"Last Minute" - best i've done so far - but..still not happy (pop rock)

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wes480

wes480

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Ok, I tracked this stuff on saturday...and...the performances are not perfect...but I am thinking I should be able to get a good mix out of it...maybe cut out a few guitars here and there etc. I don't know. I was mixing this on small home stereo speakers...so I think there are some low bass problems...I heard them in my car..not on the PC speakers/sub. Let me know what to do about that..My biggest problems with it right now -

1.) Don't like the bass tone (recorded with a rode NT3 right next to speaker of a peavy bass amp)
2.) The vocals don't sit well in the mix...level wise they are ok, but they don't "melt" into it. I think I used some bad compression (don't really know what I am doing with compression..heh)
3.) The guitars are kinda randomly played...but..besides that...they just stand out a little too much at times...sounds too "live"
4.) I am hearing a lot of little pops/clicks in there - I *know* that it clipped in one spot, the first time that it says "through *my* hands" - but other than that it was clip free. Not sure where all the noise is coming from - hopefully in my head? None of the original dry tracks clipped at all.

But, I am totally not objective now - I would love some comments and any advice as to what I could do differently tracking wise and mixing wise. So far this has been a good learning experience.

If anyone would like to hear it totally dry - I could post a mixdown of that later.

The file (finally, i know..heh)

http://www.student.gsu.edu/~whatchett/mp3/last minute - mix2.mp3
 
Tried to listen. I can't seem to get there from here. I was able to weasle into your home page but I can't find an MP3.
 
Got it that time. Great tune first of all. Really good tune. On the bass, it sounds a little tubby in the 300Hz region. Personally, I like going direct thru a bass preamp rather than mic it but that's neither here nor there. Try a cut AROUND 300Hz, just sweep a cut +/- that freq and see if it helps.
 
thanks trat - sounds like a good plan. i am going to try that out in a few minutes. Yeah...I am going to try direct...the only direct option that I had this time...was going into the Hi Z input on my Aardvark...and that kind of gave me a green dayish treble bass sound which i didn't want..just wanted something full. Maybe next time I will try running out from the bass amps output, into the soundcard...see what kind of tone I can get that way.
 
it has a very refreshing sound to it.

Nothing sounds out of balance. I like it a lot. NIce music and good interpretation to the vocals.

I will listen loud in the morning.
 
thanks a lot cyan! it's a big encouragement to hear compliments from you guys - i was kinda depressed about it at first like man....what am I doing wrong...

I mean...it doesn't have the "shine" and the perfect guitars that I hear in my head...but...it's a good stepping stone. Definately getting monitors this week...guess I will just get the HR824's...I like them...my brother listened to the mix on his stereo which is...decent...weak amp but pretty good speakers...and said it didn't have any bass to him. Which I don't get...I hear the bass on small speakers...and computer speakers...and headphones.

Only thing I could think of was just the overall bass tone - it is kind of muddy...and low end...at least to me. Maybe it doesn't have that "punch". Also, I eq'd out around 125-200 so that the kick would come through more (weak kick sound...sm58..)...and, I think the kick does come through - but maybe too much? I am going to take a trip to his place and see what he is hearing, becuase I don't get it.

I need to pick up a kick mic...try to get a better "thump"...though, I am not sure the bass drum sounds that great to begin with. heh.

thanks for the continued help and I look forward to your next comments cyan.
 
compression/reverb

as far as the vocals...all i did was a C1 compressor on the "normal preset" and a reverb in cool edit on the "nice presence" preset. - Not happy with the results...I tried just playing around the with the numbers...but it was just too haphazard. You guys have any suggestions for learning how to mix a vocal?

Also - the vocals were recorded with a Rode NT3/pop filter - do you think I would be happy with the increase in quality if I got say...an studio projects C3?
 
Hey wes, I think it sounds really good. Are those real drums? You got a very clear and present sound if they are. I think it might be better though, if either the drums were more straight, or the guitars and bass were, cuz they seem like they're kind of competing. Or maybe it just needs to be tightened up in the mix like you were gonna do. And your voice sounds real good to me too, sort of almost a country pop flavor in there. And the song is very commercial sounding, sort of like Shawn Mullins. I think you've got it all there for what you're going for, you just need to tighten it up.

