Is your recording / mix any good? Find out here!

[Phil O'Keefe]

Well, here it is - the "official" share your music thread for The Studio Trenches.

A few guidelines:

1. Please restrict your submissions to this thread only.

2. Please specify what you want - if you're just showcasing your work, this is a good place to do that, but SPECIFY that or you're going to get critiques. If you're asking about the SONG, mention that or you're going to get comments about your mix. If it's production ideas you want, say so. If you're having problems with a specific part of the mix or instrumental timbre and you want to restrict comments to only that, tell us so! You get the idea...

3. When responding, please keep in mind what the poster was requesting and respond with that in mind. And PLEASE, let's keep it civil. Try to find something positive to say. No, don't feel like you have to kiss anyone's butt, but the tendency is to comment about what you'd do differently or what you didn't like - let's try to make an equal effort towards commenting on the things we DO like.

4. It might be wise to give us a general description of your level of professional involvement, experience level and gear you used. A person who is just getting started out on a 4 track and is doing it as a hobby shouldn't be held to the same sonic standards as someone who does it for a living and uses a Studer and a Neve. Please try to keep these things in mind when responding and be encouraging to those who are just starting out.

5. Do the right thing - if you want to submit, this is the place for it - but don't abuse it. If you want others to listen to YOUR submissions, you need to listen to - and comment on - their submissions. As a general guideline, I recommend you listen to / comment on three or four submissions from others for each submission of your own.

6. It might be a good idea to list the playback system / monitoring chain(s) you used for listening to a submission when you respond with your critiques and comments - that info could be helpful to the original poster.

7. Have fun!

[Caevan O'Sh!te]

Alright, I'm in!

I'm a TOTAL NOOB at recording, hard-disc/digital/PC-based or otherwise. I barely know how to do so with what I have. (I'll get around to that in threads with future questions, I'm certain.) I probably barely qualify to make sonic toast with the gear, hardware and software that I have.

That being said, "FWIW", here's my submission for critical and expert scrutiny, scrotiny, and suggestions afield:

"Soapbar Example" (http://www.jameskettner.com/Kev/SoapbarExampleinOpen-D.mp3)

Currently my sole postable/linkable mp3 (hosted by a good friend). Forty-odd seconds of two guitars (or rather, one guitar, twice), tuned to Open-D, originally done on-the-fly simply to give an example of P-90 "soapbar"-equipped guitars in action.

I won't bore you with any more mundane details unless they're requested.

I already have my own opinions about its artistic shortcomings, don't worry about sparing my feelings or anything! It's presented here both to start off kicking the ball around, and to get any and all actual useful information that anyone cares to throw my way. (READ AS: FREE EDUCATION) Be as critical as you want!

[Watershed]

Is that all there is? Sounds promising.... kinda reminded me of Mark Knopfler's Local Hero album.

Can't really comment too much without hearing more of it.

[alcohol]

Cavean,

I really liked it. I thought the sounds were well recorded.

I was wondering how you got that reverse guitar sound in the middle. Did you add the reverb later and then duck the primary sound? Was that studio manipulation?

[alcohol]

Here's a submission of something I did with my son's band, Moxie Fever. I'm going to remix this so any detailed comments or criticisms are welcome. The guitar effects at the end are a mistake, please ignore those.

Give Me The End (http://music.multifarity.com/GiveMeTheEnd.mp3)

moxiefever.com

[Ivor The Engine Driver]

Here are three of mine (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=22233044&Mytoken=20050725084757)

I'm most interested in what you think of the songs/performances, but in the context as if you think the mix (or lack therof) does them justice.

Note I'm using solely GarageBand 1 and only the pinhole mic of eMac to do the vocals... I DI'ed the bass and guitars; and the drums are samples/loops... The sparce keyboard/synth sounds are MIDI and weren't even played on a keyboard... they were played via mouseclick.

HOWEVER, I personally think despite all of these flaws and inadequate research, the product came out pretty good and "real."

Should add that vibe I was going for on these songs are more in the vein of underground New Wave rather than pristine/Grammy quality.

Thanks!!!

[rhythminmind]

well let me know what you guys think.. i'd like to hear some comments..

http://www.rhythminmind.net/temp/mp3/

[alcohol]

rhythminmind,

Ok, I'm ready to nitpick. I listened to several. I'm just going to pick on no. 5.

For this kind of music, I think the vocalist needs to be up front. Listening on headphones she sounds behind the guitars which seem to be getting the most attention. Also, the vocal sounds just a bit thin. With either EQ or a multiband compressor, I would bring up a bit of the lower mids jjust to take the edge off the sound of the voice.

The guitar solo was prominent to the right. So at that point the recording sounded lopsided.

The bass drum had the high end too overemphasized for my taste. It sounded like a snare except you heard it at all the usual BD spots.

The above comments were nitpicking, because I thought it really well recorded and I liked the music. Overall, I think the singer should have been up front in the mix instead of behind the instruments.

[rhythminmind]

thanks for the insight.. yeah we did some more mixing last night.. we brought the vocals up overall on a few tracks.. yeah my drum sound can seem kinda odd.. i'm using a strange kit setup and i'm playing with "hot rods" those sticks made out of dowels. allot of the MTV unplugged recordings had them.. I wanted something more organic.. funny i say that because i also used a 10" snare, not to natural sounding..

i'll post some new mixes after the next versions are finished..

[geek_usa]

Originally posted by alcohol
Here's a submission of something I did with my son's band, Moxie Fever. I'm going to remix this so any detailed comments or criticisms are welcome. The guitar effects at the end are a mistake, please ignore those.

Give Me The End (http://music.multifarity.com/GiveMeTheEnd.mp3)

moxiefever.com


Great song!

Here's my notes as I'm listening...



Add some reverb to the snare, turn down that hi-hat just a tad.

Pan the guitars a little more...especially the solo...throw that in the right or left channel.

Around :27, where the vocals double, try using a drip of reverb to set them back in the mix and turn down the backup vocal just a little.


and oh man I love that auto-panned guitar around 1:30...that's so cool! Great job!

I think the whole mix could benefit from a little more ambience.


And as far as the effects at the end go, that would be an excellent opener for the next song in line (i.e. have this song end, and the song right after it start with those effects).


This is a superbly written song. Kudos to you and your son (and his band)!


I will probably critique more later. I've got a client here I've got to record so, I might be on a little later!



~Jared
:)

[geek_usa]

Originally posted by rhythminmind
well let me know what you guys think.. i'd like to hear some comments..

http://www.rhythminmind.net/temp/mp3/

I'll do one more...


the only problem I see here, is the highs are way too overemphasized. My monitors are a bit on the bright side, but I think I've learned them now (which makes me sad; I JUST bought a new set of monitors too, so I'm going to have to start the process over again with those).

So even with my monitors being a bit bright, these mixes are still very bright.

I would back off the highs on all of the instruments (except maybe the vocals, but please do boost a little low end to make it sound more full).

Otherwise I think it sounds okay, and the snare has an excuse to sound that way, being a 10".


:)

[fretless]

Originally posted by Caevan O'Sh!te
Alright, I'm in!

I'm a TOTAL NOOB at recording, hard-disc/digital/PC-based or otherwise. I barely know how to do so with what I have. (I'll get around to that in threads with future questions, I'm certain.) I probably barely qualify to make sonic toast with the gear, hardware and software that I have.

That being said, "FWIW", here's my submission for critical and expert scrutiny, scrotiny, and suggestions afield:

"Soapbar Example" (http://www.jameskettner.com/Kev/SoapbarExampleinOpen-D.mp3)

Currently my sole postable/linkable mp3 (hosted by a good friend). Forty-odd seconds of two guitars (or rather, one guitar, twice), tuned to Open-D, originally done on-the-fly simply to give an example of P-90 "soapbar"-equipped guitars in action.

