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evo78
New member
So this is my mix for one of my originals, please tell me how I can improve! 
SONG:
http://soundcloud.com/erikopinaldo/lucky-2
SONG:
http://soundcloud.com/erikopinaldo/lucky-2
Last edited:
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2docs
New member
Hi Evo,
I'm new here and basically I am here to learn so I won't be much help. I listened and liked it a lot even though I seldom listen to music like that. Don't get me wrong, I have lots of that kind of music in my collection, but lots of other stuff too. I guess my problem there is that I have too much music in my collection.
I liked your voice, I liked the song, and think you did a good job getting the lyrics out. The guitar beginning was nice and when the driving electric chimed in it had an interesting and fun affect that seemed to bounce from ear to ear (? was I imagining that or is it a mixed in effect?).
I am really interested in the equipment you used to mix and record, the instruments were done by what or who, and what ever else you are willing to share about the song.
I hope someone else can provide the kind of suggestions you're looking for.
I'm new here and basically I am here to learn so I won't be much help. I listened and liked it a lot even though I seldom listen to music like that. Don't get me wrong, I have lots of that kind of music in my collection, but lots of other stuff too. I guess my problem there is that I have too much music in my collection.
I liked your voice, I liked the song, and think you did a good job getting the lyrics out. The guitar beginning was nice and when the driving electric chimed in it had an interesting and fun affect that seemed to bounce from ear to ear (? was I imagining that or is it a mixed in effect?).
I am really interested in the equipment you used to mix and record, the instruments were done by what or who, and what ever else you are willing to share about the song.
I hope someone else can provide the kind of suggestions you're looking for.
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evo78
New member
Ahh, glad you liked it! Actually, I am quite new to the world of recording/mixing as well, and I would love to help!
Well, first off, I played all the instruments except for the drums, which included acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and a software bass. The drums are just loops I dropped into the mix. The DAW I'm using is Logic 9.
Hehe, I am actually using only one USB microphone for all the recordings
What I think you're hearing with that guitar effect is actually the fact that i recorded several guitar parts. I have the main rhythm double tracked, one recording panned right, and one panned left. I also have a higher end melody panned a little to the left I think it was.
Everything was basically experimenting for me, and fiddling around with the presets that were included in Logic.
Well, first off, I played all the instruments except for the drums, which included acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and a software bass. The drums are just loops I dropped into the mix. The DAW I'm using is Logic 9.
Hehe, I am actually using only one USB microphone for all the recordings
What I think you're hearing with that guitar effect is actually the fact that i recorded several guitar parts. I have the main rhythm double tracked, one recording panned right, and one panned left. I also have a higher end melody panned a little to the left I think it was.
Everything was basically experimenting for me, and fiddling around with the presets that were included in Logic.
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hernandog2
New member
I'm totally impressed for a couple of reasons. First, this song is super listenable and catchy from a songwriting perspective. The drums sound great in the mix and bring life to it. I love the backwards reverb and on the cymbals and guitar. Even though the entire mix is in the upper frequencies (probably because of USB mic), it's still filled out really nicely and you could play it at a pretty loud volume (nice compression). There isn't much bass in the mix from what I can hear, and even the kick drum seems to have the lows EQed out, which sounds great. It would stand out too much otherwise. You mixed according to the limitations of the USB mic, I'm guessing, and it turned out great.
Even though some of the lyrics seem cheesy in our modern day songwriting, I appreciate how honest and heartfelt they are. I'm sure whoever this song was written for will really appreciate that. I too have the tendency to be straight forward in my lyrics, sometimes making them sound like a thank you note.
I won't comment any further on the songwriting, but as far as improvements for the mix, I think the best things you could do are the following.. in this order.
1.) try to fatten up the vocals. I love your voice but I feel like I'm being robbed of hearing the real thing because it's so thin and tinny (USB mic?).Try a boost around the 200HZ department, or if you can afford a better LDC microphone for your voice I'd shoot for that.
2.) fatten up the rhythm guitar. Don't ask me how/ what frequencies there (I'm still a noobcake), I would follow your ears.
3.) if you're going to follow the first two suggestions, might as well fill out the entire mix.
4.) ...awesome job, looking forward to the next song!
Chris
Even though some of the lyrics seem cheesy in our modern day songwriting, I appreciate how honest and heartfelt they are. I'm sure whoever this song was written for will really appreciate that. I too have the tendency to be straight forward in my lyrics, sometimes making them sound like a thank you note.
