T
terrible_buddhi
New member
I am curious of the band myself...I moved to the east coast after 8 years in Tempe (go devils!) and miss that tempe sound...these guys have a bit of that
SLuiCe
New member
Sounds really good Tex!
I'm having some trouble with the vocal levels. Mostly during the chorus. Maybe they need compression or normalizing, and I'm leaning toward compression, because I'm hearing the beat 1 accent that must be bumping the levels toward the red while the lest of it is probably hovering around -18 dB. Just estimating here of course, but do you hear it? Don't over compress it over course, because I like the dynamics. But just something to help you get the overall vocal level up.
I love the harmonies. They're soothing. The other elements sound pretty damn good to me too.
Nice track, Tex.
Tom
I'm having some trouble with the vocal levels. Mostly during the chorus. Maybe they need compression or normalizing, and I'm leaning toward compression, because I'm hearing the beat 1 accent that must be bumping the levels toward the red while the lest of it is probably hovering around -18 dB. Just estimating here of course, but do you hear it? Don't over compress it over course, because I like the dynamics. But just something to help you get the overall vocal level up.
I love the harmonies. They're soothing. The other elements sound pretty damn good to me too.
Nice track, Tex.
Tom
B
Bulls Hit
Well-known member
The vocals and guitars sound fine to me. Singer's got a good voice.
One thing I'd look at is the snare drum sound which just doesn't fit somehow. Also the toms disappear into the gloom which leaves a bit of a sonic hole whenever the drummers moves off the snare.
Also any way to edit/punch the second snare flam where he's late just before the vocal?
One thing I'd look at is the snare drum sound which just doesn't fit somehow. Also the toms disappear into the gloom which leaves a bit of a sonic hole whenever the drummers moves off the snare.
Also any way to edit/punch the second snare flam where he's late just before the vocal?
studioviols
New member
IMHO the very first guitar riffs can come up out of the mix a bit at 0:24, the drum seems to be louder than the guitar, that's very atypical for this genre, that guitar riff actually needs to be 'soaring' and much, much louder.
Vocal is upfront at 0:25 ... good job. If you bring up the drums anymore, you would be competing with his vocal, I'd drop the drums there, so when the chorus begins, bring them back up ... for contrast and to 're-engage' the listener.
I think you could lower the instrument levels a touch on this first chorus at 0:46 and create more headroom for the vocals.
That means you have to start at the very beginning, and lower the drums first. The drums are eating up all the headroom in the tune.
Drums were designed to cut through battlefields and large groups of hooting and chanting wildly dancing and yelling primates around fires.
Sweet vocals simply cannot compete, with any kind of drums.
At 1:43, I'm loving how upfront the lead vocal is. His voice has tremendous character, yet remains 'good singing'.
We get to HEAR the harmony vocals !!! gee, don't spoil us ;-)
IMHO, good harmony vocals are GOLD, solid GOLD. Covering up good harmony vocals and merely using them as coloring is a big mistake, and you aren't making that mistake.
The lead singer's voice is naturally 'gently shredded', so his sibbilance factor goes up, you've GOT to keep him up out of those harmony vocals, and yes, we've got to hear the harmony vocals also. I would simply use less effects on his voice.
Send all the instruments to one bus maybe, and compress that bus for that section ? Let the harmony vocals and his lead in that chorus exist on the same bus, and mix them as a submix, compare meter levels. You can do this in SONAR and in software.
I urge you to listen to 'Copeland' on mp3.com, some of the mistakes they make with their lead vocal are obvious, and this will reinforce the good things you are doing. Copeland is very similar to what this band is doing.
I think what's happening with the lead-rythm guitar during the first chorus is wonderful.
But later, as the vocals stop, the guitar sound needs to change just a bit, for contrast, keep the listener 'engaged'. Not only get louder at 1:26, but sonically change in quality, maybe a little EQ there, or less reverb.
At 2:00 on this next chorus, I think you are using to much reverb, these boy's vocals are sweet, let them stand more on their own, you don't have to drench them so.
When harmony vocals are that good, you can let out a little touch of character in each voice, by backing off on the compression.
At 2:24 the drummer gets a nice fill there, and that's done well. Later, the punches at 2:40 are too complicated, they just need to be more simple. At 2:51 that fill is awkward and needs to be re-tracked, it spoils the mood of the song that's been setup so far.
The drummer is simply too busy compared to the other instruments.
It's a wonderful song. Beautiful vocals ! Mix the drummer down, just yank that damn fader down on this roadkill and let those GOLDEN harmony vocals jump out bigtime.
