change.

I actually didn't line in any of the instruments, except possibly the acoustic guitar on Cold Rain and Snow. Since I recorded that track I've picked up better mics and a different acoustic guitar and like the sound much better. The electrics go through a stereo delay pedal to a Lab Series L5 and a Roland Studio Bass 100 amp. Most of the electric guitar parts are with an old Univox ES335 copy which has quite a crisp edge to the pickups (maybe thin?) that do give it a 'lined-in' sound. I'm thinking of swapping them out for TV Jones Classics. Thanks again!

[bozmillar]

Sorry. For the direct recorded guitars, I was refering to the acoustic guitar that is strumming in the first two songs. I think the electric guitars sound just fine.

[BruceM001]

Yes, you're right. I like Simon and Patrick guitars alright, but those piezo pickups....not so much. Nothing but mic's from now on.