I won't comment any further on the songwriting, but as far as improvements for the mix, I think the best things you could do are the following.. in this order.
1.) try to fatten up the vocals. I love your voice but I feel like I'm being robbed of hearing the real thing because it's so thin and tinny (USB mic?).Try a boost around the 200HZ department, or if you can afford a better LDC microphone for your voice I'd shoot for that.
2.) fatten up the rhythm guitar. Don't ask me how/ what frequencies there (I'm still a noobcake), I would follow your ears.
3.) if you're going to follow the first two suggestions, might as well fill out the entire mix.
4.) ...awesome job, looking forward to the next song!
Chris
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hernandog2
New member
I just re-listened on my monitors and the lows came through a lot better. Probably should have done that in the first place
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evo78
New member
Thank you! And yes the USB mic isn't what I would love to be recording with, although I have been hoping to save enough money by Christmas to buy myself an interface and a new microphone. I'm not quite there yet though.
Aha, lyrics aren't always my best area, but thank you for picking up the feeling in them.
I'll try these out for sure, you are certainly helping. Thank you for the compliments and the tips! I really appreciate it!
Aha, lyrics aren't always my best area, but thank you for picking up the feeling in them.
I'll try these out for sure, you are certainly helping. Thank you for the compliments and the tips! I really appreciate it!
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evo78
New member
Aha, good, I never know how the lows will end up, no monitors here either Been mixing, switching between headphones, a consumer speaker system, and Ipod earphones
Been mixing, switching between headphones, a consumer speaker system, and Ipod earphones
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hernandog2
New member
Ahh yes.. I feel your pain in mixing without monitors. Props on how it came out.
Just noticed one more thing - the acoustic guitar in the beginning would sound more even (volume/ dynamically) with the rest of the mix with a denoiser, compression then a volume boost. Maybe a smooth frequency reduction in the 10-12K area if the compression doesn't cool it down enough.
Seriously though, awesome job!
Just noticed one more thing - the acoustic guitar in the beginning would sound more even (volume/ dynamically) with the rest of the mix with a denoiser, compression then a volume boost. Maybe a smooth frequency reduction in the 10-12K area if the compression doesn't cool it down enough.
Seriously though, awesome job!
rayc
retroreprobate
It's a good song & the sound is good given the circumstances.
There's some pitchiness to the vocals I think.
Be VERY cautious about using compression. It's really meant to even out the occasional peak but is very often used as an additional gain/vol maker and sometimes to add a specific "colour" to the soun (non transparent comp). Try to lift levels with the faders/automation in the 1st instance. If the acoustic is noisy trya filter or some EQing - be careful of other processes that are destructive to the original file.
I think the acoustic is fie and the general mix suits Power Pop really well.
Some of the guitars are a bit fizzy. If you DI'd them that would ccount for that (or if you used a pedal then DI). The missing meat in the gtr tracks can be found if you track & mic the amp or if you use a good amp & cab sim.
The solo is a bit weedy and really ought to be front & centre when it's happening.
Good stuff so far!
There's some pitchiness to the vocals I think.
Be VERY cautious about using compression. It's really meant to even out the occasional peak but is very often used as an additional gain/vol maker and sometimes to add a specific "colour" to the soun (non transparent comp). Try to lift levels with the faders/automation in the 1st instance. If the acoustic is noisy trya filter or some EQing - be careful of other processes that are destructive to the original file.
I think the acoustic is fie and the general mix suits Power Pop really well.
Some of the guitars are a bit fizzy. If you DI'd them that would ccount for that (or if you used a pedal then DI). The missing meat in the gtr tracks can be found if you track & mic the amp or if you use a good amp & cab sim.
The solo is a bit weedy and really ought to be front & centre when it's happening.
Good stuff so far!
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evo78
New member
Ohh alright, will try it next time! And it seems I can't stop saying thanks
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evo78
New member
Alright thank you for the input rayc! And the best tone wasn't recorded I guess because I was using a USB mic.
Yes, I do have to work on my vocals haha, better than I was before though! I think so at least
But yes thank you for the tips and info, definitely can't wait to try all these the next chance I get!
Yes, I do have to work on my vocals haha, better than I was before though! I think so at least
But yes thank you for the tips and info, definitely can't wait to try all these the next chance I get!