Macle
 
thanks a lot macle-

yeah all of the instruments are real. I think I am going to just call this one a "demo" for sure - and retrack everything (except maybe the drums).

Could you elaborate on what you mean by "more straight" with the guitars/drums? i agree that the parts compete...not quite sure what to do about it though.

I think i am getting closer - still not like your sounds though ;)
 
I think i am hearing what Macle is saying about 'more straight' ...
The beat is there, but is so syncopated by having all the instruments doing so, but nothing really "landing" on the beat guiding the rhythm..it is really only the snare landing on 2 and 4 that is guiding the 'straight' beat. Also, the bass is the dominate sound over the kick drum, and each sound ok to me in their own right.
The balance is up to you and if you like them. Personally, I'd take a bit more kick drum (volume wise). The drums sound very *authentic* to me in the first intro..
You have a nice voice, and goes with the music well. I'd take another instrument in there somehow...such as a whole note keyboard sound...to kinda hold things together a bit more. Maybe bring the gtrs in and out of the mix a little bit more, to help with the arranging/production too.
Nice tune:)
 
mixmkr - AH...ok...yeah I had never really thought about that before - but I am definately hearing it now.

I will keep all of that in mind for when i retrack it. Keyboard was intended for the song...but, i personally just couldn't do anything good with it. Eventually I am wanting to get a keyboardist in the group who can add that depth to it - without it seeming "cheesey"

thanks for the comments and compliments.
 
Recording techniques and quality aside,this is a GOOD song.Great melody and the drums staying in the pocket drives it home.Im sure if you took this song to a larger studio, the producer would build it up into a radio-ready pop tune with a little more instrumentation and backing vocals.

Maybe even add a bridge?Sounds good.
 
"Im sure if you took this song to a larger studio, the producer would build it up into a radio-ready pop tune with a little more instrumentation and backing vocals. "

thanks rb! nice of you to say so. Yeah backing vocals are definately something I am planning on getting together in the next round.

Any ideas on what I could do to achieve some of the same studio effect on my own? Heading down to a larger studio isn't exactly in the cards right now.

Thanks again.
 
wes, what's you setup on your drums? Mics, preamp, etc. Really good sound.

macle
 
Hey Wes!

Good tune there...

The vocals were really good.
Sounds like you would make a great folk singer in the James Taylor vein, which isn't a bad thing as long as you don't butcher soul songs like he did :D

Production was pretty solid & even for a demo.
My only 2 cents in the negative was the miking of the cymbals.
Were those condensors you used?
If not-Get some.
Nice, catchy tune..The lyrics were well-placed and literate.

VI
 
Dude, I really like the vocals...I think it suits a song like this very well......could actually see this song on Adult 40 radio stations....

I am still a newb so I cannot really give you much recording advice, but could you tell me a little more about your setup? What preamp did you use for your vocals? Are you recording straight into your computer? If so, what soundcard are you using? Just curious. :)

Keep it up man, you definetly have talent.
 
macle - well, it was nothing special, I can tell you.

I am using an Aardvark Q10, so the preamps are the ones that come with that unit. Supposedly pretty good...some say a little better than like the Mackie XDR. But, I have 8 of them on the unit, so...it's pretty nice. As far as mics, I have a Rode NT3, an SM57 and an SM58. I want to get a better kick mic, and an extra NT3.

The NT3 was the only overhead...and 58 was on kick, and the 57 was on snare. The final "mix" of the drums is pretty much dry...compressed the snare and kick a bit (with Waves C1). I was pretty happy with the drum sound though, once I get another NT3 I think it will pan nicely.

I don't really like the kick sound though (I really like yours on Despair though!) heh. I want something a little thicker...I will probably get an ATM25, and go from there.

thanks a lot macle!
 
VilliageIdiot - thanks, I love James Taylor! At a talent show a couple of years ago I did "Sweet Baby James" so that's kind of my background I guess.

The cymbals were condensor - but, only 1...as I mentioned. Maybe having 2 would make the difference?
 
Nutdotnet - thanks a lot man. That's a big compliment. A friend of mine heard it and said "well...I wouldn't buy it...but 5 million 35 year old women probably would!"

Take what you can get i guess.

Stick with it man, I'm a complete newb too..this was some of my first recording. 3rd go at it, actually. thanks a bunch
 
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