Mixing clinic - what can that mean?

[dobro]

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.

+1

One thing I'd add: I've started occasionally to go back and give some things a second listen, or even a third listen. Like I do with my own mixes. That's when it starts getting really useful.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

FF,
I'm happy if that's the case.
I know if you, for eaxmple, popped up an album I'd have heard it's development, made a comment or suggestion and be very interested in the end result.
When someone pops in with a mixed, mastered & available for download album I assume they're not really interested in mix ideas. they might be interested in comments, feedback etc but it seems a little late in the party to introduce the cocktail frankfurts and sausage rolls.

I tend to agree with you.

I don't post here much (and I haven't spent as much time listening to others' work as I want to, as I don't currently have a functional, reliable computer, long story), but when I do post mixes they're ones I think are 90-95% there because for whatever reason I'm embarrassed to post anything else. I'm hosting the material myself so it's not like I'm fishing for clicks or plays, and I'm really just looking for a second set of ears on something to get an outsider's perspective.

THAT SAID... There may be value in posting a project that's 0% mixed, with just a quick level set, and then posting something around the halfway mark and then pretty close to where I expect it to be done, with mix notes, so I can 1.) get feedback earlier in the mix process and give listeners a chance to hear everything that's there to work with, and not only the result of the decisions I've already made, and 2.) give others the chance to hear and learn from my process - not that I'm exceptional or anything (I'm probably not even average on this board), but I'm better than some and may be able to help others.

Interesting question...

 

[polarity]

Points well taken.

I guess us new guys just need to not worry so much about saying something wrong.

 

[rayc]

Polarity,
Good point. I lurked for a couple of months before joining & then read for a month or so more before commenting. At that stage it was only in the I like this because... category. The occasionally useful commentary came after I'd learned a pile from reading & getting commentary on my own stuff. It was when I could go back & listen/try/compare based on the comments & suggestions tat I began to hear what was being suggested and WHY it was offered.
Since then I've learnt that if I don't have any suggestion simply saying good work is valuable as confidence is a major part in mixing so building (not falsely) someone's confidence is a good thing to do.

 

[Steenamaroo]

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!

Hey Jiff...
Don't be discouraged. I was hanging with my pal Pete tonight and we came across the first demo recording of a song that ended up on this months album.
The demo was from the beginning of 2012!
It was a basic chord pattern and a finished chorus; The recording was just for my reference, as we expected to be putting the song on May 2012's E.P.

As I say, it only really came together a few months ago but, generally speaking, that's the way he works.
He'll have bits and pieces of songs that he likes, but they never go anywhere.

The final songs usually end up being cobbled together from various related bits and bobs over, maybe, a two year period.

He always though he just sucked as a songwriter, in that sense anyway. Recently he was talking to some songwriter friends who all kinda went...Duh...that's how you do it!

Stick at it and if you get to the point of losing heart, just tear out the page and stick it in a drawer for later.
Maybe record the melody on your phone or something as a reference.

 

[Illsidgus]

Most of the time now when I make a comment it is of the "Great song" type. I have been a musician for 50 years but I haven't recorded anything since the late 80s so I just don't feel qualified to make technical comments. I have made technical comments on occasion but maybe not often enough. I do listen to most of the songs submitted here, but there are a couple of genres that I have difficulty listening to. So I hope that you all don't mind my "Great song" comments for now. As I ramp up my recording then Maybe I can make some useful comments.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

You don't need to be an experienced engineer to have a valid and useful opinion. You don't need any recording experience at all. If you think the vocals are buried or the guitar is too bright or whatever then just say it.

 

[rayc]

You don't need to be an experienced engineer to have a valid and useful opinion. You don't need any recording experience at all. If you think the vocals are buried or the guitar is too bright or whatever then just say it.

Yep, that simple.