7string
Well-known member
Ok, I've been lurking here for awhile and fairly new to this forum. Please give my song a listen and tell me what you think.
Thanks!
Thanks!
E
Emusic
New member
Great voice. Something weird with the voice mix. More definition maybe (less verb and more high EQ?). Song is pretty predictable but still ok/good. Less verb on the kick and also maybe (just maybe) some more definition with the snare. More definated bass?
I think the overall definition in the mix is lacking. Late in the song I get the feeling that the vocal gets louder (one of the last verses, maybe THE last one). Late it is too loud (lead vocal). Pan and mix the choir a tad more?
Ok song; mix ain't the best imo.
Keep it up.
I think the overall definition in the mix is lacking. Late in the song I get the feeling that the vocal gets louder (one of the last verses, maybe THE last one). Late it is too loud (lead vocal). Pan and mix the choir a tad more?
Ok song; mix ain't the best imo.
Keep it up.
7string
Well-known member
Emusic said:
Thanks for the reply! The drums are from a guy named Al Esis Sr.
Ok, it's a drum machine so it's kind of hard to work with just one aspect after the track has been laid down. Maybe I should try tweaking the EQ? I'm not good with EQ, which overall, seems to be what is lacking, so if you have any suggestions on that, yell away!I'm the choir. I also played all the instruments and programmed the drums. It sounds to me from what you are saying that it just needs a bit of my Achilles Heel, which is EQ. If it's something in a preset I use it. I'm just not good with it. I guess I just lack confidence in the EQ department.
Could it be that you perceive a change in volume in the last verse because it is coming off the twin guitar solo and quiets down to just the acoustic guitars, bass and drums?
Rokket
Trailing Behind Again
Yeah, there is some definition lacking toward the end of the lines as you sing them. I get that problem a lot too, and it's not in the mix, it's in how I sang the lines. I tend to trail off and it makes the lyrics melt into the mix and get lost.
Nice tune, it just needs some rework. I'd retrack the vocals, maybe track with a tad bit of compression.
Nice tune, it just needs some rework. I'd retrack the vocals, maybe track with a tad bit of compression.
E
Emusic
New member
Is it an Alesis SR-16? I have one of those. If you are using a midi sequencer you could try to remake the same rythm by playing one and one rythm element (kick, snare & hat) and get them out on 3 different tracks. Then you should be able to select the snare sound you want, and also put verb on the snare only - not the whole drumkit. Don't know if you are this familiar with midi though.
Definition comes from listening and turning knobs. For definition each track soloed must have some edge/sharpness and the instrument must be king in its own frequency range. Remembering your song, I didn't hear any big frequencyfights between several elements (foundation, vocal, etc..), but its more that there is some dullness and some lack of EQ'ing that makes it.... somewhat dull and not.... defined
EQ'ing is not only about what you add; even more often about what you take away.
SO try to get rid of much of the reverb on stuff first. Then make sure the tracks sound crisp and somewhat sharp on their own. Then try to un-solo a track at the time to see what fits in.
I can't give you much advice on specific frequencies. I normally just twist and turn the knobs and use my ears. I'm no pro
If you cant split the drums then just get rid of some of the verb and add some more mid or high EQ to make the snare sparkle a tad more. But getting the snare on a separate audio or midi track is better. Then you can adjust volumes separately.
Hey; it's not bad. It's just not sparky overall.
Definition comes from listening and turning knobs. For definition each track soloed must have some edge/sharpness and the instrument must be king in its own frequency range. Remembering your song, I didn't hear any big frequencyfights between several elements (foundation, vocal, etc..), but its more that there is some dullness and some lack of EQ'ing that makes it.... somewhat dull and not.... defined
EQ'ing is not only about what you add; even more often about what you take away.
SO try to get rid of much of the reverb on stuff first. Then make sure the tracks sound crisp and somewhat sharp on their own. Then try to un-solo a track at the time to see what fits in.
I can't give you much advice on specific frequencies. I normally just twist and turn the knobs and use my ears. I'm no pro
If you cant split the drums then just get rid of some of the verb and add some more mid or high EQ to make the snare sparkle a tad more. But getting the snare on a separate audio or midi track is better. Then you can adjust volumes separately.
Hey; it's not bad. It's just not sparky overall.
7string
Well-known member
Rokket said:
It's the quieter part that kinda gets buried. I didn't use any compression during tracking, mainly because that's my SECOND Achille's Heel.
