Rock On (v2 remix) help

[Bulls Hit]

As a rule I generally don't go back and remix old stuff but there was always something badly off on my first attempt at this David Essex classic a couple of years ago, despite all the great suggestions I got here.
Looking at the original project I had clearly lost my way and was just throwing plugins around with abandon, and not dealing with the underlying issues, so no wonder it sounded sub par.
I'm trying to rub the corners off this new mix, and I don't want to draw your attention in any particular direction so just asking here for first impressions on anything that sticks out unnaturally - be it mix, performance, arrangement, editing - anything at all, please call out what you don't like. In the most brutal way possible

 

[mark skinner]

@Bulls Hit , I have always loved this song and appreciate peoples different versions or takes on it.
For this one , if I were remixing it .. I would try to clear up some of the distortion on the bass guitar and "for sure" get some of the ring and reverb out the snare drum. They are both stealing my attention away from the other tracks. I don't think I could make any decent worthwhile changes untill these were taken care of.. Still .. Enjoyed it . mark

 

[Slouching Raymond]

A nice version. I bought the original.
I agree with Mark.

 

[Bulls Hit]

@Bulls Hit , I have always loved this song and appreciate peoples different versions or takes on it.
For this one , if I were remixing it .. I would try to clear up some of the distortion on the bass guitar and "for sure" get some of the ring and reverb out the snare drum. They are both stealing my attention away from the other tracks. I don't think I could make any decent worthwhile changes untill these were taken care of.. Still .. Enjoyed it . mark

I think you've nailed it mark.
I gated the overheads to dry off the snare a bit, but can't remove the room completely. Definitely improved it though.
I had a Thickener plugin on the bass which is now gone, although there is still some lingering distortion from the original tracking. Again I think it sits much better now.
Updated version above. If you get a chance, see if you think it's an improvement.
Thanks for the great perspective.

A nice version. I bought the original.
I agree with Mark.

After hearing my version? Wow
Thanks for the feedback

 

[mark skinner]

Much Better version. The low end sounds a Lot tighter now and Really improved the vocals and overall clarity.
I'll download the file and give it a proper listen on your next mix. Only on a laptop right now. I'm having problems with the player you included in your post and I can't seem to get the volume up as well. You may have lost volume after remixing. "SoundClick" is a Good free streaming service that uses a "high" bitrate. You can also just replace your original Wav file file for a remix without losing the entire post. (unlike a free SoundCloud accnt.) ms

 

[stratmonkee]

I think this is a great song choice for you to cover, really fits your style! Ive always dug your drum sounds/tones...different from most everything I've heard on home recording forums..they sound great here! Vocals are very cool as well , reminiscent of the original, but in your style, the backing vocals/sounds where a big part of original and like how you dis them as well. Crazy guitat at end was ace! Great job!!!!

 

[Bulls Hit]

Much Better version. The low end sounds a Lot tighter now and Really improved the vocals and overall clarity.
I'll download the file and give it a proper listen on your next mix. Only on a laptop right now. I'm having problems with the player you included in your post and I can't seem to get the volume up as well. You may have lost volume after remixing. "SoundClick" is a Good free streaming service that uses a "high" bitrate. You can also just replace your original Wav file file for a remix without losing the entire post. (unlike a free SoundCloud accnt.) ms

Google drive seems to force link the player when sharing an mp3/wav. Not sure how to get around that.
Thanks again for your sonic assistance!

I think this is a great song choice for you to cover, really fits your style! Ive always dug your drum sounds/tones...different from most everything I've heard on home recording forums..they sound great here! Vocals are very cool as well , reminiscent of the original, but in your style, the backing vocals/sounds where a big part of original and like how you dis them as well. Crazy guitat at end was ace! Great job!!!!

Thanks for the spin and kind words strat

 

[Eric V]

Vocals are way off. Everything else is good.

 

[OSHC]

As a rule I generally don't go back and remix old stuff but there was always something badly off on my first attempt at this David Essex classic a couple of years ago, despite all the great suggestions I got here.
Looking at the original project I had clearly lost my way and was just throwing plugins around with abandon, and not dealing with the underlying issues, so no wonder it sounded sub par.
I'm trying to rub the corners off this new mix, and I don't want to draw your attention in any particular direction so just asking here for first impressions on anything that sticks out unnaturally - be it mix, performance, arrangement, editing - anything at all, please call out what you don't like. In the most brutal way possible

I really enjoyed the vibe of this performance!

 

[Bulls Hit]

Vocals are way off. Everything else is good.

Yeh, I'm no David Essex for sure. Thanks for the spin Eric.

I really enjoyed the vibe of this performance!

Thanks for checking it out.

 

[Eric V]

Yeh, I'm no David Essex for sure. Thanks for the spin Eric.


Thanks for checking it out.

The rest of the parts were great though!

 

[Gtoboy]

As a rule I generally don't go back and remix old stuff but there was always something badly off on my first attempt at this David Essex classic a couple of years ago, despite all the great suggestions I got here.
Looking at the original project I had clearly lost my way and was just throwing plugins around with abandon, and not dealing with the underlying issues, so no wonder it sounded sub par.
I'm trying to rub the corners off this new mix, and I don't want to draw your attention in any particular direction so just asking here for first impressions on anything that sticks out unnaturally - be it mix, performance, arrangement, editing - anything at all, please call out what you don't like. In the most brutal way possible

The only thing I would recommend (as a huge fan of the original) would be to put a low shelf on the bass-the original 'speaks' so wll IMO because there is no real sub bass, not much below 100 hz in the 'bass' riff part. I would emphisize the kick below 100 hz, let it provide the punch and the bass the timbre and tone.
I feel like these mods would make it 'tighter', like the original, to really get the head bobbing!
YMMV

 

[Bulls Hit]

Good idea Gtoboy. I'll try that out. Got me inspired!

 

[PorterhouseMusic]

Sounds good. That was a fun listen. You took liberties and made it interesting. Agree with Gtoboy's rec's.

**I like the vocal part.

 

[Bulls Hit]

Sounds good. That was a fun listen. You took liberties and made it interesting. Agree with Gtoboy's rec's.

**I like the vocal part.

I did take liberties. The sparse arrangement leaves a lot of room to 'do stuff' but at the same time increases the risk of stuffing up the original vibe. Thanks for the listen Porterhouse

The only thing I would recommend (as a huge fan of the original) would be to put a low shelf on the bass-the original 'speaks' so wll IMO because there is no real sub bass, not much below 100 hz in the 'bass' riff part. I would emphisize the kick below 100 hz, let it provide the punch and the bass the timbre and tone.
I feel like these mods would make it 'tighter', like the original, to really get the head bobbing!
YMMV

I made some adjustments to the bass and pushed the kick a little around 70. I struggle with the bottom end on a lot of mixes but I think the balance is better now (updated version above). Thanks again for the great tips!