Another angry break-up song

  • Thread starter Thread starter scrubs
  • Start date Start date
scrubs

scrubs

Not of sound mind
Hey folks. I need a critique of a rough mix of my new recording, "Better." A friend has asked to put this song in an independent film, so I want it to sound somewhat decent. Feel free to tell me what you liked, what sucked, and what needs to be fixed. Now is your chance to get me back if I ruthlessly ripped apart your mix. :D

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=4301&alid=-1

The song is the second one on the list, titled, "Better."

Thanks in advance for listening.
 
Sounds great, the only thing I'd tweak a little more are the vocals, they seem to be jumping in and out of the mix quite a bit. Nothing a little fader ride or automation couldn't fix. :)
 
The vocals seem to overpower the drums, and the drums seem to lay wayyyyy too far back in the mix - especially the snare which, at a lot of times, is indistinguishable from the hats. When the bulk of the mix comes in, the acoustics seem to lose a bit of their tone.
 
Clit Torres said:
Sounds great, the only thing I'd tweak a little more are the vocals, they seem to be jumping in and out of the mix quite a bit. Nothing a little fader ride or automation couldn't fix. :)
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Thanks for listening. I agree that the vocals need some dynamic tweaking.

xtjdx said:
The vocals seem to overpower the drums, and the drums seem to lay wayyyyy too far back in the mix - especially the snare which, at a lot of times, is indistinguishable from the hats. When the bulk of the mix comes in, the acoustics seem to lose a bit of their tone.
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Good point. The drums do get buried a bit. Thanks!
 
xtjdx said:
The vocals seem to overpower the drums....
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DOH? I fail to see why the drums should overpower the song and overshadow the message of the song.

Scrubs,
I listened to this a few times today. It's very very good. I have no comments abvout the mix. Far beit from me to do so. I wish you success in having the song included as a part of the film project. Very nice indeed!
 
60's guy said:
Scrubs,
I listened to this a few times today. It's very very good. I have no comments abvout the mix. Far beit from me to do so. I wish you success in having the song included as a part of the film project. Very nice indeed!
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60's guy:

Much appreciation for your kind words. :)
 
I really think the drums should come up and the vocals down a bit. You're going to probably have to automate that really loud crash.
 
A little more tweaking should do it.

I had to give this song a few listens. It an excellant song, but there are some issues that a obvious. Yes, drums were set back a bit, vocals (even at level 31 on my receiver) made me wish they were turned down a little. Accoustic guitar, most obvious at the start, seemed like your mic was a little far from your guitar or there were room accoustic problems. I'd like to hear the accoustic guitar warmed up just a little. Lastly, what were you saying with the crash cymbals? when the keyboards and crash met, it hurt. maybe tone down your crash or trade it for a splash. Reverb it a little maybe might help soften it up a little if you decide to stay with the crash. Great Song, hope it makes its debut. This mix, three stars...(outta five).
 
geet73 & MX3282:

Thanks to you both for listening and the comments. I agree that the drums (esp. cymbals) need some work and the vocals could be a bit softer. I'll try to post a remix in the next few days.

Happy recording!
 
Hey scrubs, that was really good. I thought the vocals sounded great, and the old-school-Pink-Floydy acoustic guitars gave it a real airy touch. I can't offer much advice on cymbals since I have yet to actually mic a single drum--I just know that those were really the only fault I could find. The "semi-backward" sound on your lead work was way cool. Nice work.
 
Hey scrubs, want some real drums on this on the track? Sounds great other than the drum machine dude. This song I really think deserves some good acoustic drums. I'll be happy to record a drum track for you. Just PM me if you're interested. The song is really good. I think all the elements work really well and I really dug the reversed lead guitar.
 
Really well done here, the only thing i would change is down with hihat, crashes and then lift all of the drums. Its a great song, its been spinning for days here in Stockholm. I want more.

/emser
 
Cool!

Hey everyone, thanks so much for listening!!!

