Hucksterville

  • Thread starter Thread starter FolkDog
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FolkDog

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Almost everything I know about recording, I have learned here. And, it is safe to say that every bit of gear I own was based on the recommendations and feedback of this community.

Thus, it is with more than a bit of trepidation that I post the whereabouts of my first three public mixes every for the feedback of this lot. Still, my ears are tired after many days with these songs, and I really could use some fresh perspective. So, if you have the time and the inclination, please check out my tunes at www.soundclick.com/DavidHuckster

My thanks in advance for your guidance.

Regards,

David
 
Hey David, you got some nice tunes, uh? Well, here are some of my observations, hope it helps.

Buster (Down by the road):
-Less volume to the lead guitar, it has the same importance as your vocals and at some points it's too much (02:25 and 04:05) Er, did ya put some compressor to tame the peaks and even the performance?
-I'd like more snap on the snare, it sounds too dry for the kind of music (reverb/room is your friend, use it wisely). Maybe more bottom snare (if you recorded that track, of course ;)

Nursery Rhyme for fools:
-In this song the voice is too high, maybe. Turn the fader down like a -1db and hear if it sits on the mix.

High road:
- Great tune, I really like the accoustic guitar and the cymbals!
- Is the snare panned slighty to the right? Sounds weird to me.. 12 o'clock is the place!
- What was that thump at the end of the song? Fade it or cut that part.

Luck!
 
Hey, listened to Buster. Good tune, I'll try to stay away from the passing cars....

A few comments. overall it sounds flat. Judicial tweaks with eq for each track. Especially drums, I think they can use more high end. The snare particularly sounds dead. Also, try to create more space for each instrument. It sounds like some are stepping on top of others.

Lead guitar is too strong during the lead soloes. Vocals seem a tad strong, too. I think there's some work needed to make them sit in the mix better.

Gotta say, the lead vocals are perfect for this style of music.

Cool man!
 
Hey thanks - those are really great suggestions. The snare on Buster was realy weak off the mic, and has been the bastard child of that mix. But I spent some time with it this morning to give it more snap, and to bring up the high end of the drums generally, and it is a vast improvement. You were both exactly right.

Still struggling to get the vocal to punch through without overpowering.

Pulled down the lead - it was compressed, but you were hearing a volume envelope that I had gone back and forth with a dozen times. Now I have pulled it excepts for the very end where I want to guitar (which in my little world plays the part of the cars :-) ) to come up.

Reposted Buster. Will look at the other two after I do some paying work. Thanks again, those suggestions were just what I needed!
 
Much better man, the guitar lead is sitting better in the mix. Concerning the snare, try to add a little room/reverb (if you haven't recorded it you can still add that digitally... just a bit, and check how it goes)

Keep posting!
 
The new mix has just the slightest reverb accross all of the drums, including the snare. I tried the snare with more verb on its own and it just seemed to get swallowed. I like the feel of it popping out front. I definately like the rest of the drums wth the high end restored. But I will play with that aspect again tomorrow.

I do need to drop the vocals back. I've discovered there is a real difference between the way everything sounds in the reference setup (SONAR 7 through an Audiofire, through Mackie HR824s), and the way it sounds when it is mixed down and played through "civilian" speakers. The voice comes much farther forward and gets way stronger.

Thank you again for your feedback and your time. Worth its weight in gold to have a second (and third) set of ears!
 
Hey, listened to Buster again. significant improvements. snare sounds more alive, vocals sit better. I'm still on the fence with the lead guitar. At times it's too far out in front, other times it sits nicely in the mix.

You've got a pair of Mackie monitors that can put out a lot of sound so be sure to check your mixes at low volume. Lower than normal level.

Listened to High Road, too. Your songwriting is good, I really enjoy your tunes.

peace.
 
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