it doesn't matter

[heatmiser]

Hi again,

I have another new tune that I'd love to get some opinions on. I finished tracking this one about a week ago while you folks were kindly giving me advice on the last track (I probably will remove or at least lower the fuzz bass on that one thanks to your feedback).

I approached this one quite differently both in terms of the sounds I chose and the arrangement/"writing" process. How's the mix sound?

Original mix:


04.21.16 mix:


Thank you.

 

[sammydix]

Kinda of a cozy, happy song. I liked the vibe a lot, really. I have no particular nits, just enjoyed the song.

 

[heatmiser]

Kinda of a cozy, happy song. I liked the vibe a lot, really. I have no particular nits, just enjoyed the song.

Hey, thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Kind of funny as the lyrics are mostly a downer, but the music is pretty upbeat I think.

I'm listening to your track now which sounds very well put together. I'm listening on shitty phones though, so hard to tell on the mix, but it sounds good. I'm going to give it a proper listen later. Thanks again.

 

[sammydix]

That's mostly what I meant--upbeat. But it was really the vibe as a whole that I liked.

 

[BroKen_H]

Fun song! There are a few spots where the vocal goes a little under (could be just a touch louder). Mostly at the end of the choruses.
Really like most of the palette you used. A few songs are personal taste replaceable, but it's your song. Very David Crowder (modern mixes with lots of vintage synth sounds).
Nothing I'd want you to change on my behalf. Sounds really good.

 

[ido1957]

Good blending of everything. Stereo spread is cool - but still the middle isn't empty. The vocals could use a bit of a push up in volume or maybe comp? to bring them up to the instrument level. Other than that I like how you've mixed this I like the flow - though the tempo is what I would call medium it still has a good rhythm to it and does keep moving - because of all the variety of instruments.

 

[rayc]

A strong Flaming Lips vibe which is very cool. Vocals up a bit and, maybe, a little dewooling of the bass is all I'd suggest.

 

[heatmiser]

That's mostly what I meant--upbeat. But it was really the vibe as a whole that I liked.

Cool. Thanks again man.

Fun song! There are a few spots where the vocal goes a little under (could be just a touch louder). Mostly at the end of the choruses.
Really like most of the palette you used. A few songs are personal taste replaceable, but it's your song. Very David Crowder (modern mixes with lots of vintage synth sounds).
Nothing I'd want you to change on my behalf. Sounds really good.

Hey, thanks BH. Yeah, I wound up with the sections with more vocals being lower in level overall which is ironic. I definitely struggled with the singing on this one a bit and buried the vocals to the extent that I felt I could without giving up on them entirely. I had this tune mapped out in my head for a while and was able to realize most of my instrumental ideas, but I kind of took it for granted that I could sing it in a nice, soft higher register - completely forgetting that my voice doesn't do that at all.
Most of the synth sounds came from an ipad. I ran the headphone out into my guitar amp and mic'd that up with a 57. Took some of the edge off, plus I could use the spring reverb on the amp. I'm happy in that sense that it sounds vintage.

Good blending of everything. Stereo spread is cool - but still the middle isn't empty. The vocals could use a bit of a push up in volume or maybe comp? to bring them up to the instrument level. Other than that I like how you've mixed this I like the flow - though the tempo is what I would call medium it still has a good rhythm to it and does keep moving - because of all the variety of instruments.

Thank you ido. The vocals have been pretty heavily compressed at this point, but who's to say I couldn't go further? Might be worth a try. I tried damn near everything else. lol

I'm pretty happy with the instrumental aspect I think...panning worked pretty well. Part of that is two separate drum takes panned far apart, which is unusual I think, but sounded pretty good in this context? Thanks again for the good word. It's actually like 80 bpm I think...that's pretty slow! That is what I set the ipad to when making that arpeggiated synth part from the opening that continues throughout. That was the start of the whole thing, and then I played drums along with that...then the acoustics, then...blah, blah, blah...

A strong Flaming Lips vibe which is very cool. Vocals up a bit and, maybe, a little dewooling of the bass is all I'd suggest.

Awesome. Thanks ray. I am very happy if it gives off a lips vibe. That works for me.
I'll see if I can dust of the old dewooler. Some early consensus on vocals levels...interesting.

 

[robgreen]

This is very cool indeed. I love all the texture and the new sounds you've added to your usual style. All works really well.

