Mixdown inspiration

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S8-N

S8-N

..|.. Part-time Antichrist ..|..
I haven't ever seen a post on this topic and this may not be the proper forum but here goes...
I think everyone has an album that they think is the perfect mix... Maybe I am the only one, I don't know... After reading posts from several of you I'd be interested to hear what you think is the ultimate mix...
I think I mentioned somewhere that I use the first Korn album as a reference guide for heavy stuff...
For music of a more eclectic nature the new Mr. Bungle album "California" has awesome production... And I doubt that a whole lot of money was spent on it since they have never had a hit song or video and rarely tour... But it sounds so SSSMMMOOOVVVE.
Do yourself a favor, no matter what kind of music you like (they touch on all styles) check this album out...
I recently got to see 'em live and it was a (sac)religious experience.
Hey Ed... I bet you're gonna say "Van Halen 1"...
Since I got my new monitors I am listening to all of my favorite recordings through 'em... and on the subject of high end... some albums have lots more high end than others... I never noticed this on my home stereo...
O.K what are your "ultimate mix" choices???
 
Actually, Van Halen 1984, followed by Fair Warning, if we are talking Van Halen.

Ultimately, I think it is still hard to beat Boston's first album for production and a really great mix. Just think, that album was recorded and mixed in 1976, and it still sounds better than about 95% of the stuff coming out now.

Another that I think had some great production is Deep Purple's House In A Blue Dream (been so long since I heard it though, I may have the title wrong). This album just had some gorgeous tones on it, and a mix that was beyond solid.

For a more heavy sound, Hardline's one and only CD! Neil Schoene (spelled right?) produced this gem, and it just has all the slick production going on.

For a live disc, Pat Traver's Go For What You Know is still I think unsurpassed. What a killer live disc, although, they did do some studio overdubs on it...... :( Oh well, you would be hard pressed to tell where.

But the album that just rocks my world, because it has the best guitar tones I have ever heard is the Heart album with Crazy On You on it. Holy cow!!! Those guitar tones!!! Never will we hear guitars like that again.

Hey S8-N, when will the new mix be done?

Ed
 
Have to go with Ed on Boston's first album, that was/is a fantastic album, songwriting as well as recording wise. One of my favorites is Pink Floyd, The Wall as well as Dark Side of The Moon. I've been listening a lot to Lisa Loeb's album Cat Tails (think that's what it's called), the recording quality of this is superb. Speaking of Deep Purple, Machine Head is a great one. The Purple album your referring is House of the Blue Light, I think.
 
I agree that Korn's albums are well mixed as far as the heavy stuff goes, but ever see them live? I did, and they sounded kinda muddy...I think its hard to get those 7 strings to come out clear in concert.
Anyway, if anyone's ever listened to Type-O-Negative, I think they do an excellent job with space and placement.
 
Praise be to Scholz! I have to agree with everyone who mentioned Boston 1. Also, The Alan Parsons Project's Eye in the Sky is an awesome sounding album. Alan Parsons also engineered another album mentioned on this thread-Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.
 
Thank you Emaric for the correction on the DP title!!! You are absolutely right. :)

Oh yeah tmcbrinn, I just seen Korn in Portland Or. about 5 months ago. The first 3 songs were as you describe, but after that, the mix was killer!!! Those guys just rock live!!! Now Rob Zoombie on the other hand.......... :(

Hey you guys, does everyone remember where that 1st Boston album was recorded.

Old Tom Scholtz Produced, but also co-engineered it.

Give up???
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The Record Plant in L.A. Interesting though, Don't Look Back was recorded in TS Hide a Way studio. I think that it sounds every bit as good. Maybe the songs were not quite as fresh.

Pink Floyd and Alen Parsons albums are some of the best stuff out there. How silly of me to make mention......LOL

Ed
 
Hey Ed,
Boston's first album was mostly recorded in Hideaway (his basement studio) as well. From what I've read, the mastering and the addition of a few tracks took place at the Record Plant. '
My point? That this album, which most will agree is one of the best engineered in history, was mostly made at home. Talk about inspiring!
And I also agree, Ed, that the 2nd Boston album sounded great (and Scholz was pissed because the record company took the recordings before side 2 was complete.) I think side 2 of Don't Look Back is some of the best Boston music ever!
 
