Interesting pattern, from rough mix to final.

[mixsit]

I've been noticing a similar progression hapening the last several projects I've done in our little hole-in-the-wall studio.
It starts with the rough mixes after tracking, nice, punchy, maybe an incouraging sign.
The overdubs go on, everything seems to be holding up.
Then in the mix stage, the process of optimizing all the various tracks, things being done to let all the parts fit together -and be heard.
It is at this point I've sometimes found the need to backtrack a bit. Although the mix might work from a 'technical' stand point, everyting's there, it might just be Too much of a good thing.
Every time this has happened, when we went in and started pulling thinks back -or out, we ended up uncovering a wonderfull punchier, easier to listen to mix hiding in there.
The last time this happened (today) it was as simple as going into 'offset' mode in ACKUS, and trimming the kit and the two rhythm tracks back a bit. Walah.
Pay Day!

Wayne

If this is On The Job Training, I want more...

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Yeah, I've been there before. I've spent two hours tweeking dynamics on each channel setting my compressor attack/release times and ratios and all that good stuff, gone in and eq'd until each instrument has its own place, then listened and said "that's terrible!". 3 minutes later all of the dynamics and most of the eq's are removed, and the song sounds great again.