Need Critquing Of New Instrumental Ballad

[ChickenStomp]

This is an original I put together. I'd love to hear some feedback on the mixing. Dropbox link below

http://db.tt/vWHGW1MY

 

[chandlerhimself]

The concept is good. The low tuned clean guitar(bass maybe) sounds good, but the distorted tones need some work. It sounds like you're using a digital box direct into you're computer. Am I right? I'd either rerecord the guitars with a different amp model with the highs rolled down or try to eq what you have now. Look into cutting the upper mids and highs. I don't know exactly where but look someplace between 1.5kHz and 5Khz. There is some fizz up there that can be taken out. I think the rhythm guitars could come up in vol too. Cool tune though. Please critique my instrumental song https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/mp3-mixing-clinic/latin-instrumental-344013/

 

[ChickenStomp]

The concept is good. The low tuned clean guitar(bass maybe) sounds good, but the distorted tones need some work. It sounds like you're using a digital box direct into you're computer. Am I right? I'd either rerecord the guitars with a different amp model with the highs rolled down or try to eq what you have now. Look into cutting the upper mids and highs. I don't know exactly where but look someplace between 1.5kHz and 5Khz. There is some fizz up there that can be taken out. I think the rhythm guitars could come up in vol too. Cool tune though. Please critique my instrumental song https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/mp3-mixing-clinic/latin-instrumental-344013/

I just updated my post, the one you listened to was an old version on accident, and I fixed alot of the issues, check the new link: http://db.tt/vWHGW1MY

 

[chandlerhimself]

The guitars still aren't as sweet as I'd like, but they are much better than before. That first guitar that comes in with lots of reverb is still a little harsh, but the drums and overall mix sounds twice as good. I'd still try to boost the rhythm gtrs more and just use eq to cut a hole for the leads. Nice playing and nice song writing.

 

[ChickenStomp]

The guitars still aren't as sweet as I'd like, but they are much better than before. That first guitar that comes in with lots of reverb is still a little harsh, but the drums and overall mix sounds twice as good. I'd still try to boost the rhythm gtrs more and just use eq to cut a hole for the leads. Nice playing and nice song writing.

What would you recommend to make it less harsh? lowpass it? maybe cut the high end eq? Keep in mind I am using GarageBand for all this

 

[chandlerhimself]

I haven't used garage band, so I don't know exactly what it can or can't do. A lowpass might help, but I think a lot of it is from the sound source. What are you using to record the guitars? IMO it's best to try to get a good signal from that start because trying to tweak it afterwords is hard. Usually harsh guitars come from too much top end(no mids) or too much distortion. These days there are tons of cheap options that will give you a decent recording sound, but you have to tweak them. BTW what type of sound are you going for?

 

[ChickenStomp]

I haven't used garage band, so I don't know exactly what it can or can't do. A lowpass might help, but I think a lot of it is from the sound source. What are you using to record the guitars? IMO it's best to try to get a good signal from that start because trying to tweak it afterwords is hard. Usually harsh guitars come from too much top end(no mids) or too much distortion. These days there are tons of cheap options that will give you a decent recording sound, but you have to tweak them. BTW what type of sound are you going for?

I record direct into PodFarm and I'm kind of going for an "alternative meatl" Tone, like the band Breaking Benjamin has

 

[chandlerhimself]

Try using an amp model with lower gain and then using a tubescreamer(or another overdrive pedal) to boost it. A tubescreamer will give you a more focused tone that will cut through the mix without getting harsh. You might also try using delay instead of reverb on those leads. Really, I've found it just takes time to learn how to get good tones. I still don't have great tone honestly, so my advice would be try some of the stuff above and just keep experimenting and learning.