My First Mix Ever

[BenignVanilla]

I've been working on a mix of a song for my band. It's my first attempt. I've gotten to the point of diminished returns. Changes are not having a dramatic effect anymore, so I was thinking it was time for asking for an experienced opinion.

Please be gentle. I am a newb.

darofamily.com/jeff/basura/WordsinaLetter(080702440).mp3

Some areas of concern for me are...

1. Is the bass over done?
2. Is the stereo placement "good"?
3. Is it overly compressed?

 

[guitar zero]

The performance is fine. There are a couple of drum fills with timing issues that need to be fixed.
The mix is muddy in the vocal range and it makes the vocals sound like they're coming from the closet. Part of the problem is that the electric guitars are competing for the same frequency band. I think if you EQ down the guitars in the 2000-4000 Hz range it would bring the vocals forward a little bit. You may also need to tweak up the vocal volume a little as well.
Read this article, and you'll get what I mean:
http://www.homerecordingconnection.com/news.php?action=view_story&id=154
Bass sounds fine.

Pretty good first mix I'd say.

 

[NL5]

For a first mix it sounds pretty good. The bass is rather muddy, and you have a completely out of control bottom end. The kick and bass are both floppy down low. Also, the cymbals are kinda harsh and distorted. I took and eq'd the mix a bit, and it sounds much better to me, but if you attack it at the mix level you should be able to get it much better.

 

[BenignVanilla]

That is fantastic...care to share some of what you did with the EQ? The Bass sounds so much nicer. You can hear the notes instead of just a dull bass-like thud.

 

[BenignVanilla]

Part of the problem is that the electric guitars are competing for the same frequency band. I think if you EQ down the guitars in the 2000-4000 Hz range it would bring the vocals forward a little bit.

<snip>

Pretty good first mix I'd say.

Thanks for the tip on the guitars. I am working on that now. Great article you suggested. I appreciate the feedback, and I appreciate the compliment.

 

[NL5]

That is fantastic...care to share some of what you did with the EQ? The Bass sounds so much nicer. You can hear the notes instead of just a dull bass-like thud.

Here is what I did. It could probably be dialed in better, as I spent about 1 minute on it. If you attack the issues at the mixing stage, you could make it WAY better.

 

[rayc]

NL5 - well done.
I like the vocal level post NL5.
The drum fills are a bit iffy occasionally.
Good song could be BLOODY GOOD if you spend the time remixing, heeding NL5's advice.
My final comment - don't polish it too much - it has a Replacements sense of rough but good.

 

[BenignVanilla]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate it greatly. I am pretty overwhelmed by all of this. Like any noob, I am sure, I figured the recording would be hard the mix/master would be easy. Oy what an error in judgement.

 

[WhiteStrat]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate it greatly. I am pretty overwhelmed by all of this. Like any noob, I am sure, I figured the recording would be hard the mix/master would be easy. Oy what an error in judgement.

Actually you're on to something there. The more time you spend nailing the tracking, the easier the mixing will be.

 

[BenignVanilla]

I think the big issue I am dealing with now is that we didn't use a pop filter on the vocals, so I am spending time trying to clean that up. We also have way too many vocal tracks/layers so that makes things move slowly.

Mixing and mastering...what an art form.

 

[c_olin]

I think the big issue I am dealing with now is that we didn't use a pop filter on the vocals

My friend made one with pantyhose and a hanger. It works perfectly. You would just have to work up the guts to go buy pantyhose.

 

[WhiteStrat]

My friend made one with pantyhose and a hanger. It works perfectly. You would just have to work up the guts to go buy pantyhose.

That doesn't take guts. Just tell 'em you're a bank robber and you lost your old mask in a hail of gunfire. They'll be impressed.

 

[BenignVanilla]

My friend made one with pantyhose and a hanger. It works perfectly. You would just have to work up the guts to go buy pantyhose.

Or I could remember to bring it home from the rehearsal studio. LOL.