MERCEDES #1 remix with faux mastering

  • Thread starter Thread starter rayc
  • Start date Start date
rayc,

Your tunes are so much fun to listen to! You are so stinkin' creative! (that's a good thing)
Sometimes I gotta laugh at the culture differences evident in your posts. Most times, I just figure out what you mean, but this time, I just have to ask: what does a wife who is "crook" mean?? Educate me brother!

Peace!

~Shawn
 
Sorry mate,
Crook! Unwell, bad, sick, on the turn, on the nose, Rookwood, (from Crook as Rookwood - that being the biggest cemetery in Sydney), to have a lurgi, in bed with a wog, like a bucket of prawns in the sun etc. 'Tis a colourful language we have in the antipodes - the tyranny of distance made a steaming pot of colloquialisms!
 
Sounding pretty good here...vocals might be a bit quiet in this mix...they get a bit hard to understand at times. Seems they could use a slight boost. It might be that the guitars are a bit bright...there just seems to be a clash there.

Song structure is cool as usual....just needs a bit of tweaking. Nice one man...:D
 
Sounds good to me. I think the vocals could come up if you wanted. Cool flute recorder thing, I dont know what it is. But sounds great. Cool guitar playing. Id like the guitar to take some of the basses volume. I like the song, the guitar part is mesmerizing. Good singing too.
 
I compared this track to a "Final#1" version from a while ago, that I had stored on my computer. I believe it's close if not the same as my CD....(in my truck)

The levels seem more even on an overall basis. That mastering plug is very similar to my outboard compressor in its effect.

The kick is more prominent in this mix, as is the bass guitar. Not sure if the kick is too loud, however the bass seems good - love the definition there. The bass and kick have a nice punch to them. The whole mix seems to have more punch to it.

The flute is not quite as prominent in the intro as the previous version - which is better IMO as it is more equal to the other instruments. But I'd like a little more around 1:28 to match it's intro level. See later too...

The vocals seem a bit low - I prefer the previous version's level.

I noticed a little reverb on the guitar, but very little on the vocals (as compared). While listening I wondered if maybe a bit more reverb on the vocals would balance that reverb a bit - or maybe a slight slapback echo.
The purpose would be putting them in the same "room" but not too wet. The flute at 1:28 seems to be in the background for example and needs to be brought "closer" to the other stuff - hope this makes some sense.

The lyrics are very cool. Like all your tunes, they invoke vivid images of the people and background story. I liken it to reading a short story - sometimes its a love story or political thriller or documentary.

:cool::D:cool::D
 
Very different ... certainly not your average easy listening station material.

Nice changes throughout ... unexpected turns to the music, yet never losing the mood or method.

I've got nothing of substance to add. I just wanted to pop in a tell you I enjoyed it.

Best,

Kev-
 
rayc said:
Sorry mate,
Crook! Unwell, bad, sick, on the turn, on the nose, Rookwood, (from Crook as Rookwood - that being the biggest cemetery in Sydney), to have a lurgi, in bed with a wog, like a bucket of prawns in the sun etc. 'Tis a colourful language we have in the antipodes - the tyranny of distance made a steaming pot of colloquialisms!
Click to expand...

You da man rayc, you da man!
 
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4153234&q=hi
This link to soundclick for a tweaked mix.
Vox boosted, bass cut a little, some reverb added to the vox - interesting Ido - there's no 'verb on the gtrs. If you listen through to the section that begins "watching powder monkeys..." you'll note the 'reverb" almost disappears. At that spot I cut the distorted guitar right back. It seems that the cakewalk effect set to british crunch open backed off axis gives a sense of 'verb to other gtrs playing the same lines - odd ones.
eyema,
We have, as is so often derisively said, "got convict blood". That means heaps of rejected Irish, Welsh, Scots , Poms & poor folk brought their fruity lingua franca to our penal relish. Thanks for your generous words.
K-dub,
Songs about the social intergration of the children of Cambodian refugees isn't a topic for the charts I guess. Then again, I'm unlikely to bother charts or powerpoint presentations. Ta for your very kind words.
Ido,
The big question remains - is it any better than the previous mixes?
Erockrazor,
Vox upped! It is a flute. Bass lowered just for you! thanks for the suggestions and pat on the back!
Dogman,
The faux mastering plug has brightened things up. I've boosted the vocal & reduced a guitar a little. Zanque!
Here's a link to a 320 version on lightning:
SORRY - the link doesn't work. It is the link provided in the response email BUT it doesn't work there either. Apologies. I'll get another sorted when I respond to your excellent suggestions.
 
