I'm new to this. Please critique my mix!

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Kerfoot32

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My band recorded a song in my new home studio. I'd really appreciate if you critique it for me. Not the song, the recording and mix. It's one of my first attempts so I really don't know what I'm doing and really need some advice from pros.

Tell me anything. What am I doing wrong? What sounds bad? Why? What effects and tricks should I use where? What are some of your tricks? Anything. Be harsh. Tell me it sucks and why and how to improve. I won't get offended, I know I'm an amateur...

Pictures of the Sky (Acoustic Version) by Kerfoot32 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
 
Sounds like a nylon. your timing is all over the place, and same goes with your singing. The levels are all over the place(especially with the vocals), a little compression can help that out a bit. And I woululd suggest running a hipass filter on the main guitar, that should clean it up a bit. Other wise nice shot. Keep it up.
 
Alright. What are some specific spots where timing and vocals are bad? And by main guitar do you mean rhythm or lead?
 
You're not gonna help me unless you're more specific. Are there certain instruments that are off? Give me a starting point.
 
How can I be specific if you keep going on and off time so much that I can never figure out which is the timing you should be on? Lets start from the begining...
 
So every single instrument is off? The rhythm guitar was recorded to a click and sounds on time to me.
 
Wow. I wanted helpful feedback and you did not offer that. I'm aware some of the lead guitar is off and I think that is giving you the illusion that the whole song is off but it's not. I asked for you to critique the mix...
 
Im gonna guess that you played and sung at the same time?......It sounds like you were not consistant as far as distance from the mic while you were singing, which obviously messes up the levels. Too close to the mic when you started a phrase then you backed off as you went is what it sounds like.

As far as timing I know you said you played to a click but the playing feels kinda choppy? Slow tempo songs are a real bitch because there is so much space. You may have been on time but you have to be able to play around the click so it doesnt sound so...well choppy. Its more of a feeling kind of thing.

As for the mix, the acoustic seemed a little dull, everything else seemed ok but with the vocal levels jumping around its hard to concentrate on the other stuff.

Just give it another go.
 
I'm sorry, but the rhythm guitar sounds off pretty much throughout. I tried counting off a beat along with the timing of your vocals and it seems like the strumming mostly comes in a little late. Odd, as it is often by the same amount. Occasionally it sounds rushed though too. I'm surpirsed you don't hear that? The tone of the guitar is, as mentioned, kind of dull. It could be quite a bit brighter.

I think with something this slow and sparse you'd want some big reverbs on there to give it some sense of space and to give it a little more of a dramatic feel. As it is, the mix just kind of sits there on one plane right in front of me. Again, I apologize and am not trying to be mean, but I think it's pretty rough in its current state.

I recommend re-tracking the guitar and playing something less staccato. If compression doesn't even out the vocals, I'd re-track them too. Track and/or EQ everything brighter, throw some long reverbs on there and maybe add some more elements to the arrangement to help retain interest.
 
First part of any good recording is a good performance. This guitar part is kinda not on, it sounds like it's dragging some when the piano comes in.

then when two voices come in one sounds like you just unmuted it during the firs word.

the lead guitar part is fine as far as performance (or maybe it's some kind of keyboard)

the vocals are not consistent as far as volume and dynamics.

Now, once you've got the performance parts fixed, how'd you record the guitar? It's got no top end. check out the how to record acoustic sticky in the recording section.

The vocals need to be a consistent distance from the mic. Record it seperate from the rest of the instruments. Record about 4 and cut and past to create one good track.

That's enough to start. Keep the effects minimal, avoid crazy reverbs like on the lead, avoid doubled vocals panned (unless you're elliott smith). Ok, go back and start over and I guarantee it will be way better.
 
Ok I'm gonna redo the guitar with a different method. I just stuck a sm57 in front of the hole. I'm gonna try using 2 condensers at once. One in front of the hole and one near the 12th fret. Will that sound better?

When you say use big reverbs, which instruments are you talking about? All of them?

Play something less staccoto. What does that mean?

Do you like how I double tracked the vocals in the chorus? Should I do that for the whole song? And if I shouldn't pan them left and right, then how? Both center?

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll definitely be redoing most of it.
 
Kerfoot32 said:
Ok I'm gonna redo the guitar with a different method. I just stuck a sm57 in front of the hole. I'm gonna try using 2 condensers at once. One in front of the hole and one near the 12th fret. Will that sound better?

When you say use big reverbs, which instruments are you talking about? All of them?

Play something less staccoto. What does that mean?

Do you like how I double tracked the vocals in the chorus? Should I do that for the whole song? And if I shouldn't pan them left and right, then how? Both center?

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll definitely be redoing most of it.
Click to expand...

I'd stick with one mic on the acoustic until you've got a really good sound. Use one at the 12th fret angled slightly toward the sound hole 6-12" away. Adjust from there. I wouldn't do stereo until you can get a good mono.

I'd verb the acoustic and the vocals, but make sure they add to the sound and don't distract from it.

I don't like the doubled vocals. I wouldn't do that for any part of the song. If you are going to do them, pan them, centered they'll probably sound weird.

The only way to get a good mix is to mess up about 1000...maybe more.
 
The only way to get a good mix is to mess up about 1000...maybe more.

What does that mean?
 
I can agree with everyone here to a point but trust me - I have been playing all my life and have just started to understand the importance of nailing the performance first - it is undeniable how good a recording sounds if the performance itself is amazing . Learn your OWN type of formal training and find your own place .....it took all my life up till now but once you find it you will know it .

Take critiques with a grain of salt , in the end they are only other peoples thoughts and really as an artist it is ultimately up to you if you are happy with your creation.

Peace
Neil
The Little Studio
Canada
 
Kerfoot32 said:
The only way to get a good mix is to mess up about 1000...maybe more.

What does that mean?
Click to expand...

It just means you have to do a lot of mixes…practice…you'll probably mess up a bunch but eventually you'll figure out what you need to do.
 
Kerfoot32 said:
Ok I'm gonna redo the guitar with a different method. I just stuck a sm57 in front of the hole. I'm gonna try using 2 condensers at once. One in front of the hole and one near the 12th fret. Will that sound better?

When you say use big reverbs, which instruments are you talking about? All of them?

Play something less staccoto. What does that mean?

Do you like how I double tracked the vocals in the chorus? Should I do that for the whole song? And if I shouldn't pan them left and right, then how? Both center?

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll definitely be redoing most of it.
Click to expand...

staccato adj. Music . Cut short crisply; detached: staccato octaves. Marked by or composed of abrupt, disconnected parts or sounds: staccato

Basically, its a fancy word for choppy.

I know someone posted to take advice with a grain of salt and I agree to some extent, but at the same time there are ALOT of very talented people on this forum, it would be ignorant to dismiss their advice completly. Ive learned way more here then i ever could have by trial and error!
 
I read through the comments quickly, but I didn't hear any mention of pitch. In addition to what's been mentioned I'm noticing a lot of spots where the pitch is off.

If you leave the doubled vocal in, I would put them both down the center and turn one of them down about 6-8 dbs. That way it won't be obviously doubled.
 
I really appreciate all the feedback guys. I'm gonna redo and post it here again in a few days.
 
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