my mastered mix - all in the box, using cheap pre's and cheap converter

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pcstudios

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I wish I could get that big lush sound, but I'm thinking better pre's and a/d converters would help.. So I had an opportunity to record a father/daughter bluegrassy song. I mixed and mastered this one, all in the box with a Golden Age Project preamp and a Presonus StudioLive Hybrid mixer a/d converter. For mics, I used a KSM27 for guitar and male vocal, Equation Audio F.20 for upright bass and female vocal, and SM81 for banjo and mandolin.

Candle of Love - Banjo Hangout Jukebox
 
sounds very good to me. Only things i notice is that it would be a bit wider. It seemed like everything is close to the middle. Also the upright bass could probably come up a db. Other than that it sounds really nice to me.
 
This is actually pretty good. I actually hear more on the left than the right but it's not a huge issue. The vocals sounds nice and crisp. Plenty of warmth, too. I actually really like this mix. Even the nose squeal at the end. Ha ha ha. Jk

The bass could be a bit more defined in the mix. But not too much. It's pretty close already.

I played in a country band for about a year in Dallas and we recorded stuff that sounded pretty darn close to this. Good job.
 
That "candle" word seemed to introduce some clicks in the vocals (mostly male) - or at least I was hearing something, esp. right at the 1:12-1:14 mark. If not actual mouthclicks, maybe a dither artifact (or site streaming bitrate/compression result).

Not sure what your reference for "big lush" is in this genre, but a little more bass and maybe something different in the reverb(s)? It's a very lightly instrumented and played song, so not sure where you'd pull a lot more weight from to spread around here.

The mix did have a kind of tight "around the mic" feel but that's what you were going for, right?

Besides the bass, if anything, there's a little lack of "air" in the top end to my (admittedly worn) ears.

They sound like a nice group and the performances were fine. Hope they're happy with your work!
 
Wow, this is a tough one. First off, the performances are great. Vocals, banjo, harmonies, spot on. The female vocal is great.

Yet, despite all that, there's something not right here. And I'm having trouble putting my finger on it. I think the issue is nothing sounds like it was recorded in the same room. I think it needs some cohesiveness. Maybe slapping a smidge of a reverb on the final mix might bring it together.

Sorry to not be of of more help. But it's pretty good as is.
 
pcstudios said:
I wish I could get that big lush sound, but I'm thinking better pre's and a/d converters would help.. So I had an opportunity to record a father/daughter bluegrassy song. I mixed and mastered this one, all in the box with a Golden Age Project preamp and a Presonus StudioLive Hybrid mixer a/d converter. For mics, I used a KSM27 for guitar and male vocal, Equation Audio F.20 for upright bass and female vocal, and SM81 for banjo and mandolin.
Click to expand...

I really like this! Agree it could be a little wider. Which brings a question, was it one take with those three mics -what I presumed at first but maybe not?
Thanks
 
dachay2tnr said:
I think the issue is nothing sounds like it was recorded in the same room. I think it needs some cohesiveness. Maybe slapping a smidge of a reverb on the final mix might bring it together.
Click to expand...

That sounds pretty reasonable. It sounds good to me, but bluegrass is not my genre.
It is clear that everything was tracked separately tho, which I think is very untraditional-sounding for bluegrass.

The back and forth of the vocals is interesting. Her voice is WAY prettier than his, which blends really well when they sing together but kinda contrasts when they alternate.
 
Yes....I agree with VomitHatSteve in that the two voices need better blending when in harmony. I think the male vocal sounds way more compressed than it should be....and it's has a sort of "cutting" sound to it...........as in harsh. Losing that harshness would go a long way toward making the blend easier to listen to. It's also somewhat louder than the female vocal I think. Both vocals sit just a bit too upfront for my taste as well. As for the background instruments.......they need to be separated more with a little more width to those tracks.

All in all.......despite my observations........a nice job overall. Thanks for the listen.
 
Nice tune. I like it.
Only suggestions I have are on panning and tone .
Things could be wider. Everything seems to be left leaning. On the vocals I'd do more L/R separation then bring them both more to the middle when harmonizing.
I like very much the warmth you're getting but a wee bit of top end crispness would be nice.
 
musicgeekandlvr said:
sounds very good to me. Only things i notice is that it would be a bit wider. It seemed like everything is close to the middle. Also the upright bass could probably come up a db. Other than that it sounds really nice to me.
Click to expand...

agreed with width.

sounds good though man i love it!
 
Sounds pretty darn good to me. I'm not sure what you mean by a lush sound, but i think this type of music is mean't to be played without much effects. i suppose you could try a plug in like an aural exciter and doubling parts. A little more thump on the upright bass would nice. But, you got a good clean product.
 
Great song!

I don't mind the tighter panning--though I'm hearing a few sibilant "s" consonants that could be quelled on the female vocal.

As a bass player, I wouldn't mind a little more bass presence (and it won't interfere with the vocals or other instruments).
 
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