My 1st Mix with the Bechmark DAC-1

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Beezoboy

Home Recording Guru
Ok. . .

I am recording this bands album and am rough mixing a 3 song demo for them to give out to clubs since it won't be mixed for another month or so.

I haven't posted a whole lot on here, but some of you might know that I have been plagued by problems with the lowend of my mixes. I don't think they are completely sorted yet, but I think they are better. I attribute that to the DAC-1 and my more frequent use of high pass filters.

Any comments about the overall mix would be appreciated since this is just a rough demo mix. Especially comments on the lowend definition. I'll tuck all your suggestions away when it comes to mix time in the coming weeks.

I mix using Samplitude in the box with a UAD-1 and a DAC-1 if that helps.



Thanks,
Beez
 
I know what you mean about the low end. I think maybe if you put some limiting on the kick and mess with it until it doesn't sound so muddy it would work out. If the kick stood out i think the low end in general would probably sound better. maybe a low end cut on the bass guitar too.

I like the mix though. The snare's cool. it sounds real and not just fucked with. How'd you get the guitar tone?

T
 
I'm actually liking that mix pretty much... A little low-end tightening would be nice (room mics maybe?) but the mix holds up pretty well, so don't sacrifice too much...

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com
 
The guitars are double tracked:

1. Jcm 2000 with 4x12 cab. w/ SM57
2. Trace Allen custom head - 4x12 cab. w/Beyerdynamic M-88
3. Compressed with Endorphin VST plugin compressor.

I did cut the bass at 70hz too. Maybe I could go a bit higher? The snare is gated and compressed with Blockfish VST. Then I multed the track and distorted it and mixed it to taste. I still need to add a bit of reverb to it.

Thanks for listening.
Beez
 
Beezoboy-
the mix is sounding pretty solid for just a rough club demo.
Im listening on smaller speakers right now so I really can't tell what is going on with the low end. One thing I am noticing is that the kick doesn't seem to be cutting through the mix. It might be these speakers or I suppose you might have a more "bassy" feel the kick type thing going on. My ears are wanting to hear some click lol but I have probably listened to one too many metal records and my judgement is impaired.
Reverb on the snare will definantly help. Its super dry and sort of sticking out there right now. You already pointed that out though.
The only other thing I really hear is when the guitar solo starts really going torwards the end of the octave chord parts (3:05) it sounds like the guitar could use some more gain or mainly sustain. It is just a tad too dry for my taste right through that passage. If nothing else maybe a little verb or a short delay on it? Just something to think about and maybe try when you work on the final mix.
Good work as always man
 
Yeah I think I might give it a bit more click. It is a pretty natural kick sound at the moment. I think when I get a bit more into mixing it the kick and snare are going to be just fine.

I didn't spend too long on it, I was mainly just trying to get something done because i just got rid of my Aardvark Q10. I am possibly going to be getting a Lynx L22 and I am mulling the idea of getting a Midas Venice 240 for analog summing. I have a couple weeks where I won't be mixing a thing though.

Student loan checks are the shit!!
Beez
 
sounds pretty good..

the drums sound a bit too roomy compared to everything else.. bass is a bit boomy with the guitar.. very familiar sounding chorus but I can't place it yet.. whole mix lacks sparkle and sounds rehearsal room-ish.. kinda lo-mid-y..

figured I'd focus on the negatives since your a guru.. :)
 
I like it. Big tones. The kick don`t cut quite enough, like you said, especially with the live sounding bass tone.
 
I really liked the gtr sound and the vocalist a lot. The drum sound was ok for me too, but like said, was a little 'roomy' as compared to the rest. The kick IS lost and you can't hear it.

the reason the drums don't mix is because you have a stereo OH sound of mix happening, which gives you a true stereo...so to speak. The gtrs are just panned L/R...and there is nothing realistic about that. Put some room verb opposite each panned gtr and you'll hopefully get better results making them all sound on the same stage.


The solo was good too. I'd kick it up a couple dB and stereo-ize it too.. Make it kick ass. Was good playing, but was kinda anticlimatic, mix wise it seemed to me.

groovy last chord... complete with amp buzzes etc. Musically didn't hit me so good.

yeah...liked the singer.

so....a quick look back before posting... seems you know all this stuff anyway!! "needs reverb"...."ruff mix"... lol!

I'll shut-up now!
 
Ok I have finally gotten over my temporary tinitus and got the updated mix 90% closer to where I want it.

Here it the updated mix:



And here is the old one for comparisons purposes:



Thanks for all the suggestions. I really think you guys helped me improve my mix tremendously. Just a bit more to go on it, now. Any suggestions.

Beez
 
Beezoboy,
everything is sounding pretty good now. I can hear the kick better than before. Something about the snare is still bothering me. It sounds distorted ? maybe on some of the louder hits. I don't know maybe im imagining it. Thats about the only thing I can think of. Good work
 
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