Inexperiance showing.

[ste20man]

Hi all.

I've played guitar for 15 years and love it like nothing else. I've recently set myself up to record at home and have the following gear:

USA Fender Tele - Boss DS1 - Proco Rat Distortion - Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue - Shure SM57 - Focusrite Saffire 6 - FL Studio - good VST's and Effects(Waves Mercury).

I've spent enough time to be able to use FL well and feel that I can get a decent sound in from my guitar. I have just laid down my first effort in FL.

There's 2 synths, a bassline, I've used Ezdrummer to put down an interesting drum track and have laid 2 clean, 2 distorted guitars down. I have applied what I know so far to the track regarding mixing, but it doesn't 'sing out' if you know what I mean.

The style of the track is like Nirvana / Foofighters etc.

When I listen to those bands the music is lifted off the page. It's in your face but under complete control. Everything seperated and crystal clear.

I'm going to continue recordig forever now, I completely hooked. I am wondering if any of you guys can remember back to when you first did a track and thought that it sounded flat?

I think it might be all down to the mix but any ideas that you have, any things that you might be able to advise me on or point me towards to learn would be much appreciated.

I always find you should take advice wherever you can, especially here because there is so much to learn. Thanks for your time in advance, Ste.

 

[miroslav]

I am wondering if any of you guys can remember back to when you first did a track and thought that it sounded flat?

Was it Saturday or Sunday....I can't remember?

It takes a bit of time to find all the right stuff you need to do...just keep at it and it does get better with every pass.
Listen closely to who you want to emulate, and then try to recreate....that's a good way to learn...then find your own sound.

 

[arcadeko]

...good VST's and Effects(Waves Mercury).
I have just laid down my first effort in FL.
I always find you should take advice wherever you can, especially here because there is so much to learn.

Not saying that you didn't pay for this software or anything, but Mercury is like a $3500 software bundle. Pirated software is anathema here so if you have not paid for it you should delete it. There are plenty of inexpensive and free alternatives. Since you have just laid down your first track it seems unlikely that you went out and bought Waves Mercury... Of course you could be a trust fund baby

As far as your original question - mixing is one of those day to learn lifetime to master type things. Your comparing a rough mix to a fully mastered commercial release so that is part of it. Post your mix in the Mixing Clinic and you can get some specific advice.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Of course you could be a trust fund baby

LOL!