After many years, my first "proper" mix

[Harper11]

Hey everyone!

Just browsing the site I have come to realise what a good tool this will be. I've been learning mixing/mastering on and off for a few years and finally have a full track I'm happy with - or as happy as my skills and gear will allow.

Kinda post-hardcore/alternative rock, Rise Against being a big influence as well as Funeral For a Friend and newer bands like Mallory Knox. Guitar tone is still something I haven't settled on.

Gear:

Pod UX2 audio interface
Ableton Live
Epiphone Les Paul Zakk Wylde
Hagstrom Bass
Superior Drummer 2.0
Maaaany cups of tea

Critique to your hearts content, I need honest people who know what they're talking about. Any tips greatly appreciated.

https://soundcloud.com/harper11-1/once-more-with-feeling

 

[powerkor_pgh]

i feel like the cymbals could come up a bit. and its a bit over compressed, but if you are trying to make it loud. then thats apparently the way. I would have liked to see a half time breakdown in there and it get 'heavier' for a bit. I also commented on some more parts in the soundcloud. Good tune.

 

[Harper11]

i feel like the cymbals could come up a bit. and its a bit over compressed, but if you are trying to make it loud. then thats apparently the way. I would have liked to see a half time breakdown in there and it get 'heavier' for a bit. I also commented on some more parts in the soundcloud. Good tune.

Yeah definitely both valid points, I've gone back and fourth between cymbal intensities and I think on this occasion maybe erred on the side of cation, maybe because my ears were becoming overly fatigued.

Compression and limiting is my greatest battle I think, especially when trying to compare my mixes to commercial tracks I like. If I can EQ with a bit more finesse I reckon the overall volume could come down and sound more dynamic. Cheers for the feedback!

 

[Ezekiel]

The playing on this is great. The drums sound to low in the mix (could come up quite a bit I think). The lead guitar parts can come down, they are sitting to high and sound "out of" the mix with the rest of whats going on. The lead parts should punch threw but shouldn't be too much louder than everything else. The bass guitar could use some definition in its higher register (I can feel bass but I can hardly hear it at all).

Regards