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Hi Ray, listening to the tweaked mix...those guitars sound really cool, that rhythm is tight on the descending chord thing!!....Bass sounds nice and punchy, vocals sitting nicely as well..I like it!
 
rayc said:
some reverb added to the vox
Click to expand...
I hear it - subtle but effective.

rayc said:
there's no 'verb on the gtrs. If you listen through to the section that begins "watching powder monkeys..." you'll note the 'reverb" almost disappears. At that spot I cut the distorted guitar right back. It seems that the cakewalk effect set to british crunch open backed off axis gives a sense of 'verb to other gtrs playing the same lines - odd ones.
Click to expand...
True - now that I listen again, it might be more like a slapback echo on that section...

rayc said:
Vox boosted.
Click to expand...

I was listening to the mix I have from your CD in the truck this morning. The vocals seem a bit too high on it compared to the instruments. Nicely audible but (and I like really up front vocals) too hot.

For this mix the vocals are lower better but.... the first verse could still use a boost - maybe. At around 2:00 the vocals seem to have the perfect level and continue that way to the end. I'm wondering, maybe the guitar is louder in the first section and that's what's making the vocals less distinguishable? At 2:00 is where you cut the guitars...so that may be what I'm hearing...

rayc said:
The big question remains - is it any better than the previous mixes?
Click to expand...
Yes

rayc said:
Here's a link to a 320 version on lightning:
http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?id=11744
Click to expand...
Error 404 - File Not Found when trying to open the lightningmp3 link...


So overall a little tweak on the initial vocals and I'd be happy with the mix...

:D:cool::D:cool:
 
The guitar performance gives the whole arrangement a tight rhythmic feel.:) ...and an unexpected chromaticism in parts.:cool::cool:

Vocal sounds great... could come up a dB.

Your band's tunes are always very interesting and creative.
 
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4153234&q=hi
This mix has a llittle more vocal in the 1st section, a de esser on the vox (for some reason Spitfish now causes my prog to crash so this is the mda one) as the reverb accentuates the sibiliance.
Tim/XLR - yeah, the progression and my hamfisted playing style generate some interesting chroms. Thanks for the kind words.
VariQueepy - thanks mate - fish's bum tight?
Ido - I'm aiming to please your ears with this as you have a detailed knowledge of the song. How close are we now?
I'll edit in the lightning link when it arrives. - & here 'tis:
http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?id=11775
 
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Sounds pretty good Ray. The vox are hard to make out. They seem kinda buried and boxy. Bass and drums sound great. Nice guitar sounds. Is that one guitar? It seems to be pretty close to the middle which leaves the sides of the stereo field kind of empty. I'd like to hear some wider guitar panning which will also help unmask the vocals. Nice song though. Keep picking at it. :)
 
I listened again to the older version in the truck this morning as a bit of a reference. The vocals on the old version reveal a bit of low-mid on the vocals - at least thats what I would call it...:)

The current version could still use some tweaks on the vocals...

So I fiddled with the WMP EQ to see if I could get some proximity of where tweaks might work.

1) Dropping the 1KHz a couple notches lowers the guitar level, allowing some of the vocals to come out.
2) Raising the 4Khz several notches seems to brighten up the vocals, however, it does reveal the sibilance...Is there any way to reduce the sibilance without dulling the vocals?
 
This is my favorite song of yours so far, I think.