I think you're aiming for a mix where all the parts sit 'in' the mix rather than perfect separation and clarity? I like that and it works well, but here and there I'd maybe pull a few elements up more to the forefront to make a bit of a feature of them. Maybe like the arpegio'd guitar under the verse on the left from around 1.30 and the organ in the outro? Just ideas, feel free to ignore. Either way it's another good tune. Nice one Pete

 

[fat_fleet]

Wow cool sounds. I was not expecting the synth at all.. an iPad?

I like what you did with the mix too- very up my alley.. lots of little sounds coming in and out. Interesting that it actually sounds a little less congested and less bassy than I remember your mixes being, could be a result of all those new sounds forcing you to really reign in the lo, as I often have to do with dense mixes. In my listening life I almost like mixes like this to have an implied center that's either really low or missing, and your brain kind of fills it in based on the context of all the notes and sounds weaving in and out. I sometimes wish I could do that with my own stuff but I usually chicken out and fill in the bottom. Maybe it's one of those things that I imagine sounding better than it actually would.

Gotta say songwriting/arrangementwise this does still sound classic heat.

 

[Robus]

I like the song. Strong melody. The accompanying tracks are really well done, supporting the vocal and setting a good atmosphere without trying to steal the show. I'm a big fan of disciplined, effective arrangements and that's what you've got.

The vocal could come up. It sounds like you are hiding the voice. The level of the lead vocal sounds lower than the guitars and synths on either side of it. You've created a nice big space in the center of your mix--something else I'm a fan off. Now the voice just needs to step into that space and be heard. Push that fader a little more...and then one more nudge for good measure.

 

[TripleM]

I thought things sound very good. Very nice clarity on everything. Nothing is competing with anything else. Tone on everything is pleasing.

Levels on everything, to me, are perfect except the vocal. I think the vocal could come up a nudge in the verses and two nudges in the chorus.

But that's it. I thought it was very good.

 

[heatmiser]

This is very cool indeed. I love all the texture and the new sounds you've added to your usual style. All works really well.

I think you're aiming for a mix where all the parts sit 'in' the mix rather than perfect separation and clarity? I like that and it works well, but here and there I'd maybe pull a few elements up more to the forefront to make a bit of a feature of them. Maybe like the arpegio'd guitar under the verse on the left from around 1.30 and the organ in the outro? Just ideas, feel free to ignore. Either way it's another good tune. Nice one Pete

Hey rob - good to hear from you again and thanks for checking it out.

It's a very interesting point (to me anyway) that you raise as I was just thinking about how when I used tape, I used to ride the faders sometimes with fingers from both hands executing all of these crazy level and panning moves in real time. I would make subtle and drastic adjustments through a song to bring different elements forward and back., which can make things more dynamic and interesting.

Now that I've gone digital, and have motorized faders, I don't really even bother any more...weird. I really never touch the faders nor automate anything in any of my songs. I tend to track the stuff at the relative levels I think I want it at and just leave it there. Kind of lazy of me, and a bit ironic? I have the tools to really fine tune a mix now, but I just don't.

I appreciate the comment, because it's got me thinking. I think my using my motorized faders would be a lot like what you DAW folks call automation, right?

Wow cool sounds. I was not expecting the synth at all.. an iPad?

I like what you did with the mix too- very up my alley.. lots of little sounds coming in and out. Interesting that it actually sounds a little less congested and less bassy than I remember your mixes being, could be a result of all those new sounds forcing you to really reign in the lo, as I often have to do with dense mixes. In my listening life I almost like mixes like this to have an implied center that's either really low or missing, and your brain kind of fills it in based on the context of all the notes and sounds weaving in and out. I sometimes wish I could do that with my own stuff but I usually chicken out and fill in the bottom. Maybe it's one of those things that I imagine sounding better than it actually would.

Gotta say songwriting/arrangementwise this does still sound classic heat.

Aw, thanks fleet. Yes, an iPad. I don't have any synths, but my kids told me they had Garage Band on our iPad...I checked it out and lo and behold...tons of free synth sounds! Plug it into the amp, and it's like having a vast array of free, virtual instruments...most of which sound god awful, but some, with much tweaking, sound pretty cool?

So, are you saying the middle is empty and needs more to fill it in, or that the middle is empty and kind of nice that way? You talk about doing it with your mixes, but then having to imagine how it would sound, so I got confused...sorry!

I tried to utilize more than just 1-3 chords this time. More of an actual song maybe? Glad it still sounds like me though I think! lol

 

[heatmiser]

I like the song. Strong melody. The accompanying tracks are really well done, supporting the vocal and setting a good atmosphere without trying to steal the show. I'm a big fan of disciplined, effective arrangements and that's what you've got.