I won't bore you with any more mundane details unless they're requested.

I already have my own opinions about its artistic shortcomings, don't worry about sparing my feelings or anything! It's presented here both to start off kicking the ball around, and to get any and all actual useful information that anyone cares to throw my way. (READ AS: FREE EDUCATION) Be as critical as you want!


this has a lot of promise ;) I dig it

[younggunmn]

>>Caevan O'Sh!te
I really like it, partially because it reminds me of a song I wrote a while back :D Seriously, it's very well played, great articulation n the lead part, and I really like the volume swells. The only thing that really disappointed me was it was so short -- I wanted to hear more ;)

Not sure if you recorded it direct in or through an amp, but next time you record it, you might want to mess with the EQ on the amp, and arrangements of cables, etc. to cut down on the buzz (in fact, if you have a CRT monitor and you're playing an electric guitar, you might notice increase buzz depending on how you're oriented relative to the screen). It's tough in a recording this 'quiet' because the noise can leap out more, but i think if you can cut down on it, it would really improve the 'mood' of your mix.

Nice job! :D

[younggunmn]

Originally posted by fretless
ok, warning 10 min. long :rolleyes: :p :D


I would love to know some pro vocal tips ;)

Thanks
http://home.comcast.net/~scottjhayes/_drums3.mp3

I'm not really the best vocalist myself, so I can't help you much there. I think it sounds good though ;)

I might add a little compression to the vocals, turn the overall level on them up just a little, and maybe turn the relative volume of the delay effect down a tad.

I like the song a lot ;)

Matt

[fretless]

Originally posted by younggunmn


I'm not really the best vocalist myself, so I can't help you much there. I think it sounds good though ;)

I might add a little compression to the vocals, turn the overall level on them up just a little, and maybe turn the relative volume of the delay effect down a tad.

I like the song a lot ;)

Matt

Hey Thank you younggunmn , your opinion is most appreciated ;) I will kick it around a bit .

[Ivor The Engine Driver]

thanks for all of the helpful insight.

:(

[Brand0n1]

How's this for my SILENT recording studio.

http://blyons.homeip.net/newmix.mp3

Just a test demo to help me practice mixing in syth sounds cause they are so dry alot of the time and dont need lots of volume to be heard well.

Drums and synth are - Reason

Guitar and bass are direct into a - Line6 Guitar Port.

Recorded into a - m-audio 24/96

Tracked and mixed in - Sonar 4P

Mixed in cheap - AIWA headphones <runs and hides>
(ganna get some $100 upgrades soon)

I'm just looking to see how it translates to quality monitors i know lots of guys around here have, and if they hear any red flags. Any input on how i might make things sound better would be helpfull..


Thanks in advance!

PS.
I understand the idea to get a central sample thread, but once it becomes 15 pages long no one will look at it anymore imo...

We shall see.

[Brand0n1]

Originally posted by Ivor The Engine Driver
thanks for all of the helpful insight.

:(

I would say that when i was listening i just kept thinking that i'd start with the Kick drum, and maybe turn the guitar's down a bit.

The kick needs smoe help,, it has no punch at all.
I would do some EQ work to it.

Good stuff though!

[kaden]

Originally posted by Ivor The Engine Driver
Here are three of mine (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=22233044&Mytoken=20050725084757)

I'm most interested in what you think of the songs/performances, but in the context as if you think the mix (or lack therof) does them justice.

Note I'm using solely GarageBand 1 and only the pinhole mic of eMac to do the vocals... I DI'ed the bass and guitars; and the drums are samples/loops... The sparce keyboard/synth sounds are MIDI and weren't even played on a keyboard... they were played via mouseclick.

HOWEVER, I personally think despite all of these flaws and inadequate research, the product came out pretty good and "real."

Should add that vibe I was going for on these songs are more in the vein of underground New Wave rather than pristine/Grammy quality.

Thanks!!!

Love the tunes! Let Me In sounds great! I wouldn't change anything about it. As always, your guitar tone is superb. Also dig the Love Experts material. Huge McGuinn fan!

[WFTurner]

A mellow new age influenced piece I just finished.

The Peace Of Reflection (users.zoominternet.net/~wfturnermusic/The Peace Of Reflection.mp3)

[geek_usa]

If I can just nudge in here...

I think it would be excellent if one person posted a clip or a group of clips, and then before the next person posts theirs, wait until they get a response with advice or how it sounds.

That would keep things in order and also give everybody a chance to be heard and critiqued. That way no one is left out and everybody wins.



Good idea? :)

[Brand0n1]

Originally posted by geek_usa
If I can just nudge in here...

I think it would be excellent if one person posted a clip or a group of clips, and then before the next person posts theirs, wait until they get a response with advice or how it sounds.

That would keep things in order and also give everybody a chance to be heard and critiqued. That way no one is left out and everybody wins.

Good idea? :)

I think this is ganna be a mess.

[TIP]

Recorded this in my barn, in an odd way. First the singer and I recorded an acoustic guitar and voice guide track on to a 1/2 inch 8 track. Then a week later I had the drummer show up and record drums to the guide track. Only had 3 mics but they were good ones. I put a U87 about 6 ft in front of the kit about chest high to the drummer, then a AKG 414 over the drummers left shoulder about 6ft high pointing at the snare, the 3rd mic is anothe 414 on the right hand side of the kit pointing at the drummers shoulder. This is a common 3 mic technique and I think it worked ok to capture what the kit sounded like in the room.
Then we transfered the drum tracks and guide tacks to ProTools
and I started layering stuff,and got rid of the guide tracks. Guitars recorded with a 414 and U87 for some room, the amp was a Deluxe reverb, a Gibson Les Paul for solo, strat for rythm, Gibson B-25 for acoustic,B-25 restrung with Nashville tuning, Bass a G&L direct thru homemade passive direct box. Used a Lexicon PCM60 for most of the reverb. We ended up recording this again in a pro studio but this version still sounds better, probably cause I had so much time to mess with it and get the perfomances right.
Hope you enjoy

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=7889

[TIP]

Sorry for posting without giving a critique of the above clips first, but I'm at home today with dial-up and ity is so slllllllllllllllloooooooow. I'll listen to some stuff tomorrow when I get back to DSL.

[Ivor The Engine Driver]

Thanks for the comments!

When we rate rigs in the effects forum, the rule is you have to post a critique of the previous two or three before you can post your own for critique-ing. That seems to ensure that everyone gets their share of feedback and advice. A little bit more difficult here, as many people work during the day, making it hard to listen and evaluate songs. (Much easier to glance at someone's rig and say, "I like this, I don't like that....") But maybe it's an idea.

That said, I'll try to give some listens tonight and post my thoughts.

[fretless]

Originally posted by Ivor The Engine Driver
Thanks for the comments!

When we rate rigs in the effects forum, the rule is you have to post a critique of the previous two or three before you can post your own for critique-ing. That seems to ensure that everyone gets their share of feedback and advice. A little bit more difficult here, as many people work during the day, making it hard to listen and evaluate songs. (Much easier to glance at someone's rig and say, "I like this, I don't like that....") But maybe it's an idea.

That said, I'll try to give some listens tonight and post my thoughts.

Great Idea ! I hope Phil will chime in too , with an expert opinion .;)

[fretless]

Originally posted by rhythminmind
well let me know what you guys think.. i'd like to hear some comments..

http://www.rhythminmind.net/temp/mp3/

wow , there's some cool stuff here ! Some of the guitar reminds me of Michael Hedges ;) I say very well done !

[rhythminmind]

you never know what people will think of your music, it's always nice to hear people enjoying it..thanks..

