Dubstep project, need a mix and arrangement critique

[akaMantis]

Haven't posted here in quite a while.

I've been working on this the past three days or so and since I'm somehow taking this song more seriously than I take most of my music, I'm interested in seeing what kind of suggestions I can get here.

There are a couple bits that I'm currently horrified with and know I want to change (for example the breakbeat in the middle and the entire cooldown/ending), but I'd still like to know what other folks see that I don't.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

I'm not that knowledgeable on dubstep. I'll give you support though. It sounds cool!

Maybe kcearl can help ya out.

 

[rockonin]

Hey just listened to the song, i like the arrangement, and the mix aint but im not to sure its dubstep. You need to get some wobbling bass synths, and some heavy sub bass lines going. Search UKF DUBSTEP on youtube and get an idea what im talking about. Keep it up though. The lead synth reminds of of Hudson Mohawks- Fuse song.

 

[TripleM]

Sounded cool. I'm never quite sure how to comment on these kind of mixes. I'm assuming none of this was recorded, and that it's all preselected sounds. If that's the case, then there isn't much to comment on the mix. It'd be mostly comments on the songwriting. Let me know if I'm off.

 

[akaMantis]

Hey just listened to the song, i like the arrangement, and the mix aint but im not to sure its dubstep. You need to get some wobbling bass synths, and some heavy sub bass lines going. Search UKF DUBSTEP on youtube and get an idea what im talking about. Keep it up though. The lead synth reminds of of Hudson Mohawks- Fuse song.

I've always known dubstep to be defined more by the half-step beat than by the modulated basslines. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm just going off what I've heard.

Sounded cool. I'm never quite sure how to comment on these kind of mixes. I'm assuming none of this was recorded, and that it's all preselected sounds. If that's the case, then there isn't much to comment on the mix. It'd be mostly comments on the songwriting. Let me know if I'm off.

I suppose mastering would have been a better word. I'm just looking for tips if something sounds mashed together or too quiet or loud or just generally off.

And thanks all three for the compliments

 

[Flubly]

These sound like synthesizers, not pre-recorded sounds. Even if they were, I don't see how that would constitute a need for no mixing. Virtual instruments just produce sound, they can't detect what's going on in the rest of the song.

Also, whether it's dubstep or not doesn't matter too much. Whatever it is, its conventions influenced you to make this song. There's no point to changing anything to more suit an arbitrary genre definition.

Anyway, it's a fun composition. It's like a pirate chip-tune. I think the mix is too top-heavy, though. I'd like to hear a lot more bass. I had to turn my woofer up all the way in order to get it to the point where it sounded physical. Otherwise, it's a little too bubblegum and just kind of floats around without having a solid foundation. I don't know if that's something you can just take care of in a master EQ without hurting the mix.

Some of those leads are really silibant, but you don't want to get rid of the airiness either. I'd lower their high end just a wee bit.

Other than that balance issue, the mix sounds good. The breakbeat sounds fine to me, but I can see how the ending is a bit weak.

 

[kcearl]

Dubstep is defined by the beat, not wobbly basses, youre correct


what synths did you use?



I think the beats are a little muffled but it all sounds good to me...hard hitting...the lead gets a bit obscured into the track, maybe deliberate if not try a bit sidechaining


overall better than I can manage if these arent prerecoded loops, if they are then get making your own, its not that difficult