Mixing clinic - what can that mean?

[CarmenC]

It seems rather odd that there are so many members posting links to completed projects/EPs/Albums.
The idea behind the forum is to post a recording with a view to getting suggestions or comments on the mix of that recording. Some additional comment re song quality, lyrics and genre/style or playing quality are often given and welcome.
The comments are well intended and some of us can be very honest when the mood swings that way.
BUT what, other than click collecting, is the deal withy new folk and completed projects that we've had no chance to hear develop?

Perhaps some people don't want your help with anything but an opinion on their mix.
Some people don't get much public feedback, and are just wondering what someone else might think.
Perhaps with >8000 posts, you think you know better than they do?
I could be wrong...

 

[Armistice]

Perhaps some people don't want your help with anything but an opinion on their mix.
Some people don't get much public feedback, and are just wondering what someone else might think.
Perhaps with >8000 posts, you think you know better than they do?
I could be wrong...

If so, then you have to persuade them to spend four minutes (or whatever) of their time listening.

I presume, in your other thread, you pulled your link down. If you want feedback on your mix, stick it back up again and see what happens. Fighting with the people who might listen isn't very persuasive, don't you think?

And give it some time... not everyone's in the same time zone and logs on all the time to check out mixes from people they don't know.

There are ways of being heard....

 

[DM60]

Not with all newbs, but with *some*, they ask for advice but they don't give any cuz they got nothing to say. Until about 2 years ago, I just wasn't hearing much that was useful to share with others. But I really valued the feedback I got from people on my stuff. Now I can hear about three things, and if I hear that in somebody's mix, I comment. I still can't hear compression very well, though. Gimme another two years.

I listen to many, but as a new guy, and learning, I am, very reluctant to say much. I just don't feel I have enough experience in mixing to give someone advice. I participate as much as I feel comfortable.

On posting, I will say, I think most don't like to post until they are pretty close to finished. When I posted a song, I received great comments. But before I posted, I did my best to present my best.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I listen to many, but as a new guy, and learning, I am, very reluctant to say much. I just don't feel I have enough experience in mixing to give someone advice. I participate as much as I feel comfortable.

On posting, I will say, I think most don't like to post until they are pretty close to finished. When I posted a song, I received great comments. But before I posted, I did my best to present my best.

Looking back, I was exactly like that.
I probably put 3 shitty albums through the clinic before I tried to offer advice to anyone else.

There was nothing intentionally selfish about it, but it's funny that I probably wouldn't keep helping someone else who did that!!

 

[Greg_L]

You don't have to be a pro producer or engineer to give feedback. You don't have to actually fix anyone's mixes. You don't have narrow down exact frequencies and compressor thresholds. Just tell them what you hear. Try to word it in a way that makes sense.

 

[Steenamaroo]

You don't have to be a pro producer or engineer to give feedback. You don't have to actually fix anyone's mixes. You don't have narrow down exact frequencies and compressor thresholds. Just tell them what you hear. Try to word it in a way that makes sense.

I do agree with this, but I can see why it'd seem wrong to a newcomer.

Annoyingly, those with no intention of hanging around probably don't care, but sometimes those who do don't want to come off like a know-it-all, or overstep their mark in the first week.

Still though, some people do say "I'm a beginner, but...."
I got a good few noob comments on the last record I did. Certainly more than in the past.

 

[Greg_L]

On the flip side, as the one receiving feedback, I try to be gracious and respond to anyone that's commented and answer any questions asked about anything that I may have done well. I genuinely appreciate anyone that's taken the time to listen and comment, regardless of what it is. That doesn't mean though that I'm going to implement any and every change that gets suggested. I take everything into consideration and if I agree, I do something about it. If not, I don't. One thing I will never budge on is the actual songwriting itself. I'll listen to and appreciate and objectively consider any mix critique, but the songs stay as written. I'm not changing a verse or chorus or arrangement because someone doesn't like it. I write the way I want. I'm a big fucking dick that way.

 

[jonny deep]

I think there's a feeling that the advice should come downwards (from the more experienced/skilled members to the less so) and so a noob couldn't possibly have anything useful to say about anyone else's mix. This was certainly the case for me when I first started here.