JimmyS1969
MOODerator
I like the tune, and the performances are quite good. The mix need some massaging, but seems the bases are there. Hit me up if you would like a stranger to throw you a mix of your tune from a different perspective.
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evo78
New member
Alright jimmy, I sent you a message! Thanks.
aaronmcoleman
The truth is out there!
I like it a lot. Especially with very little equipment.
I'd compress the vocals a lot. Some will tell you not too, but that's what is done in this style usually, it'll let you bring them down int hre mix and they'll still be bearable and sit well.
Turn the distortion ont he guitars down a bit to make them less fuzzy and hit harder.
How'd you record the drums. That's where the most improvement can be had, and compressing the vocals.
Nice work!
I'd compress the vocals a lot. Some will tell you not too, but that's what is done in this style usually, it'll let you bring them down int hre mix and they'll still be bearable and sit well.
Turn the distortion ont he guitars down a bit to make them less fuzzy and hit harder.
How'd you record the drums. That's where the most improvement can be had, and compressing the vocals.
Nice work!
PDP
There once was a note
Good song, catchy hook.
The vocals dont sit in the mix well. I like loud clear vocals but there is a way to keep them clear without them standing out so much.
A simple way to accomplish this is to lightly use a compressor and a limiter.
Knock off 2-3db @ 4:1 with a compressor first, then knock 1-2db off that with a limiter, that will compress the vocal alot without it sounding squashed.
Nice job overall, great potential, good luck with it. Enjoyed the listen.
The vocals dont sit in the mix well. I like loud clear vocals but there is a way to keep them clear without them standing out so much.
A simple way to accomplish this is to lightly use a compressor and a limiter.
Knock off 2-3db @ 4:1 with a compressor first, then knock 1-2db off that with a limiter, that will compress the vocal alot without it sounding squashed.
Nice job overall, great potential, good luck with it. Enjoyed the listen.
aaronmcoleman
The truth is out there!
Good call PDP.
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TripleM
Well-known member
I liked the song a lot. Performances are good. Except there are a couple of snare hits around :16 are a little late.
Kind of a weird vocal edit at 1:24. A word here and there gets lost. You could probably compress the vocal a little harder. A doubled vocal in the second half of the verses and the chorus would sound good I think.
I think you could turn up the bass a db or two.
I wasn't crazy about the drum sound. I liked the playing but I thought the snare would sound better if had a little less compression and a more natural sound. Kind of has a "cap gun" sound to it.
Still trying to decide if i like the guitar sound. Kind of boxy, yet it seems to work well in the song. At least IMO.
Kind of a weird vocal edit at 1:24. A word here and there gets lost. You could probably compress the vocal a little harder. A doubled vocal in the second half of the verses and the chorus would sound good I think.
I think you could turn up the bass a db or two.
I wasn't crazy about the drum sound. I liked the playing but I thought the snare would sound better if had a little less compression and a more natural sound. Kind of has a "cap gun" sound to it.
Still trying to decide if i like the guitar sound. Kind of boxy, yet it seems to work well in the song. At least IMO.
Armistice
Son of Yoda
You sure about the bass notes at 1.05 and 1.10? And at the equivalent place in the second chorus? Seeing all you're doing is playing root notes and basic chords and basic drums all the way through, it seems a bit left of centre to me.. not wrong, but somehow not quite fitting.
Also I'd spice up the drums a bit more... that kick kick snare thing gets a bit tedious seeing it's unchanging pretty much all the way through the song - the occasional fill would help.
Guitar solo needs to hit more in the mix - tone is a bit fizzy and the solo itself is a bit "play by numbers" for mine - try a few different things there perhaps.
Good bones... but needs some more work for my way of thinking. Nice reverby thing and dynamic changes.
Hope you don't mind feedback on things other than mix - you didn't specifiy so I've given it to you.
Also I'd spice up the drums a bit more... that kick kick snare thing gets a bit tedious seeing it's unchanging pretty much all the way through the song - the occasional fill would help.
Guitar solo needs to hit more in the mix - tone is a bit fizzy and the solo itself is a bit "play by numbers" for mine - try a few different things there perhaps.
Good bones... but needs some more work for my way of thinking. Nice reverby thing and dynamic changes.
Hope you don't mind feedback on things other than mix - you didn't specifiy so I've given it to you.