Flute is a little loud for this mix. Love the percussion.


Maybe some compression on the vocals and a little eq - the vocals sound a little "boxy", for lack of a better word.

For some reason, it's hard for me to imagine climbing up a ladder while the guitar is descending in such a vigorous fashion. Lol.

Bass tone sounds good. Just a little clean up on the vocals.
 
This link SHOULD take you to a slightly tweaked remix.
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4153234&q=hi
Supercreep,
I've ever so slightly lowered the flute & cranked the Blockfish on the vox (there's a 2nd track running as Motown exciter). I had been working on an ascending guitar liine for that very phrase but didn't get around to finishing it. It's certainly a juxtaposition - I'll blame my Dada & wanting Dali as my mumma. Thanks for the compliment & suggestions.
Ido1957,
I notched the guitars at the recommended freqs, did similar with the vox & ditched the reverb on them as that was making the sib horrid. Instead I've added a smidge of Glaceverb across the mix. Thanksfor the detail & ideas.
Greg,
It was 2 guitars that matched perfectly when solo'd but one side died a little & I couldn't carve it a reasonable space. I've dropped that one & cloned the one that worked panning it opp. the original with a tinsie touch of chorus to differentiate it. The guitars are panned 75% either way but if you think more is needed I'll give a hardpanned mix a try. Thanks for the advice.
 
rayc said:
This link SHOULD take you to a slightly tweaked remix.
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4153234&q=hi
Supercreep,
I've ever so slightly lowered the flute & cranked the Blockfish on the vox (there's a 2nd track running as Motown exciter). I had been working on an ascending guitar liine for that very phrase but didn't get around to finishing it. It's certainly a juxtaposition - I'll blame my Dada & wanting Dali as my mumma. Thanks for the compliment & suggestions.
Ido1957,
I notched the guitars at the recommended freqs, did similar with the vox & ditched the reverb on them as that was making the sib horrid. Instead I've added a smidge of Glaceverb across the mix. Thanksfor the detail & ideas.
Greg,
It was 2 guitars that matched perfectly when solo'd but one side died a little & I couldn't carve it a reasonable space. I've dropped that one & cloned the one that worked panning it opp. the original with a tinsie touch of chorus to differentiate it. The guitars are panned 75% either way but if you think more is needed I'll give a hardpanned mix a try. Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

Hard panning cloned tracks won't really create a wider effect. You can put all the chorus and other effects you want, it will still just be like a mono track on steroids. It really needs to be two seperate takes. One thing you can try is to take one of the guitar tracks, and shift it a few milliseconds out of time with the other one and pan 'em wide. This may create some weird phase effect, but the wide panning may mask some of it. It could work to widen the stereo field some.
 
Good mix on the latest version. Interesting thing - I flipped the pointer between pre and post flute solo and the vocals are pretty much identical volume wise. When I play end to end the first section seems a hair lower though. I'm not sure what law of physics that is :) so I think my ears are playing tricks. I prefer the vocals as they are now as the lyrics are clearer. The sibilance is more noticeable but I still prefer it this way. This is a solid mix now - a plateau maybe... :cool:
 
G'day Greg,
Yeah I know the clone probs. Unfortunately I haven't had use of my recording comp since new years eve. I'm stuck with mixing & in the box stuff. I had a pair set up but, for the life of me I don't know why, despite being beautifully balanced in solo mode one guitar stood out in the mix. I did do the slight delay thing & ran into phase probs as well as muddying the rhythm. I'll try again with a MUCH smaller delay.
I'll try the smidgeon & wide pan. Thanks for the detail.
Ido,
It's interesting how many probs dropping a "mastering" plug on something can create. I know why I've avoided it to date. If I had the money I'd pay an M. E. to deal with the issues. Thanks for the follow up.
This link is to a mix that explores greh's reccos. Wider panning, smidge of delay (well tiny delay time but 100% wet with no original sugnal) on the clone. I don't know if it works as I've only just completed it. Let me know please someone.
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4153234&q=hi
 
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