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Yes, you should set the level so that your loudest notes are peaking in the -8 to -14db range. Wayyy below clipping (red). In digital recording there's no reason to even come close to clipping, because you can just raise the level once it's recorded.

It's not the microphone, don't worry. If the sound breaks up when hitting high notes (which typically take a lot of volume to achieve), you're probably clipping the input. Back the input gain off until you can hit the loudest notes without any digital clipping (going into the red). This...

For one thing, you've convinced me to finally pick up the Taylor 414 that I play every time I'm in Guitar Center. What a beautiful f***ing sound. -The only major thing I would change in this song is the drums, particularly the snare. The toms are plenty loud, and the overheads sound like...

It's not about being lazy. It's that if you're asking for help, you should make it easy for them to do so. If you want someone to reference something specific, link to it. Not a difficult concept. In any regard, to get background vocals like that, you probably have at least 4 singers doing...

Here's my quick run. Now, I have some comments as you listen and for future recording: -The vocals had delay and possibly chorus effects on already. This is a very bad idea if you're going to have your song mixed by someone else. I can't remove those effects, and any modulation or delay effects...

I'm taking a look at this, and I too would prefer vocals recorded dry. There's a delay effect on there which makes it muddy to do any other processing. Also, why is the bass track in stereo? There's all kinds of effects on it as well that muddy up the low end. Lastly, was this recorded to a...

I sent this in a private message, but I'll put it here too: You need to re-consolidate your files with different settings. -I (we) don't need the .reapeak files at all. -All the .wav files are different lengths, when they should all be exactly the same length so that all the tracks line up...

It does sound too distant. Back off the reverb.

Don't mix in the car. But do check your mix in the car. And on tinny laptop speakers. And iPod docks. And Bluetooth speakers. Seriously, cars are a bad place to mix. The acoustics are awful due to the physical design of car interiors.

I'm guessing the auto-tune was dialed up to maximum for effect, intentionally. I personally hate that sound, so it's hard to look past it. I don't see any need for it in this song. I think a nice, smooth, solid vocal would suit the electronic background and pull the listener in better. As soon...

Quick comments: -As Brutish said, the song is completely lacking bottom end. Like, from 150hz and down to my ear. -The snare drum sounds like it's a million miles away. This song could use a more powerful drum mix for sure. Particularly the kick and snare. I would start by simply pushing the...

I agree with this. I spent years playing out live, and was originally in school for audio engineering. So I may take my background for granted when I use amp mods without realizing the knowledge I'm applying to get them to sound good. Goodness knows I've heard a ton of awful, trashing, very...

Man, I almost forgot about lifeless drum machines. What an awful sound. The guitar sound is real nice. Fat and full, well balanced. Vocals are fine. They work for the style of music. I would put the bass up the middle and send the guitar's reverb to the right instead. But if you're doing 4...

I'll play devil's advocate with the "Worst Post of 2014" regarding amp sims vs miking a real cab. Both offer great pros and some cons. When to mike a cab: -You have a great amp, nice cab, and have dialed in exactly the sound you want -You have the ability to turn up the volume significantly (in...

My father is a tremendous musician and spent much of his early years as a professional bassist for rock bands and top 40 wedding bands. We now have a studio project together and release everything from singer songwriter to modern rock, arena rock throwbacks and some metal. He and I also live...

Yes, upload .wav files to a dropbox folder and link us here. I will gladly take a look when I return to my studio tonight or tomorrow.

I've been visiting family for the holidays so I haven't been on the forums or had any time to do a mix for someone else, but I'll say this: telling us in your first post that you're not a good guitarist or singer doesn't make me want to mix your music. You're having trouble making your music...

Okay, get rid of the 10% panned tracks. They're just adding volume and phasing issues, and potentially some digital distortion that I'm hearing. This whole track is clipping with some nasty digital distortion. To fix the guitar/vocal dominating the drums, bring all the faders down closer to the...

There are many situations in which multiple compressors are helpful, and pop vocals is a particularly good place since you want virtually no dynamic variation (sigh). But I have to say that 8:1 is an awfully high ratio. With 8:1, why bother with the second compressor? Generally you would be much...

Besides the "just do it" approach, there are a handful of important things you need to be taught or learn from somewhere. Read articles on basic EQ and compression techniques. Mastering the use of EQ and compression will get you 90% of the way there. You should also read up on frequencies and...