Any Flavor You Like....Take 2.

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RAMI

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Hi guys,

I originally posted this about a year ago or so.

Anyway, I re-tracked everything from scratch. Just having trouble listening to this objectively. As always with me, I lose perspective. Sometimes the drums seem way too loud, sometimes they seem too low. Same with my vocals, etc....So a little help on levels would be greatly appreciated.

Also, wondering if that "lo-fi" part works, starting at 1:57. Or if I tried to get too cute and this is a little predictable/cliche. I know it's a matter of opinion, but if 20 people all say it doesn't work, then it almost turns into fact at that point. :D

Thanx in advance for any help

ANY FLAVOR YOU LIKE
 
OK, I am going to say, you've moved beyond the mixing clinic and now you are moving into production decisions. To me, it worked, Now, how does that translate? Crap, hard to say since it is very subjective. IMO, I think it sounded great, but has nothing to do with the mix.

Mix is great as always.
 
Great tones all around. I really like the drum performance here. It is super tight and musical. Nice sense of space in this production.

The lo-fi part works for me. No nits there. I'm lukewarm on the backwards bits. They are fine, but I wouldn't feel like anything was missing if they weren't there (obviously this is completely subjective and this is your art so tell me to stfu, but I figured you'd like to hear any opinions so I am throwing it out there).

The vocal levels could benefit from some adjustments. In the verses, they are fine, but when the music ramps up a bit, they get a bit lost. Hopefully just a bit of automation will help out there.

Not sure if it is just the chord/transition choices, but the guitar on the left is out in a few spots in the intro, like your fingers were slightly out of position. Anyway, it's coming across as out of tune.

I wanted the solo to go on at the end. Just as I thought you were going to rip, the tune ended. I dig what is there though.

As usual, you give me something to shoot for, Rami. Very solid mix, performance and tune.
 
DM60 said:
OK, I am going to say, you've moved beyond the mixing clinic and now you are moving into production decisions. To me, it worked, Now, how does that translate? Crap, hard to say since it is very subjective. IMO, I think it sounded great, but has nothing to do with the mix.

Mix is great as always.
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Cool, thanx a lot. I'm glad that part is ok, or at least doesn't detract from the song.

kindafishy said:
Great tones all around. I really like the drum performance here. It is super tight and musical. Nice sense of space in this production.

The lo-fi part works for me. No nits there. I'm lukewarm on the backwards bits. They are fine, but I wouldn't feel like anything was missing if they weren't there (obviously this is completely subjective and this is your art so tell me to stfu, but I figured you'd like to hear any opinions so I am throwing it out there).

The vocal levels could benefit from some adjustments. In the verses, they are fine, but when the music ramps up a bit, they get a bit lost. Hopefully just a bit of automation will help out there.

Not sure if it is just the chord/transition choices, but the guitar on the left is out in a few spots in the intro, like your fingers were slightly out of position. Anyway, it's coming across as out of tune.

I wanted the solo to go on at the end. Just as I thought you were going to rip, the tune ended. I dig what is there though.

As usual, you give me something to shoot for, Rami. Very solid mix, performance and tune.
Click to expand...
Thanx a lot, buddy.

I just did a re-mix and put it up. Luckily I saw your post just before, so I turned up the vocals in the choruses. They sound too loud to my now, but I'll see if I get used it.

As far as the middle part with the high-pass filter/mono mix/backwards shit, yeah I wasn't sure about the backwards, but I figured I'm making the part a bit weird anyway. Might as well do something a little extra to it.:D. It's a short part anyway, so I don't want to put too much importance on it. As long as it's not too much of a distraction.

That out of tune guitar was discussed with Greg and a few others last week in the New Tone Thread. I re-tracked the guitar, but it seems to still be out. It's not the guitar, it's me. I tracked all the guitars with my EPiphone SG, but I just bought a brand new real Gibson SG last week, so I'll probably re-track that part with the Gibson, and make sure I play it in tune. :)

Thanx a lot for the help.
 
I love when the guitar comes in around 2:15 (coming out of the lo-fi). I did one of those "that's awesome" head turns.

I like the little lo-fi part also - I think it works. The song and mix are really awesome, but I guess if I could offer anything constructive, it'd be that the "intro" of the lo-fi part is a little, I dunno, harsh?

To clarify, maybe ease into the lo-fi part - it's almost like I can feel an edit. Not saying it is an edit, as I'm not good at understanding how people do these things, so I hope that makes sense.

You're really good at this whole thing, and your songs are always fun to listen to RAMI.

Daryl
 
Allright, another Rami trademark sound.
I think the drums on it are just right, don't drive yourself nuts.

I like that lo fi break and how it kicks in again.

