Done all I can on my own with this one since I'm still a noob.

[AMTA]

Okay, this one probably won't be to everyone's taste since it's kind of weird, and has some growling in it and such. I've done the best I can with it, and I want to see what the people here think. I got some useful responses on the other mix I posted a while ago, so I'm expecting more of the same this time around. This is technically my fourth mix, but only the second I've posted here.

I have another project going that sounds a lot better because I paid more attention to recording levels and such, but I think this one should be more than salvageable without any rerecording.

I'm specifically having problems with getting the lead guitar to sit right in the mix, and I have some problems with the S's on the growling/whisper parts (I know there's a term for it, but I don't remember it). I've tried taking the high end off of them but it seems to take the definition away. Oh also, I'm not a very good singer...so be prepared. I do my best.

I'm also having trouble getting definition to the cleans without it sounding thin, so I tried to compromise between the two and record two different tracks...each recorded with a different pickup selected on the guitar.

The drums are EZDrummer and the bass is Trilogy.

I couldn't get Lightning MP3 working for some reason, so I made a Soundclick account. Here's the link: http://www.soundclick.com/justinsparrow

 

[schismatic]

hey dude, good effort. one main critique......your drums are pretty dry and a bit low, they need to drive this track! ezdrummer is really good and can be made to sound superb with a bit of knowledge........the guys over at the andy sneap sub-forum on www.ultimatemetal.com forum have some awesome tips on metal production with midi drums, check them out.

 

[AMTA]

Thanks I'm checking it out now. Any more input from anyone?

 

[ido1957]

Wow - this is the most diversified song I 've heard in a while - eclectic mix of electronic, metal and whatever...pretty cool stuff....well done...

The whole mix sounds a bit thin and trebley to me - that's the only way I can describe it. If you could eq down some of the highs on the overall mix and bring up some bass it might help.

The drum programming is fabulous - you've put some serious effort into them AFAIC.

Sibilence....ssssss

Maybe your monitors are lacking treble and that is what's affecting your mix I'm not sure.

I REALLY like the writing and arranging on this - you just need some tweaks on the tone to really make this shine...

__________________
My Songs are here

 

[AMTA]

Wow - this is the most diversified song I 've heard in a while - eclectic mix of electronic, metal and whatever...pretty cool stuff....well done...

The whole mix sounds a bit thin and trebley to me - that's the only way I can describe it. If you could eq down some of the highs on the overall mix and bring up some bass it might help.

The drum programming is fabulous - you've put some serious effort into them AFAIC.

Sibilence....ssssss

Maybe your monitors are lacking treble and that is what's affecting your mix I'm not sure.

I REALLY like the writing and arranging on this - you just need some tweaks on the tone to really make this shine...

Thank you for the kind words.

I put some compression on the toms and kick to get them a little thicker sounding. That seemed to help a lot. I'll post another clip once I fix the other problems mentioned in here so far.

I agree on the thinness definitely. I'll try to take some of the highs out without taking away the definition. I think part of that thinness on the clean guitar is due to the second track I laid down for it.

I assume getting rid of the sibilance (sp?) is a matter of cutting the highs as well? I did that a little on the whisper tracks after I posted the MP3 here and it seemed to help a lot, so I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track there for the next time I do vocals.

The large problem here is pretty much that I'm mixing on headphones/computer speakers. I know that's a huge no-no, but it's all I have available to me now.

I'll spend more time tweaking and post up another version of the track. I'm still experimenting with the semblance issues as far as minimizing it without losing the track in the mix completely. I seem to have improved the drum sound thanks to the dude in the first post pointing it out to me.

I think the headphones kind of cheat me out of hearing the real thinness of the tracks since they're really good music phones, the kind that pretty much make an average mix sound better than it is (such is the case).

 

[AMTA]

Ok, I messed with some levels here and there on the lead parts...just nit-picky stuff. I tried to fix most of the semblance problems, but I couldn't do anything with the main vocal part without it sounding fake. I did manage to lessen it on the whisper/growl tracks though...just a little.

As mentioned before, I added compression to some drum elements (namely the snare, toms, and kick). I think it helps to bring out the double bass more over the 12/8 "chorus" section, and it gives the toms a little more depth.

I also boosted the "dark" rhythm track so the treble track doesn't stand out as much, and took out some of the highs during the distortion section. I had to redo a lot of level stuff once I started messing with the compression and EQ.

Still kind of rough around the edges, but at this point I'm not too worried about stellar quality. Considering my equipment, I don't think I'm doing too bad.

I've got a Peavey solid state amp, a Yamaha MG16/4 mixer running into a SoundBlaster card (LOL), and I'm using a Shure PG48 for guitar and a MilesAudio MA-8 (I've never even heard of MilesAudio). Plus I mix on headphones and computer speakers. I'm trying my best...haha. I know that good gear won't make me a mixing genius, so I'm going to keep using this stuff until I feel like I deserve better.

http://www.soundclick.com/justinsparrow

It's "TAMTAR Mix 2".

 

[starbuck26]

slow jam

I think the parts with the double bass need to be much faster. I like the disparate parts. I guess with midi it's difficult to program tempo changes. Just a thought.

Try and record some real strings in place of the synth ones and see how they sound. The high ones, especially, sound totally fake.

Good song though. I would hit myself in the head with a beer bottle at one of your shows. for sure.

 

[mwthompson]

I'm going to keep using this stuff until I feel like I deserve better.

You should judge that by your musical abilities and not your mixing abilities. Monitors would go a long way in making it easier, in my opinion.

Nice tune. Indulge yourself with some gear.

 

[AMTA]

I think the parts with the double bass need to be much faster. I like the disparate parts. I guess with midi it's difficult to program tempo changes. Just a thought.

Try and record some real strings in place of the synth ones and see how they sound. The high ones, especially, sound totally fake.

Good song though. I would hit myself in the head with a beer bottle at one of your shows. for sure.

Haha awesome...thank you. As far as the strings....perhaps it's my instrument choice? I'm using East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra. I can't really do better than that since I don't have a real orchestra at my disposal.

Can you give me a "time stamp" on what part you think sounds fake?


@mwthompson: Oh how I would love new gear, but I don't have a job, and I'm in college living at home. I figure if I can learn my way around making good mixes on this sub par setup, then I will appreciate the better gear more when I get it.

My next goal is a new amp. It's hard keeping up with all the maintenance when I play guitar, drums, and I have recording shit to worry about too.

Heads for my drums are insanely expensive. I thank my parents for being so supportive.

My mixer, mics, PA speakers, and power amp for said speakers all came out of my $1,500 I got from graduation in 2005. Still going strong on that stuff. Shit, the amp I have is about 3 years old now, and I bought that with money from working at a local amusement park.

I keep on expecting everyone to loathe my songs, but I have been pleasantly surprised thus far.

 

[Jouni]

That was a COOL tune!!

IMHO the mix is great, everything is well at there place and audible.
The sounds just still lack "balls" but considering you're probably not making metal, but in a more rock-ish vibe, that isn't an issue. Something like a sonic maximizer or some other exciter would easily bring all the "crisp" and separation it needs...which is very little.
nice...