Looking for some honest feedback on this mix

[KaylubBurke]

I'm looking for some genuine feedback on this mix we put together with the artist.
If there's any negative comments, I prefer contrast and context. haha.
(ie: What was good about it, followed by what was bad about it).

I'm willing to return the favor on mix critiques.

EDIT UPDATE
Updated mix after recent suggestions.
New drum sounds/dryer vocals:

(Read through entire thread to follow commentary and progression)

EDIT UPDATE 2
Updated the master with a different pan law.
The hope is to help the vocals in the center seem a bit more up front from the guitars in the side

(I'd appreciate feedback on whether the pan law comes across this way, or if mix 2 was just fine the way it was)

ps. I plan to mess with timing intro edit and upload down the road, the performer seems just fine with the performance the way it is though.
My plan was to appease the forum writers though, so I'll nudge it around in a bit.

 

[andrushkiwt]

Guitar on the right had some timing issues, particularly in the intro. Here's what I found odd:

The track has a very live feel, and it's a decent one, not bad at all, but then the sampled drum pieces throw a spin on it that doesn't really mesh together. Its not that sampled drums can't go with an acoustic, I think it's more the arrangement of everything, particularly the percussion. Its like one guy with an acoustic playing over an electronic drum machine... Will it work for some? Sure. Is it the best it could probably be? I don't think so. I think the talent is there, no doubt, but it seems to me like little was considered of the song as a whole as far as arrangement and presentation. It screams "indie", yes, but also "uninspired". Go the sampled route, if you (or they) would like, but make it known that the acoustic is backing the electronic vibe and not that the two are fighting for attention.

Hey, just my opinion. Good vocals. Singer is good. Nice full acoustic tone on the left as well. Bass was fine, nice and full.

 

[KaylubBurke]

Great feedback, thanks so much.
So how would you suggest going about that? Highlight the acoustic and turn down the drums?
Or turn down the acoustics?

Thanks!

Still looking for any other opinions (contrary or similar)

 

[Robus]

Welcome to the forum. Stick around, post and comment. However the feedback is blunt and not sugar coated.

I think there's a good song in there. This mix is muddy and compressed. The vocals are buried, that "tsh, tsh, tsh" sound where your snare should be does not belong, the drums need a thorough remix, and overall the mix lacks air and space, is suffocating. Performance-wise, the groove could be more solid in a few places. The track is promising but could be improved a lot.

PS: No, drums need to be improved and come up, acoustic guitar is too loud.

 

[andrushkiwt]

Great feedback, thanks so much.
So how would you suggest going about that? Highlight the acoustic and turn down the drums?
Or turn down the acoustics?

Thanks!

Still looking for any other opinions (contrary or similar)

I don't think it's a matter of pushing faders. To me, it's stepping back and looking at it deeper and coming to a conclusion of "what do I want out of this track?" Again, just my opinion.

 

[KaylubBurke]

Thanks, I'm definitely after non sugar coated commentaries.

Just so you know, the only compression used on this song was on the vocals, so I've lost you on that comment.
I've definitely considered changing the snare sample though, for sure.

Most people I've shown this to think the vocals are too loud... haha. funny that.

I posted this because I got some great critique from a pretty high profile producer.
I was interested to here what the indie community thinks.
I find both commentaries just as relevant.

Thanks!

 

[KaylubBurke]

Well, if it's a matter of stepping back and saying "what do I want out of this track?" I'd say we already got it.
I wanted the artist and the producer to both be happy, and they certainly are.
I got paid well for engineering/mixing the session. It was mastered in Chicago.

I just posted this to get an idea of what the indie community thinks.
I have no plans to change this track since I'm not the artist or producer.
They're happy.

I'm just curious on outside opinions for future projects.
Thanks again!
Keep the non sugar coated critique coming.
I just find it a bit of a flag when people post nothing but negative comments, rather than anything positive at all.
Usually seems a little... I dunno, defensive. haha

 

[andrushkiwt]

Well, if it's a matter of stepping back and saying "what do I want out of this track?" I'd say we already got it.
I wanted the artist and the producer to be both be happy, and they certainly are.
I got paid well for engineering/mixing the session. It was mastered in Chicago.

I just posted this to get an idea of what the indie community thinks.
I have no plans to change this track since I'm not the artist or producer.
They're happy.

I'm just curious on outside opinions for future projects.

