First Time Submission - Need Help With Mix In a BAD Way

  • Thread starter Thread starter BigEZ
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BigEZ

The Devil Has Blue Eyes
Hi All,

This is first time I've submitted something here and really need some critiques on my mix. It sounds decent thru my monitors but then so muddy on any other system. The vocals also make my ears pop when I hear them on anything else...Seems like some sort of frequency issue? Any suggestions to get this mix sounding better would be greatly appreciated.

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ROK
 
Well, since I sent you here, I might as well give some comments. Honestly, it ain't bad. There is room for improvement, but I don't hear the mud you're referring to. In fact, I might say it's quite the opposite. Maybe a touch too much mid highs. I think the vocals can come down a tad. I'm not crazy about the electric guitars; others might call them 'fizzy'. But anyway you say it, there's not much meat to them.

I would like to hear spatially spread out more. I can hear a stereo spread, but it doesn't come across as big and I think a big sound would work well with this song. Maybe more guitars. Find a nice balance on the levels. Good judicial use of panning, etc.

hope this helps.
 
Thanks Chili. I agree about the guitars. I'm waiting to get the full version of Guitar Rig 4 to change them up.

Any suggestions on how to increase the stereo width further? I have a lot of stuff panned hard. Also, do u hear what I was referring to in the other thread about the vocals? Almost like the frequency hurts the ears?

ROK
 
Thanks Chili. I agree about the guitars. I'm waiting to get the full version of Guitar Rig 4 to change them up.

Any suggestions on how to increase the stereo width further? I have a lot of stuff panned hard. Also, do u hear what I was referring to in the other thread about the vocals? Almost like the frequency hurts the ears?

ROK

Not sure what to say about the stereo spread. The hard panning might be the culprit. I like to space things out; 35% L/R, 50% L/R 100% L/R, etc. Vox, bass, kick and snare right up the middle. Nice spread on the cymbals, etc. Main melody (vocal, lead solo) and beat driver (bass, kick, snare)should be same level and the loudest, the rest is filler. That's my philosophy.

The vocals didn't bother me except maybe a little too hot in the mid-highs (1.5k - 2.5k range? I'm guessing here, someone help me out.) I say don't use any eq at all on the vox except to roll off the bottom end, 100hz and down. See what you get with that. But no, they didn't hurt or anything.

Last bit of advice, mix at low volumes as well as comfortable and loud volumes. Find the right balance.

peace,
 
I agree with Chili on the mid-highs issue. I think its coming mostly from the guitars. Did you cut the low end out of the acoustics? If so, I think you could add some back, and may drop down some of the treble.

As far as the electric guitars go, Im not crazy about them either. I'm hyper-sensitive to this stuff, and I might be making this up, but I think they are ever so slightly out of tune relative to the acoustics. Either way, I would like them to be a little lower in the mix.

I really like the song though, good writing, and good vocals as well.
 
On my KRK's it sounds too bright. As mentioned before...too hot around the mid highs. The acoustic guitars need more oomph and less strum and the electrics need more balls. Also a little more bass and back off the vocals a bit. But don't feel bad about the nitpicking. This track shows you are just oozing with potential. Just some minor adjustments.
 
Great, thanks for all the advise. I will definitely try these suggestions tonight.
 
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