Is this engineering job worthy?

[chessrock]

Lots of opinions out there . . . my head is starting to spin. Let's see :

We're somewhat split on the guitar tone at 3 votes in favor and 2 votes against. I think they're great for the style they are striving for, so I'd say they're keepers.

On the subject of bass tone, we're at about 3 votes against the dead bass sound to 2 votes who think it sounds fine. I'm voting for re-tracking the bass with fresher strings cuz I know better.

Snare: Half like it, half don't. Kick, I will admit, is a bit low (thanks for pointing that one out, Sab), but that should be an easy fix. I like the snare exactly the way it is, so it stays, as does the rest of the percussion. A small editing job will fix the ending.

The one thing that seems fairly universal is the lead vocals need to be scrapped. So out they go.

I just got off the phone earlier today with the guitarist/singer, and asked him if he'd like to come in some afternoon to do a little touch up work. I told him I'd be happy to work on it some time next week pro bono. He was all over that idea, of course.

Funny how offering your work for free perks a lot of interest. Anyway, I think it will be worth it. If you run down my list on nowhereradio, I would say just about all of the tunes were rush jobs. Nothing I can look at and say, "Yea, we really put a lot of work in to that one to make it sound as good as it can possibly be."

I'll post the newer versions when they're completed. Thanks again, all, for your input.

 

[M.Brane]

If you run down my list on nowhereradio, I would say just about all of the tunes were rush jobs. Nothing I can look at and say, "Yea, we really put a lot of work in to that one to make it sound as good as it can possibly be."

I was just having a conversation with my good friend/drummer/partner in musical crime and we touched on this subject.

Always remember that no matter how good a job you do you'll always look back and find things you would have done differently. Like macle said it starts with the players themselves and you do the best you can with what you have to work with. Chalk it up to experience and know that the next one will be better because of it.

 

[mixmkr]

personally, I wouldn't necessarily put something for a demo if it wasn't just how you wanted it ..and wanted to show it off. which might mean, just recording something yourself, or getting some really great musicians together (great music usually can sway people to overlook the mixing that was done), and record them on YOUR time if you are looking for a studio demo. You are probably going to get a lot of rush jobs...probably your main staple. After all, how many people are really going to want and drop some serious change??...they'll probably want to go up a couple levels, studio-wise if they were. Therefore, don't expect the next Van Halen to walk in with $400 and put you in the enviable position to be his engineer.

Also, consider clips of songs, like a medaly to showcase your studio, rather than a couple of full length songs. People will get the gist right off the bat, and possibly showing a little variety might go a little further....unless of course you think filling a niche is in your best interest.

oh...btw...I'd leave out clips with train conductors....older chic singers...etc.

 

[MISTERQCUE]

Yo' Chester-the-Protester, voc's were clear though at times he seemed to go outta key! Git' and drums on point, every nuance being captured ( your mic'ing technique is superb).Great use of 'verb's giving this production a sense of "LIVE/STUDIO" rec'ding!
Your skillz are madd phat!!!

 

[jordokid]

Unfortunately this is the first time Ive graced my ears with a chessrock article so I cant say as to whether or not it belongs in your portfolio of success,I will try to remedy that situation.
I will say this however; it is obvious that you realized that the tune is pretty much propelled by guitar and snare and I thought that you did an excellent job capturing that. The background choruses at the end are also very well done.
My drawbacks have already all been mentioned so in an effort to avoid any recurring redundancies I will refrain from repeating repetitions. Its nice to hear that somebody back there in the old country is still doing that folky-rocky kinda thang.
el jordo

 

[Guernica]

Hey Chess,
......I can see that all of the opinions aint gonna help ya a whole bunch on this one. ......I liked the guit sound, liked the bass tone (but not the loose bass performance), liked the drums alot. ......I wish i had a picture of the band. If its kind of a college, or punkish kinda thing.... I could kinda see where the singer is heading. This is the kind of dissonant lead voc. that "X" made famous. ......although, it kinda sounds like the dissonance is beyond intentional.
I liked the tune though........ As far as your representation as an engineer, I think you did a great job...... ....but I wouldnt present this as demo material to every potential client...... .....if the Band is an "X" -like project.... ....younger clients would dig it.... and your "hipness" Older folks might not get it.
.........if this isnt a modern genre kinda thing and that singer is just bad?............ UGH......I wouldnt pass it around. Nice work on your end though....... btw: I still listen to the Baldwin Bros. remix you did (Dreamgirl)....... Great stuff man!!



g

 

[boydrj]

I thought the guitar sounded ok...The drums sounded too far back in the mix to me...like they needed a boost or something to stand out. They didn't seem to provide as well a foundation for the tune as they should (in this type of tune) ...

The singing was alright, but there were a few pitch things going on...though I think the singer probably carried it with his emotion (afterall, Bob Dylan has tons of pitch things, but he carries it off with the feeling)...

I definitely think spending more time on the mix is probably the major factor. Only three hours to track, mix and master a song is nearly impossible nowadays...

It will be interesting to see what you can do with this with more time!