Still learning about that. Any suggestions on some settings?Thanks!
jake-owa
Banned
Cut a buttload of the frequencies below 250hz in the vocal.
The snare sound is hard to take. I had an SR 16 so that's probably part of the problem for me hearing it here. There's a bit of overuse of reverb here that is making the mix muddy in general.
The snare sound is hard to take. I had an SR 16 so that's probably part of the problem for me hearing it here. There's a bit of overuse of reverb here that is making the mix muddy in general.
7string
Well-known member
Emusic said:Is it an Alesis SR-16? I have one of those. If you are using a midi sequencer you could try to remake the same rythm by playing one and one rythm element (kick, snare & hat) and get them out on 3 different tracks. Then you should be able to select the snare sound you want, and also put verb on the snare only - not the whole drumkit. Don't know if you are this familiar with midi though.
Definition comes from listening and turning knobs. For definition each track soloed must have some edge/sharpness and the instrument must be king in its own frequency range. Remembering your song, I didn't hear any big frequencyfights between several elements (foundation, vocal, etc..), but its more that there is some dullness and some lack of EQ'ing that makes it.... somewhat dull and not.... defined
EQ'ing is not only about what you add; even more often about what you take away.
SO try to get rid of much of the reverb on stuff first. Then make sure the tracks sound crisp and somewhat sharp on their own. Then try to un-solo a track at the time to see what fits in.
I can't give you much advice on specific frequencies. I normally just twist and turn the knobs and use my ears. I'm no pro
If you cant split the drums then just get rid of some of the verb and add some more mid or high EQ to make the snare sparkle a tad more. But getting the snare on a separate audio or midi track is better. Then you can adjust volumes separately.
Hey; it's not bad. It's just not sparky overall.
I'm not using MIDI at all. I'm just a guy from the 60's, simple plug & play.
But there's so much more available out there so I'm doing the best I can. I thought about doing the drums in stereo at one time just so I could have the snare alone, but for some reason it just didn't work. I don't remember why now. I can't find the freq that gives the snare that 'crack!' that might help.That is exactly what I'm looking for! How to make it 'sparky' overall. Thanks!
scrubs
Not of sound mind
The song is pretty good, but the mix is really weird. The vocals and electric guitars sound muddy, but the acoustic and the cymbals have way too much top end. Sounds like you were trying to compensate for the mud by adding some "sparkle," but it really just ends up sounding brittle.
My suggestions:
1) get some mics to record the acoustic guitars - the direct-in from the pickup almost always sounds terrible. miking a guitar amp usually sounds better than recording electrics direct, too.
2) find some better drum samples or, better yet, get a real drummer (I'm in the same boat, so don't feel bad)
3) take some of the effects off of the vocals - you might want to also invest in a decent vocal condenser mic. you have a nice voice. it deserves better.
4) heed the mixing advice that has already been posted.
Keep working on it. There's definitely some potential here.
My suggestions:
1) get some mics to record the acoustic guitars - the direct-in from the pickup almost always sounds terrible. miking a guitar amp usually sounds better than recording electrics direct, too.
2) find some better drum samples or, better yet, get a real drummer (I'm in the same boat, so don't feel bad)
3) take some of the effects off of the vocals - you might want to also invest in a decent vocal condenser mic. you have a nice voice. it deserves better.
4) heed the mixing advice that has already been posted.
Keep working on it. There's definitely some potential here.
7string
Well-known member
jake-owa said:
Thanks! I kinda liked that snare sound. It was different. But it really doesn't have that 'crack' that most people are used to and maybe the song needs it. As stated before, I'm having a hard time finding the freq that will give it some.
I'm surprised at the reverb remark. I generally use VERY little reverb on tracks, mainly just to smooth them out. But it's something I'll look into.
Thanks again!
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Rokket
Trailing Behind Again
I am not too good with it either. I fumble around with it until I find a setting that makes the vocals sit. Generally, I'll start out hard, 6 to 1, and then dial it down...7string said:It's the quieter part that kinda gets buried. I didn't use any compression during tracking, mainly because that's my SECOND Achille's Heel.
Thanks!