S8, you made a post a week back on acoustic questions and sound room muting and so on. So heres a new album "perfect mix" that may peek some intrest. Craig Chaquico "Acoustic Planet" He and the boys did this baby digital and take the time to thank folks like Ensoniq, MOTU and Carvin and fostex. So he is using all the same stuff we ask about. 100% instrumental. great mix, killer moods
 
There are too many great modern productions to list, but if I had to go with a clasic I would have to say that ZZ Top's recordings are my favorite.
 
Speaking of the first Korn album... It was recorded at a cheap-ass studio in L.A... Indigo Ranch studio and produced by a man named Ross Robinson who was previously unknown to mainstream music...
Since then he has recorded Coal Chamber, Soulfly, and Slipknot... Some of the new bands than are shaping the heavy sound of tomarrow...
An interesting note... Korn went with a different studio and producer for their newest album and it sucked...
Food for thought.
 
i tried looking for an old post were it made reference to some audio s/w that could " rip " eq off a cd , and apply that exact eq to your mix... i couldnt find it.. does anyone remmember what im talking about ?

- eddie -
 
Yeah... That was Steinberg's Freefilter... Type freefilter into the search engine and that should bring it up...
Be forewarned... Freefilter isn't... It's quite expensive... I decided to just try and use my ears to rip off other peoples EQ settings.
 
looks like i need to get the first Boston album...some other personal faves for production:
-new NIN
-anything Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry
-Jane's Addiction "Ritual..."
-Smashing Pumpkins "Melancholy..."(possibly a Boston influence on guitar sounds?)
-the Cure "Disintegration"
-radiohead "OK computer"
and surprised no one mentioned Zep- In the light or Kashmir?(can't beat the strings...except maybe on Strawberry Fields or I am the Walrus...)
sorry for the indulgence....

ps-i always thought it would be cool if you could buy books similar to the guitar tab types they sell for specific albums, but instead have them have a song by song detail of mic/recording and mixing process and the creative decisions involved...anyone know of anything like that??

...damn, my fingers are cramping
cricketking
 
Oh yeah...
Rick Rubin is another awesome producer... Chilli Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", Slayers' "South of heaven", and Beastie Boys' "Licensed to Ill"...
Weird that my two favorite producers both have the same initials... Rick Rubin and Ross Robinson.
It's late...
 
Ok, here are some of my modern favorite mix/productions:

1) Dream Theater: Falling into Infinity
2) Lovewar: Soak Your Brain
3) Megadeath: Criptic Writings
4) Quennsryche: Empire
 
I agree with the Led Zep - "In the Light" I have it on vinyl and man! Right now I am really enjoying the mixes and sounds on "Return of the Greivous Angel - a tribute to Gram Parsons" There are tracks with many different artists (Elvis Costello, Emmy Lou Harriss, Beck, Lucinda Williams.) I also enjoy Brian Eno/David Bowie - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Alright - I gave me 2 sense (cents)

lD
 
Okay folks,

somehow we forgot my all time favorite (if you were stranded on a island what album would you want?). Abbey Road by the Beatles. Now most people think Sgt. Pepper (a great album and done on 4 track by the way), but Abbey Road has superb musicianship and the engineering is awesome. This album is the Beatles at their best (imho) and done on eight track.

Others on this thread mentioned Pink Floyd--Dark Side is cool but listen to the Final Cut, it will blow your mind--especially all the holophonic stuff.

Boston is also mentioned--have they actually done a poor recording? Catch them in concert and you will be amazed. Soundtrack perfect audio.

Don't know if anybody here listens to Christian music, but DC Talk's Jesus Freak is way awsome production (and music) wise. Phil Keaggy is also awesome.

I didn't see much jazz music on this thread. Don't overlook it people. Some great lessons in engineering and sound to be found in jazz.

Peace, Jim
 
Two Thumbs up to Fishmed for the Dream Theatre reference! Infinity was great album.

to Jim:
one of my favorite jazz albums is
Cannonball Adderly with Miles Davis: Something Else. Slick tunes, musicians and production!
 
Two Thumbs up to Fishmed for the Dream Theatre reference! Infinity was great album.

to Jim:
one of my favorite jazz albums is
Cannonball Adderly with Miles Davis: Something Else. Slick tunes, musicians and production!
 
I'm new here - trying to make some decisions about a home studio - I keep stumbling over the decision to do recording on my PC or to go for something like the Roland 880EX. Anyway, I'm learning a lot from these forums. For now, I just wanted to say that this site has been invaluable to me and THANKS Ed for reminding me about Pat Travers - haven't heard it in years - a great piece of work. Time to go dig thru the LP's.
 
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