You using p90s? Has that "cocked wah" tone again.

Cool stuff. Stellar vocals.

:thumbs up:
 
Wonderlick said:
I love when the guitar comes in around 2:15 (coming out of the lo-fi). I did one of those "that's awesome" head turns.

I like the little lo-fi part also - I think it works. The song and mix are really awesome, but I guess if I could offer anything constructive, it'd be that the "intro" of the lo-fi part is a little, I dunno, harsh?

To clarify, maybe ease into the lo-fi part - it's almost like I can feel an edit. Not saying it is an edit, as I'm not good at understanding how people do these things, so I hope that makes sense.

You're really good at this whole thing, and your songs are always fun to listen to RAMI.

Daryl
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Thanx a lot!

I'm not sure how most people would do that lo-fi transition. What I did was, during "Shmastering", I created a second track, chopped up the part I wanted to isolate, and dragged it into the second track, which had a mono EQ set to high-pass at 400hz. I'll listen and see if I can make a smoother transition. It can be a matter of chopping it a couple milliseconds earlier or later making a difference.

Thanx Daryl.
 
RFR said:
Allright, another Rami trademark sound.
I think the drums on it are just right, don't drive yourself nuts.

I like that lo fi break and how it kicks in again.

You using p90s? Has that "cocked wah" tone again.

Cool stuff. Stellar vocals.

:thumbs up:
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Thanx Roman.

Yeah, it's the Epi with the P-90's. I'm going to re-track the guitars with my new Gibson. Hopefully it will solve the out of tune problem. Though, I think it's my fault. I usually play bar chords or power chords. Not used to playing open D's and G's. I'm sure I was slightly bending a string or two out. I'll definitely fix that.


Thanx for all the help and comments, guys.
 
RAMI said:
<important_stuff>...but I just bought a brand new real Gibson SG last week, so I'll probably re-track that part with the Gibson, and make sure I play it in tune. :)
Click to expand...

Sweet! I bought an SG a little over a month ago as well. I LOVE it. Abso-fucking-lutely LOVE it. My LP is now in danger of becoming my #2 because I really and truly can't stop playing the SG. I always wanted one, but for whatever reason, I never pulled the trigger. It shocks me how much I am obsessed with this guitar. Should have bought one years ago. It suits my playing style so well. I find that it is incredibly articulate and very aggressive, yet super thick and meaty at the same time. It just sounds clear and huge. It loves being clean and dirty equally.

How are you enjoying yours?
 
I wonder if I should put the intro through the lo-fi setting and then claim that I meant to make the guitars out of tune in the intro. It was all part of the vibe, baby. :D
 
Could do a second stereo track , fade out the first one and fade in the second track.
Reverse the procedure to go back into the hifi track. Done well they won't see it coming or departing.

At least thats how I'd do it on a console.

:D
 
kindafishy said:
Sweet! I bought an SG a little over a month ago as well. I LOVE it. Abso-fucking-lutely LOVE it. My LP is now in danger of becoming my #2 because I really and truly can't stop playing the SG. I always wanted one, but for whatever reason, I never pulled the trigger. It shocks me how much I am obsessed with this guitar. Should have bought one years ago. It suits my playing style so well. I find that it is incredibly articulate and very aggressive, yet super thick and meaty at the same time. It just sounds clear and huge. It loves being clean and dirty equally.

How are you enjoying yours?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I absolutely love it. I'm actually sitting and just playing guitar for the first time in years. I usually only play guitar if I'm tracking or writing. But with this SG, I can't just stop playing it for the sake of just playing. It's an SGJ, with 24 frets. I've always wanted a red SG. Now I have 2! Beautiful.
 
Yeah the whole thing sounds good to me. I like the low-fi interlude, and it provides a nice contrast when the guitars return. The doubled vocals & harmonies work well. I just bought an Epiphone G400 Pro (SG copy) - love that guitar! I'm sure the Gibson is much nicer, but I've sworn off the expensive guitar habit. But even the Epi has that great mid-range bite.
 
jm67 said:
Yeah the whole thing sounds good to me. I like the low-fi interlude, and it provides a nice contrast when the guitars return. The doubled vocals & harmonies work well. I just bought an Epiphone G400 Pro (SG copy) - love that guitar! I'm sure the Gibson is much nicer, but I've sworn off the expensive guitar habit. But even the Epi has that great mid-range bite.
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Thanx a lot, JM.