Overall, I'm just missing some 'brightness' to the mix, you can restore some of that in mastering. I'm also thinking that yes, it's a bit overcompressed. Let the vocals out from under the compression. Keep the instruments compressed, but let the vocals out, because they are the big hook in the song.
Everything that occurs in the song, is happening for the vocals. There's no blistering lead guitar here, no incredible ... violin
...
The fans will remember the harmony vocals and 'the boys', not the drums. Pull the fader down on this drummer.
Thanks for sharing.
Vocal is upfront at 0:25 ... good job. If you bring up the drums anymore, you would be competing with his vocal, I'd drop the drums there, so when the chorus begins, bring them back up ... for contrast and to 're-engage' the listener.
I think you could lower the instrument levels a touch on this first chorus at 0:46 and create more headroom for the vocals.
That means you have to start at the very beginning, and lower the drums first. The drums are eating up all the headroom in the tune.
Drums were designed to cut through battlefields and large groups of hooting and chanting wildly dancing and yelling primates around fires.
Sweet vocals simply cannot compete, with any kind of drums.
At 1:43, I'm loving how upfront the lead vocal is. His voice has tremendous character, yet remains 'good singing'.
We get to HEAR the harmony vocals !!! gee, don't spoil us ;-)
IMHO, good harmony vocals are GOLD, solid GOLD. Covering up good harmony vocals and merely using them as coloring is a big mistake, and you aren't making that mistake.
The lead singer's voice is naturally 'gently shredded', so his sibbilance factor goes up, you've GOT to keep him up out of those harmony vocals, and yes, we've got to hear the harmony vocals also. I would simply use less effects on his voice.
Send all the instruments to one bus maybe, and compress that bus for that section ? Let the harmony vocals and his lead in that chorus exist on the same bus, and mix them as a submix, compare meter levels. You can do this in SONAR and in software.
I urge you to listen to 'Copeland' on mp3.com, some of the mistakes they make with their lead vocal are obvious, and this will reinforce the good things you are doing. Copeland is very similar to what this band is doing.
I think what's happening with the lead-rythm guitar during the first chorus is wonderful.
But later, as the vocals stop, the guitar sound needs to change just a bit, for contrast, keep the listener 'engaged'. Not only get louder at 1:26, but sonically change in quality, maybe a little EQ there, or less reverb.
At 2:00 on this next chorus, I think you are using to much reverb, these boy's vocals are sweet, let them stand more on their own, you don't have to drench them so.
When harmony vocals are that good, you can let out a little touch of character in each voice, by backing off on the compression.
At 2:24 the drummer gets a nice fill there, and that's done well. Later, the punches at 2:40 are too complicated, they just need to be more simple. At 2:51 that fill is awkward and needs to be re-tracked, it spoils the mood of the song that's been setup so far.
The drummer is simply too busy compared to the other instruments.
It's a wonderful song. Beautiful vocals ! Mix the drummer down, just yank that damn fader down on this roadkill and let those GOLDEN harmony vocals jump out bigtime.
Overall, I'm just missing some 'brightness' to the mix, you can restore some of that in mastering. I'm also thinking that yes, it's a bit overcompressed. Let the vocals out from under the compression. Keep the instruments compressed, but let the vocals out, because they are the big hook in the song.
Everything that occurs in the song, is happening for the vocals. There's no blistering lead guitar here, no incredible ... violin
...The fans will remember the harmony vocals and 'the boys', not the drums. Pull the fader down on this drummer.
Thanks for sharing.
chrisharris
King of Bling
Maybe I got a bad mp3...it's out. I'm not talking about the bends, either...it's an intonation thing, and to be honest, it kinda' smacked me in the face the first time I heard it, so I guess I got a bad file. the weird thing is, it's just about exactly the same the 2nd time through, so it makes me think that it's NOT the file, b/c that'd be a pretty bizarre coincidence.TexRoadkill said:
Here, I'll put my opinion where my mouth is. That riff, the second time through, was either pasted, or it was played almost immediately after the first one...like in real time...right?
Since you asked, I think Tonic would be a perfect reference for A/B; God, I love that band.
I was using 7mary3 and Fastball...With and w/o subs, and a couple of spins on the cans, b/c I like the song... 'cept for that HORRIBLY OUT OF TUNE RIFF, lol.
This is probably WAAAY more than you cared
FattMusiek
New member
Up late again, Chris? It's 6 am here and I'm still up.
