Increasing fullness and decreasing cracking in a metal mix.

[Metalweasel1546]

I've just recently finished recording and mixing a metal song I had been working on for a while, and have since uploaded said song to Facebook. I am in positive spirits about the outcome of it, but I still realize my mix is nowhere near being 'finished', and that I'll probably never achieve the perfect mix I'm looking for without the help of a professional studio.

Also, although I have managed to get a desirable amount of volume, I get some cracking that comes during 'louder/heavier' parts of the song [Cracking = too much volume as a result of greediness? ]. Most importantly, I feel my mix lacks the 'fullness' of the cds I like to compare it with.

I use Steven Slate for drums, and direct-in with a Fender 5-string for bass. For guitars I use a SM57 and an AKG220 to record a minimum of 4 rhythm tracks - one SM57 track panned 100 left, the other 100 right...the AKG tracks recorded slightly lower than the SM57, with one panned 100 left, the other 100 right - all coming through a doo-doo Behringer Eurorack MX 802A and mixed in Adobe Audition 3.0.

The mix I'm referring to is down below. [Facebook link]

Any tips on potentially increasing the 'full' value and decreasing the 'cracking' of my mix?

 

[morejaylesswar]

While I have no proper input about mastering, I just wanted to let you know that I was really impressed with what I just listened to. I thoroughly enjoyed it a first, second, and third time. Best of luck with finding your answers. I hope to hear more.

 

[Metalweasel1546]

Haha, thanks a lot man!