Ok people....been reading for a while, and need some advice...

[NickHall]

Right where do I start....

Let me start by pointing out the fact that I am primarily an 'artist' and have been playing with the home recording lark for a good few years now (I hate putting money in someone elses pockets when I could spend it on my own gear.....) Been reading the forums for a coupla months trying to get ideas, all of which have been usefull to date.

Having played in bands for a good many years and got sick and tired of competing with other peoples 'egos' I went solo, and have been playing all instruments on my recordings...

I use:

Roland Vs1680
Roland JV1000 Workstation
Boss Dr-770 (when I really really have to)
Joe Meek Mic + VC3
Emagic Logic
Propellerhead Reason (when Im really struggling for a sound from the other stuff)
Lots of other bits and Pieces....

I've recorded a couple of CD's but am really trying to get the latest one to be 'worthy' of selling / gaining the respect I think it deserves.

This being the case, I mixed it and have attempted a number of times (and many hours) to master it using Soundforge and Ozone.

The result?....I just make it sound worse.......

I guess this is the point where you all shout 'get someone else to do it'.....well Im actually about at that point....

I figure:
a) I'm too close to my own music
b) I really am a musician at heart and should stick to making the music sound good...
c) what the hell, I may aswell pay someone £100 to get it done than spend another 10 hours messing with it only to make it worse....

So the advice I need?.....just a recommendation from you....

I've got a mastering studio booked up for 2weeks time, and am sure this is the best step.......but ......if you guys can come up with any suggestions it would be hugely appreciated......

My music is ...well.....my own, but in the style of 'acoustic pop'....

If you have the time to spare, go look at the website (www.nick-hall.com)

And the tracks I'm about to go get mastered are here (although I've remixed em a bit since uploading them):

Any help / suggestions would be hugely appreciated....

Ta

Nick

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Well... I think the reason you were having so much difficulty is because before you master, you have to get the mix right!

And I heard a number of issues on the first clip (the only one I listened to)....

The lead vocal is very thin sounding, and needs to be more prominent in the mix. You've also exaggerated the highs on it, causing sibilance. When I say prominent, I mean more "meat", not brighter or necessarily louder.

The acoustic guitar does sound very natural, and it overpowers the vocal considerably.
The drums sound very demo'ish and indistinct.... which is going to be a problem since the bass and drum rhythm beds play a significant role in giving a song its "ambience."


I suggest that before you spend big bucks on mastering.... spend more time mixing and come up with mixes that are worth mastering! (I don't mean that in an insulting way - it's just that if you get the mix right, the mastering job becomes MUCH easier and much more effective in polishing your songs...!)

Good luck...

Bruce

 

[NickHall]

Totally agree with your synopsis of the first track, and indeed, this is the one I've been struggling with the most.

The drums and Bass are both synth based, which gives me a significant disadvantage from the off, I do have a drummer lined up for the next session in the studio, and am currently auditioning bass players but this is taking forever. Any suggestions as to how to make the synth stuff sound more 'distinct'?

I have a couple of different mixes where the vocals are more prominent / full bodied. However these mixes suffer more in the bass / drums deapartment, as the warmer I get the vocals, the 'muddier' the drums and bass sound.

I'd appreciate a comparison of the 2nd and 3rd tracks, as these seem to be more rounded, I believe this is due to the 'amount' of instruments I have on the first track, and getting separation whilst maintaining clarity is a problem with the 1st track.

Well, I have 2 weeks to sort the mixes out before the mastering session, and as I'm on Mix No' 48 on the first track, I guess I need a few more hours infront of the PC to sort it out. (Another version of it here:

a little more oomph in the vocals, and drums but a muddier mix resulting...)

You suggested adding more 'meat' to the vocals.....any suggestions on how to accomplish this without adding 'mud'?. I havent actually added anything to the vocals other than the initial recording compression / excitation using the VC3.....should I go back and re-record the vocals?

No insult taken, as I said, I'm singer / musician first, and don't rate my mixing skills......so ANY help you can offer would be greatly recieved (be blunt, I can take the criticism....god knows I've had enough in my life....)

Ta

Nick