[fretless]

Originally posted by TIP
Recorded this in my barn, in an odd way. First the singer and I recorded an acoustic guitar and voice guide track on to a 1/2 inch 8 track. Then a week later I had the drummer show up and record drums to the guide track. Only had 3 mics but they were good ones. I put a U87 about 6 ft in front of the kit about chest high to the drummer, then a AKG 414 over the drummers left shoulder about 6ft high pointing at the snare, the 3rd mic is anothe 414 on the right hand side of the kit pointing at the drummers shoulder. This is a common 3 mic technique and I think it worked ok to capture what the kit sounded like in the room.
Then we transfered the drum tracks and guide tacks to ProTools
and I started layering stuff,and got rid of the guide tracks. Guitars recorded with a 414 and U87 for some room, the amp was a Deluxe reverb, a Gibson Les Paul for solo, strat for rythm, Gibson B-25 for acoustic,B-25 restrung with Nashville tuning, Bass a G&L direct thru homemade passive direct box. Used a Lexicon PCM60 for most of the reverb. We ended up recording this again in a pro studio but this version still sounds better, probably cause I had so much time to mess with it and get the perfomances right.
Hope you enjoy

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=7889


Beautiful Tune TIP , great use of the trem and just a smooth subtle cool vibe , should be on the radio right now ! Nice solos too ;)

[TIP]

Originally posted by rhythminmind
well let me know what you guys think.. i'd like to hear some comments..

http://www.rhythminmind.net/temp/mp3/

Awsome musicianship, nice use of different ambiences in the mix.
I really like the guitar dry, with everything else with a bit a ambience. I listened to tk 8 and 11. This stuff would be a shoe in for the Windham Hill label. Nice job!

[rhythminmind]

Originally posted by TIP


Awsome musicianship, nice use of different ambiences in the mix.
I really like the guitar dry, with everything else with a bit a ambience. I listened to tk 8 and 11. This stuff would be a shoe in for the Windham Hill label. Nice job!

Thanks.. i'll add that label to the list..

[mandobass]

Didn't get a reply in the recording forum, so i'm trying it here...


http://www.bowesknows.com/new/726-03.mp3

This track is a work in progress. Needs an intro/outro, and I havn't even touched the drums yet. Also, there's going to be a guitar solo over the open end part.

It's only 2 minutes long - give it a listen if you have a chance.

All vox/playing/mxing(what little mixing there has been) was done by me. Thus, the third person perspective is very much needed.

Thanks

[doug osborne]

Originally posted by Ivor The Engine Driver
Here are three of mine (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=22233044&Mytoken=20050725084757)

...

The songs are actually pretty good for the genre - and for myspace - but remember that most songs like this have a few more breaks and dynamic changes in the arrangement.

I'm impressed with the recording quality considering your tools. Don't be afraid to slam the vocals a little louder - appropriate for the genre and performance, and it worked for the Killers!

I'll bet you mixed with very small speakers. There is definitely a problem in the bass area, with definition and balance.

[doug osborne]

Originally posted by alcohol
Here's a submission of something I did with my son's band, Moxie Fever. I'm going to remix this so any detailed comments or criticisms are welcome. The guitar effects at the end are a mistake, please ignore those.

Give Me The End (http://music.multifarity.com/GiveMeTheEnd.mp3)

moxiefever.com

The song really held me to the end - that's what surprised me.

I hear a lot of Boston triple-decker-basement in the drums (not that that's a bad thing), but I'd probably thin them a little and bring the snare out a little more. I'd listen to some Bad Religion to figure out how to treat the background vocals.

Your kid's pretty good.

[Caevan O'Sh!te]

Watershed , alcohol, fretless, and younggunmn- thanks for the interest, and all of your positive replies!

Wow, I really expected at least some raggin' on my noodling little sketch there. Thanks for the compliments; I'm almost embarrassed, as if I tricked people somehow...

(I'm gonna hafta get a copy of Mark Knopfler's Local hero, a friend on another forum made similar comments regarding that comparison! Gotta be completely undeserved, though, Knopfler rules!)

The whole little schebang was really just done to have an example of the sounds of P-90 pickups on a 24 & 3/4" scaled guitar; maybe I'll actually make something out of it, someday, when I learn how to properly record!

Both tracks were recorded direct, with all effects and processing (respective to each of the two tracks) printed simultaneously live/in real-time. Les Paul Studio "Gem" with P-90 "soapbars", specifically set-up and strung for Open-D tuning, bridge-pickup selected, played fingerstyle, both tracks.

Johnson J-Station digital-modeling preamp. Clean track: "blackface Fender"-model, lotsa compression and EQ, speaker-sim turned OFF. Overdriven track: " '70s Marshall"-model, "Fane/Hiwatt" speaker/cab-sim, lotsa EQ, compression and noise-gate with attack-delay effect.

Recorded direct to n-Track Studio software, on a mediocre PC with NO soundcard or videocard (just the mobo's on-board sound capabilities). Analog 1/4" outputs of J-Station to analog stereo mini-jack on mobo via a cheap Y-cord.

I recorded the clean arpeggiated track with several false-starts, then when I decided it was acceptable enough for what it was, I improvised overdriven lead-lines over its playback three times to come up with a basic direction, then hit "record" on a fourth pass, and it was done, stick a fork in it and turn it over!

The "backwards" sounding, volume-swelled parts were all done totally live/in real-time and printed with the help of the J-Station's onboard compressor and noise-gate. I've spent some time cultivating my "touch", particularly with my picking-hand, and I pretty much NEVER use a pick. An initial note's attack will be "swelled" as the 'gate opens, and all following sound is then "normal" sounding, untill there's a low enough lull in signal-strength to close the 'gate again. Then it starts all over again; selective, touch-controlled volume-swells. You can get the effect on each note with muting and damping. I absolutely love volume-swell and "reverse" type sounds, and I've probably used nearly all approaches to get that effect before.

Yhup, P-90 pickups can be noisey, especially around a big ol' CRT (guilty!). Trust me, it could've been a LOT worse! But, you're right, it could've been better, with a quieter/lower noise-floor. I've got a less-than-perfect cable arrangement (of less-than-perfect cables), as well...

Thanks, again! And thanks to anyone who read this far, too!

[doug osborne]

Originally posted by rhythminmind
well let me know what you guys think.. i'd like to hear some comments..

http://www.rhythminmind.net/temp/mp3/

Eric - really like the overall vibe. Anyplans to mix these in surround?

I don't hear bright so much as dimensionally-shallow. Everything seems to come from one plane. I think that the singer is not always behind the instruments - on my monitors (JBL LSR25ps, not necessarily bright speakers) her presence just seems a little inconsistent.

[rhythminmind]

yes i plan on doing a surround mix with this.. i like the idea of a cd/ DVD-a with ac3 aswell combo... It's been a fun in the box adventure..

yeah we are focusing on the vocals now.. so far the guitarist and myself have been working on the instruments for the most part..

I'm not sure what to do about the dimension i think i need to give me ears a break and come back to it..

[doug osborne]

Originally posted by rhythminmind
... i think i need to give me ears a break and come back to it..

This is my most effective tool!

[Caevan O'Sh!te]

Originally posted by doug osborne


"This is my most effective tool!"

No foolin'! Same here; ear-fatigue's a drag, especially throwing in any congestion and inner pressure anomolies from allergies, colds/flus, etc...

[Spirithunter]

Hi everybody,

I have a mix here called "White lie" and would like some help to see where i need improve or fix the mix. It kind of rocks. I am not sure what it sounds like though.There is a lot going in this mix i believe.lol

The vocals i have no control over on how they are recorded.
I know my buddy uses M-Box with a Rode NT-1. I try to help him and he is getting better. He sends me over the vocal tracks dry.

On my end i do all the music and mixing. What i use for this song is.
Protools 002R, LA-610 , Baby Blue Bottle, Vox amp, Gibson LesPaul, Fender bass and Alesis ION.

The drums are Drums on Demand and would love to replace them with a real drummer but maybe with your help i can make them sound a little bit better.

