panning left and right in a busy mix

[dobro]

Disclaimer: this is a *little bit* like cross-posting (I posted this in the mp3 clinic), but it fits here too, and besides, more engineers hang here than in the clinic.

"This mix is really busy - at one point 8 guitars are playing at the same time. There are two acoustic parts, which I've doubled and panned left and right - four acoustics playing simultaneously. Larry talked about the vocal getting a bit washed out in the middle of all those guitars. And Emeric talked about the vocal being a *tad* loud (2-3 dB LOL) cuz I turned it up so it would get heard over all the other stuff going on.

Okay, so, in a busy mix, *don't* pan doubled parts left and right?"

If you're bothered enough about it to listen to it, the link to the tune is in the thread called 'Beedlybum' in the clinic.

 

[JuSumPilgrim]

I would smooth out the top end of that ringing guitar that makes its appearance at 1:25 from 2.5k and up so that it doesnt mask the other guitars. Maybe put a gentle boost on the other acoustics from 6k-12k for some definition. It doesnt sound like theres alot of energy in the low mids, maybe allow the rhythm acoustics some body there.
The vocals sit pretty well.
Shave a couple of dB off the bass drum or switch to a more neutral kick as the sound you have is on the aggressive side for a basically acoustic mix.

 

[dobro]

Yes, those ringing notes on the second round of acoustic guitars had me wondering if it was a bug, or a feature.

As for the rest of your ideas - first, this is the most useful set of comments I've ever received about anything I've posted, for two reasons: it gives me things to listen to and listen for, and things to try out to see what happens - really, really useful, and it's gonna carry me through a few mixes in the near future as well. Thanks. Also, I already cut that kick back in the bottom end, but I'll try some more. Finally, I think you answered my main question indirectly about how the vocal sits in the mix.

Learning what to listen for. That's the key. Thanks very much.

 

[JuSumPilgrim]

No prob, dobro.

FWIW, Im listening on a pair of mackies.