I don't know what indie community you're referencing. This is a home recording site, though many members are experienced studio owners, mastering engineers, and have/do hold various positions in the music industry. You dont know who's on the other side of the screen.

Anyhow, if everyone is happy, then you should be all good to go, right?

 

[KaylubBurke]

It's true, neither do you .

Yea, it is all good to go. We are more than confident with the final master.
I just love stopping by forums to get outside opinions when we've got a successful production.
Puts things into perspective for me when working with future clients and how the internet community plays ball.

This artist got picked up over the song/recording.
We're definitely "good to go".

 

[andrushkiwt]

It's true, neither do you .

Yea, it is all good to go. We are more than confident with the final master.
I just love stopping by forums to get outside opinions when we've got a successful production.
Puts things into perspective for me for future clients and how the internet community plays ball.

This artist got picked up over the song/recording.
We're definitely "good to go".

Congratulations. However, my original opinion is the same. You'll get some more feedback soon, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing

 

[KaylubBurke]

Absolutely, I have no intention of you retracting your opinion.
That's what I came here for .
I am truly appreciative of it.

Just wanted to make it clear that we have no intention of remixing this song since we've had success with it.
I will definitely consider comments for future projects though.
The internet community is the biggest pool for employment these days! haha

 

[Robus]

I misunderstood the intent of your post, Kaylub. Sounds like it belongs on the "promote your music" forum, not the Clinic. Congratulations on your success. May you have many hits.

 

[KaylubBurke]

Don't get me wrong Robus, I genuinely appreciate your opinion.
While I don't plan to remix this song, I want opinions for future mixes. Thank you!

 

[Nola]

I was going to say I liked it as is and not to change it.

The drum timbre sounds like hip hop snare almost...cool juxtaposition vs the acoustic, and my favorite part of the mix. I liked it right away. Only thing I don't like is that guy screaming in the background. He should have been pushed lower or a different singer.

Who is the band? I'd check out more.

 

[TripleM]

It's funny - the singer sounds to me like David Byrne. But this is nothing like a David Byrne song.

The acoustic guitars sounded OK. Slightly brittle, but not bad.

The bass sounded decent. Nice low end. But it was a little indistinct. One note just blended with the next. Needs a little more definition.

The effects on the lead vocal I didn't think the song. To me, the vocal should be a more natural song. I like the earnestness in the performance.

To me, the big weak spot in the mix is the drums. Very fake, and very unnatural sounding.

 

[KaylubBurke]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.

Yea, the performer definitely wanted a "fake" sounding drum kit, so I'm not too concerned there.
The backup singer is the same singer. haha. Maybe he shouldn't of went for such big backup vox?

It's funny about the comments on the vocal effects too. There's next to know vocal effects on him, just a room mic and a slap delay.
Maybe it would be worth losing the slap delay?

 

[KaylubBurke]

Hey guy,

I know I said I wasn't going to remix this song for distro... however, I have the session on my local drive.
I'll see about switching up the drum sounds and drying up the vocals a little bit... just for fun on this thread .

I'll bounce a new version soon and post for you guys to see.
This is fun! I'd like to spend more time bouncing ideas off of forum members.
Thanks!

 

[RFR]

Good idea about the drum sound. That swish noise is actually very distracting to what is otherwise a good song. If used as a 'sometimes' sound, maybe ok.
But a constant theme? Nah.

Rather than driving along the tune, it's more like a police spike strip on the road.

 

[andrushkiwt]

Good idea about the drum sound. That swish noise is actually very distracting to what is otherwise a good song. If used as a 'sometimes' sound, maybe ok.
But a constant theme? Nah.

Rather than driving along the tune, it's more like a police spike strip on the road.

This is what I was getting at.

the samples aren't meshing well with the tune. Samples are fine, but those in particular aren't working very well. Not for this song. As I said, talented performer (band?) and decent song, sure, but the cohesivness between the electro part and the live part isn't coming together in a convincing way. It might just be the actual samples.

Not sure if that's what RFR meant, or if he would agree, but his comment made me realize a lot of it revolves around the sounds the electro stuff.

Love to hear a remix if you get one.

 

[easlern]

Ah everything sounds great to me but the drums. I think handclaps/stomps and a shaker would work better, the rest of the song is so mature/natural and then those drums stick out bad. Regardless, mix sounds great on my headphones!