If you got a minute...check it (mixing)...

[sdp530]

About every three months I hit up this forum with some new material to critique. I have been mixing hip hop on and off for about 2 years and I am always looking for advice, tips, tricks or any constructive criticism that I can learn from. I know I have just scratched the surface of what mixing entails so keep that in mind.

I have two samples of tracks that I would like you to listen to. They feature four different artists with four different styles (one of them is myself). You can find the sample tracks at:

http://www.myspace.com/shutdownproductions
"Hot Sample 1"
"Hot Sample 2"
Download the tracks because the streaming is horrible!

Warning: There is explicit lyrics so don't listen if this offends you!

I appreciate any input and look forward to hearing what you think...
-C

 

[RAMI]

I went in and listened because it was refreshing to see someone posting hip-hop without TELLING us how incredible HE thinks he is.

SDP HOT SAMPLE: I really dig this, alot. The gated hand-claps and/or rimshot sound cool. Vocals are right out out front and everything's audible. This has a great "Dre/Chronic/Doggpound/Snoop/Doggystyle" vibe to it.

The only things I can say is that I wish it was longer, and it can use something to pick up the groove a bit for the second verse. Like having drums come in, with a good, solid bass and snare, for example.

Good stuf man. Whoever's rapping has a nice thick, Tu-pac type voice, while still sounding unique.

SDP HOT SAMPLE 2:
Can't get into it as much. I've heard that story being told a million times in pretty much the same way, with the same lyrics and 'tude. Nothing new there. But the mix is fine. Though I find this, too, can use something to pick up the song. Like drums again, or something else.
I find rap uses a lot of the "Barry Manilow" (of all people) method of orchestrating songs, which involves building the tune up as it goes so that by the third verse or last chorus, you've got a lot more going on than you did in the beginning of the song. These grooves and mixes are good, but can use some orchestration to keep the lister listening.

(By the way, I'm listening on cheap speakers at work, so I apologise if I can't give you more commentary on the bass, treble, and more technical stuff, etc....But the mixes sound strong on these shitty speakers.)

 

[sdp530]

I totally agree with you, the instrumentals do need some more progression. Right now we are just bangin those beats out on a midi controller but I would really like to learn how to play for real. I think that would help us orchestrate the music better. I appreciate the input.
-C

 

[RAMI]

Cool man...You can do alot of orchestrating with your MIDI controller. Something as simple as changing the hand clap/rim shot to a snare while changing the bass drum sound to something more agressive can make a huge difference in the second verse or chorus, for example.

 

[Freudian Slip]

Sounds very well done

I'd have to second what RAMI said. It's in need of some variation. I personally think You should look at varying the notation of (what ever instrument that is) some kind of orcastra hit? Just switching keys for the chorus's would do wonders imho.

You're deffenetly on the right track. The mix sounds great to me. Very nice lows. Vox are set in the mix ver good. I had problems playing both tracks so this is all from what I heard.

F.S.

 

[DavidK]

Sounds good. I agree with the others about mixing it up a bit, a little variation might be nice.

 

[cello_pudding]

shit i've never heard before? so check it?

bitches getting shot, fuck 'em up...using ho's, nigga this, shotgun that...


i don't listen to rap..and i've definitely heard that before. over and over.

are the lyrics inspired by personal experience? your life and music sucks.

sorry to come off as such a jerk...but it will just piss you off and hopefully make you want to write better.

 

[RAMI]

sorry to come off as such a jerk..

No you're not...sorry, that is. You do it so well.

Personally, I don't think telling someone their music sucks is called for. I hear alot of music here that "sucks" in my opinion, but I just move on and don't comment. But that's just my take on it. Not telling you what to do. I think we all have along way to go with our own music and production to get on any high horse.

 

[cello_pudding]

whatever. i don't care. in college me and my friends made fun of rap on a regular basis. we just blurted out a bunch of ridiculously cliche things...niggas in da club with the bitches and hos...

there's no reason to create more of it.

 

[RAMI]

whatever. i don't care. in college me and my friends made fun of rap on a regular basis. we just blurted out a bunch of ridiculously cliche things...niggas in da club with the bitches and hos...

there's no reason to create more of it.

You could do that with any kind of music. Metal, rock, disco, house, funk, opera....etc....Me and my friends used to do it too...But that was in Grade school.

