First time mixing a string quartet in a pop song.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Luckis
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Luckis

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So, in the process of mixing my own demo, i came to the hardest part of it. Mixing the "Ballad" of the album, which is a long song that comprises quite a lot of instruments.

It has given me quite some headaches mainly because of the string quartet in it (A virtual one, of course, not enough budget to hire a real one lol)

I have finished with it last night and i wanted to see if you guys thought it sounded ok or if you had some feedback to give. It would be great to hear what you have to say about it.

To mix the quartet, i used a somewhat standard approach. Panned each violin to one side, and then the viola and cello slightly to each side too.

Hope you take some time to listen to it!

http://soundcloud.com/lucasmartinelli/puente-a-ningun-lado

EDIT: This is working like crap today, and i cannot seem to be able to put the soundcloud tag in ¬¬
 
hi....

as for volume and panning, it's ok...but your string quartet ended up as some sort of an string synth pad. the voicing is not how an orchestral arranger would do it. not sure, if you understand what i mean, but you should listen to some string arrangements to get an better idea how strings are supposed to be played (for sure not like an piano)
 
Thanks Duesenberg. Wow, those strings are really cool.

Honestly, this was a lot of first for me. First time composing a string arrangement, and also first time using them strings plugins, and mixing it into the song. I really wanted to have an arranger or at least real musicians to help me with my probable mistakes in composition and arrangement, but i could not get anyone to work here without having to discharge an enormous amount of money. So i eventually left it as it is.

Your work seems great. I sure would like to have someone like you around here to revise my work.

Do you charge a lot? lol

Thank you again for the advice.
 
Duesenberg said:
hi....

as for volume and panning, it's ok...but your string quartet ended up as some sort of an string synth pad. the voicing is not how an orchestral arranger would do it. not sure, if you understand what i mean, but you should listen to some string arrangements to get an better idea how strings are supposed to be played (for sure not like an piano)
Click to expand...

He's spot on here. They're mixed fine, but at times they don't have the sustain I would expect from a stringed instrument. However, they are OKAY as they are. I've heard worse use of strings.

Have you considered using synths instead? To my ear piano or organ would work fine here. The strings aren't critical to delivering this particular set of music. Since you probably have all this done in midi, try importing the midi composition into a synth/piano VST instead and see if you can find something soft and sweet to use instead of the strings.
 
if you don't mind, pass me the wav and a hint for the bpm (hate tapping the speed) and i'll make an quick example for ya

so just the guitar and your vocs....even the drums/percs need some work
 
Thanks! I will try these days if i can send you the wavs somehow. As for the budget, i´m afraid i have none, i´m still trying to get the money together for a modest mastering. Life is hard in the south cone lol.

You say drums need some work? What do you mean? Any suggestions?
 
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