My monitors are Blue Sky.

Any input would be great. You can hear at the bottom of the page at...

http://www.freewebs.com/fracturecomposer/mp3s.htm

Bob

[Ivor The Engine Driver]

Originally posted by doug osborne


The songs are actually pretty good for the genre - and for myspace - but remember that most songs like this have a few more breaks and dynamic changes in the arrangement.

I'm impressed with the recording quality considering your tools. Don't be afraid to slam the vocals a little louder - appropriate for the genre and performance, and it worked for the Killers!

I'll bet you mixed with very small speakers. There is definitely a problem in the bass area, with definition and balance.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback and the candor. My main purpose for these was to merely recruit band members to play these songs live; and then to have "sketches" recorded to flesh out with others. Definitely could use some upgrades gear-wise if I want to take these to the next level... most likely a preamp of some sort (right now recording right into the eMac via its line-in); a microphone (condenser... currently using the pinhole mic on the computer's monitor); and some monitors... (you guessed it: the eMac's built-in speakers are sufficing for monitors right now... hence the issues with the bass freqs). I will say, however, it's been fun and interesting trying to cobble together listenable recordings with so few tools -- helps me hone my ears and not rely on technology... but as proven, that can only take me so far. Thanks again for listening!!!!!!!

[C JoGo]

One take tune -- 1920 Kalamazoo guitar --couple mics up in the room .... accompainment with fingers on my Kurzweils


MAJIK (ftp://ftp.redshift.com/.public/MAJIK.mp3)

[Watershed]

Finally got and mp3.com site happening.
Check out the tracks if you wish.
There's old stuff that I did when I got the 001 and was learning and had stuff-all equipment, and there's something fairly recent with much better gear...... and some mixtures LOL

Anyway.... enjoy.

http://www.mp3.com.au/shivers

[bruce lash]

i wanted to listen to and comment on some tunes here, as i intend to post a song of my own. i'm listening on my computer through sony mdr-nc6 noise cancelling headphones.

"white lie" (Spirithunter)-- i like the vocal treatment. left and right crunchy gtrs: maybe take some of the bottom off them and "hype" them to get them crunchier and give them their own place in the frequency spectrum. drums: try over-compressing them and/or distorting them to make them more violent. maybe add some sort of percussion on top of that, always keeping in mind that you are trying to make it more aggressive.

shivers (Watershed)-- "almost" and "think of you": nice smooth production all around. nice vocals and arrangements. i wish the lead vocal was a little more on top, more present or something. "all alone": it sounds like the singer is channeling christine mcvie...very nice. "roundabout": nice guitars. i wish the drums were up a little more. i like the fade out a lot--"hurry hurry hurry...." that's really cool.

"sometimes in love" (TIP)-- i second all the good things said. cool drum sound (interesting notes about the drum mic-ing. thanks for that). nice, fairly dry, vocal. nice guitar solos. i think the only thing i'd question is the slide fills during the verse. i don't know how well they fit. love the tremelo--especially at the end of the song.

C JoGo--how i'd like to hear a 1920 kalamazoo guitar! i couldn't open the link. (550/.public/MAJIK.mp3: No such file or directory)

that's all for now.

bruce.

[C JoGo]

Originally posted by bruce lash

C JoGo--how i'd like to hear a 1920 kalamazoo guitar! i couldn't open the link. (550/.public/MAJIK.mp3: No such file or directory)

that's all for now.

bruce. [/B]


>> been doing this FTp stuff for years,,,just never no - when it might work ???

I just keep uploading everyday~~sometime the links works ...rocket science stuff
M A J I K (http://www.songramp.com/homepage.ez?Who=cjogo&playsong=yes&sampleid=34340)

[bruce lash]

doctor, doctor (http://brucelash.org/mp3s/doctor.mp3)

in craig anderton's old musicplayer forum, bruce swedien once described a stereo mic-ing techinque where an instrument is recorded blumlein (http://www.nickspicks.com/images/blumlein-polar.gif) and then recorded again, matching as closely as possible the first pass. the first pass is panned left all the way left and right 2 o'clock. the second pass is panned left 10 o'clock and right all the way right. if the second pass matches the first, it will sound like one instrument, sitting nicely big in the middle of the stereo field.

i tried this in the playroom of my house (a smallish room with carpeted floor, paneled walls, slanted ceiling, a big couch soaking up some of the sound), playing a three-stringed instrument called a strumstick (http://www.strumstick.com/), which i bought at an art fair. it looks a little like a martin backpacker. it's chromatic. the strings are tuned (low)g-d-(high)g. it sounds kind of like a banjo.

i recorded this using an mbox and protools le 6.4 through a pc laptop onto an external drive. the mics are cheap: samson c03s. i played the strumstick inches away from the mics, close, but far enough away to catch the first reflections from the instrument in the room (per mr. swedien's advice). after that, i strummed one pass of an acoustic guitar using the same blumlein setup. the bass is from reason: the "bass guitar" preset from subtractor with the decay set shorter than the preset had it.

i sang the lead vocal through one of the c03s, set cardioid, from 6 inches away. i sang the harmonies (a low one and a high one) through the same mic, standing four feet away to pick up some of the room and to thin out the sound of the voices using the proximity effect. i doubled the harmonies and panned the low one part way left and the high one part way right.

i mixed this on another system, a tdm system, taking a little bottom off the lead vocal and putting it and the harmonies through bombfactory 1176s (grouping the harmonies). i limited the mix just a touch to control peaks with an L1.

i didn't use any reverbs or anything like that, hoping that the room sound would surfice.

i was trying to get that matching blumlein thing going and to successfully use the proximty effect on the harmonies, as well as using the room's natural reverberence instead of a reverb plug-in.

would love to hear comments.

[Kranak]

I have a new song up on myspace that I would like some recording comments. I know that isnt the best medium, after some comments I will try to get the song on a better host.

Check out the song Darkness Falls
on www.myspace.com/1000carcrasheswaitingtoha (http://www.myspace.com/1000carcrasheswaitingtoha)

[Spirithunter]

Hey Bruce! Thanks for the listen and input! I will try some of the things you mention and that's funny what you said about the drums because i was thinking the same thing about them. They are kinda boring.


Doctor Doctor is a cool tune! I like the words.

Man i tell you "Doctor Doctor" sounds good to me!

Post more tunes in the future Bruce. Very nice!


-Bob

[bruce lash]

"darkness falls" (kranak)-- i like how all those different styles and voices work together. the atmospheric stuff sounds nice. the guitars sound cool (is that an ebow i hear?).

the only thing that i would take a look at is the relationship between the bass guitar and the kick drum. they seem to be fighting for the same piece of the spectrum. maybe brighten the bass-- take a little of the extreme bottom end off-- to separate it from the kick.

all in all, i think it's a really cool track.


spirithunter--thanks for the kind words.

bruce.

[Kranak]

Thanks bruce, I was thinking the same about the bass and drum. I will work on that. There is no ebow just alot of volume and feedback. :) I appreciate you listening.

[bruce lash]

just alot of volume and feedback. ...

i like...i like... it's well controlled and fits in the fix really well.

[Kranak]

Thanks I will work on a bit more mixing and then post again.

[C JoGo]

ANother quick diddy--just jamin' around for a few hours ..my 16 year old nephew & wife wrote the lyrics. Only my 3rd time on harp..I only have the one key:rolleyes:

Lot of sequencing of single drum tracks, on the Kurzweils, I wrote
..and about 8 tracks of vocals..Don't really listen to Rap--so not sure the genre with this one...