However, I've learned that I can give useful input just by listening and telling what I hear. I'm likely listening on different speakers to everyone else and certainly in a different room. Therefore, I have a unique perspective. On many occasions I've read all the comments and then had a listen and thought, well, I'm hearing it like this, which noone else has mentioned, so I post my thoughts. I don't necessarily know the solution, but I can point out that I'm hearing it like that on the type of speaker I'm using at that time.

Oftentimes, just an opinion on the material is welcome. I tend not to post so much on songs/styles I don't like, unless I can offer some mix opinion/advice.

 

[DM60]

I try to provide good feedback without going into technical details. A courtesy listen and comments can be done by anyone with ears and sense of music or just music appreciation.

 

[Mr Clean]

I try to provide good feedback without going into technical details. A courtesy listen and comments can be done by anyone with ears and sense of music or just music appreciation.

I do this. I say what I hear or would like to hear. I'm no expert but I know what sounds good to me and if an honest opinion helps people, I'll give it.

 

[DM60]

I do this. I say what I hear or would like to hear. I'm no expert but I know what sounds good to me and if an honest opinion helps people, I'll give it.

I think that is the key, honest constructive feedback is really what most of us want. I would say, I have learned to give the feedback in a delicate way as these songs do become our children. I am starting to understand why artists are so touchy about what critics have to say.

 

[fritsthegirl]

One thing I will never budge on is the actual songwriting itself. I'll listen to and appreciate and objectively consider any mix critique, but the songs stay as written. I'm not changing a verse or chorus or arrangement because someone doesn't like it. I write the way I want. I'm a big fucking dick that way.

I think that's fair enough actually. I think even in my naivety and non-skill I wouldn't change the main structure of the song unless it was glaringly bad and EVERYONE mentioned it. It's too much work, and I'm lazy. I remember on the first thing I posted someone said you need more of an intro. I didn't change it in that song, but I made sure I paid more attention to it in each subsequent song. I figure if you go changing the essence of your songs each and every time, you'll never finish anything, and also you have to start asking yourself why you write your own stuff in the first place.

 

[jiff 41]

I think there's a feeling that the advice should come downwards (from the more experienced/skilled members to the less so) and so a noob couldn't possibly have anything useful to say about anyone else's mix. This was certainly the case for me when I first started here.

[.....]

& for me, I can't even get the covers I do to a stage where i'm happy with them so I feel more work/time is needed,before I put them to the forum,when I hear the mixes that are on here most of the time it sounds great & then peeps say change this or that which I don't hear so more time/experience needed me thinks! enjoying tho!

 

[jonny deep]

peeps say change this or that which I don't hear so more time/experience needed me thinks!

This could be to do with your monitoring environment (quality of monitors, acoustic treatment, listening position).

 

[jiff 41]

This could be to do with your monitoring environment (quality of monitors, acoustic treatment, listening position).

I've recently sold some stuff & bought a pair of equator D5's so the monitor situation has improved a lot,but I still listen & track in the spare room which is untreated & is a challenge but all part of the lernin curve!. (money is very tight so I do what I can!)

I only started home recording a year ago & although I've played gtr/bass in groups & solo since I was 13, I knew NOTHING of computers so there's still a ways to go but I think I'm doing pretty good when you consider all there is to learn!.

I still keep going back to the covers I've done & change things that I've picked up from here & the reaper forum, & I can hear the changes,I wish I'd kept a copy of my first covers to compare with how they are now.

I read something & the light comes on,I try it & then there's a "YYYEEEESSS" moment & a good feeling so & it's on-going but there will come a time when I'm confident enough to post something on here,in the beginners section!!!.

So on we go!

 

[heatmiser]

You should post up some stuff jiff. You've given plenty of feedback to others. You've got nothing to lose and you might gain some helpful insight...then again you might not .

I think what this place tends to reject is pompousness, selfishness and indifference. Inexperience and a genuine desire for input and dialog is embraced for the most part. That applies equally to new and long-time members, single tracks or even entire albums in some cases, although in this particular forum I think it is easiest for the potential reviewers if you provide just one track at a time for them to focus on.

