mixing help!!!

[rjay]

so i recently recorded this band in my small, but humble basement studio. I've recorded myself and friends bands in the past, and it comes out decent, but this band just came out awful, every song. I can't figure out what it is everything sounds muffled, and it just gets me so frustrated trying to deal with it. I think eq-ing might be my problem, as I've read many articles on the topic, but still can't figure it out exactly and know when to use it. Also, I know their equipment is fairly awful too. I got the drummer to use part of my set which was cool, but the two guitarists use way too much distortion for this kind of music, and the bassist plays the bass a really awkward way which comes out horrible on the recordings.
here's a link to their myspace page, the first song is the one i recorded recently. I actually recorded the second one a while back and it came out way better, i don't know why, but any help is appreciated.:http://www.myspace.com/shediedrealpretty
for reference, the gear i used is:
firepod->computer
rode nt-1a
jm27 overheads (recorderman position)
sm57 on snare
some crappy audix on the kick(like f 12 or soemthing)
audix d3 on one guitar cab
sm57 on the other
bass-direct out of amp

 

[EL34]

Whoa, I can't picture my friends and me playing stuff like this in my mom's basement.

They would have come down the stairs and sedated me or tied me up and poked me with a cattle prod until I came to my senses.

I'm sure it's not your studio if you have gotten good results before.

My advice, don't let these guys back into your studio.

 

[rjay]

Whoa, I can't picture my friends and me playing stuff like this in my mom's basement.

They would have come down the stairs and sedated me or tied me up and poked me with a cattle prod until I came to my senses.

I'm sure it's not your studio if you have gotten good results before.

My advice, don't let these guys back into your studio.

haha, thanks for the advice. My parents weren't home when I did this, but yeah, I usually have a headache when they leave.

 

[EL34]

Hahahahaha, you got me on that one!!!
That's good, sorry I can't be more help.
LOL

 

[gachiman]

To me, it sounds like the cymbals are overpowering the highs for the rest of the mix, and that whole frequency just sort of disappears into a big crashy sound in parts, kind of like their playing on the far side of a waterfall. I really don't know what to tell you. I'd love to hear just the drums with nothing else. I think that is causing most of your muffled sound.

 

[rjay]

To me, it sounds like the cymbals are overpowering the highs for the rest of the mix, and that whole frequency just sort of disappears into a big crashy sound in parts, kind of like their playing on the far side of a waterfall. I really don't know what to tell you. I'd love to hear just the drums with nothing else. I think that is causing most of your muffled sound.

thanks for the input. I will see if I can post a clip tommorow of just the drums mixed down untouched.

 

[rjay]

i didn't have time to get the drum mixed down on a cd today, but i'll give this a bump for any more possible input.
aplain drum track will be posted soon.