Chrysalis v.3

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SLuiCe

SLuiCe

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After a couple weeks away from this one, I believe I may have come up with a proper mix of Chrysalis with Lt. Bob's horns. With the last mix, it almost sounded like the horns didn't belong there....that's my fault. I believe they sit very nicely now. If you've got the time, I'd like to hear how this sounds to you guys, epecially you, Steve! To me it's a significant improvement...

Thanks as always guys!

"Chrysalis v.3"
www.nowhereradio.com/sluice/singles
 
This is a much better mix. Everything seems to have its own space now and the horns sound really right to me. Its a lot cleaner overall with more detail on the significant parts. I think the voice sounds/sits better too. I can tell you put some serious time into this one and it sure shows. You took this to another level with this mix. I'm impressed! Excellent work, SluiCe!
 
Very Nice Tom,
Sounds really good man. The horn sounds alot better. Works "for" the song now. The only nit might be to tame it going into the solo at the end. Seems a little dynamic at the very beginning. ....Funny, the horns give it a latin feel..... .....maybe its me:confused:

Great work bro!!


G w/5
 
Crawdad - Thank you very much sir! Glad to hear it's cleaner to not just me. :) I spent about 2 hours with it this morning...it's sometimes amazing how things seem to change when you give your ears a good break. I played this over a cup of coffee this morning, and things just started jumping out at me! At first I thought the horns would never sit right in such a full mix, but I started cutting away at the EQ and tightening up the verb in places, and then just plain bumped the sax levels. I hope Steve likes it...I don't feel I did him justice on the last mix at all. Thanks Al!

Guernica - thanks for jumping on this man. Re: the solo at the end, I want to see what Steve thinks too, but I'm tempted to run a software compressor on it, but I'm leary of them. I'll experiment with it later maybe. The low parts of it aren't cutting through if I drop the overall level of it, but it doesn't need EQ either in my opinion. So the only thing I can think to do is sort of "normalize" it with some compression. Might work, open to ideas! Thanks Mike!
EDIT: And I agree completely about the Latin-ish feel.
 
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great mix/tune..

the only thing I wasn't into was that ride cymbal part that happens at the beginning of a few of the verses (2:07 etc.) I will quit mentioning it now because I bought it up a few times already, and you must like it that way.. I'm sure it's a preference thing..

I really like the way the sax fits now.. I guess I agree with G about it being a bit too dynamic during the solo..


I like the way those low vocals sound @ 4:20 with everything else.. (but then goes into that nasty ride @4:36) :D


great tunes, I caught this at the right time today..


nice avatar!
 
I'm uploading fixes to Sam and Mike's complaints.

Sam, I always forget about that ride! I get working on the pther parts and by the time I'm done with those, I've gotten used to that horrible cymbal! So I removed it :D Thanks again man.

Track Rat, thanks for checking it out!
 
Holy Arranmgments!!

Well written and executed piece. Your poise as a player really shines through. Pro playing!! The mixing truely started where it should, with the tactile and emotional playing. ( I've charged and convicted myself of relying too much on post production to slap a dynamic and emotional arrangment in line). You've both done a nice job of "feeling" the song.

The mix incorporates the horns with smooth and effective grace.

What can I say, I guess I liked it:)

Peace,
Theron.
 
put up the lyrics if ya don't mind.. there's a few lines I cant quite make out..


pretty sweet mix..
 
how come you say you didn't no squat about recording/mixing a year ago, and you're putting out pro stuff now?? mind boggling...
actually the song is the best part, over the recording, imo.
 
Sounds really great!
Even on my PC speakers.

I dig the reverb on your voice,good fit.

The horns sound just right.
Kind of trebely and biting,just right for this song.
The layered effect is cool too.

Awsome collaboration,you guys rule!:D

Thanks,
Pete
 
Yes........................much, much better. I think I agree about the dynamics of the horn ride at the end but I know absolutely nothing about compression. I've never used one so I have no opinion. Other than that; I think this is the mix. The section sat where it ought to but you could hear it. I'm a happy guy. :)

G. mentioned the latin thing....you know; what I was mainly thinking when I wrote those parts is Zappa. There's a couple of lines that I adapted from some of his early work. They seemed to fit SLuiCe song to me.

Thanks Tom; for taking another shot at it. It sounds so much better. I wonder if fooling with that single horn on Look Away gave you a better feel for the sound of the sax?
I'm really glad to be a part of this tune. It's the most challenging and complicated thing I've done in quite a while and I appreciate the chance to do it.
 
