Mixing Workshop : Take 1

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Katauskas
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David Katauskas

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From what I understand, there are several methodologies to recording/mixing/mastering. I need help with the first two. I'd like to make this a Work In Progress (WIP) that anyone can provide input/suggestions.

I'll start with posting the Bass/Drums 1st pass mix. It has no effects other than some EQ and compression on the bass. To me it sounds like the drums need to be brought forward. If you have other suggestions, please chime in along with how that can be achieved.

This month I'm into very heavy/crunchy metal (other months it's classical or accoustic, ...?). Anyway, this is where I want this tune to go...the heavy side.

Thanks in advance!

 
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Drums do sound dry, or something. Not very "HEAVY", if that's what you want. I don't know exactly what it is, but they could use something. EQ, compression, some different verb. Cool start, hope to hear a finished product soon.
Ed
 
Ok...I tried to enhance the drums and added a little reverb. The next thing I notice is that the bass track is clicking...I think this is because a pick was used when recording the bass...I'll probably just re-record that.

Any suggestions regarding the sound levels or eq?

What's next, mix in the guitar, or keep working at this mix first?



:confused:
 
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I think thats a good enough start. I would really like to hear some guitars on that. I don't see how you can tell if the drums need "brought forward" without the other elements in place. I dunno about the reverb either, it sounds like it may be a little bit too much, especially if this heavier, I thought heavier stuff usually has a drier drum sound? Its hard to tell without the guitar/vox though...

Definitely good tones so far though.
 
I added the guitar parts...the first guitar part was used to get the song composition and I don't really like that sound. The real guitar sound I want to work with starts at around 0:45.

Two problems:
1) it sounds like it's in a tunnel
2) it lacks definition

I recorded the guitar by recording 1 track, panning hard left. Then recording another track, panning hard right. Then recorded a 3rd ambience track (that may be the cause of the tunnel sound).

Thoughts?

 
I've brightened it up a bit (it was kinda muddy).


Q's:
1) do the guitars sound ok? (I think they may need more low-mid)
2) boosting the guitar track 250-500 makes it sound like it's in a tunnel (yuk). Is it supposed to do that?
3) how can I get the kick to stand out more? (boost at 3k?)
4) what other things can I do to help this mix along?

I know there are a lot of questions, and I'm asking for a lot...but I really need it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
Guitars do sound yuk. There's no such thing as "suppost to sound like". Try some different micin positions, or even different mics if you have any.
Snare is way too dry. Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.
Wouldn't know what to say about the kick. The bass sound is pretty good though :) Sound nice and full, although you can hear the plectrum click very clearly. Might be a good thing, might not. Your call.
 
i notice the same thing as what i had in my latest mix,

the drums are really up front, thats ok if you put the guitars louder,
and i wouldn't pan the guitars this hard, a little more to the center will give it amore natural sound i think,
the guitar soundof the last mp3... the 30 second version...
mhh, i think they lost some "life", the previous versions were harder,
indeed less bright, but i think more powerful,

if you had vocals sitting in the middle it'd be easier to judge the song, then i think its ok to pan the guitars this extreme,

the drums do sound a bit dry, but maybe thats the intention,
at least they dont sound thin, thats good !
and i like the change of distortion in the song, good thing that its not the same sound all over it

i kinda like the sound of the bassguitar, maybe its a bit sqeezed...sounds like its recorded real loud...or ran heavily trough a compressor or limiter
or is that just me thinking this...

in overal, i've heard lots "worse" stuff, this is going in the right direction i think,
you got any vocals for it?
 
those guitars sound super weak, almost like they were recorded DI. bass drum sounds pretty good actually. the snare sounds almost lifeless.. but i suspect that might be how it actually sounds
 
yeah those guitars are bad, very DI-sounding... Maybe you should back off the gain a bit? What kind of amp is that?

I also think the bass sounds great, it might be hard to get the seperation between the bass/kick because they are both hitting on the downbeat. I think this where you would start notching some of those low frequencies that the kick/bass share.
 
Thanks for the feedback...it is truly appreciated. I'm going to try 3 things with the guitars:

1) do some more knob twiddling, I think there is some life in there somewhere
2) get a new e609 (currently using MXL 901)
3) my combo amp is against the wall...wonder if the reflection from the wall is bleeding back thru the speaker into the mic causing phase issues or too much ambient sound...???

I spent a lot of time on both the drums and bass:

Bass : DI with slight compression (2:1) and a slight scoop @ 250 and 2k.
Kick : has a slow wide 3-10k boost up about +8db to pronounce the click (simlilar with toms)
Snare : still needs more work
Guitars : eek...what can I say
Vocals : still haven't even recorded them yet...very soon
 
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Did some knob twiddlin':

Sure hope this sounds better...if not, the plan 2 and 3 are my next moves.
 
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