Ok I'm Prepared For A Beating

[Ellis11]

I'd like to get some feedback on my mixing and I know there are some problems on this song especially the vocals. The vocals are really harsh and I am prepared for the thrashing in order to get some good feeback. I tend to record with eq centered and on most of my tunes I used a MK-319 including this one. I have since gotten rid of the mk-319 and replaced with a V67.

Just keep in mind that I'm a rank amateur trying to learn.

The song in question is called "And The Sun Will Rise For You"
The url is http://www.ellisongs.com which takes you to my Ampcast page. I'm not looking for chart position or my download nickel so just stream it and I get nothing except the feedback I'm looking for.

Thanks,
John Ellis

 

[Aren]

John -

First of all, most of us are rank amature, trying to learn, so don't feel so out of place...

I listened to the song, and it is not half as bad as you think it is (or at least the way you presented it). I love the guitar sound, but it is a little loud, and swallows the vocals at some points. Turn them down a little bit.
The vocals sound strange to me. They seem to be clipping at some points, and some parts are louder then others. Propper use of a compressor should solve this problem. The harmony vocals are a little off beat.
All that aside, you (I presume you're singing) have a really nice voice, and the songwriting and arranging are wonderfull.
Keep it up!

Oren

 

[B.SABBATH]

hey dude, I like the song but the vocals are a bit loud at times... I am a rank amateur as most are here, but IMOP the song is good, but the vocal mix is not...(I have worse vocal problems).there are also a few minor drum mistakes.. I think maybe the whole mix has too much compression??? Not sure, but I liked the tune itself....and your voice was fitting...... good job.

 

[Ellis11]

Aren and B.Sabbath thanks for your feedback.

It's interesting that Aren noticed the slightly off beat backing vocals. The backing vocals were sent to me by a friend via email as an mp3 and I tried to sync them best I could in Cakewalk. I played and sang everything else myself.

I was wondering if the vocals were a bit too loud and you seem to validate that thought. I still think the vocals need some eq somewhere but I'm not sure if raising a lower band or lowering a higher band will do the trick. They seem a bit harsh to me. I'm playing with a compressor right now and hope to be able to gain more control in the future especially having recently purchased a Joemeek VC6Q.

As far as the drums mistakes go I was hoping that they weren't noticed. On the first take I was right on then discovered I forgot to plug the mixer back into my HD recorder. After about 8 more takes I just couldn't seem to get through the whole thing without mistakes.

Another concern I have is the stereo field. With so few instruments used I'm afraid to create to much left and right seperation in fear of unbalancing the sound. Not sure how far to go here which ultimately limits the "stereo sound".

 

[AlleyCat]

Some amateurs are more rank than others...

This is a good song. Don't take this the wrong way, but it has a "The Turtles" meets "The Who" kinda thing...basically a nice classic rock flair.

You have had some great suggestions above. The vocals seem a little uneven in the mix...you may just have to ride the faders during the mixdown to keep it even. Nothing you can do about the timing on the backing vocals. But, it gives it more of a loose, folky quality which works with the song.

Overall, the levels seem a little off...guitar loud in spots, the drums seem distant. Just needs some tweaking. Nice job.

 

[Track Rat]

Man, you have that Roger McGuinn/Byrds thing goin on. Great tune but it has a loose feel to it. The drums are a little too distant. Sounds like it needs a compressor on the vocals to even them out. I like this tune.

 

[Ellis11]

Thanks for the feedback. I expected a harder beating than I'm getting. My influence must be pretty obvious. I have always been a big Byrds and Who fan. I also liked the Turtles a lot so I take that as a compliment.

One of the biggest things that I'm having trouble with is the vocal eq. What frequencies would you guess I need to play with to mellow them out a bit. I'm tempted to redo them through my V67 mic and Joemeek VC6Q. The version you heard was through an Oktava MK-319 through my Spirit Folio F1 mixer.

I'm not sure what to do about the guitar levels. I suppose if I redo the vocal and get that evened out a bit then I would free up my hands to ride the levels on the guitar when I mix it down again.