KaLeeFornYa (http://www.songramp.com/homepage.ez?Who=cljogo&playsong=yes&sampleid=34338):rolleyes:

[C JoGo]

"" C JoGo--how i'd like to hear a 1920 kalamazoo guitar! i couldn't open the link. (550/.public/MAJIK.mp3: No such file or directory)""


This one should load, now:confused:


M A J I K (http://www.songramp.com/view.ez?sampleid=34340)

A dual mic --- NTK over the middle of the neck ( which he leaned into to sing , also ) and a AT 4033 on the bottom of this 20's Kalamazoo( which looked worse than WIllie Nelsons' guitar)

--one-take...so not too much seperation on vocal/guitar...just the way this artist likes to work..

[C JoGo]

loading later==ftp problems:rolleyes:

[marcellis]

I just finished this yesterday. I am mixing with a new pair of monitors and don't quite know how the mix sounds on other people's sets. A friend of mine says he can only hear strings on one side. But I hear them on both sides.

A Woman from Cuba (http://music.marcellis.net/A_Woman_from_Cuba_(For_Evelyn_Castillo_Gamez).mp3)

Would be grateful if anyone has the time to listen to the mix.

[Spirithunter]

Hi everybody,

I am looking for some fresh ears to help me out with theses mixes.I do all instruments and mixing. I do not record or really have any control on how the vocals that are beng recorded.I get them dry and in some cases processed.

The first song is called "Eyes On You" It would be under Buzz&Spirithunter.
This is my first mix attemp for this tune.

The second song is called "Elefunkey". This would be under Frozenbones Project.

http://www.freewebs.com/fracturecomposer/mp3s.htm

Some of the equiptment i use...
Protools 6.7
LA-610
Blue Mic
Gibson LesPaul
Vox and Fender amps

Any input would great!

Thanks

Bob

[coldmetalcore]

hey spirithunter...
i downloaded 'eyes on me' and i really like the song itself, although it seems a little long for that style of song. Also, the measure or two before the chorus started seemed to suck up the energy. Besides that i loved the peaks and valleys of the verse and chorus.
when it came to the mixing i would say that maybe the vocals have a little too much effect on them, i could stand to hear a little more dry vocals. it also seemed like the vocals were a little bit behind in some spots?? i like the voice itself though, and i think you did a good job singing.
i liked most of the guitar work, but they seemed a little bit lose in some spots (distorted parts) and i thought the distortion may have been a little bit shreddy for that style of music.. but maybe that's just me.
One thing i think your mix might be lacking is the use of backup vocals... I know it's not required to make a good song, but (as a bad religion fan) i find it extremely powerful in great songs.
overall i think it's a good song. I give it a B
keep up the good work, i'll download the next one soon.

[Spirithunter]

Hi coldmetalcore,

Thanks for the input it is what i was looking for. The music is a tune i came up with about a month ago with no idea how the vocal might sound with it .At that time i was posting it on different sites looking for a singer to mess with it.

I know the vocals are being recorded with a Shure58 going into a sound blaster card! That explain the sound(lol) and i've been working with the timing issue with the vocals as well and it is getting a lot better than it was but it needs more work. No backup vocals track for the chorus. I wish i did though.

The guitar are a little loud and as time goes on i am hearing that. What can i say i am a guitar player.lol

Thanks again for the feedback


-Bob

[elbromisto]

Check out my newest recording: www.nebbish.org. Listen to "Ben One" (should be on the left, about halfway down.)

I recorded it on a Zoom Mrs-1044 with a bunch of sub $100 mic's and some direct to recorder stuff. I sent the drums through an old Peavey PA board and recorded them to 2 tracks because that's all I can do with the Zoom. Obviously I'm very amateur, but please give me "strict" feedback anyway; I want to absolutely max out the quality of my recordings before I advance to better and more expensive equipment. Also, tell me what you think of my band.

One idiotic question to end the day: should I use a pre-amp on the drums? If so, is it best to put the pre-amp after the mixing board and before the recorder or should I use it for individual drums? The recorder has some preset "pre-amp" modules but I suspect they pale in comparison to a real tube.

[madbutcher]

i know they pretty much suck...... tips on making it better appreciated

www.myspace.com/harkonin

[Kranak]

Spirithunter - Ive been brousing your site and I really am digging your compositions and recording technique. :cool:

[yureal]

Ok... Me and my bro just finished our first project ever... we're pretty enthused about it. We know the guitars are pretty bad, and not loud enough among a few other things, but we'd love to hear what you have to say about it.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pag...m?bandID=388158

p.s. I have 56k. Not by choice, I simply don't have the option in southern west virginia. and by 56k i really mean about 30k.
I only downloaded one song because the last few all seem to be streaming media instead of downloadable mp3s. sorry.. and i hope you all understand.
thanks!!

[Spirithunter]

Hey Kranak! Thanks for the kinds words.:D

I went and checked out your tunes. I like them. The one's that stood out to me were "Drowning Peacefulness", "clean." and "CBJoint".

Nice work!

-Spirithunter

[Lee Knight]

We just released our album on Zip Records! Mark DeCerbo and Four Eyes. I'm one of the eyes...

I played bass, shared guitar duties, keys, vocalized in the background, etc., recorded it at my studio, mastered, coproduced it, cowrote a couple.

Here's what Not Lame Records said about it...

"These are sophisticated, carefully crafted, extremely well produced songs that have had a lot of thought put into them to yield the delights here. Theres an intimate feel to all this gorgeous material and its never in a rush to get to that catchy chorus. This one that will reward and grow extreme pleasure, rest assured. Big Time Extremely Highly Recommended!"


And now I present this labour of Power Pop Love to you in the form of horrible sounding MP3 clips! Mmmm, tastes good! Enjoy.

http://www.ziprecords.com/artists/markdecerbo/index.shtml

[Phil O'Keefe]

Hey Lee - well done. :cool: I particularly liked the classic jangle of tracks like "Add Water" and "Goin' Places". Good stuff. I also enjoyed "Neophyte, and detect a bit of Costello influence in the vocal approach on that one. Again, well done all the way around! :cool:

I'm headed to listen to the MP3 you emailed me next... :D

[Steve LeBlanc]

any advice on this mix?

FEVER (http://www.artistlaunch.com/sleblanc)

[Lee Knight]

I think this sounds great. If you're looking for suggestions, or things to try here are a couple, but I think it sounds great as is...

Try spreading things out a bit maybe?

Ac guitar 50% to the left with a nice room ambience spread 100% left and staight up the middle.

Elec guitar (nice playing!)I'd do the same opposite side with the same type ambience. The electric needs to be put just slighly behind the voice, not in level but with the ambience.

Bass sounds great but I'd go for more subs. Like Freebo used to do with Bonnie Raitt. Cool natural tone but with a bit more 60Hz.

Nice vocal tone .

It's bitchin' though as is.

[Lee Knight]

Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe
Hey Lee - well done. :cool: I particularly liked the classic jangle of tracks like "Add Water" and "Goin' Places". Good stuff. I also enjoyed "Neophyte, and detect a bit of Costello influence in the vocal approach on that one. Again, well done all the way around! :cool:

I'm headed to listen to the MP3 you emailed me next... :D

Thanks for the nice words Phil. This was done when I was still at 16bit and it was tough at times to make it present sounding without it piercing your skull with like sonic laser beam.

The Neil Diamond cover I sent you was at 24bit and much easier to pound into shape. That's my buddy John Chatfield doing his best Truth era Jeff Beck impersonation. Go Johnny go!

[Phil O'Keefe]

Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc
any advice on this mix?

FEVER (http://www.artistlaunch.com/sleblanc)

Nice job Steve. :cool: Are you thinking about leaving it "drumless"? IMO, I think some goovin' drums (or maybe some hand percussion) on that track would help flesh it out a bit.

