Haunted (Melodic Metal) -- Seeking Feedback on Mix of "Unconventional" Tracks

[jerotas]

Hey everyone,

I'd be honored to get some feedback from the experienced ears on this forum. I've just released the first single from my new project, and it was recorded under some very unusual circumstances.

Long story short, I had to record all the final guitar (DI) and vocal tracks in my Ford Freestyle. I then sent these "car tracks" to be professionally mixed by Matt Dougherty (Megadeth, Disturbed), and I'm fascinated by the final result.

My question for you all is: Can you hear the limitations of the recording environment in the final mix? I'm especially curious about your thoughts on the vocal production and the overall clarity he was able to achieve from these source tracks.

This has been a real-world test of the "performance over the room" philosophy.

Thanks for listening and for any feedback you can offer.

Link to the "Haunted" YouTube Video:

 

[rob aylestone]

It sounds commercial - what we would need to hear is what you recorded? We cannot tell what he did, vs what you did? The guitars, if DI's could be recorded anywhere? Same with a close miked vocal - a really good mic lips on it, sounds pretty similar wherever you are, singing loud.

 

[Papanate]

My question for you all is: Can you hear the limitations of the recording environment in the final mix? I'm especially curious about your thoughts on the vocal production and the overall clarity he was able to achieve from these source tracks.

I can’t tell what was recorded where or what was fixed or screwed up - post the before and after tracks.

 

[jerotas]

It sounds commercial - what we would need to hear is what you recorded? We cannot tell what he did, vs what you did? The guitars, if DI's could be recorded anywhere? Same with a close miked vocal - a really good mic lips on it, sounds pretty similar wherever you are, singing loud.

Hey everyone,

Thank you so much for the fantastic, insightful feedback. You guys have raised some absolutely crucial points, and I really appreciate you taking the time to listen with such critical ears. My apologies for not being clearer in my original post.

You are 100% right. The DI guitars and the close-mic'd vocal setup in the car definitely minimized the "room" sound, which was the whole idea. The real challenge was just creating a functional, consistent recording environment day after day. Although having a large baffle attached to the rear of the mic also helped a great deal.

And you've correctly pointed out the most important part of the mixing story. To be more precise: I'm a longtime home-studio engineer and I actually mixed "Haunted" myself, getting it to about 80-85% of the way there.

I then collaborated with Matt Dougherty to get a fresh pair of expert ears on it. He took my existing mix and added that final 15% or so of professional polish, EQ tweaks, and the final mastering. His contribution was essential in taking it over the finish line, but the core mix was my own.

That is a fantastic idea to post the "before and after." For anyone curious, here is a link to my original, "pre-Dougherty" mix. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think his polish added to the final product.

My Original 90% Mix (Pre-Dougherty) is attached here

Thanks again for the great discussion! This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[Papanate]

That is a fantastic idea to post the "before and after." For anyone curious, here is a link to my original, "pre-Dougherty" mix. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think his polish added to the final product

There is quite a bit of difference between the two mixes - he aligned the guitars with the drums - smothed out and retimed the drums too - gave all the instruments and vocals their own sonic space - EQ ‘d the guitars - basically reshaped them - I think he added ompression and something else too - brought the bass into focus and pushed the low end - created a great vocal ’sound’ - and smoothed out the entire mix by balancing the placement - professional space? I still have no idea - whereever he did it he could clearly hear well - so probably a professional space.

Now as to your mix - I like the rawness of the whole thing - and the bones are good - I’m not sure I prefer it - but there is something in there that’s not in the remixed version.

 

[jerotas]

There is quite a bit of difference between the two mixes - he aligned the guitars with the drums - smothed out and retimed the drums too - gave all the instruments and vocals their own sonic space - EQ ‘d the guitars - basically reshaped them - I think he added ompression and something else too - brought the bass into focus and pushed the low end - created a great vocal ’sound’ - and smoothed out the entire mix by balancing the placement - professional space? I still have no idea - whereever he did it he could clearly hear well - so probably a professional space.

Now as to your mix - I like the rawness of the whole thing - and the bones are good - I’m not sure I prefer it - but there is something in there that’s not in the remixed version.

Yeah, listening to it now, as opposed to a year ago when it happened, it's quite a difference. I definitely don't prefer my mix. Matt does literally thousands of mixes on soundbetter.com so I'm sure he has a pro space. Definitely has a ton of tricks up his sleeve that I don't. The low end is the largest improvement to me, as well as separation.

On my mix now, the drums are too loud and don't blend at all. I don't remember it like that haha. Time changes everything.

Thanks for the feedback!