7string
Well-known member
scrubs said:
Ok, I'm using an MXL condensor mic through an ART (I know, I know) pre for vocals and the acoustic. I recorded three separate tracks of acoustic and just used different EQ'ing on them and blended them left, center and right. I put the 'normal' sound in the middle and the brighter sound to the right leaving the other to the left. I probably just need to tweak these a bit to bring out more of the normal sound. Oh, and I won't even tell you WHICH acoustic guitar I use. I'd never be able to show my face in public again. hahaha THAT might be part of it, but dammit, I like the sound!
I live in the middle of nowhere in a little village filled mostly with retired people. In 30 years I have never even HEARD of a drummer here.
I'm using verb and delay on the lead vocal and verb on the backups. Not much of either verb or delay, at least in my opinion. But I'll back some off and see what it does.
Invest in musical gear? Nah, I'd just meet a damned woman who would take off with it. Well, in all honesty that's only happened twice. hahahaha
Thanks for the compliment on the voice. Believe it or not, I was kinda going for a Rob Thomas/Smooth feel. I missed.
Rokket
Trailing Behind Again
But where you landed wasn't a bad miss...7string said:
And having an ART pre isn't as bad as having a NONE, which is what I have at the moment...
7string
Well-known member
Rokket said:
Well, us GOOD one's make do with what we have, right? I have one of those John Fogerty/Bob Seger type voices. I can go silky smooth or big time gravel. Back in the mid-70's I sang all the Kansas and Journey in my bands. And I always wished that I could do the gravel. Well, after 25 years in radio training my voice to stay 'down there' and many years of cigarettes and Jack I can now do the gravel. I can't come anywhere NEAR a Kansas or Journey song, but I can do the gravel!
But I finally gave up the Jack. I was married for 20 years so I EARNED the cigarettes.
scrubs
Not of sound mind
7string said:
Well, if you like it, that's what matters! I am surprised you used a mic for the guitar, though. Your EQ job has faithfully recreated the harsh sound of a piezo pickup. That's impressive, I suppose.
I live in the middle of nowhere in a little village filled mostly with retired people. In 30 years I have never even HEARD of a drummer here.
Hang around here and you might find some people to play drums for you in an online collaboration. Technology is really a great thing.
Yeah, I'm not sure which mic you're using (and it may be the ART pre), but the voice just needs to be more up-front in the mix. Less reverb can help with this, too.
I hear ya. Unfortunately, all the gear I've ever purchased has failed to make me a better musician. Buying stuff is fun, though.
[/QUOTE]Thanks for the compliment on the voice. Believe it or not, I was kinda going for a Rob Thomas/Smooth feel. I missed.[/QUOTE]
You're welcome.
Rokket
Trailing Behind Again
LOL! You haven't heard my AC/DC throwaway have you!7string said:Well, us GOOD one's make do with what we have, right? I have one of those John Fogerty/Bob Seger type voices. I can go silky smooth or big time gravel. Back in the mid-70's I sang all the Kansas and Journey in my bands. And I always wished that I could do the gravel. Well, after 25 years in radio training my voice to stay 'down there' and many years of cigarettes and Jack I can now do the gravel. I can't come anywhere NEAR a Kansas or Journey song, but I can do the gravel!
But I finally gave up the Jack. I was married for 20 years so I EARNED the cigarettes.
It's in the show us your worst thread...
7string
Well-known member
scrubs said:Well, if you like it, that's what matters! I am surprised you used a mic for the guitar, though. Your EQ job has faithfully recreated the harsh sound of a piezo pickup. That's impressive, I suppose.
That's a bad thing? hahahaha It's more just how I mix the three tracks.
scrubs said:
Wow... that'd be cool!
scrubs said:
I'm using an MXL V57M. These are things that I'm still learning about. For instance, setting up the ART. I just put it to where I can hear myself decent and go for it.
I've brought the verb down, compressed the vocal and brought it up in the mix a bit.
7string
Well-known member
Rokket said:LOL! You haven't heard my AC/DC throwaway have you!
It's in the show us your worst thread...
Do I dare?
Rokket
Trailing Behind Again
Why not? I got all kinds of comments the first time I posted it because everyone thought I was using a vocal processor set to chipmunk!7string said:
Jake dared me to post a dry track of my voice to prove it and I did....
You might find it entertaining...
7string
Well-known member
Rokket said:Why not? I got all kinds of comments the first time I posted it because everyone thought I was using a vocal processor set to chipmunk!
Jake dared me to post a dry track of my voice to prove it and I did....
You might find it entertaining...
I couldn't find it. I'm assuming that you were talking about the 4jake? It wasn't on the link, unless I missed the link altogether.