What's wrong with this mix?

[frank_1]

Hi guys,

Ok, I've been recording with Cubase SX for about 4 months now. I have this jam I did every thing my self.

I used a 2 x 12" openback marshall, Shure 57, Boss GT-6, cheesy cables in a ART MP, Alesis SR-16, feeding to the Delta 44 soundcard into SX.

My bass is a DeArmond Pilot 5-string useing my Art MP as a preamp.

-My question is why does my mix sound so lifeless, dull, and non-pro?
The first solo is CENTER using one track, the second solo is panned 34 L&R with my Shure 57 and Sennheiser 421. The rythem is also miked and panned 34, plus I have a direct in rythem in stereo.

I tried some eq but it didn't work any miricles.

Do you think it's mainly my cables, preamp and GT-6???

Any hints would be great thanks!!


Perpetual Fire

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I didn't mind the guitar tones...

I didn't hear a lot of bass to support the low-end....

What is really killing the song for me is the drum track -- plastic-sounding, no energy, no sense of an actual drumkit being played in front of you...

 

[jake-owa]

Ahh yes, the SR16. I can't stand the sound of this damn machine. I had to sell mine. The bass needs a bit more volume.

The mix sounds alright.

 

[frank_1]

Thanks for replying,

So the guitars are okay? I always thought that they didn't sound like they had enough response, detail and fullness. I know that jam is not perfect; I have a few errors on it that I will have to re-do.

BTW, Do you think the VTB1 is a good investment preamp? I'm looking for more quality then my Art MP's? I have heard that it's not worth spending a few dollars more on a preamp; I was told you had to go beyond (like one of those Grace preamps). True?

 

[chessrock]

I wouldn't worry about the pre.

I would try a generous EQ boost at around 2,300 hz to breathe a little detail back in to the guitar, or perhaps a cut in the low-mids (around 300hz) and see if that does any good.

Other than that, there is a lot to be said for the guitar and amp. I've heard a world of difference just from using different strings and upgrading to a better pickup.

It's usually the little things you wouldn't otherwise think of.

 

[Boray]

It's the drums. Try move them a few milliseconds back (to the left) (as they sound a bit after-beat now) and compress them a bit.

/Anders