The vocal could come up. It sounds like you are hiding the voice. The level of the lead vocal sounds lower than the guitars and synths on either side of it. You've created a nice big space in the center of your mix--something else I'm a fan off. Now the voice just needs to step into that space and be heard. Push that fader a little more...and then one more nudge for good measure.

lol...one more nudge. Nice. Yeah, well it seems to be a growing consensus that the vocals are just too quiet. I'm surprised as I find them just bordering on too loud for me, but I think I am just hiding them, because I had the singing much louder on my last track, and that seemed fine to me too. The vocal tracks here are just kind of harsh, and I found them grating when louder. I know, I should have done something at the source there, but I tried tracking the vocals several different times and always the same harshness...maybe this just isn't a good key for me - if there is such a thing?

Anyway, I appreciate the listen and the compliments about the arrangement and stuff. Makes me feel better about it. Thank you.

I thought things sound very good. Very nice clarity on everything. Nothing is competing with anything else. Tone on everything is pleasing.

Levels on everything, to me, are perfect except the vocal. I think the vocal could come up a nudge in the verses and two nudges in the chorus.

But that's it. I thought it was very good.

Excellent. Thank you MMM. I am happy to have worked in all of the different guitar and drum tracks without stuff getting too much in the way.

It's weird that I tracked the drums using only two mics this time, but then used 2 separate takes and panned them far apart. I would have guessed that would sound like shit, but it's pretty cool. I thought people would crap all over them here, but I feel like I got away with it!

Sigh..another vote for vocal nudges....hmmm. We'll see. Thanks again - really appreciate the input!

 

[Nola]

the mix was good, heatmiser. i didn't hear anything that stood out negatively. the only criticism i'd have are for things outside the mix, but since you didn't ask for those i won't elaborate unless you want me to, and i'd probably rather do it in pm. i like the genre you write in and overall found this song creative.

 

[heatmiser]

the mix was good, heatmiser. i didn't hear anything that stood out negatively. the only criticism i'd have are for things outside the mix, but since you didn't ask for those i won't elaborate unless you want me to, and i'd probably rather do it in pm. i like the genre you write in and overall found this song creative.

Hey, thanks for listening. I am cool with comments or criticisms about any aspect of anything pretty much. I just asked about the mix as that's what the focus is typically on here, but feel free to bring up anything, here, or in a PM if you prefer. Thanks again!

 

[fat_fleet]

So, are you saying the middle is empty and needs more to fill it in, or that the middle is empty and kind of nice that way? You talk about doing it with your mixes, but then having to imagine how it would sound, so I got confused...sorry!

Just ruminating.. sorry.

 

[heatmiser]

Just ruminating.. sorry.

Rumination is strictly forbidden. What were you thinking!?

 

[Nola]

Hey, thanks for listening. I am cool with comments or criticisms about any aspect of anything pretty much. I just asked about the mix as that's what the focus is typically on here, but feel free to bring up anything, here, or in a PM if you prefer. Thanks again!

It was mostly that "happens all the time what could I do lyric". It seemed cliche and I could almost predict it before it happened. The descending guitar part ("I didn't say I was hurting too") I've heard a million times, too. Both stood out as cliche. :/

But I mean, it's catchy and probably used a lot for a reason. Don't take it personally. I like the song despite those things.

 

[heatmiser]

It was mostly that "happens all the time what could I do lyric". It seemed cliche and I could almost predict it before it happened. The descending guitar part ("I didn't say I was hurting too") I've heard a million times, too. Both stood out as cliche. :/

But I mean, it's catchy and probably used a lot for a reason. Don't take it personally. I like the song despite those things.

Ah, I'm glad you came back and responded. I was freaking out wondering what you had to say as it sounded so ominous! lol

Totally valid criticisms, so I'm glad you took the time to let me know. The lyrics here are actually sincere if that counts for anything (unusual for me), and since I typically only use 1-3 chords, this was a bit of a reach actually coming up with several different sections, but the descending bit is quite possibly cliché.

As much as I like creating tones and playing and tracking and mixing, songwriting and lyrics don't really interest me much and I think it shows. By far my least favorite part of the whole process. Ironic, as I really try to avoid clichés in terms of tones and arrangements and mixing techniques, but then I tend to write some pretty grade school caliber lyrics. lol

Thanks again - I will definitely keep this in mind.