I want you! (to critique my mix that is)

[photoresistor]

I've been on here for awhile but I've never really posted anything... here goes:

I was bored so I decided to re-mix an old song of my band's that we recorded early this year, now that I actually have studio monitors D).

So if everyone could be so kind as to take a listen and tell me what needs to be done that would be great. This mix is just for practice so I can improve my mixing skills (if we put this song on our cd it will be re-recorded)... we didn't actually get around to recording the vocals.

Things I don't like about it myself:

1. distorted guitar sound - we tried for three days to get a better sound and i couldnt do it. now that i have monitors and more mics and a little more knowledge and experience i hope i can do better.

2. the crappy guitar fade at the end -- oops!

3. the mess-ups we make in playing the song haha.

Thanks

I REALLY appreciate any feedback you guys can give me... this whole 'mixing' thing still eludes my grasp.

EDIT: oh, my current equipment list is in my signature if you were curious... but at the time we recorded this i had the Aardvark 24/96 (not the q10) and no monitors (yuk!). recorded with sm57, 2x mxl v57m, akg d-112.

 

[lumbago]

I don't think there's much wrong with your track, for a live rehearsal mix.

I guess I'd question any song with just two chords that lasts more than 3 minutes, but that's my own taste.

There were a good range and contrast of guitar sounds on the track.

Judicious use of EQ can sometimes take a little more of the room sound out of the recording.

You might opt to tape a kitchen sponge to the baseor top skin of the snare, temporarily - it's a little ringy.

 

[photoresistor]

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, its a simple song...

For now I'm mostly concerned with the mix... how everything is balanced and fits together, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions. Can you be any more specific with the EQ? Any idea on the snare, what i could do now that its already recorded to tigthen it up a little?

Thanks again

 

[lumbago]

You might find a parametric EQ or a 31 band graphic can remove the offending snare frequency - you'd only need about 3-6 db drop at the offending frequency.

 

[Halion]

Mess around more with the distorted guitar sound. Don't just try different mics/positions/EQ, try stuff on the amp aswell. Right now, it sounds like a mic pointing off-axis somewhere to the edge of the speaker. That helps to cut down the treble some, but your sounds lacks roar still. You'll need to fix that on the amp.

 

[axeman69]

If it's a guitar in the intro, I'm not digging it. If it's a bass, it's ok. What tells you is that I can't distinguish the difference. Maybe me. I don't know.

Intro is a bit long, as well.

The clean guitar at 1:12 sounds a bit plunky. Sort of like a toy piano. That may be what you're going for.

The mix in general sounds a bit scooped. Nice bottom and nice high-hat 'air' but the middle sounds thin. What happens to the guitar sound at about 3:00. It changes dramatically. I realize that the guitar tone is probably digital. Either a POD or Amplitube or something like that. But that change iterates this. It doesn't sound natural.

The timing at about 3:20 sort of sounds odd. Like the drummer is having a hard time keeping up.

Snare needs to be brought up in the mix a bit and a little snap added. Maybe a boost at 1.5 or 2k and a bit of compression.

Is there synth or something at the 4:00 mark? I knew there was something there, but I really couldn't hear it very well.

Just my 2 cents.