Can't Find Home

[nzausrec]

Hi Everyone,

[NOTE: The more I listen this the more I hate it. Have really stuffed up the mix.]

Thinking about vocal again. Some quite high (possibly strained?) parts.
Also thinking about verse pre-chorus shifting to chorus. This one changes key (possibly not a good thing) so am wondering of the effect (-ve +ve) this brings.

Hang on ... link not working I think because of commas in the title ... wait please....

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?id=18346 NEW MONO MIX
yes, because of commas.

Comments / advice most welcome.
Thanks.

 

[icystorm]

Burned the midnight oil last night (Sat) for this.

Excellent song, Andy! It reminds me a lot of the mellow sounds of the late 70s from Poco, Firefall, Pablo Cruise, etc. Good stuff.

Great vocals and production too. I envy your skills.

Cheers,
Joseph

 

[rayc]

Sounds like a good song but you'll have to clean up some of the mud so I can hear it a little clearer. The bass has muddied the whole thing - give it a high pass filter to take out the bottom end and allow the bass drum some space.
Is the panning deliberate? I hear the vocals & bass over in 1 channel and the big muddy sound of the latter makes it hard to focus on the former.
I think you have a very good song but can't be sure.

 

[nzausrec]

Hi Ray,
Thanks for your advice. I researched about the problem with panning. I can't believe that all this time I tracked with stereo even though only have mono inputs on the interface. So, put all tracks into mono tracks.
BUt it's all crunchy now. MAybe it's been compressed too much by this time?
Also cut the bass losing all under -70hz. I wonder if that sounds better? [EDIT It really is muddy down there. Eeew. I know now so next time tracking correctly could help clear it up.]
Brilliant advice though I doubt my own limited skills can make things much clearer. And, my really cheap and nasty bass. I got the heavy lump for 50 bucks (with an amp as well.) lol.

Have redone the link to this new mono mix.

Hi Joseph Icy Storm: Thanks man.
I still listen to Story of Lies.
Just last week actually.
Definitely a nice song.
I really wish you'd send me all the tracks!!!!! I want to listen to it the way I mix it.
Is that too selfish?

 

[ido1957]

This has tons of potential but the mix needs some work. Some suggestions:
1) Vocals are # 1 in most tunes - bring them out so they are the focal point
2) The guitars should be double trakced and panned l/r out of the way of the vocals as they occupy the same frequencies.
3) The bass is too hot, but has a nice tone. Take it down as it's washing the definition out of the mix.
4) The drums sound okay but may need some tweaks after you remix.
Don't give up on this song. You just need some tweaks on the mix.

 

[Strat1958]

Just a couple observations:
- the guitar is a tad too loud in the mix; to me, it detracts from everything else
- your voice is very very good; really suits the song
- not sure I like the chorus effect on the guitars...a little less would be good, it seems that your sound is soaked in waves of chorus
- the song itself is a great song!

These are just my own opinions - I reserve the right to be totally wrong!

 

[gecko zzed]

My feelings are much the same as what has already been said.

I'd like the guitar on the left to be pushed back a bit. If you use a chorus, try and use a stereo chorus to spread the sound around a bit, instead of it making the guitar sound . . . gluey.

I really like the weird synth that pops in every now and again.

Bass is okay, but sounds boomy, specially around B, C and C# area . . . try dipping 150hz a bit.

I am hearing kit mainly on the left, with a few cymbals on the right . . .it's an unusual placement, and I'd prefer it to be more central.

Vocals are great. I'm not sure what I am hearing is your room or the reverb you've used, but they sound a bit boxy-roomy. However, I really like the sound of your voice, and it would not hurt to make the a bit drier and give them more presence.

The song, though, is terrific. I listened briefly earlier, then had to go off to do some jobs, and I found myself singing the chorus in the car. Excellent!!

So, although I think the mix is a bit sludgy and could do with a clean up, the song itself is wonderful. Well done!

 

[rayc]

The remix is HEAPS better.
I'd pull some of the extreme panning in a little bit.
I think you ought to do the right thing though - rerecord the whole song if you can.
The song deserves it.
Oh, if you can resist it avoid compression for everything but the bass guitar.
Try to track with a good strong signal for the rest and use a subtle limiter over the final stereo out.
The bass - well, turn the tone knob 80% treble, play it directly in being careful to use even pressure, roll off the bottom end, put a little 3dB peak at 3kHz & then - if your software allows it - automate the vol faders to address unevenness & if that doesn't work apply something gentle by way of compression.
The song really deserves a rework but I'll leav that up to you.