But anyway, I'm not telling you to like it. But I find it ironic that you're trying to get HIM angry. Seems to me you're the one with anger issues. Far from the first time you act like you forgot to take your meds and then later on come in with..."I'm sorry if I came off like a jerk......". At least you realise you have a problem. Good luck with that.

 

[Freudian Slip]

So cello_pudding? Got a comment on his mix or did you forget what forum you,re on?

I don't own a single rap cd my self either. So what ,!,,

Please please post a song or a link in your profile so we all can have a listen and be so kind to you.


F.S.

 

[sdp530]

Cello pudding, I find your comments amusing more than anything. Everyone has their own taste in music, I know that, and I respect that. I just hope your not found expressing your views in front a crowd that doesn't understand that. Anyways, if you have any constructive advice on mixing I would appreciate it so I can continue making the music that you and your college buddies like.
-C

 

[DavidK]

Cello pudding, I find your comments amusing more than anything. Everyone has their own taste in music, I know that, and I respect that. I just hope your not found expressing your views in front a crowd that doesn't understand that. Anyways, if you have any constructive advice on mixing I would appreciate it so I can continue making the music that you and your college buddies like.
-C

+1 for handling this well. You could have ripped him a new one, you took the high road and did not. You'll go far, well done.

 

[cello_pudding]

yeah, you can make fun of cliches of every genre. i'm not saying all rap is horrid, i'm saying this rap is horrid. stay away from cliches. i know its not the songwriter forum. if it were cliche about breaking your heart, you dont know where to start...i wouldn't care so much. it is the praise and continuation of degenerate behavior and lack of respect and degradation to women and your entire culture of violence that makes me not care that i am being negative towards it.

if i am certifiable to take crazy pills for disliking that, then i'll shut up.

 

[Freudian Slip]

yeah, you can make fun of cliches of every genre. i'm not saying all rap is horrid, i'm saying this rap is horrid. stay away from cliches. i know its not the songwriter forum. if it were cliche about breaking your heart, you dont know where to start...i wouldn't care so much. it is the praise and continuation of degenerate behavior and lack of respect and degradation to women and your entire culture of violence that makes me not care that i am being negative towards it.

if i am certifiable to take crazy pills for disliking that, then i'll shut up.

It's just all in how you say it.

F.S.

 

[RAMI]

yeah, you can make fun of cliches of every genre. i'm not saying all rap is horrid, i'm saying this rap is horrid. stay away from cliches. i know its not the songwriter forum. if it were cliche about breaking your heart, you dont know where to start...i wouldn't care so much. it is the praise and continuation of degenerate behavior and lack of respect and degradation to women and your entire culture of violence that makes me not care that i am being negative towards it.

if i am certifiable to take crazy pills for disliking that, then i'll shut up.

You are certifiable to take crazy pills, that's obvious by your general behavior and demeanor. You're a sad, frustrated, unhappy, uptight person. You've showed that over and over again. You even know it. Which is why you often "act like a jerk" and then apologise for "acting like a jerk".

But it has nothing to do with your opinion on rap.

(this isn't the place to be an asshole. If you want to be an asshole, go to the Cave like the rest of us assholes....Then agin, you'd probably run away crying within 5 minutes)

 

[cello_pudding]

over and over again? i'm angry and frustrated?

let's see a chart of things i've done:

shot niggas: zero
killed bitches: zero
fucked someone up: zero
arbitrary swearing: zero
been negative towards the aforementioned: plenty.


i'm the angry person? you seem delusional.

 

[cello_pudding]

for the record...i've never said that rap sucks. we made fun of cliches in more than just rap. these cliches just bother me a lot more than others.

 

[sdp530]

I believe we understand your point. You don't like the degradation, the violence, the vulgarity....don't listen to it, don't go see rated R movies, don't watch the daily news...its all around us whether you like it or not. Go ahead and tell me how terrible my lyrics are, doesn't bother me a bit, well just enough to warrant this response, hehe.
-C

 

[RAMI]

for the record...i've never said that rap sucks.

No, you said worse. You said his music sucks and you said his life sucks. Just because yours does, it doesn't mean you have to wish it on others.

You're a pathetic, angry jerk who constantly shows that he has the mentality of a 13 year old. You're one of the only people here that can't take criticism for your own music. I've seen you post music here and then argue with people over what they hear. You're a frustrated little child.....and I'd feel sorry for you, but I have to admit, I get a lot of pleasure in knowing how miserable you are.

I don't need to post any more. SDP530 can handle himself just fine, and you don't need my help to show how much of an idiot you are. You do it so well.


I'm out.