[Steve LeBlanc]

Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe


Nice job Steve. :cool: Are you thinking about leaving it "drumless"? IMO, I think some goovin' drums (or maybe some hand percussion) on that track would help flesh it out a bit.

yeah, I've been thinking about that...thought I'd try percussion first, see how that sounds, maybe cut some drums if it calls for it...I dunno

Thanks for the feedback Lee, I might try more stereo imaging, I haven't had too much luck with that in the past with something so sparse but I will give it a try

[Phil O'Keefe]

Yeah Steve... I'd try some hand percussion stuff first. And please let me know when you have a new version ready to listen to - as usual with your stuff, I enjoyed that song quite a bit. :cool:

[Headswitch]

'Ello! I'm quite new here, been lurking for a while, though. :)

I have one song I made some time last year and got a proper vocalist to sing on it this spring (I have no voice for singing whatsoever...:p). I have dabbled a bit in the home recording/mixing territory but I'd still call myself noob to all this...

Now I'd just like to have a second opinion if I have any hope or should I give up and find myself a new hobby. ;) :D

About the song: bass and all guitars are recorded straight to my computer (yeh, I know, should get a DI-box some day...) by me except the solo (my friend played that one). I used the Guitarsuite JCM900 plug-in for the guitars. Drums are NS-kit samples tracked with ModPlug tracker. The vocals were recorded by a friend across the Atlantic so I have no idea what gear he used...

Song (http://personal.inet.fi/koti/esa.korkiakoski/the_unknown/mp3/the_unknown_project-schizophrenia.mp3)

There are some playing mistakes but don't let them bug ya. And I know the lyrics make very little sense... :D

All feedback appreciated. :)

[marcellis]

I'll try this once more.

Brand new - last week. Latin lounge.

A Woman from Cuba (http://music.marcellis.net/A_Woman_from_Cuba_(For_Evelyn_Castillo_Gamez).mp3)

Would be grateful for some tips on mixing.

[Phil O'Keefe]

Originally posted by marcellis
I'll try this once more.

Brand new - last week. Latin lounge.

A Woman from Cuba (http://music.marcellis.net/A_Woman_from_Cuba_(For_Evelyn_Castillo_Gamez).mp3)

Would be grateful for some tips on mixing.

Well, I have not had the chance to run it over to the studio yet, but on my el cheapo computer monitors, it sounds to me like you might want to pull down the lead instrument part - IMO, it's really too loud. It's overpowering everything else IMO.

Sorry I didn't get a chance to listen earlier. :(

I really don't always check out every song that gets linked - I do try to get in and listen to some things when I can (always following the 3-4 songs reviewed before submitting something of my own for everyone else to hear guideline ;) ) but for those who I may have missed, I apologise. Of course, if you want to ask for my specific opinions folks, please feel free to post the link here and then drop me an email or PM, and I'll try to give it a listen just as soon as I can get to it. :)

[Phil O'Keefe]

BTW, I tried responding to your PM marcellis, but your box is full. Please remove some of your old mail. :)

[rhythminmind]

i've just about had all i can take of this album.. i'm glad it's allmost done..
i've squished a few of these i bit to hard but hey the guitarist likes it. ;) . still gotta go back a fix a few things..

http://www.rhythminmind.net/thelore.net/mp3's

[coldmetalcore]

Hey headswitch, i listened to your song.
I appreciate the fact that you used an odd time signature for the song. One criticism i could give that song is the repetitiveness of it. I think it needs to change a lot more throughout. I'm a drummer and i know those drums were sampled but I think they needed to do a little bit more. The guitar playing was all tight, but like i said, i think that rhythem guitar needs to do something different at some points, because it gets very repetitive. The song already has a very defined feel to it, so If i were you, I would try to put some busy guitar work in there and try to give that song some energy.
oh and i don't know if this is just a technical error or not, but the song i downloaded doesn't really end, it just kinda stops at 3:27, if that's how the song ends then definetly try to tighten that up.

all in all it's a cool song man, definetly stick with it.

[Headswitch]

Originally posted by coldmetalcore
Hey headswitch, i listened to your song.
I appreciate the fact that you used an odd time signature for the song. One criticism i could give that song is the repetitiveness of it. I think it needs to change a lot more throughout. I'm a drummer and i know those drums were sampled but I think they needed to do a little bit more. The guitar playing was all tight, but like i said, i think that rhythem guitar needs to do something different at some points, because it gets very repetitive. The song already has a very defined feel to it, so If i were you, I would try to put some busy guitar work in there and try to give that song some energy.

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. :) I know what you mean about the drums, I have thought about tweaking them but I lost the original track...

I think I'll resurrect this project when I have the time and see what I can come up with.


oh and i don't know if this is just a technical error or not, but the song i downloaded doesn't really end, it just kinda stops at 3:27, if that's how the song ends then definetly try to tighten that up.

all in all it's a cool song man, definetly stick with it.

Actually, the song should be 4:46 in lenght... Got to check if it uploaded correctly.

Thanks again for the input. :)

[marcellis]

P.O.K.: "it sounds to me like you might want to pull down the lead instrument part - IMO, it's really too loud. It's overpowering everything else IMO. "
----

Thanks. I cannot figure out these new monitors. Alesis M-1s.

[kurdy]

I posted this in the Recording Forum, but I didn't get much of a response. I'm thinking it was so great that nobody knew what advice to give , or so bad that it was beyond any advice that could help it. I have sort of a beginners set-up, not "state-of-the-art" by any means, but I would like to make the most out of the limited gear I do have. Anyway, here's my original post:

I've been involved with home recording/mixing for sometime and although I have improved somewhat, I'm never completely satisfied with the result. My goal is to one day be able to make recordings that sound somewhat professional, though I realize I still have a ways to go, which can be quite frustrating, artistically.

Anyway, I could really use some opinions on a recording/mix I just did. Please let me know what you think.

http://www.soundclick.com/artist/7/keithdominique_music.htm

Also, apologies for posting this in a separate thread. I'm new to this forum, and didn't see the dedicated thread at the top of the page. If I could request that the moderator delete my previous thread, it would be appreciated. It's a bit embarrassing. :rolleyes:

[boosh]

Hey there people ,... I posted this at Craig's forum because that's where I hung out the last few years but realized some of you don't go there,........

:

I'm looking for some feedback on my band's first work.

The vocals will be recorded this week and the drums need some adjustment but further it's a finished product.

SPAM: so if you like funky disco,.... download here :


funkadisco (http://www.bushcollectors.com/funkadisco.mp3)



Please gimme some feedback,... Good ,Bad,.... whatever.... we need to know what people think so far,.. especially you guys goes I know you's got good earsfunkadisco (http://www.bushcollectors.com/funkadisco.mp3)

[madbutcher]

Originally posted by madbutcher
i know they pretty much suck...... tips on making it better appreciated

www.myspace.com/harkonin

anyone?

[GuitarPLayer61990]

www.purevolume.com/vitaeterna song called every lady loves a sure bet. I tracked the band, mixed and "mastered" them, all done by a 15 year old (me). Advice please, i already know vocals need to be turned up, toms repanned, and cymbals im going to run the sonic maximizer on. Thanks,

Danny

[GuitarPLayer61990]

Originally posted by madbutcher


anyone?

I think It sounds pretty decent, but the snare is pretty boxy, try adding more highs. The bass drum is kinda quiet and no balls to it. The guitars sound like theres too much high gain. Its not terrible, maybe its just the music...Nice job though

[GuitarPLayer61990]

Originally posted by GuitarPLayer61990
www.purevolume.com/vitaeterna song called every lady loves a sure bet. I tracked the band, mixed and "mastered" them, all done by a 15 year old (me). Advice please, i already know vocals need to be turned up, toms repanned, and cymbals im going to run the sonic maximizer on. Thanks,

Danny

bump

[GuitarPLayer61990]

Originally posted by boosh
Hey there people ,... I posted this at Craig's forum because that's where I hung out the last few years but realized some of you don't go there,........

:

I'm looking for some feedback on my band's first work.

The vocals will be recorded this week and the drums need some adjustment but further it's a finished product.