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
I haven't looked at any comments so I hope I'm not being redundant. Drums are kick ass. Vocals kick ass. Guitars not bad but I'd want a little width to them some how. The bass is the weakest link (taking it to a VERY fine point) tone wise. Too muddy. It needs some definition. My guess is that you're not going to get it back without retracking though. I've had little luck trying "fix" bass definition with EQ. If I don't get it at the source, then I'm just not going to get it, ya know what I mean? This is an outstanging tune. I love the vocals on this.
smellyfuzz
New member
TEX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEA BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Vox ! Very Passionate.
Harmonies excellent, Mean ass guitar. Cool Bass, Great drums, I do not care about the mix, the song pulls me to much.
Love it. Love it. Love it. Love it.
AWESOME HOOK.
Very exciting song !!!!!!!!
I'd say a "World Class Tune"
Downloading & Dropping 5.
Bravo.
Sean
YEA BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Vox ! Very Passionate.
Harmonies excellent, Mean ass guitar. Cool Bass, Great drums, I do not care about the mix, the song pulls me to much.
Love it. Love it. Love it. Love it.
AWESOME HOOK.
Very exciting song !!!!!!!!
I'd say a "World Class Tune"
Downloading & Dropping 5.
Bravo.
Sean
subtractor
New member
I agree with whoopy... Great musicianship, great recording... Hate the song.
Whoopysnorp
New member
subtractor said:
Thank you subtractor! I was afraid I was the only one.
Bass Master "K"
New member
Recording sounds great!
To me the rhythm guitar seems a tad soft (someone mentioned making it wider, maybe that would do it) and I kept wanting to just nudge it a tad.
I can't make up my mind on the bass. At first it does seemed a bit undefined, but on the other hand, it does come through allright. I'm not sure...
To me the rhythm guitar seems a tad soft (someone mentioned making it wider, maybe that would do it) and I kept wanting to just nudge it a tad.
I can't make up my mind on the bass. At first it does seemed a bit undefined, but on the other hand, it does come through allright. I'm not sure...
M
musical5
New member
Tex,
Hows the band sound unplugged? I was thinking of catchin them tonight at Mickeys.
Justin
Hows the band sound unplugged? I was thinking of catchin them tonight at Mickeys.
Justin
A
Axis
oompa loompa
that song is amazing. Tonic is a good a/b for that.
as many others have said, the guitars need a bit of panning.
I hear the innotation problem a few others are talking about and it is a little out of tune but i think it still works.
as many others have said, the guitars need a bit of panning.
I hear the innotation problem a few others are talking about and it is a little out of tune but i think it still works.
M
M.Brane
New member
Sounds pretty good for a rough mix.
A few nit-picks:
Don't like the snare 'verb, and I think it could use a bit more "crack". Kick could use just a bit of "click".
The lead guitar is kinda "honky" in the mids, and the intonation is off a bit on the intro.
Tip for mixing low-end on NS10's:
Watch the cone excursion!
A few nit-picks:
Don't like the snare 'verb, and I think it could use a bit more "crack". Kick could use just a bit of "click".
The lead guitar is kinda "honky" in the mids, and the intonation is off a bit on the intro.
Tip for mixing low-end on NS10's:
Watch the cone excursion!
chrisharris
King of Bling
Axis said:
These guys are brilliant, lol.M.Brane said:
Feeling Less Psychotically Yours,
Chris
TexRoadkill
Audio Bum
Thanks for the comments guys.
Buddhi- Check your PM's
Sluice - Ever since you pointed that out it's been bugging the hell out of me, lol.
Bulls Hit- I agree. I've playing around with different snare reverbs and drum mixes. I need to get some more cables so I can actually use my RNC's in stereo and hopefully beef up the OH's a little. I'm hoping that will bring out the toms and even out the kit a bit.
StudioViols - Thanks for all the comments. I agree with many of them. Just so you know there is very little compression on this mix. I put some on the lead vox and pumped a bit of kick/snare/bass back in with the raw tracks to fatten up the bottom end. I agree it needs a bit more sparkle. We're going to do a percussion session and I'm hoping a low mixed triangle will help give the whole song a bit more high end sparkle.
Harris- I still don't hear the intonation problems but enough of you have said something to make me want to retrack it. Damnit. I'm glad you guys caught it because nobody else has. I hope we can recreate the tone because I really like it.
Track Rat- The bass is the most difficult part of this mix. He wants a more low end beefy sound rather then a low mid cutting type of tone. I prefer more definition but I like the challenge of making it work.
