The Good From The Bad

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mjbphotos

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New mix, still working on things. I tried panning the 2 rhythm guitars out quite a bit and didn't like what they were doing, so slid them back in, so they are just a few % further out than the first mix, also thought they needed more volume, but that probably is masking the vocal more, will keep tweeking this one, need to give my ears a rest.




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A song about abuse. So go ahead and abuse me! I'm thinking I need to retrack the bass, as a guitarist I tend to play most bass lines with a pick, but I didn't on this one, so there are some popped-loud notes that were hard to tame with compression on the way in and with a little automation.

Original mix:
 
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The lead tends to jump out (overpowering the vocals) the licks are great and the sustain is exactly what I tend to do though :thumbs up: Maybe a db or two to adjust. No issues on the bass, drum sounds are excellent, vocals are cool... Other than the lead level (and a bit of an abrupt end) this is a mix I can listen to over and over, already on listen #3... :D:D:D:D
 
Thanks for the listen- do you mean the lead tag line and/or the lead during the bridge - or both?
 
I will return the favour tomorrow sometime when I'm at work. I don't have my recording pc connected to the interwebs and this one has a hopeless BEATz soundcard which I have yet to work out how to defeat in its entirety, so is absolute crap for listening... :thumbs up:
 
Intro was the most apparent mainly due it being the first thing I heard, the lines later on seemed to be a bit lower, but still popping out. Ending was same as intro. I would say gauge the volume against the lead vocal level initially then try and automate the tail/sustain so it is tucked under the vocals when they begin.
 
The lead vocal needs more space, IMO. It's not everywhere, but in several places it is getting masked. Perhaps pan that rhythm guitar farther out. The bass, drums, and rhythm guitar could be tighter.
 
I like this!

To me, there's one or two offending frequencies in the vocal that makes them sound "scratchy", sorry I don't have the proper words for it, nor do I have the ears to tell you where it lies on the spectrum.

I could hear it with the rhythm guitar brought back a db or 2, same for the lead guitar in the little lick in between the verses. This may give the space for the vocals that ido was talking about.

Beatlesy, and I like it! Loved the harmonies and have had the song stuck in my head ...!

Timbo
 
ido1957 said:
Intro was the most apparent mainly due it being the first thing I heard
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same here. i've had the volume consistent for a few tracks now, then when this one started, i had to turn it down immediately. it's that lead guitar. you might have sat too long at your session listening to it - in a day or two, you'll hear it. it's a bit loud compared to the rest.

you find you have MORE transients without a pick??? i find my bass sound is more dull without a pick, and like you i come from guitar. i use that pick to get a sharper, more precise bass attack.

i'm also aware that my lack of experience with bass as the primary instrument probably means i'm not playing it as best as i could with finger picking.
 
This reminds me of The Steve Miller Band. You sound a bit like him. You also remind me of the Crappy Beatle.

The first thing that struck me was that the center of the mix was much louder than the edges. It gives it a "mono-ish" feel. Not mono, but not full stereo either. You could probably pan the cleaner guitar a little harder to the right and then turn up the guitar on the left.

I would quad the "oooh's" and pan a pair to each side. And/or make it a three part harmony.

Thee is some nasty feedback in a couple of spots. Are those the bass notes you're talking about? Otherwise there wasn't anything that jumped out to me. I kind of liked the bass sound.

Rhythm guitars have a bit of a lo-fi sound.

Snare and kick sound OK. Especially the snare - nice crack to it. Cymbals are OK for the most part. There is a spot or two where it gets a bit hissy - one particular cymbal you're hitting. Oh and the toms sound nice.

The quick fade at the end was abrupt. Didn't sound natural.
 
"Crappy Beatle"? Ringo? :facepalm:

Andru - yeah, I get more consistent playing with a pick on bass.

YellowDwarf - I'm afraid those harsh frequencies may be part of my voice, not a recording artifact! I haven't done any EQing on the vocal to speak of, there's one preset I use to take some harshness out, I'll have to look at.

New mix below, tamed the lead guitar down, still working on things. I tried panning the 2 rhythm guitars out quite a bit and didn't like what they were doing, so slid them back in, so they are just a few % further out than the first mix, also thought they needed more volume, but that probably is masking the vocal more, will keep tweeking this one, need to give my ears a rest.

 
I have the same problem, Mike. There ain't no preset that'll fix the dwarf's voice and I doubt there is for you! When mine is bad and scratchy, I'll just EQ it out - I end up with so many dips that I have to use 2 and 3 instances of the plug-in. Guess that's a sign to find a vocalist, but I'm a one man show.

I still think the lead guitar at the start can come back even further. And I think you've tamed the vocal "problem" too.

On the "fix it" side, I think an envelope on that lead guitar could help, it doesn't fade out quickly enough on the A at the end of the lick sometimes and interferes with the upcoming music.

Just my thoughts, still love it!
Timbo
 
Thanks, I've got an envelope on the lead guitar, but probably need to fade it quicker each time. Using my Dot semi-hollow, had a ton of sustain that day!
 
Much clearer mix. I'm not hearing the masking that I heard before.
 
mjbphotos said:
"Crappy Beatle"? Ringo?
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Naw, there was a guy on this site from years ago who went by TheCrappyBeatle. I thought you had been around enough to remember him. Anyway, your voice kinda reminded me of him. No Ringo reference. :)
 
I might bring down the lead guitar throughout but especially when it coincides with the vocal, they kind of fight for attention. The feedback is very loud in my headphones. Cool song, tells a good story.
 
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