SPAM: so if you like funky disco,.... download here :


funkadisco (http://www.bushcollectors.com/funkadisco.mp3)



Please gimme some feedback,... Good ,Bad,.... whatever.... we need to know what people think so far,.. especially you guys goes I know you's got good earsfunkadisco (http://www.bushcollectors.com/funkadisco.mp3)

its pretty good, snare sounds like a 70's snare, but why did you put bass on the right side? You should put it center in the mix.

[boosh]

I decided to delete this remark

Booshy

[GuitarPLayer61990]

If you want the low end to be un even in the mix, then go ahead and do that... But you want it in the middle, because the bass guitar provides the low end in the mix, and you want it in the center so its evenly distributed throughout the mix and heard through both speakers.

[boosh]

I decided to delete this remark

Booshy

[GuitarPLayer61990]

I'm just going to state my views and I'll be done. Myself, along with probably 99% of the other Engineers mix with the bass in the center. Don't single me out. And also, Im remixing because yes there is a lack of low end. But then again, I'm 15 and mixed the whole thing by myself, and I have no idea what I'm doing... :rolleyes:


Ill change the link too, yes it is called a Comma. And if you want I can get in a discussion for now I wont. Ask everyone else why its done that way.

[GuitarPLayer61990]

And the whole you want thing..Its a generalization..we do it a lot in English.. its not meant to say you personally, its plural, not singular.

[boosh]

I decided to delete this remark

Booshy

[GuitarPLayer61990]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun98/articles/20tips.html

Number 7, incase you wanted some partial proof behind my argment

[boosh]

I decided to delete this remark

Booshy

[GuitarPLayer61990]

alright..

[zinzin]

Please listen - new song - virtual top 10 hit!

i am terribly proud of this new song i've written and recorded. it's called "pop child" and it has the sixty-pop-rock-vibe i aimed for. i think if a well known UK would release it as a single, it would be a top 10 hit!

i consider the mix finished although i tried not to touch to much and let it almost as i recorded. afterall its a demo and it has not to be perfect, but lemme know what you think about the recording quality and the song itself!

every comment welcome!

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0YDYGELNUUN1Q2YCXAH4XLZVM4

[gsHarmony]

www.purevolume.com/vitaeterna song called every lady loves a sure bet. I tracked the band, mixed and "mastered" them, all done by a 15 year old (me). Advice please, i already know vocals need to be turned up, toms repanned, and cymbals im going to run the sonic maximizer on.

The vocals need some work (which you already noticed). I'm not a big fan of the autopan thing you have going on with the guitar in the beginning, but that is completely subjective. I would defintely cut down the length of the intro. I am not one of these "The intro has to be less than 30 seconds" type of people, but the intro just didn't hold my interest well enough for it to be over a minute.

Considering your age, you are doing a great job. Keep it up.

[gsHarmony]

every comment welcome!

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...1Q2YCXAH4XLZVM4


I'm getting a broken link.

[gsHarmony]

I'm looking for some feedback on my band's first work.

The vocals will be recorded this week and the drums need some adjustment but further it's a finished product.

SPAM: so if you like funky disco,.... download here :


funkadisco


Damn, that sounds good. Unforunately, I can't even come up with a single suggestion. Everything in the mix is perfectly clear on my monitors. I look forward to hearing it with the vocals.

[gsHarmony]

I just started using an orchestral sample library and wanted some opinions on a short little demo I did to get myself familiar with it.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~gstitt/fullorchestra.mp3

I basically just used a simple theme and then tried out different orchestrations. I've never had to automate midi volume so much until I started using this library. It really takes a lot of work to sound close to realistic.

I was curious to hear how the mix sounds on everyone else's speakers. I think the piano could probably use a little more reverb to help push it back a little. Feel free to comment on the mix, the music, or whatever. Thanks

[zinzin]

Originally posted by gsHarmony


I'm getting a broken link.
i fixed it, should work now. sorry.

[zinzin]

Originally posted by gsHarmony
I just started using an orchestral sample library and wanted some opinions on a short little demo I did to get myself familiar with it.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~gstitt/fullorchestra.mp3

I basically just used a simple theme and then tried out different orchestrations. I've never had to automate midi volume so much until I started using this library. It really takes a lot of work to sound close to realistic.

I was curious to hear how the mix sounds on everyone else's speakers. I think the piano could probably use a little more reverb to help push it back a little. Feel free to comment on the mix, the music, or whatever. Thanks
i just listened to your work on my office MAC speakers, so i won't comment on the mix/reverb, but those samples sound damn good. i felt very relaxed until ... the drums came in :D
those samples are quality! very very nice piano playing.

[boosh]

Originally posted by gsHarmony


Damn, that sounds good. Unforunately, I can't even come up with a single suggestion. Everything in the mix is perfectly clear on my monitors. I look forward to hearing it with the vocals.

Thank you!

eventhough I was pleased with it I decided to cut the song in pieces and make a different composition of it. Vocals are still being tracked,re-written and tracked again,... lol,...endless,...endless.... when it is finished I'll post it again...


About your piece:

I love the sound and composition! Very nice samples indeed!! Allthough I personal would bring more space in the mixing.

I noticed that most instruments seem to come from the same direction except for the Marimba? and the drums... The drums come from both sides and the marimba - is it a marima? is panned left but a weird left,.. it shifts from far left to let's say between missle and left.,... this would be no problem if the rest of the instruments are spaced as well( like in my opinion they should be) but now it sounds a bit weird.

I love the samples man,.. did you do them? or buy a CD?

[boosh]

Originally posted by zinzin
Please listen - new song - virtual top 10 hit!

i am terribly proud of this new song i've written and recorded. it's called "pop child" and it has the sixty-pop-rock-vibe i aimed for. i think if a well known UK would release it as a single, it would be a top 10 hit!

i consider the mix finished although i tried not to touch to much and let it almost as i recorded. afterall its a demo and it has not to be perfect, but lemme know what you think about the recording quality and the song itself!

every comment welcome!

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0YDYGELNUUN1Q2YCXAH4XLZVM4

It's sounds very lo-fi to me and the vocals are unclear and soft.
The riff is very well known ,..I could name dozens of zongs that are based on the same riff... Proclaimers used it a lot for instance.

It sounds more CCR to me than britpop.
Looks like it's offbeat at some points(did you do that on purpose?)


Even for a demo I'd consider re-mixing it. I like the song though allthough I can't understand all of it. Cool tune!! but a #1. ?? nuh,...well maybe if Robbie Williams did it ,..but hey,...everything he does gets #1,... he might even do the German anthem.

[gsHarmony]

I noticed that most instruments seem to come from the same direction except for the Marimba? and the drums... The drums come from both sides and the marimba - is it a marima? is panned left but a weird left,.. it shifts from far left to let's say between missle and left.,... this would be no problem if the rest of the instruments are spaced as well( like in my opinion they should be) but now it sounds a bit weird.

I'm glad you liked it. I wish I could have made those samples myself. They are from the EWQLSO Gold Edition.

I agree about the panning being off (I'm assuming this is what you meant by spacing), but unfortunately that is how the samples were recorded (everything was recorded in stereo with each instrument in its appropriate place in an orchestra). What I will probably do is convert them all to mono and pan them as I see fit. Now that I think about it, would it work to just pan the stereo samples or would that cause something weird? By the way, the percussion part was a xylophone.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[gsHarmony]

Please listen - new song - virtual top 10 hit!

i am terribly proud of this new song i've written and recorded. it's called "pop child" and it has the sixty-pop-rock-vibe i aimed for. i think if a well known UK would release it as a single, it would be a top 10 hit!

i consider the mix finished although i tried not to touch to much and let it almost as i recorded. afterall its a demo and it has not to be perfect, but lemme know what you think about the recording quality and the song itself!

every comment welcome!

