Really short mix - couple questions

[Mercuri]

Hey everyone! I've composed a tune and I wanted to post part of it for everyone to hear. I got excellent feedback last time and it proved extremely helpful!!

Here's the friendly direct link to the partial MP3:

Short Clip

It's a Norah Jones meets Patsy Cline county music kind of piece. There are no vocals yet.

My concerns about the mix that I was hoping others could help on...

#1: Why can't I get "that" sound??? Ok, the drums are fake and so is the piano, but beyond that, it STILL doesn't have the punch. I've heard songs on the radio with fake acoustic drums and piano that still sound "real". This tune was tracked on high-end gear with good technique. But I still can't get there.

#2: Is the mix coherent? For some reason, to my ears, everything sounds too seperate and unglued. Almost like everything is coming through completely different speakers. Could this be the digital mixing within Cakewalk Sonar? Would going through an analog mixing bus help a little?

#3: Any other comments?

Thanks ahead of time, everyone!!

 

[Track Rat]

It doesn't sound bad to me. The only problem I heard was it sounded like the drums came slightly out of sync with the rest of the instruments but that's not a mix issue. I mix through an analog console almost exclusively. It'll definately round off the sound a bit but I don't know if that's what you're looking for.

 

[muzeman]

Hi Mercuri!

Sounds good.
I think you need to post a longer clip,so's everyone can get a good listen.

I put everything through an analog mixer too,and a BBE before hitting the recorder.

I thought the piano sounded good,and the drums were o.k.
Mabey not enough beef on the snare.
The acoustic and bass sound very good,how did you record them?

When you add some vocals,it's going to change dramatically.
They will bring everything together.

I think having all the instruments sounding seperate is a good thing.
Really defines the mix,and lets the vocals shine through.
I would say with some good vocals,you will definitly have "that sound"!

Good start!

Pete

 

[Mercuri]

Input!

Track Rat: I definitely need something to round out the mix and make all the instruments feel more fundamentally like they're being played off the same stereo track. Now I have to go out and buy a good 8 channel D/A. Dammit!
The instruments falling slightly out of time is because of the laxidaisical timing of the song. I hope that it doesn't come across as a fault.

muzeman: Thanks for the comments dude. I want to track real percussion into the tune but I'm struggling with drum mic'ing at the moment. =)

The acoustic was just a standard Alvarez recorded with a single KM184 about 4" from the sound hole going into a Crane Song preamp. (My baby!!! ) The extreme proximity was used for more finger noise and a warmer sound. Apparently it worked. =)

The bass was a Fender Jazz running into a Bass POD Pro. I hated the POD until it sounded like this!! With a little palm muting you can revisit the Beach Boys era.

A few people have said the exact same things you did. No bottom end on the snare, really nice bass and acoustic, good piano, ok drums. Maybe part of getting "that sound" is to have everything sound really nice. =)

I can post a longer version later - I have to get it trimmed up first. The rest of the tune isn't presentable yet. Thanks so far, guys!

 

[Barometer]

Sounds good on my end. A little too much bass for me, I'd like to hear that guitar come through more, and you already got the snare comment, though I thought the drums sounded pretty good for synth. Everything was clear and sounded good together IMO. I hear ya 'bout the drum micing, I'm having a hell of a time right now. I think "that" sound you're looking for might just be some fine tweaking. Good job so far!

 

[tutton]

Very nice cover version btw

Hi Mercuri

The bass was a Fender Jazz running into a Bass POD Pro

could be the problem????

Sorry for telling you what to do but.....
The Bass seems to be bleeding over the mix a little

Take the bass out for a minute so you can here where everything is placed, spread the acoustic to both sides and add some widening to it with a plug-in, it tends to make the mix come from the left...

Bass needs to be rolled off a little in the lower mid frequencies
also put some more compession with more attack, less release

Some more reverb on the snare might sit it in the mix with a little more airyness.
Piano and Acoustic all sound beautiful as does the bass throught the POD....once the vocals are in there and its mastered I think you will be on a winner
Good Job

Tony