progressive shred metal tune

[Nathan1984]

This is one of my first mixes with my new gear. I was using a crap laptop, and headphones for mixing. I finally coughed up some cash and purchased a beast of a desktop, new interface, monitors, better programs, new mic's, the works. Tell me what you guys think, levels? eq issues? you tell me?

 

[dynis]

I like the lead guitar tune. I think it could benefit from a bit more reverb, but even now it sounds pretty good. Maybe try tweaking the midrange/high end on the EQ a bit as well and see how that sounds. I think making the lead guitar a bit brighter might make it sound better, but give it a try and see what you think.

The vocal volume seems too low to me for the main vocals and the background screaming vocals. I think the effect on the background screaming vocals sounded good based on the metal sound you have going with this song. It could possibly use a bit more tweaking, but you're definitely going in the right direction in my opinion. The lead vocals seem to lack definition. After turning up the volume a bit you may need to play around in the EQ some more.

I wasn't a fan of the panning (the screaming vocals were in my left ear and the guitar at the end in my right ear). I would have preferred them in the center or at least less panned than they were.

I personally think the double bass is way too much (goes on for the whole song), but I'm assuming this is a loop track. I'm not saying don't use double bass (it's metal after all), I'm just saying it was hard on the ears since it went on so long. Obviously improving the composition of the drums could make this a completely different song.

The background guitar sounds quiet toward the beginning/middle of the song, but the levels sounded better during the latter half of the song. Could probably be turned up in both places though. It may just be that the drums are drowning it out.

I like the composition and I think you could easily move it around a bit or add a few more parts and get a longer song.

 

[Nathan1984]

Yeah, it is a loop. I just was to lazy to change it around lol. Yeah, panning was something that I wondered about. And the vocals, I wasn't happy with how they turned out, I have been working on redoing them. They just sound, overly breathy? I guess is the best way to describe it. Any suggestions on fixing that?

 

[dynis]

I don't have any personal experience recording the type of vocals you have on this track, but I've heard (in other words: I may have no idea what I'm talking about) that you want a dynamic mic to do the type of screaming you're doing. I've also been told that you just can't beat a Shure SM57 or Shure SM58 microphone when you're trying to get a specific sound and don't know how to do it. Apparently it can do wonders for rock vocals and all sorts of instrument recording as well.

The "breathiness" could just be the way it's being sung or the way the microphone is positioned in respect to the vocalist. You might wanna try putting on some headphones and singing into the mic in various positions or even holding it in your hand and palming it to see what kind of sound you get. I've completely changed my vocal sound before by doing this and you might be surprised how different the vocals sound.

EDIT: To clarify regarding the Shure mics, what I mean is that I've heard those mics are well-rounded and adapt well, so perhaps you could try those to see if they capture your vocals better.

 

[toad_uk]

I was using a crap laptop,

Would that be a 'craptop'?

When the guitars come in at 1:00 I'd have prefered them to come in with more volume rather than fade in. Liked the lead , melody guitars. Vocals need to come up. The vocals sounded like they weren't loud, as in a bit like when some one is telling a story and sort of makes the sound like someone is shouting, but does it quietly, if you get my meaning? Would have liked a louder snare, but you say you used a loop so I supposed it's the way it is.

I also agree with dynis, I think the biggest improvement would be to change the drums. It's a good song otherwise.

 

[Nathan1984]

Yeah, I haven't finished the song yet. I just wanted to get a good idea on how my mixes were coming along. See what you all think, yeah, I did the vocals, and I am not as good at screaming these days lol. I smoke way to much, I will definitely try pushing alittle more.