I'm with you. I would have never thought I'd buy a real Gibson SG. But a friend actually sent me a message on FB saying "Get this now!" when they saw the deal. I got it for $350 brand new with a case, same price I paid for my Epiphone. Now I have the Epi with P-90's and the Gibson with real humbuckers. I have a feeling I'll almost never play my Strat any more, and I don't have a lot of hope for the Epiphone either. :D
 
The vocals sound awesome. They sound really natural and untouched. I noticed it especially with the absence of any instruments. Mine just sound a bit dry all the time even with reverb, like they don't have that something, but yours have it. Is it the room you're recording in or do you have any tips in that regard?

Haha I come into your thread and ask you for advice! :D

I think it's a great song, great performance with great drums and guitars. The doubled vocals are spot on, the drums sound tight and punchy. I've really got nothing to add, I just want your secrets!

Seriously, great job.
 
PhilLondon said:
The vocals sound awesome. They sound really natural and untouched. I noticed it especially with the absence of any instruments. Mine just sound a bit dry all the time even with reverb, like they don't have that something, but yours have it. Is it the room you're recording in or do you have any tips in that regard?

Haha I come into your thread and ask you for advice! :D

I think it's a great song, great performance with great drums and guitars. The doubled vocals are spot on, the drums sound tight and punchy. I've really got nothing to add, I just want your secrets!

Seriously, great job.
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Thanx a lot, Phil.

I have no secrets. I'm just a home recording guy like everyone else here. Sometimes I get it right, other times....not. :eek:

My room is pretty well treated. I have bass traps everywhere, etc....but it's also carpeted, which I wish wasn't the case. But I have nightmares about ripping out all the carpet and moving all my equipment to put down a hard floor of some kind. The room has 8' ceilings (2.4 metres) and is 24' X 20' (7.3 X 6 metres). I have quite a bit of reverb on the vocals in this tune. I use Lexicon impulse responses. For this one, I used "Bright Vocal Plate". For everything else, I used "Drum Room". I sing into an Se Electronics se2200c. That's about it. No secrets. Promise. :D

Outss said:
the guitar sounds nice thhe amp doesnt sound too overkill .. the vocals are like a 70s rock style sounds good though.. i can imagine this on GTA haha. . the drums sound solid too .. keep it up rtf
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Thanx a lot, man. I was going for a sort of 70's Rascal's "It's a Beautiful Morning" kind of vibe....sort of.

Thanx. :cool:
 
Not much to improve upon. It sounds excellent. Guitars and drums sound particularly good. The little backwards stuff in the middle was cool.

A couple of minor nits. I'd back off the lead vocal reverb just a hair.

I thought the bass was a bit rumbly and indistinct. Not bad, but a little bit.

The lead guitar part starting at around 2:16 could maybe come down just a bit.

I'm struggling to find much wrong. Nice job.

So (comparing notes to some extent) what do you to with your snare during mixing?
 
TripleM said:
Not much to improve upon. It sounds excellent. Guitars and drums sound particularly good. The little backwards stuff in the middle was cool.

A couple of minor nits. I'd back off the lead vocal reverb just a hair.

I thought the bass was a bit rumbly and indistinct. Not bad, but a little bit.

The lead guitar part starting at around 2:16 could maybe come down just a bit.

I'm struggling to find much wrong. Nice job.

So (comparing notes to some extent) what do you to with your snare during mixing?
Click to expand...

Thanx Trip. I agree with you for the most part. With my vocal almost naked in the intro, I needed reverb on it just to feel comfortable, but yeah, it is more reverb than I'd usually put.

As far as the snare, I'll try to give as much detail as possible.

First of all, I line it up with my overheads. I used to flip the polarity and leave it where it is, but I find lining it up sounds better.

My overheads are always at unity, and everything gets mixed in relation o them. So, I bring my snare in 10db lower than my overheads.

The only thing I put on my snare is a 4 band EQ, cutting around the 180-250hz area, and boosting at around 4.5k.

That's all the processing I do on my snare.

My drum buss has a compressor on it, Waves Rcomp, and I go for about 6-9db reduction on the whole kit.
 
RAMI said:
Hi guys,

I originally posted this about a year ago or so.

Anyway, I re-tracked everything from scratch. Just having trouble listening to this objectively. As always with me, I lose perspective. Sometimes the drums seem way too loud, sometimes they seem too low. Same with my vocals, etc....So a little help on levels would be greatly appreciated.

Also, wondering if that "lo-fi" part works, starting at 1:57. Or if I tried to get too cute and this is a little predictable/cliche. I know it's a matter of opinion, but if 20 people all say it doesn't work, then it almost turns into fact at that point. :D

Thanx in advance for any help

ANY FLAVOR YOU LIKE
Click to expand...

It seems good to me. I think it's hard deciding on the little details when you're close to having something finished. I think it's good as is. The lo-fi part is fine. It doesn't do anything to really add or take away from the song so... lol. :D
 
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