Critique my first recording/mix.

[Kerfoot32]

My band recorded a song in my new home studio. I'd really appreciate if you critique it for me. Not the song, the recording and mix. It's my first attempt so I really don't know what I'm doing and really need some advice from pros.

Tell me anything. What am I doing wrong? What sounds bad? Why? What effects and tricks should I use where? What are some of your tricks? Anything. Be harsh. Tell me it sucks and why and how to improve. I won't get offended, I know I'm an amateur...

Nothing was double tracked. Drums are recorded in a small carpeted basement with some EQing done on the bass and snare. Vocals are done in a closet under the stairs filled with blankets. Slight reverb was added to all vocals.

Thanks guys.

The Tower by Kerfoot32 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

 

[mcmd]

...interesting song..... definitely sounds like a band!....a lot of other songs I hear are well recorded/mixed, however they don't sound like they could be easily reproduced in a live setting. So I guess it may depend on your goal and what you song writing process is.

Because DAW's provide a huge suite of technologies, it can sometimes be difficult to separate the basic song form the final output that was produced. It can be all to easy to 'keep turning the dials' as opposed to listening to the basic material. I don't think that this is the case here, and it's just a cautionary tale to get the song material and arrangement right first if possible. Having said that, some people can have a song and it's arrangement well thought out prior to recording, while others use the actual recording process to develop a song from a collection of ideas.

ok enough ranting....

The basic song is not very complex (that's ok!) and so you could try and arrange some contrasts...one example is the opening bars where the gultar notes have the same level of energy as the bass ...maybe just chords here? ...IMHO consider dropping the intro guitar altogether and just start the song with drum/bass and vocal...during the first verse you could add a couple of occasional muted guitar cords 'Cha-chung" for atmosphere (not melody) and then the first chorus will take off and start rocking.

If you love the intro guitar ...then the intro guitar could come down a little in volume...I like the sound of the cords, but not the intro solo notes.

I like the bass guitar melody...it is the meat of this song.....turn it up a tad and maybe add a little distortion to get it to growl.

The vocals sound good, seems double tracked on the chorus (a little loose) but in general are great.

The hi-hat during the chorus needs some work...

...some timing issues with the bass/drum during the middle 8 guitar solo...

I like it.....Great job!

/mcmd

 

[ecktronic]

The snare is very dry. add some reverb and try compressing the hell out of the OHs with a long attack so you only compress the quieter things. This brings out the natural room reverb. A small cut in the low mids on the snare also.

pretty good for 1st attempt.
Vocals need compression, reverb, and some EQ treatment. Record the guitar twice and pan. Bass is hardly heard. Boost the mids.

G

 

[maestro_dmc]

This song could benefit from a compressed room Mic on the drums, especially the in the verses. Also starts to drag a bit, did you use a click?