First mix of a smooth jazz groove

  • Thread starter Thread starter SixStringBlues
  • Start date Start date
This is the kind of stuff I enjoy listening to. My only comments are that the guitar in the background comping that funk rhythm needs to be louder, as do the drums.

There are some points in the song where the lead instrument just goes away (no focus for the listener), my ears tell me something (some notes) should be there, but that's more of an artistic comment...just my 0.02.
 
I know where that groove is, and I`m extremely into where your headed with it. Your got your spatial layers worked out ok. separation is good, the volumes can always be adjusted later. Id take just a touch of the sheen off that tic-tac part so its a little more part of the canvas instead of the paint.
 
I don't see any songs on your page?
Link works fine, just no songs???
 
nice groove. the lead guitar could have been a little more center and more level to "lead" the tune. Nice mix over all good space and seperation. Drums could be a little louder. what's your set-up?
 
I agree with all the above comments. This is VERY easy to listen to. I like it.
 
Thanks for the input

Ok, First off, thanks for taking the time to listen. What happens is I loop a drum pattern, and then I always go somewhere else that I didnt intend to go with it. Sometimes I sit down, and its rock, blues or who knows what. I guess thats one of the problems using drum loops. It corrupts your creativity.

Anyhow I have only been recording for a few months. I bought a POD 2.0 and then started playing around with Cool Edit pro 2.0. It has worked problem free for me. I am currently using the Onboard sound on my M/B for my input and starting to realize how it is making it difficult to get good sound. I hear others on here and am amazed at how clean they sound. Mine seems so dirty. The Keyboards and bass guitar are off of a Boss DR-5 rhythm machine. Guitars are all through the POD, then straight into the line in of the sound card. Guitars played was a strat. Still have not decided what sound card/input device to get. There are so many mixed reviews on this board. Thanks again for your time.

still learning,
Brian
 
Hi Brian!

Nice effort! I like the busy guitar comping pattern layered over the blocky and solid keyboard. It's always a good canvas to work on because you can go either way melodically and with solos and it works. As to the mix, I think the sonic patina that works the best of the piece is demostrated in the keyboard and bass parts, so let's use that as the basis for comparison. Relative to those, the top end of the drums is a bit hot (and perhaps a mite strident) and the bottom of them is a mite flabby. The mix as a whole kind of asks for a rounder, meatier sound, which would be acomplished by rolling off the drum highs a bit, and dropping the second guitar part back about 5%. Also, roll 125-400Hz up about 2.5-4dB on the master.

You're just teeny tweaks and a little judicious tube compression away form a "phat", solid, yet relaxing sound.

An arranging comment, if I may, because it's relevant to the groove and mix you're shooting for...

There's a slight feel difference in the drum groove relative to the rhythm parts; the bass and keys have a linear, low-slung, in-the-pocket feel, as does the rhythm guitar. But the drums have a little more of an upright, just on the front side of the beat thing, which "squares" the groove off. There's an easy fix, and that's to lay in a shaker part that mirrors the sixteenth feel the rhythm guitar is setting up, and have it ever-so-subtly invading the mix at about the same frequency range as the hi-hats. It lends a smoother, 16th note implication to the groove, without interrupting the defined 8ths in the drummers right hand. It's sort of a cool "cheat" I've discovered when I run across a groove I've done that's too angular. It's almost invisible to the ear, and makes it sound like more articulation is happening in the right hand. Make sure the shaker pattern is accented a little, not just machine-like 16ths...

My humble $0.0267 (inflation, you know... ) :D

Cheers,
Phil "Llarion: The Jazzinator" Traynor
Smooth Jazz
www.llarion.com
- Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons;
for you are crunchy, and go well with ketchup.
 
Hey SSB,
Im at work now, sitting in front of a 'puter that is not capable of reproducing a mix of any kind. I'll check this out again when i get home........



g
 
This is smooth, appropriately named. nice playing. In the mix I thought the snare and high hat sounds were a little distant. Like the drummer would have been sitting further away than he should. And I'd like to hear the bass notes hit a little heavier on the front end. Otherwise this was a really good listen. nice work, thanks :D
 
Danggggggggggg!!!

.............Nowhere stated song is not listed!!!!

Wanted to experience some of your jazz too!

:(
 
The lead gtr was too bright. The drums could come up more. The bass was too staccoto and needed to hang a bit more, but was in the mix well. Nice groove and progression. Enjoyable to listen too.
What are you converting your mp3's with? Its going back and fourth from 128 to 144,160,96 rapidly. It didnt seem to affect the sound though.
Myx
 
To access song from Nowhere, Select discography, then singles. Then you will see the song. Thanks for the comments, I hope to finish a new remix today. I will post it when I am done. I am going to cut a better lead track also. This Is only my second recording attempt here, as I am still learning. Also just for the record, this BBS is great, truly some fine people here. I am new but have enjoyed reading and listening to everyone here.

Brian
 
Hey SSB,
....really beautiful stuff man. I love this kinda shit. ........Makes me wanna hit up my wife for a little...........
I dont really have any mix comments other than the panning felt a little hard to me. I didnt care for the piano being panned that hard. I think i understand why you did it...... .....jazz like this does sound really nice panned like a sound stage....... ....mmmm, just not sure if that was a little too much. Beautiful stuff my man....... I cant wait to hear more.


Thanks, G
 
Submit this to TWC (the weather channel) at once! Nice groove, only nitpic mabey a little much string pops on the lead playing, like "Gernica" said made me want to hit the old lady up...she declined:D ...Wheww! Great stuff and recording...David
 
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