New member seeking feedback

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yesimlosing

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I'm the guitarist for the band Yes Im Losing. I've taken the job of recording and mixing. I use the free software that came with our vocal processor, Pro Tracks. The instruments plug into the vocal processor and direct to USB into the Pro Tracks. I'd love some feedback as to how this sounds.

myspace.com/yesimlosing
 
I'm sorry to say it but... not good. I'm not sure how your setup is, you say that the instruments plug into the vocal processor, I'm not sure what the unit is or how many inputs it has, one thing to keep in mind is don't record with processing to tape(pc) unless your really sure you want the sound, Maybe it's your monitoring system but the levels and eq are all over the place but the panning is all in one place. If you could give us more info on your actual recording process it would help.

P.S. the actual songs I'm kind of into so hope we can help out more.
 
Hi, welcome. I'm kinda' with the previous poster...I can hear talent, and you captured a pretty cool 80's/Killers kind of vibe, but there's something (likely several things) that are giving it kind of a lo-fi yet harsh quality.

Good things: The balance is really not bad. I can hear low end, and I can make out most of the elements...I mean, unless you have bagpipes or something in there, because I hear no bagpipes. Again, if there are bagpipes, you really need to turn them up...I cannot stress that enough about the bagpipes.

The Bad: Now, I mean this in the most constructive way possible. The drums sound absolutely fucking horrible. Like samples from a 1987 casio keyboard. The snare on most of this sounds like a garbage can lid. I don't know how to fix that, but I might have some suggestions if you can tell us a bit more about how you're recording.

On all of the tunes, the vocal needs some work in the compression/enveloping department. It sounds really narrow, like there are no lows whatsoever in the vocal, which I can live with...but not when it gets so loud that it takes my head off. And despite the rancid volume of that vocal (which is sung well, btw)...I can only make out like 40% of the actual lyrics. Either the singer is a mush mouth, or the verb and other vocal treatment is clouding it up a lot.

The drums also sound like they're distorting a lot...not sure what's up with that.

If all of that sounded really negative, it's just a perspective thing. I wouldn't bother if the music was dogshit. Looks like you have about 20,000 more listens than anything I've recorded, LOL. Recording is so much about experience and knowledge and practice. Read all you can and keep mixing...it'll come around.
 
Thank you both, I'm sure the details will help- so here goes my novice explanation. The processor is basically used as an interface to get the signal to the PC, I use it dry so everything is coming direct (except the vocals)
1. The drums are Roland V drums plugged in direct from the mono out into a stereo track. Live they sound great.
2. The guitar and bass are coming through a POD XT, mono out- stereo track
3. Keys are recorded same as drums (mono out/dry line processor/stereo track)
4. Vocals are used through the processor with the reverb and delay already in place. I have NO idea how to compress properly and envelope is past my comprehension! LOL
I mix (or at least attempt!) at home away from the practice space using the computer speakers. Once I think it's right I burn a copy and play it in my SUV which has the Bose system in it and on my home stereo which also has Bose speakers. The tracks sound better there than on the myspace player for sure...
 
yesimlosing said:
1. The drums are Roland V drums plugged in direct from the mono out into a stereo track. Live they sound great.
Click to expand...

That's true, and it's always been weird to me. My last drummer used the same drums, and they were fantastic live...especially when it came to soundchecking, lol. One output RULES!!!

It's kind of the same phenomenon I experience with my Variax Acoustic. I've played a lot of acoustic guitars live, and nothing touches it when played through a P.A. Nothing even comes close. It doesn't sound like your typical DI'd acoustic piezo...it sounds like a mic'd acoustic...A GOOD ONE. But for recording, it just can't cut it in the "sounds real" area...I only use it for like a banjo or a sitar or some other novelty instrument that I don't have.

Anyway, back to you..."enveloping" is just the process of using some type of automatic volume fader on the vocal. In my software, I can use a mouse to drag this volume line up and down over the vocal to make it louder or quieter in places, and I prefer that over compression because I tend to be able to HEAR the effects of compression, and I don't typically like those effects on a vocal. But you should try if at all possible to track the vocal dry and put reverb/delay/compression or anything else on it after the fact. As you know, once it's tracked on there, there's not much you can do.

What mic are you using on the vocal?
 
I think you guys have huge potential. You just need some better recordings! I hear Bloc Party, The Killers, and even Arcade Fire in your songs. Spend some dough and get this professionally recorded! I dig the 80s/modern sound.
 
Yes, record the vocals without any processing, the thing that would really help, right now and without delay get some real monitors, even the less expensive ones will help, You need to hear what your doing! and when you do get them listen to everything that sounds similar to the sound your going for, I mean listen to these and nothing else in your car or your home speakers for a week or so, it will take a while to get used to how things are supposed to sound.

Can't wait to hear some more stuff...

one thing you could do is post the separate tracks on here, then let some of us mix it for you, just to give you an idea.
 
good music :)
i would guess buying an entry level recording soundcard (maudio, behringer, presonous) and some monitors would sort you out a LOT.

i have to point out that taking a mono output and putting it on a stereo track is doing nothing.
 
Again, thank you all. It's good to get real answers, this by far has been the best BBS experience. Everyone has given great advice! I believe I'm going to get on Musicians Friend to order some monitors, interface w/better software and a conderser mic. Any suggestions on the better interface? I'm thinking either Presonus w/Cubase LE or a Digidesigns w/Pro Tools LE.
 
Ok, I'm taking the offer up for someone to mix this so I can hear a different throw on it... I should have my monitors in a day or so and I'll be much better for it (hopefully). We are recording a new song with the suggestions from above and from my research on previous posts. We'll see how that goes and with comparisons from your examples I think I'll be ready to tackle it!
I could't post links since I'm new...

lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10793
lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10794
lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10795
lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10798
lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10799
lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10800
lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=10801
 
Well, I hooked up the monitors last night and now I hear what you guys hear... and you're right the mix is horrible! I see there's no takers on showing me what a good mix should sound like?
Tracks are right above this post... They are recorded at 16 and start at the same time.
Scott
 
There is some potential and you have the 80's sound down but learn those new monitors you bought and things will start getting better pretty quick. What monitors did you buy? Also if you're still looking for an interface the presonus ones aren't bad at all and certainly won't keep you from making a really good recording. It also comes with a 48 track version of Cubase which should be enough to keep you going for a good while. Then you could upgrad to SX and have unlimited tracks to work with. Also, if you get into Cubase do a search for free VST plug-ins and learn your way around those. Once you get some remixes going get back to us and let us hear them. I might take some time and work on mixing some of you stuff but I'm so damned busy with other bands right now I don't have much time. Mr. Harris does pretty good stuff, maybe he'll take you up on the mix offer.
 
I bought the Alesis M1 320 USB monitors which are handy since I'm taking them back and forth from home/practice. So far I'm pleased considering they were $99 from Musician's Friend. I also picked up the MXL 992 condendser mic, and that is much better than the AKG dynamic were using! We laid some vocals last night, I noticed as the singer was testing the mic it was his voice coming out of the PA- not a tinny version. All in all I'm pretty pleased, now I have a song to mix this weekend and will share it when done.
 
Welcome to HR!

Watch the feedback on that condensor mic when you're playing live ;) . I eq mine and keep the volume down in my basement practice area. It lacks a few mid/highs but at least it doesn't feedback and sounds 100% better than a dynamic IMHO.

Looking forward to hearing your newer tune once you get your new equipment recorded.

:D:):D:)

_______________
My Songs are here
 
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