Amiga - New VHS song about vidja games

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VomitHatSteve

VomitHatSteve

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Hi folks! It's been a while since I've posted anything here, but I'm finally reaching the mixing stage of my latest project.

Amiga - Regdar and the Fighters

I'm interested in any feedback I can get on this. I've been sitting on it for a week feeling like it's not quite "there" but unsure how to proceed.
As per usual, I've got a lot of stuff going on, but is it all coming through clearly?
Should the rhythm guitars be louder (esp. in the heavy parts)?
Is the synth too buried?
Are the drums cutting through?

Thanks to all for listening!
 
What's with the timing issue at 'As the platform beneath me'? Something really odd there.

Overall I thing the mix is fitting for the tune. To me, I would raise the rhythm guitar volume all the way through. Yes, I would actually cut some low mids out of the synth and up the gain. Pan it wide.

Drums seem to sit just right, except for that weird thing.

Good stuff tho man! :)
 
Thanks, Jimmy. I'm not sure what the timing issue you're hearing is. I don't hear it.

Dang. I was hoping that I could get away with a million side-chain compressors.

OK. I threw a HPF on the synth and turned it up about 3 DB (I really should have done that in the first place. The synth sounds I use live aren't necessarily a good choice for studio work.)
Then I threw a few side-chain compressors on each guitar track and turned them up 1.5ish DB. It seemed to help. Although on my laptop headphones, the difference seems less pronounced.
 
I think the song is fine. Interesting lyrics, nice construction, and a good arrangement.

All the musical ingredients are there for a good mix, but you are right, it's not quite 'there'.

I don't hear the timing thing Jimmy was referring to. What I do hear is this:

1 Overall, the perception of the mix I get is three distinct elements: vocals in front, guitars to the sides, and everything else in the centre and towards the back, and, at the moment, these elements are not integrating all that well.

2 The fuzzy guitar sound left and right (which reminds me of the fuzz bass that McCartney used once) is very dense, and dominates the instrumentation. Maybe you could try something less fuzzy, or push it back in the mix.

3 The bass, on my system, sounds very wooden and without a lot of resonance, as if all the lows have been cut off. This may be a specific sound you were seeking.

4 The synth could do with a bit more space and air . . . maybe try some reverb.

5 The drums sound very mono.


Try a mix with just vocals, drums and bass. Get this sounding good, and to the point where you would be almost happy to use if just as it is. Then start bring in the other instruments. Use them as 'seasoning', rather than as the main ingredients.
 
I hear what Jimmy was concerned about but it was in keeping with the piece I thought.
There did seem to be a panning emphasis to one side.
You continue to chronicle the pixle side of life VHS. I like it!
 
The only processor I ever learned machine language on was the MosTek 6502. Go Commodore!! :D On the C64 no doubt. :eek:

Listening, I was thinking about several tweaks you could be making for the mix. Then before replying I took a gander at the other replies and GZ pretty much summed it up for me. I think the biggest improvement you could do for this song is to get the drums out front more and spread them across the stereo field.

Arrangement wise, it's great. Lots of change-ups to keep the listener engaged and the lyrics are very thoughtful, especially for old-f&cks who can relate.
 
Thanks, guys.

Yeah, I tend to EQ the bass pretty high. I like a "punchy" punk-style bass tone, and I tend to drop a lot of low end from it (probably more than I should) to keep the mix from getting too muddy.
I'll see what I can do about panning the drums out a little more. The OHs are already hard panned, but the rooms are a little in the center. I don't want to move kick, snare, or HH too much out from center though. Hmm...
The fuzz guitar/bass is pretty fuzzy. It's tough to strike a balance where it's loud enough to give energy and tone to the mix but not so loud that it drowns everything. (It's also a signature part of the RatF sound, so I can't clean it up too much.)
I could try some reverb on the synth, yeah.

Alright, thanks for the input. It may be a few days before I have time to revisit this (busy week ahead), but hopefully I can get mix 3 up soon.
 
Having listened a few more times, I hear the weird timing on the one snare hit in the chorus. I think it fits though.

Third mix is up. Please! Keep the critiques coming!
I tweaked the EQ on the bass to be a little thicker. I added some reverb to the synthesizer. I turned down the room mics on the drums a bit to keep the mix from getting muddy (and to bring the drum kit "closer" to the listener). And finally, I panned out the procedural drums a bit so they're less "mono"
 
jimmys69 said:
What's with the timing issue at 'As the platform beneath me'? Something really odd there.

