Need your ears - is this mix wrong?

[KaBudokan]

I'm not quite sure what the issues are, but this mix seems a bit off. I know the lead guitar in the "chorus" doesn't sit too well in the mix, and I'm gonna have to try a different sound I think.

Are the vocals too effected? Also the bass seems to sit strange. I'm not sure.

The piano and drums are made up of loops. The electric guitar recorded through a DG Stomp. The bass is run through a Joe Meek VC6. Vocals are recorded with a Rode NT2 through my Mackie. Acoustic is recorded with a Marshall MXL1000 (603s in disguise).

Anyway - any thoughts or advice/feedback is appreciated.

Song's titled "The Medium of Life" by the way.

I think that link should work. Thanks for the help.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

KaBudokan,

A couple of thing stand out to me right away... I'm listening at work on some small speakers, so I can't be 100% sure of what's going on, but initially it sounds like that piano loop is really dark and muddy. Being as that is the main "background sound," everything else seems to stand out against it. That may be why your guitar sound seems to bother you.

Also, the drums seem a little dry for a slow ballad like that.

Bass sounds good (at least on these speakers).

I think the vocals could use a little compression and possibly a VERY mild, medium length delay to give them some depth.

V.E.

 

[CyanJaguar]

I could almost say that the piano went into the vc6.

the piano sounds a bit too thick.

right before I listenined to your track, I listened to a pro one done on protools. THe vocals were u87 through a focusrite platinum

So you can imagine my shock when your vocals sounded JUST like it.

The vocals are PERFECT. THe reverb is great, the tone is excellent. Dont touch it. The proximity is tight. How far away did you record?

I just reread your post. UP mackie. For some reason, I just could not imagine those vocals going into a vc6.

I like your choice of snare. I am not so sure about the kick, but then again, I can hardly hear kicks in these phones. THe snare has the right amount of effect.

The guitar seems nice, but a bit covered up. I would like more air to it.
Also, the backing ooh could have been panned a bit harder.

Well, you have another winner. you can be sure this is going to my studio for extensive and pleasurable listening.

Acoustic guitar sounded good, but I think a little less body and a bit louder in the mix will make it perfect.

 

[KaBudokan]

Thanks for the feedback guys...

The piano loops are a bit dark. I don't know how they were recorded - I got them from someone who made them at home and posted them at AcidPlanet. Cyan, I can understand why you'd think they sounded like they went through the VC6.

I'm surprised that you say the vox sound like the track you mentioned. Velvet Elvis, the vox do have a bit of compression (not too much) on them. They're boosted a touch at about 200kz, and they were compressed lightly using the Waves Ren. Compressor. The reverb is one of the Samplitools Impulses running through Sonic FOundry's Acoustic Mirror. I also have a light, slow reverb on them already.

The vox were recorded nice and close - it's the first time I've really stpped up to the mic like that. I had the pop filter right in ront of it and was probably about 2 inches away, moving back for the louder parts. The mic was in cardioid mode and I believe I had the bass rolloff on.

I think the drums work pretty well. The only part that may be too dry (IMO) is the toms in the louder chorus section. The rest of them are loops (mostly), but they have a good amount of reverb on already. I didn't add more.

Anyway... thank for the feedback guys.