My first mix on this site

[pfactionBrett]

This is a hard rock song i've been recording all of the parts to (besides bass guitar and vocals) and recently finished mixing. This is the first final mix i've completed of this song so criticism is wanted. Let me know what you think of both the song and the mix.

There's an attatched file for those who wanna listen on their system and a link for you internet listeners:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=781714

[NickT]

Brett,

Sounds good. I would visit the drums and bass. They need a little more definition. The song seems to missing that. When the guitars are riffing and the root is moving, the bass carries that. Should be a little more defined. More Kick! 

The rest is sounding pretty good.

Nick

[pfactionBrett]

I definately agree on the bass guitar needing definition. I tried but I couldn't seem to get more oomph out of it. I can seem to get it to latch on with the guitar tone to carry it like you said. Where should I start to achieve this?

Do you mean level wise on the kick or more low end and definition?

[NickT]

I definately agree on the bass guitar needing definition. I tried but I couldn't seem to get more oomph out of it. I can seem to get it to latch on with the guitar tone to carry it like you said. Where should I start to achieve this?

Do you mean level wise on the kick or more low end and definition?

Bass, Start with compression. Go ahead and compress it hard and use the make-up gain.

This is a good article:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr07/articles/betterbass.htm

Kick Drum:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov03/articles/logicnotes.htm

It's mostly about the eq and compression.

Hope that helps!

Nick

[Tricia41]

Good song!!

[CosmicDolphin]

The guitars and vocals sound great....good song and really well performed.

Like Nick says the area to concetrate on if you want to improve it is the drums / bass.

The drums sound a little separate to the other instruments to me, which may be something to do with either the reverb used or how much of the room sound is ( or isn't ) in the track , were there any room mics on the kit recording ? Try using more of them in the track..or share the same reverb as the vocals / guitars.

The kick can be very hard to get to cut through a heavy song, it's probably as much about what freqs you cut as boost and the compression.

Bass , I always find I put alot of high mids on to make it cut as it will dull as soon as the guitars play on top...and dip the boxy freqs somewhere beteen 200-300 hz

There were also parts where I though riding the volume more would have helped to give it a bit more life.

I'm wouldn't normally be this picky , but you asked   Good stuff.

CD

[luisma1972]

Nice song, can't comment on the mix, but you can trust Nick and CD ears.

[pfactionBrett]

Thanks for the comments guys. I worked a little bit on the drums and the bass a little bit today. The kick definately cuts through a lot better now.

[jwoo10]

Killer song.. I defer commenting on the mix...

Looking for drums on any other songs of this nature.... look me up hum?

[Alex Lloyd]

Awesome... great solid sound. Love it.

[CosmicDolphin]

Are you posting the new mix up /

CD

[soulfrontier]

great song, guitar and vocals!

[j]

leaving the mix critique to the pros, I like this. Good guitar work and great rock voice. I'll be looking out for more!

j`

[pfactionBrett]

Thanks for the comments guys. Yes I will post the new mix when I can, busy busy week for me, i'm moving saturday and working on finishing up my college semester, so i'll finish it up and post when I can. Thanks guys!

[Argle]

Sweet song man.  You got a good voice.

I would cut the guitars below 150 hz or so.  They have a slightly muddy feel.  Cutting the lows will sharpen them and leave more room for the bass and kick.  A boost in the upper mids will give some bite.

With the kick I nearly always cut in the range of 250 Hz, that's where the "stuffy" sound resides.  Then you can boost the highs a bit to compensate and give more of a click.