How's the mix on "Planet of Love?"

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Todzilla

Todzilla

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This has been a monster to mix. It's prolly got over 50 tracks, some piggybacked, and different effects, moods and song parts. I think I'm about at the edge of what can be done, but maybe I'm just sick of remixing it for the umpteenth time.

What do you think?

Thanks in Advance...
 
I like it. Good dynamics between the spacey and rocky parts.

I think I heard a lip smack in the second verse.

I just got to the end. That fade out was a little weird. Not neccessarily bad, just unusual and surprising.
 
Hey Tod

I like the song alot. the mix sounded good to me (though i am a newbie)

But i agree on the fade out at the end, thought the song was over, ready to chear, then a whole new part came in.

50 tracks? as a newbie this part confuses me,

"piggybacked, and different effects, moods and song parts"

i try to record my kid and make him sound as if you where there live, can you play that song live and have it come close as to a 50 track mix down.

I would hate to here such a great tune on a CD to hear it suck live.

Just my 1 cent
 
Great job, Todd. In general, the mix sounds fantastic to me, very clean and professional.

I know these are probably just preference items, but the only things I would personally look at:

- I would high-pass the guitar solo (or, if you've already done it, move the cut-off upward a few notches) to make it sit higher. This is definitely a minor thing, but it entered my mind when I heard it.
- slightly dial back the wet (delay) portion of the vocal signal in the verses (which sound very cool by the way, it's just that the initial slap-backs from the delay kind of clash with the lines that immediately follow)
- ditto to the above comments about the fade out at the end

Best of luck
Matt
 
Todd, mix and eq and everything sounds good to me.

I am amazed at all of the different sounds and effects you have incorporated while maintaining a feel that they all fit.

I agree with the others about the fade out. Sounds a bit strange. Maybe an abrupt stop and a measure of silence might be better. Good all the same.
 
Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and provide substantive feedback. I will address your comments below.

VomitHatSteve said:
I like it. Good dynamics between the spacey and rocky parts.

I think I heard a lip smack in the second verse.

I just got to the end. That fade out was a little weird. Not neccessarily bad, just unusual and surprising.
Click to expand...

Vomhat: Yeah, I wanted the fade-out to be weird and surprising. I've gotten lots of similar feedback that folks find it a bit jarring. I may keep it anywho, as I kind of wanted that effect. I will listen closely for the lip smack. It's probably even more noticeable with the funky high-pass/low-pass EQ on the verse vox.

Simbo said:
Hey Tod

I like the song alot. the mix sounded good to me (though i am a newbie)

But i agree on the fade out at the end, thought the song was over, ready to chear, then a whole new part came in.

50 tracks? as a newbie this part confuses me,

"piggybacked, and different effects, moods and song parts"

i try to record my kid and make him sound as if you where there live, can you play that song live and have it come close as to a 50 track mix down.

I would hate to here such a great tune on a CD to hear it suck live.

Just my 1 cent
Click to expand...
Simbo: Well, I reckon I have 9 drum tracks, 2 tambourine tracks, about 7 guitar tracks, one bass track, 8 keyboard tracks, 12 vocal tracks and maybe 4 sound effect tracks. Never do all of these tracks play at once, but by tracking each part independently, it certainly makes mixing, if not easy, at least less nightmarish.

As for live, the tune certainly sounds different. But I want my studio stuff to sound as good as possible and my live stuff, even if it's different, to also be as good as possible. I would never compromise a studio track just for the sake of being able to pull it off live. I will say the live version, even if it's not quite as tight, has more energy. But as a hobbyist, it's not like tons of folks are coming to hear my shit anyway. 8^)

mattdee1 said:
Great job, Todd. In general, the mix sounds fantastic to me, very clean and professional.

I know these are probably just preference items, but the only things I would personally look at:

- I would high-pass the guitar solo (or, if you've already done it, move the cut-off upward a few notches) to make it sit higher. This is definitely a minor thing, but it entered my mind when I heard it.
- slightly dial back the wet (delay) portion of the vocal signal in the verses (which sound very cool by the way, it's just that the initial slap-backs from the delay kind of clash with the lines that immediately follow)
- ditto to the above comments about the fade out at the end

Best of luck
Matt
Click to expand...