Overall I thing the mix is fitting for the tune. To me, I would raise the rhythm guitar volume all the way through. Yes, I would actually cut some low mids out of the synth and up the gain. Pan it wide.

Drums seem to sit just right, except for that weird thing.

Good stuff tho man! :)
Click to expand...

VomitHatSteve said:
Thanks, Jimmy. I'm not sure what the timing issue you're hearing is. I don't hear it.

Dang. I was hoping that I could get away with a million side-chain compressors.

OK. I threw a HPF on the synth and turned it up about 3 DB (I really should have done that in the first place. The synth sounds I use live aren't necessarily a good choice for studio work.)
Then I threw a few side-chain compressors on each guitar track and turned them up 1.5ish DB. It seemed to help. Although on my laptop headphones, the difference seems less pronounced.
Click to expand...

I hear what Jimmy is talking about too...it's like 2 snare beats that seem to be a little quick on the draw.

Idk maybe it's just us Jimmy :D
 
Gave a listen to Mix3. I'm still not sold on the drums. Sorry, they are the weak link in the song. But man, I focused on the BGV's and you really did a lot of work with them. Not sure how I missed it the first time around, maybe because there is so much going on. It is this kind of song I can really enjoy. You have a lot of little sonic details going on and the listener discovers something new with each listen.

Wish I could give you solid advice for the drums. I'm not sure what to say other than maybe source it out. Sorry.
 
Yup, it's cool that even in a blind test I could tell a VHS song when I hear it.

I think your mix (3) is really pretty good. The weird drum pattern doesn't bother me. Being a semi-drummer, I get it. Your vocal work and vocal mixing has gotten much better. If anything, I'd like a little more snare and less woof in the kick.
 
Thanks!

Chili, is the standard drums that are throwing you off or the weird procedural ones. (i.e. the centered kick and snare playing mostly standard patterns or the wider-panned unusual noises at strange times percussion?) If it's the latter, I'm happy to just chalk that up to artistic preference.

Greg, what frequency is kick woof? :D
 
It's the standard drums. Like Greg, I don't mind the funky stuff. Seems to me the standard drums have no impact. Snare is weak and distant. Hihat almost non-existant. Kick is woofy as Greg pointed out. (Didn't know the problem until he pointed it out) Altogether the drums are unbalanced and not at the level they should be.

I think they should be upfront and close to the same level as the lead vocals. Almost. I know you've got a lot going on and you want to showcase it (rightfully so), but it seems you are setting the drums back to bring out the other stuff. I think you can find a way to get everything there. You might have to sacrifice a little to get this song to where it needs to be. And please keep working at it. It's a great song and has a lot of potential.
 
Alright. I'll try Greg's suggestions and see if I can bump the drums (especially the ones that aren't kick and snare) up a little overall.
 
I always like your songs.

I hear what jimmy is saying about the timing thing. I assume it's intentional. There is a synchopated kick beat on that line. In a couple of spots.

I thought this sounded good. Synth cuts through fine. I liked that synth sound. And I usually don't like synths. Drums sound good.

I think my only complaint is the bass, at times, sounds a little rumbly.
 
Thanks 3M! During the first round of revisions, I went back and added rumble to the bass. I may revisit that again, but I'll probably keep it as is.
 
Ok, on further listening, it is not the snare. I think it is the kick drums after each of the snare hits during the part in question. The first is fine, but the second seems to need a 'swing' feel. It just sounds unnatural in the way a live drummer would play it, and it just sounds 'uncomfortable' to me. Then the third sounds naked before the tom fill. I can't quite put a finger on it, but a little play with the kick part there would soothe my soul. There is just something slightly off there....Trust me, I'm not just making this up. lol! :)

Otherwise man, I think it is working.
 
Alright. It took me a while to get a chance to revisit this. Thanks to everyone who's stuck around in this thread.

So here's mix 4: File Leaker | Regdar and the Fighters

I dropped some of the reverberating frequencies on the kick. Brought the drums in general (and the high-hat and snare in specific up).
Better?
 
Fuck yeah that's way better. The kick is considerably better. This #4 is the best mix I've heard from you - ever. Very well done.
 
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