Thoughts on what to do with this track?

[Scott Baxendale]

This track has a very dense arrangement. The breakdown section has always been a struggle for me to decide what exactly to do there. The 12 string I used on this track is Peter Buck’s Rik-12 string which was also use on a bunch of REM records and tours. Opinions, thoughts, ideas are all welcome! Thanks in advance.

 

[R D Smith]

This track has a very dense arrangement. The breakdown section has always been a struggle for me to decide what exactly to do there. The 12 string I used on this track is Peter Buck’s Rik-12 string which was also use on a bunch of REM records and tours. Opinions, thoughts, ideas are all welcome! Thanks in advance.View attachment 141217

What do you not like? I think it sounds fine but there is a lot going on. I'm listening on ear buds and the thing that is annoying to me, is a periodic drone in the background. I can't tell if it's a bass or a rhythm guitar. Maybe simplifying (thinning) the mix will open it up.

 

[TripleM]

I might try working with the stereo spread. The mix is pretty narrow. It might open up if things were panned out a little more toward the edges. I don't have any specific suggestions, just generally work with panning.

 

[Track Rat]

Something happens around 50 seconds in. Sounds like a splice or something

 

[Scott Baxendale]

Something happens around 50 seconds in. Sounds like a splice or something

That is one of the moments I’m having an issue with. It’s not a splice, but it’s a breakdown and it needs a thick low bass pad that hits right in that beat. The song is Bottom End, and that’s the spot where that notion should kick in. I’ve tried a lot of stuff there and also through the breakdown section.

 

[HumanPlanet]

That is one of the moments I’m having an issue with. It’s not a splice, but it’s a breakdown and it needs a thick low bass pad that hits right in that beat. The song is Bottom End, and that’s the spot where that notion should kick in. I’ve tried a lot of stuff there and also through the breakdown section.

The first thing I'd do is crank that section (between .50 and 1.18) up 7dB or so

 

[Scott Baxendale]

The first thing I'd do is crank that section (between .50 and 1.18) up 7dB or so

View attachment 141262

That is better! Thanks!

It still needs kind of a sub bass canon shot on that down beat. That where the whole bottom end thing should hit hard. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff there but still haven’t found the right sample.