Smelly- Thanks man. The band definately has world class talent but I'm just some asshole with a lot of gear in his living room.
Sub and Whoopy - You guys are just jealous
Bass Master - I agree. We added two more rhythm parts and acoustic and it's really beefed up the song. It also gives me more to play with in panning.
Musical5- I got to this too late but hopefully you checked them out. I mixed an acoustic show for them a few months back and they were pretty cool. They mix in a cool selection of covers.
Axis - Thanks. Will be fixed as mentioned above.
Mbrane - Thanks dude. I agree. I still havent gotten the perfect kick/snare sound of the tracks yet. I have been watching the woofers dance on the NS10's. I cut out a lot of the kick and bass <40hz just to keep them from flying out of the box.
Buddhi- Check your PM's
Sluice - Ever since you pointed that out it's been bugging the hell out of me, lol.
Bulls Hit- I agree. I've playing around with different snare reverbs and drum mixes. I need to get some more cables so I can actually use my RNC's in stereo and hopefully beef up the OH's a little. I'm hoping that will bring out the toms and even out the kit a bit.
StudioViols - Thanks for all the comments. I agree with many of them. Just so you know there is very little compression on this mix. I put some on the lead vox and pumped a bit of kick/snare/bass back in with the raw tracks to fatten up the bottom end. I agree it needs a bit more sparkle. We're going to do a percussion session and I'm hoping a low mixed triangle will help give the whole song a bit more high end sparkle.
Harris- I still don't hear the intonation problems but enough of you have said something to make me want to retrack it. Damnit. I'm glad you guys caught it because nobody else has. I hope we can recreate the tone because I really like it.
Track Rat- The bass is the most difficult part of this mix. He wants a more low end beefy sound rather then a low mid cutting type of tone. I prefer more definition but I like the challenge of making it work.
Smelly- Thanks man. The band definately has world class talent but I'm just some asshole with a lot of gear in his living room.
Sub and Whoopy - You guys are just jealous
Bass Master - I agree. We added two more rhythm parts and acoustic and it's really beefed up the song. It also gives me more to play with in panning.
Musical5- I got to this too late but hopefully you checked them out. I mixed an acoustic show for them a few months back and they were pretty cool. They mix in a cool selection of covers.
Axis - Thanks. Will be fixed as mentioned above.
Mbrane - Thanks dude. I agree. I still havent gotten the perfect kick/snare sound of the tracks yet. I have been watching the woofers dance on the NS10's. I cut out a lot of the kick and bass <40hz just to keep them from flying out of the box.
subtractor
New member
True dat... It just lies outside the realm of what I'd like to listen to...
But great job on your and the bands part!
Khompewtur
*Retired*
Hey Tex,
I didn't know you were doing studio production work. That's pretty cool. I like the band and the song, very nice laid back almost country rock but not quite feel to it. The background harmony vox are a very nice touch. I would agree that experimenting with trying to get the guits to surround more might be something to look at.
Reading earlier responses, I can't imagine how someone could hate this song. I could see if someone felt disinterest or indifference but i can't fathom how that recording could invoke strong negative feelings, it seemed too safe a piece to risk invoking something like that. Anyway, i liked it. Keep up the good work.
I didn't know you were doing studio production work. That's pretty cool. I like the band and the song, very nice laid back almost country rock but not quite feel to it. The background harmony vox are a very nice touch. I would agree that experimenting with trying to get the guits to surround more might be something to look at.
Reading earlier responses, I can't imagine how someone could hate this song. I could see if someone felt disinterest or indifference but i can't fathom how that recording could invoke strong negative feelings, it seemed too safe a piece to risk invoking something like that. Anyway, i liked it. Keep up the good work.
joro
The Pie Guy
Hi Tex,
I am listening on KRK V4s and the bass is way low in the mix on my monitors man...cool groove though...Vox is right out front were it should be...harmony vox seems just right....guit is cool....
I don't hear the intonation problem....but I suck when it comes to that kind of stuff...drums are cool man....would like more sustained cymbals but cool none the less...
good job man,
Joe
I am listening on KRK V4s and the bass is way low in the mix on my monitors man...cool groove though...Vox is right out front were it should be...harmony vox seems just right....guit is cool....
I don't hear the intonation problem....but I suck when it comes to that kind of stuff...drums are cool man....would like more sustained cymbals but cool none the less...
good job man,
Joe
Whoopysnorp
New member
Khompewtur said:
Bingo. I find it bland and uninteresting, which is one of my pet peeves. But hey, whatever floats your boat.