Could use mix feedback (Original Song)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nola
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That guitar is the one that hits at 1:00. Sounds cool but feels like it's missing some body like <200hz maybe. I think your voice works really well on this even if there is some pitchiness, whatever mic/pre you're using seems to fit you really well.
 
easlern said:
That guitar is the one that hits at 1:00. Sounds cool but feels like it's missing some body like <200hz maybe. I think your voice works really well on this even if there is some pitchiness, whatever mic/pre you're using seems to fit you really well.
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Great, thanks. I did a high pass cut on that track exactly at 200hz trying to get mud out of the mix, so great ear.
I'll see if I can lower the cut to 125hz.
 
Hey - I've listened to this one at least a few times this week and again now. It's hard to know what to say. I definitely like it. I think I like it a lot, but honestly at first I was thrown by the dryness...how understated everything was...how simple and bare. But, upon repeated listenings, I think that's part of the appeal?

I think at times your vocals are great (like at the end of that beck tune). Really just oozing with sincerity and rawness that works. At other times, (seems to be more at the beginning of tracks?) it comes across more as timid and shaky maybe? I dunno...it's a particular aesthetic you're going for I think, so it's hard to be objective with mix comments.

I would've probably done it very differently and perhaps more conventionally, with more reverb, more traditionally delivered vocals, a tighter, meatier snare, etc. I bet it would sound more "professional" that way, but probably not better?

Sorry, not much help here! lol Just wanted to comment. I think your vocals have the potential to be really, really good, I just think you're walking a fine line there and if you could rein in the pitchiness just a bit while retaining that vulnerability and earnestness (sorry if that doesn't sound flattering, but I mean that in the best way), then I think you'd really have something. From my perspective anyway - which is of course...whacked.
 
heatmiser said:
Hey - I've listened to this one at least a few times this week and again now. It's hard to know what to say. I definitely like it. I think I like it a lot, but honestly at first I was thrown by the dryness...how understated everything was...how simple and bare. But, upon repeated listenings, I think that's part of the appeal?

I think at times your vocals are great (like at the end of that beck tune). Really just oozing with sincerity and rawness that works. At other times, (seems to be more at the beginning of tracks?) it comes across more as timid and shaky maybe? I dunno...it's a particular aesthetic you're going for I think, so it's hard to be objective with mix comments.

I would've probably done it very differently and perhaps more conventionally, with more reverb, more traditionally delivered vocals, a tighter, meatier snare, etc. I bet it would sound more "professional" that way, but probably not better?

Sorry, not much help here! lol Just wanted to comment. I think your vocals have the potential to be really, really good, I just think you're walking a fine line there and if you could rein in the pitchiness just a bit while retaining that vulnerability and earnestness (sorry if that doesn't sound flattering, but I mean that in the best way), then I think you'd really have something. From my perspective anyway - which is of course...whacked.
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This was hilarious, yet I found it so accurate to how I hear it as well.

The problem with my voice is I like the timbre yet I don't like the pitch problems, and they tend to be worse at soft sections of songs and starts of songs as you and others noted. This was a guide track while recording guitars. It won't be the final vocal. Thing is I have no idea if I can do better. Some days I can and some I can't.

I'm glad the sincerity comes through. That's huge to me in a vocal.

My perspective is whacked too, heat, which is probably why I like your stuff as well!
 
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Hm.. the snare has a bizarre digital skipping sound, like maybe clipping or something? Just seems kind of out of place since the rest of the mix is pretty organic, and it interferes with the bass and some of your lower clean guitars.

Love the tune, very repetitive and motorik sounding. For me the vocals are just fine as-is. Kind of a slacker vibe, you sound a little like Lou Barlow.. I think it's the way you phrase stuff. I don't think you should replace your vocals with your girlfriend's, but this could be a good candidate for the whole 90s indie boy-girl vocal treatment.
 
fat_fleet said:
Love the tune, very repetitive and motorik sounding.
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Thanks for the kind words, Fat fleet. So you know I never heard of "motorik" and had to look it up, and sure enough I see what you mean now. I do know all the krautrock bands and stereolab, etc who [wikipedia says] use this beat, but I honestly never thought it was influential, but maybe it seeped in. Cool to learn that term, thanks man.
I also never heard anyone mention Lou Barlow on the forum! Big influence.
 
Hi, Nola. I've got mixed feelings about commenting on this.:D For around the first minute I was quite captivated by the simple yet complimentary elements going into the song. When I came to realise that the rest of the song was on the same chord and didn't really go anywhere, I was a bit disappointed and wasn't going to comment at all.

I went away for a little while, made myself a bacon sandwich, then I realised that the main part of the song has stuck in my head, now. That minimalist nerdy vocal with the rising and falling synth is just my cup of tea, but I just can't stick it for an entire song! Any plans for some chord changes?
 
Bubba po said:
Hi, Nola. I've got mixed feelings about commenting on this.:D For around the first minute I was quite captivated by the simple yet complimentary elements going into the song. When I came to realise that the rest of the song was on the same chord and didn't really go anywhere, I was a bit disappointed and wasn't going to comment at all.

I went away for a little while, made myself a bacon sandwich, then I realised that the main part of the song has stuck in my head, now. That minimalist nerdy vocal with the rising and falling synth is just my cup of tea, but I just can't stick it for an entire song! Any plans for some chord changes?
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Hey Bubba thanks for listening and giving feedback.
I don't plan to change the chords. The only thing I'd say to that is there's actually more than 1 chord. The G is predominant, but at the end of each bar you quickly hear it change to a D on the & of the 4 beat. So two chords at least! Then, the little buzzy guitar in the background is playing F# and A notes against the G chord, so technically they color it to a Gmaj7 and Gsus2, which would bring it up to 4 chords! The G is at times in 2nd inversion with B in the bass as well, so 5 chords! When I made this I envisioned drone and hoped the feedback guitar solos, double time feel at the "chorus", and vocal moving higher at that section would provide enough sense of motion and contrast.

If it doesn't do anything for you it's perfectly fine and comments like that are welcome if they give good constructive criticism like yours did. I do have a bunch of new songs recorded that use many chords, though, so keep an eye out for those!
 
did I mention that the feedback going into the chorus reminds me of Weezer? I forget which one... maybe Say It Ain't So.
 
Good tune. This reminds me of an old Wire song. I like the incessant quality of the vocal and the droney guitars. I agree with some of the other comments on the snare, I'm not keen on the phasey flammy nature of it
 
This is a cool tune Nola. Restricted to listening on headphones, but as far as I can tell the mix sounds pretty good. I didn't find any of the vocal pitch distracting,but then growing up with pavement, daniel johnston, flaming lips etc I kind of like that style. Your vox actually made me think of ira kaplin of yo la tengo here. It's more the phrasing than the pitch that needs tightening up for me personally - some of the words feel a bit crammed in in spots - like the "heroes and villains" line around 3.30.

The only other thing as others pointed out is that double triggered or whatever it is snare sound. I'm sure you can find a better sample. Other than that it's really cool and I enjoyed the listen.
 
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