 

[polarity]

I will agree with some of the other new guys (and girls) here. I rarely comment on mixes because I don't know enough to help. I try and put in my opinion if I hear something that's blatant. I listen to most if not all the mixes posted. I also sit in an office 8 hours a day without much else to do so I am on the forum constantly.

I have posted 2 "listen to this" type threads that were not mixes at all, just voice over karaoke track to get opinions on voice. Hopefully honest opinions instead of a friend stroking your ego. Aside from the vast amount of knowledge you get on this forum that is what I think is most valuable. It's a host of anonymous people who for the most part shouldn't care about your feelings and will hopefully give you good honest feedback.

I do understand the need and want of the forum members to help those who are active. I hope those long time members (and frankly those who have the most information to offer) are looking at more than just the mix section to decide who they will listen to. Some of us may not have much to offer in the way of mixing help but we try to be active in other parts of the forum where we can add something to the conversation.

 

[heatmiser]

I rarely comment on mixes because I don't know enough to help.

See, I think that's a mistake. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I appreciate getting any kind of feedback from anyone. The more the merrier. I could care less what my perception of the listener's level of experience is, I just like that they were interested enough to comment. It's up to the poster to sift through and decide what feedback works for them or not. Even just high-level commentary that doesn't get into finer details or technical jargon can be nice and/or helpful.

Contrary to that though, you do sometimes see someone give perfectly reasonable feedback like, " I'm not 100% sure, but it seems to me like you could bring up the bass quite a bit..." or whatever, and then the OP is like, "What is your listening chain?" "I'm using (insert expensive monitor brand name here) in a well treated room and it sound fine to me". That kind of stuff drives me nuts, and I think discourages someone from jumping in if they don't already feel "qualified".

While I've been here a long time, I never really developed a deep understanding of the technical aspects of things and still get intimidated about giving anyone else feedback or advice. That doesn't stop me though!

I hope those long time members (and frankly those who have the most information to offer) are looking at more than just the mix section to decide who they will listen to. Some of us may not have much to offer in the way of mixing help but we try to be active in other parts of the forum where we can add something to the conversation.

Again, just speaking for myself, I don't put that much thought into it. You make a good point in that someone can certainly be active and helpful on this site, but not so much in this specific forum.

Personally, I tend to comment when;

1) The poster is someone I already know/like - regardless of the music itself
2) I really like the music - regardless of who posted it
3) I hear something I actually think I can help them with - regardless of the music itself or who posted it.

 

[fritsthegirl]

Uh hello Jiff! I record in an untreated bedroom, and I can't play or record for shit by comparison to almost everyone on this forum! Live a little! Getting help makes it all go a lot faster, and it's fun if you're not too precious about it.

I agree with Heat, I think it's always awesome when someone just says they liked what I posted. I appreciate these 'like' comments as much as the advice I get about recording. I mean it is Home recording, but at the end of the day you're writing music, so if someone likes your ideas, it's very cool to hear about it.

The only feedback I ever give in the clinic is my opinion on the song, I don't know nearly enough to start dishing out recording tips. But I figure I've listened to plenty of good music to know what a nice melody, good rhythm, lyrics, and such are.

Also, I know from being here for a bit that most people on here have good taste and like good music. When they say something about what I've done, I can almost always work with it.

 

[jiff 41]

Thanks everybody for the encouragement.

In the band I play in, I help loads with the songs we do (originals!),somebody usually the bass player says I like these two chords Jeff & I say yeh with these...... & off we go, another song & they are getting better!
So I have a hand in nearly every song!.

But I never can get a whole song out by myself,I start then get stuck on a part, leave it, thinking i'll come back to that & then I seem to loose track of the whole song vibe??,,,so I've got little bits of songs/riffs all over the place not doing anything!,,& then start thinking I don't like that sound or this or that & get stuck in a circle! ,,, I think I'm happiest when I'm working WITH someone, so if anybody wants a collab' I'm up for it!

In the meantime,it's head down arse up, keep at it!!