Good Morning guys and thanks! I promise this was the last time you'll have to sit through this one. I just found out I have the day off (it's 6am) so I'm going to work on something new today. Something heavy.

Lt. Bob -
I think I agree about the dynamics of the horn ride at the end but I know absolutely nothing about compression.
Click to expand...
Actually I added some software compression (8.8:1 to the solo track, with a gain of 3.7, and threshold of -20) ... before you got to hear it. This helped a little, but I didn't want to over do it. Software compressors have a ways to go, especially since the track is already recorded. I never use them, but I also don't want to ditch that very cool chaotic solo that I asked you for!
YA, that's right. I'm totally hearing the Zappa now. There are parts that even remind me of Camarillo Brillo! I'm so happy you're alright with the mix. It's a bitch of a tune, and I love your addition now! And you're right, that Look Away solo should have been my first practice of mixing horns. Might have made this one easier for me. Thanks Steve!

muzeman - I haven't heard this on pc speakers yet...thanks for the report, and thanks for always listening to my nightmares! :D

Toki987 -
You`ve got the touch
Click to expand...
How'd you find out about that...she said she was 18!

mixmkr - If repost my tracks from February you'll see. If you searched my threads you'd read all the shit I was learning from guys like you and Sam (and MANY others). I remember Crawdad helped me through 3 mixes of a bluesy balad called "Dry" (which ought to be completely re-recorded now, but I learned a lot.) But I was still a musician before all this recording shit. Just got sick of dealing with band bullshit....know anything about that? ;) Thanks so much mix.


Sam - I'll put the words up on the following post man. If you don't mind and you got the time, could you PM the lines you're not making out? That's just the stuff I need! Thanks Sam!

Theron - good to have you back around here man! You've hit the nail on the head about post production, etc. You absolutely have to capture it in the recording. There's no choice. You may get a decent sound with the mix, but it will not be its best unless you record it well. Effects do nothing but bury a signal usually, and burying the track defeats the purpose of recording it in the first place! It's not the mix I usually focus on these days. Now I take less time mixing than recording, whereas it used to be the other way around. Thanks as always Theron.
 
Lyrics

Here ya go Sam...



Chrysalis

I look to you for reason through maddening seasons
Won't you come, my light and my voice
And I keep us as a chrysalis, always changing
I will come with light and a choice
Everything we covet you feel is hunted by some secret-
Hungry and cold
So I save us in a cocoon, safe from secrets
We are here as providers of choice

I will change, Love.

We may have lost our shelter
And if so we can't afford to lie
Our fear of heights, my dear, may just be what keeps us ever high

I know our world is hell
But I love you more than tears might tell
To you I pray for all you save
Lest this fear should bury us

I look to you for power through maddening hours
Won't you come, my light and my voice
And I save us in a cocoon, safe from secrets
We are here as providers of choice

I will change, Love.

Darling, I weep with you
Secrets I might keep with you
Will hold us high.

I will change, Love.

We may have lost our shelter
And if so, we can't afford to lie.
Our fear of heights my dear
May just be what keeps us ever high

I know our world is hell
But I love you more than tears might tell
I've dissolved my life in yours
Hoping you'll provide the both of us with a choice

Change with me, Chrysalis...
 
did I hear a "uke" in there? he he he he he

great everything. Playing, recording, tune, feel. Super.

dtb
 
Good job. The horns are a nice touch, and add a nice feel to the song. Great "harmonies" on 'em.

Nice vocal harmonies as well. Crisp performances all around.

I can't think of a way to improve this.

Good job. Trip...
 
I usually don't focus on lyrics, but the 'cocoon' line stood out to me.. the way you sing the 'So I' that comes right before it is great!

I didn't realize it, but I do get a bit of a Zappa feel from the sax.. cool.. and also the latin thing, but from the guitar..

this is a serious one, and the effort really shows..
 
Damn. Those lyrics are brilliant and very moving! Thank you for printing those out.
 
Cool stuff Tom,
Yeah, thats better. Unfortunately, I overwrote the original V3 that you posted so i cant compare these closely. But, as memory serves.... this is an improvement. My experience w/ mixing horns (very limited experience, that is) echoes what you mentioned about how tough they are to get right. They are sooo dynamic, that level changes alone just bury the low signals or over accentuate the highs. I agree w/ you, a little compression goes along way. I hope my comment on the latin feel wasnt taken negatively, on the contrary..... i like it. Youre a champ for sticking w/ this and getting it right man.:) Great stuff!!!



g
 
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