Purge: Thanks for the compliments. I really like the solo, too. I think reversing it gave it this "fluidity" that just sounded right to me. You're the second person who has mentioned Pink Floyd to me. Funny, as I've always liked them, but never owned any of their stuff until about a year ago when I picked up DSOTM.

Producerkid: I totally agree about the drums (apartment life blows). I sent you a PM. I definitely want to hear what you can do with it!

Rokket: Cool! So, you don't mind me singing your tune on the collab, then? :)

Emser: Thanks! I've really enjoyed your stuff as well. I have a bunch of songs that I'll be recording over the next several months, so more will be forthcoming.
 
scrubs said:
Hey everyone, thanks so much for listening!!!

Purge: Thanks for the compliments. I really like the solo, too. I think reversing it gave it this "fluidity" that just sounded right to me. You're the second person who has mentioned Pink Floyd to me. Funny, as I've always liked them, but never owned any of their stuff until about a year ago when I picked up DSOTM.

Producerkid: I totally agree about the drums (apartment life blows). I sent you a PM. I definitely want to hear what you can do with it!

Rokket: Cool! So, you don't mind me singing your tune on the collab, then? :)

Emser: Thanks! I've really enjoyed your stuff as well. I have a bunch of songs that I'll be recording over the next several months, so more will be forthcoming.
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Hell no, I don't mind. I even said so in the thread!!!! :D
 
No I didn't like your song

The song was not very good. The sound effects were annoying and so did that startrek sounding lead guitar part that began so so late in the song. The song had no memorable hook therefore the only thing I remember is the annoying sounds. Also, I didn't like your voice either, isn't very unique sounding, maybe on a different song it would be ok. Surprisingly I was expecting a really fantastic song especially after the posts you post and especially how you slammed my songs. Anyway, I suspose the technicalities are ok, I'm no expert on that part, but I do know when a song makes me feel good. Unfortunately this one only made me feel like turning it off. Sorry about being so direct. I may not be the best song writer or musician, but I'm pretty good at knowing a good song, and this one is a flop. I think everyone in this forum gets so caught up in the mixing part they don't notice the "Song". So to this I say most of the previous respondents didn't give it to you straight.

Greg
http://www.gregtalbert.com
 
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talgreg said:
The song sucked. The sound effects were annoying and so did that startrek sounding lead guitar part that began so so late in the song. The song had no memorable hook therefore the only thing I remember is the annoying sounds. Also, I didn't like your voice either, isn't very unique sounding, maybe on a different song it would be ok. Surprisingly I was expecting a really fantastic song especially after the posts you post and especially how you slammed my songs. Anyway, I suspose the technicalities are ok, I'm no expert on that part, but I do know when a song makes me feel good. Unfortunately this one only made me feel like turning it off. Sorry about being so direct. I may not be the best song writer or musician, but I'm pretty good at knowing a good song, and this one is a flop. I think everyone in this forum gets so caught up in the mixing part they don't notice the "Song". So to this I say most of the previous respondents didn't give it to you straight.

Greg
http://www.gregtalbert.com
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......................Ok.....
 
the kit does feel a little weak
loud vox etc...
but thats been said

i would turn the fx down a little, or maby not have them straight up the center, something like that.

maby try to take a little of the pick sound out of the lead with some CAREFUL eq, maby about 3k and narrow, but i'm just guessing

this may sound wierd but try useing thicker picks(i'm not saying go overboard), it will reduce the pick sound in the in the arpeggos, but i'd stay with the thinner picks in the strumming.

hope this helps
 
Well Scrubs, you have to have done a decent job. I normally pretty much detest this style, but I'm already on my second listen-through right now :) You already know about the drums so I won't puree the dead horse. Someone mentioned the acoustic sounding like the mic was too far away, but personally I really like sound you got. I'm not going to comment on the production of it, because I couldn't do anything this good myself :). Props on a good tune!
 
talgreg said:
The song sucked. The sound effects were annoying and so did
etc...


oh and if i was you and i was going to flame like that i wouldn't post my web address.

nobody's gonna call you with a record deal any time soon, i assure you
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