Matt: Thanks for your kind words. Yeah, the guitar solo (which, like all the other guitar parts, is reamped) is deliberately dark. I wanted a Carlos Santana sound and was able to blend various reamp combinations of mics, preamps and mic positions, to get that sound. I will play around with the EQ on it, but me likey the darkness.

Yeah, I've gotten other folks busting on the verse echo. The band seems to like it, so the jury is still out. It's a science fiction tune, so I wanted to drag each part through digital hell and back. How's that for a lame excuse?

Dak_Sunset said:
Todd, mix and eq and everything sounds good to me.

I am amazed at all of the different sounds and effects you have incorporated while maintaining a feel that they all fit.

I agree with the others about the fade out. Sounds a bit strange. Maybe an abrupt stop and a measure of silence might be better. Good all the same.
Click to expand...

Sunset: Thanks for the cohesiveness comment. Yeah, I wanted distinct parts, but also to have them blend together into a gestalt whole.

The one aspect of this mix I'm surprised no one has commented on are the drums. I really struggled with them and still find them to be lacking in punch and immediacy. I have other tunes with the same drummer, same kit, same basic micing approach (i5 oversnare, SM57 undersnare, D112 kick, D4 floor tom, Crown CM700s as overheads, Neumann U-89 room - with a triggered kick blended in and a triggered floor tom for the bridge) that delivered far better. I played around with EQ tons, only to end up backing off a lot and just hi-passing most of the drums.
 
Todzilla said:
As for live, the tune certainly sounds different. But I want my studio stuff to sound as good as possible and my live stuff, even if it's different, to also be as good as possible. I would never compromise a studio track just for the sake of being able to pull it off live.
Click to expand...

Just wanted to point out that I like your philosophy here. The way I look at it, recording and live are two different mediums (media?). So long as you find "other" ways of making it interesting live, who cares if it doesn't sound exactly like the recording?

Matt: Thanks for your kind words. Yeah, the guitar solo (which, like all the other guitar parts, is reamped) is deliberately dark. I wanted a Carlos Santana sound and was able to blend various reamp combinations of mics, preamps and mic positions, to get that sound. I will play around with the EQ on it, but me likey the darkness.

Yeah, I've gotten other folks busting on the verse echo. The band seems to like it, so the jury is still out. It's a science fiction tune, so I wanted to drag each part through digital hell and back. How's that for a lame excuse?
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Like I said, those items I mentioned were simply what popped into my head when I listened to the song, and I know that if I was sitting at the mixing console I'd gravitate to them and investigate some tweaks (which, of course, might not make any improvements). Obviously you've got a vision, so stick with it.

Matt
 
Wow, that was really impressive man :).

Really...so elaborate and diverse, yet there is some sort of glue that holds the whole thing together. I'm listening on a laptop, so no fine points from me, but even on this set up, I hear professional qualities.

I for one liked the ending. I think I've heard the fade-out / restart thing before, but if so, I'd still say it is quite rare.

For being sci-fi the lyrics seemed awfully topical a times. Yes, the solo sounds very carlos-ish to be sure, so I think you achieved your goal there...a very fine effort indeed. Sorry I can't be of any assistance to you :).
 
Wow!

That was ice cold! Very cool, like an unreleased SpaceHog track or something. The synths and keys are amazing and the latin-ish bass groove is solid. B/V's are well sung and I have to say I dug the false ending! Very Beatley...Thanks Tod, I'm saving this one in my Mix Clinic MP3 folder.:D
 
he, he, that's why I don't go over 20 if at all....:D
Nice mix though, all your work has paid off. Mix sounds totally 3-D and well balanced. Nice performance and very good song.

Joey :):):):)
 
Thanks guys!

I'm going to go back (one more time - I hope) and address some lingering phase issues on the drums and tweak some levels (keys in the bridge still seem too hot - prolly 'cause I'm the keyboard player).

I appreciate the feedback and hope to indulge your patience one more time in the quest to finally put this damn song to bed.
 
Okay, here is the final (more out of wanting to move on than anything else) mix:


You'll note I've made several changes based on feedback here and elsewhere. Especially the outro. I wanted to keep the surprise ending, but found a way to do it that is less abrupt.

Whaddya think, compadres?
 
That's a real good piece of work. Send me the addy for the Planet o' Love' when y' get there. :^)
 
hello, i am new to the forum & this is my first post.:) I am addicted to this song! Its great!
 
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