GearFest Mixing Contest

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What did you find most difficult and challenging when you mixed the song?
 
T-Guitar said:
Now that the contest is nearing the end, for us newbies it would be helpful for future efforts to know what the common mistakes/oversights have been on the mixes. General obesrvations would be helpful and some guidance on where to go or what to read for solutions. From what I have read on this forum there is a lot of technical issues discussed and many options or avenues to correct them. I know the stems were not recorded in ideal conditions, which made the mixing effort a lot more difficult than would be expecetd, but I'm sure some of you seasoned vetreans get this kind of situation many times. Just thouhgt I'd get some general discussion going before we close this effort out.
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Tough question but a very good one!

If you are really new I would start with just balancing. No pan no eq no FX no fashy tricks no compression just balancing. The balance is the strongest weapon when you mix! A lot of eq or dynamics can be avoided if the balance is done right.

I think this little eight track song is ideal for that. So I'd start with the loudest elements drums, bass, vocals then the guitar. If you try to balance the whole song you might find out that you have trouble for a balance which works well through the hole song. In this case I'd concentrate on the part you personally find the strongest from an emotional aspect. After that you start mixing part by part. Snip the tracks into pieces and duplicate them to different track (should be no problem with nowadays DAWs there are plenty of channels). Then start to balance each part as it would be a single song. Don't change the balance if it is already fine for a part.

The into is very important, it has to have the right volume to take attention and to work for the next transition.
The verse... what's the most important element there? What about the supporting elements?
The 3 snare hit bridge to chorus is also very important to feel energetic and powerful for the transition to the chorus. The chorus, first moment, how does it feel, does it draw you in? Guitar solo, what's the most important instrument there :) does any instrument take the attention away from the guitar? Perhaps to loud drums :)

I think if you work this way for some time you get the right focus and feel for the really important things. Your mix might end up a bit dull but never screwed.

Just a beginning :)

Cheers,
Andy
 
Foxp2 said:
Hi all, fortunatly the real life continue between two samples, such at 192kHz , you can check that with a TruePeak meter, such "PPMulator" Zplane for example. The TP measure show you the interpolate level between 2 samples. For treated this kind of interpolated waves you can use a TP limiter such "Elixir"-Flux. That's take a lot of computer ressources.

Anyway the quality of mixes is very high..
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In Native World also PSP Xenon can do that, Izotope Loudness Maximizer, Sonnox Oxford Limiter, perhaps more. You have just to set them to kill intersample peaks and they will do that.
 
Hi, Guys! Here's my submission.

‘Oh Baby’ (mix by ShchegolR).

Mixed in Steinberg Cubase 5 studio (ITB)

Hardware:
PC
Focusrite Saffire pro 40,

Monitoring
Speakers B&W 685, headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro and Grado SR 325i, domestic speakers SVEN.

I tried to give it some vintage feeling. The Track Bass-Amp did not used. Snare was triggered (because of leakage of the cymbals). Effects: spring, plate, delays.I used a lot of automation.

My main goal was saving a vibe and emotions in this song. (Sorry for my English).
All comments are appreciated.

 
shchegolR said:
Hi, Guys! Here's my submission.

‘Oh Baby’ (mix by ShchegolR).

Mixed in Steinberg Cubase 5 studio (ITB)

Hardware:
PC
Focusrite Saffire pro 40,

Monitoring
Speakers B&W 685, headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro and Grado SR 325i, domestic speakers SVEN.

I tried to give it some vintage feeling. The Track Bass-Amp did not used. Snare was triggered (because of leakage of the cymbals). Effects: spring, plate, delays.I used a lot of automation.

My main goal was saving a vibe and emotions in this song. (Sorry for my English).
All comments are appreciated.

Click to expand...

NICE WORK
I like your Bass ,but the guitar is at the end much crunchy
cheers
 
First timer here

I've never participated in a "mix competition" before... this was fun.

I've enjoyed listening and reading everyone's approach and gear used on this song.


 
Little question to the moderators or the friends in here about uploading the mix

Hi guys, I have a little dumb question about how to submit the mix, could anyone tell me how to do it ?

I mean I know I can "JOIN" in at "soundcloud.com/groups/gearfest-mixing-contest" ... BUT in the instructions it said to "UPLOAD" the mix there.

But how can I upload my mix on there ?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!
 
Last edited:
aarvin2 said:
Hi guys, I have a little dumb question about how to submit the mix, could anyone tell me how to do it ?

I mean I know I can "JOIN" in at "soundcloud.com/groups/gearfest-mixing-contest" ... BUT in the instructions it said to "UPLOAD" the mix there.

But how can I upload my mix on there ?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!
Click to expand...

no upload in the group --> only join !
cheers
 
Thanks a lot mate!! :) But how are people getting their mixes posted(contributed) on the soundcloud group ? It will be done automatically or should I do something ?
 
aarvin2 said:
Thanks a lot mate!! :) But how are people getting their mixes posted(contributed) on the soundcloud group ? It will be done automatically or should I do something ?
Click to expand...
first - join this group (search on soundcloud or google
than push the button "join"
than go back to your track
under your track on soundcloud is "add to a group "
search for gaerfest...
push gearfest.....-> done !!
 
soupiraille said:
What did you find most difficult and challenging when you mixed the song?
Click to expand...

The blend between verses and choruses, keeping them in the same picture, mainly the choruses were very dificult for me to mix.
 
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