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...1Q2YCXAH4XLZVM4

I pretty much agree with all of boosh's comments. The vocals definitely need to be more clear. I had a hard time understanding anything. The performance had some rough spots too.

However, I did like the song. My only suggestion would be to maybe make it a little shorter. There didn't seem to be enough new ideas in the song to hold my interest for almost 4 minutes.

[hollowbox]

Originally posted by zinzin
Please listen - new song - virtual top 10 hit!

i am terribly proud of this new song i've written and recorded. it's called "pop child" and it has the sixty-pop-rock-vibe i aimed for. i think if a well known UK would release it as a single, it would be a top 10 hit!

i consider the mix finished although i tried not to touch to much and let it almost as i recorded. afterall its a demo and it has not to be perfect, but lemme know what you think about the recording quality and the song itself!

every comment welcome!

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0YDYGELNUUN1Q2YCXAH4XLZVM4

Agree with the above posters the performance is a bit rough in some places, but it is just a demo so depending on what you want to use it for that is cool........The vocals could be more clear as the others have said... I would have liked to be able to make them out.........And as the other guy said the song should be ended around the 2:54 second mark where it kinda ends then starts back up again. There is not enough going on diferent that makes me want to listen to the last minute of the tune........I like the song but it is rather repetitive so 4 minutes gets to be a bit much. I like the retro vibe you went for and I think you did a decent job recording it....of course I suck so I think anything is decent :) I'll be posting my very first recording here in about a week, it is the simplest song I've got so you can tell me what you don't like about my shit real soon.........till then keep on a' rocking.

[zinzin]

thanks to all for your comments.

you are right: it is rather lo-fi and rough and the performance has some weak points but i think for a demo it's ok.

i will try and make the vocals clearer, maybe take some of the reverb of and use more compression.

yeah, the riff is not a monster of originality, but it suits the song well and sounds great to me.

thanks @ boosh for the CCR reference! when i played that little guitar fill at 0:55 i was totally thinking "wow! john fogerty would be proud of me!!!"

but i cannot agree with you in making the song shorter. i really think that the coda is needed, the repeated melodic singing and the little guitar solo complete with handclaps do add a perfect outro and form a nice little popsong. that's the needed variation in the song.

thanks again to all. much appreciated!

[boosh]

gsHarmony:

I think the panning of stereo tracks should be no problem,... I do it all the time and never hear any weird stuff going on.

ZinZin:

If you like the length of the song and the structure,..just leave it as it is. It's your song!! Unless you really want to try and sell it than you have to make it as radio-ready as possible.

[elbromisto]

CJoGo--Let me premise this by saying that if anyone had listened to my music, they would understand that I know nothing. However, after listening to your song KaLeeFornYa (sp?), I must compliment your sound quality. It's much cleaner and more polished than many of the songs (esp. the more complicated ones) I've seen posted here or other places. In my opinion the more important parts, i.e., voc's and harp, get lost in the mix a lot. The harp especially; I'm a fan of Bob Dylan and the Doors and tripe like that and their harmonicas always stood way out above everything else. That may be a matter of taste...tell me what you think.

[elbromisto]

Originally posted by zinzin
Please listen - new song - virtual top 10 hit!

i am terribly proud of this new song i've written and recorded. it's called "pop child" and it has the sixty-pop-rock-vibe i aimed for. i think if a well known UK would release it as a single, it would be a top 10 hit!

i consider the mix finished although i tried not to touch to much and let it almost as i recorded. afterall its a demo and it has not to be perfect, but lemme know what you think about the recording quality and the song itself!

every comment welcome!

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0YDYGELNUUN1Q2YCXAH4XLZVM4

I like this song; it takes me back to dirt weed, Built to Spill and the Silver Jews type of stuff. Hopefully that's what you were going for or you might be fairly insulted. It seems to me like the bass was a little overpowering and it seems like that was part of the problem with the voc's. If there were a little less bass the presence of the vocals might be stronger. Play with eq's, or tell me to dry up and blow away. How did you record it?

[Phil O'Keefe]

(Originally posted by Funkwave, and moved to proper thread at his request by moderator. Please address any responses directly to him. Thx! - Phil)

***********************************

Hey Dudes, let me know your honest opinions on this one. I just finished it today.

I did all of the instrumentation and sequence programing, my gal friend did the vocs.


http://www.project80s.com/danny/Blue%20Skies.mp3

[zinzin]

Originally posted by elbromisto
Play with eq's, or tell me to dry up and blow away. How did you record it?
thanks. i "played" a bit with the EQs last weekend and cleared up the voice a bit.
recording: my drummer records his drums first with i think 4 or 5 mikes going into a mixer and then into cubase. its all mixed on the spot, so unfortunately no chance of changing the drumsounds afterwards.
i record my guitar part with a vox tonelab SE right into my MAC using cubase. its very simple and cheap.

[skacore_luke]

http://s46.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3QS8AULQZK8Y82IHR198J8T6YG

thats my first ever attempt. all mixed live into a soundcraft folix sx then into a minidv tape deck then dubbed into cool edit pro through the line in on my sound card (just downloaded today so i'm not too good with it) then some limiting done with that.

no effects hardware or anything. only 3 drum mics (kick, snare and a beyer m58 for overhead). mostly stuff i've squirreled together off ebay as cheaply as possible/borrowed. through reading here i have since discovered the use of the low pass filter button and think i have a better understanding about sound frequencies too. i'm 17 by the way and normally only do sound at the odd pub gig i put on where its too small to have its own pa system and at church sometimes.

[loner22]

hey guys please take a listen.. feel free to bash it and please don't worry, it's not your ears - it is in Russian (http://www.onegin.org/pub/onegin_clean.mp3)

:P

i would especially appreeciate comments on bass and the kick drum..

[DonaldDemon]

Great thrad by the way. Here are 3 songs we have almost finished. Actually "Human tornado" was done yers ago and it is what it is at this point so no comments needed. The other two are almost done but are not coming out right. They aren't our best songs so we did these first before the other songs on the eventual album.
Problem #1 is the "engineer" is a kid who doesn't know jack shit and is unreliable. So we are finishing the first 4 songs and then moving on to a different studio.
My main complaint is that it is not capturing the true energy of the songs. I attribute this to the mix for the most part.
Our goal is to make a decent album to sell at shows and whatever though I know we cannot afford a professional sonding album. i just want the emotions and essence of the song to be captured. Please listen and comment on anything you want. It will all be appreciated!
Cheap Sedated Hams (http://www.myspace.com/cheapsedatedhams)

[Phil O'Keefe]

Hey everyone - just a reminder - please take the time to check out three or four submissions from other people for each submission of your own.

It's on the "honor system", but it's really the only way we can make sure that everyone gets their stuff listened to and discussed, and that this thread doesn't just turn into a "submissions only / no comments given" wasteland. ;)

Thanks! :)

[riffy]

SONG HERE (http://members.cox.net/gsmart1/Gary%20And%20Toms%20remaster.MP3)

A remastered song I did with a buddy of mine named Tom. Superb bassist and keyboardist.
I did the guitar wankings, and programed the drums. Tom did all the bass and keyboard
work. He did such a great job that gave me a superb bed to play over. I don't think I did it
justice for sure.

I posted this a long time ago(couple of years I believe) and dug it out today and tried
mastering it myself. I don't know how good a job I did but I really tried to do it well. Hoping
I got all the levels and the mix right as well as added a bit of "sparkle" to the sound via
mastering technology!

I was kind of an Y.J. Malmsteen ripoff artiste on this one...lol
I remember using a re-issue Marshall 1987x and old greenback loaded cab I have. I remember
borrowing a friends banana yellow strat to play this with. If you listen closely you can hear
a bad guitar cable I have start shorting out near the end...

Anyway enough of my rambling. I would love to know what everyone that hears this thinks
of the mix and the mastering job. I tried really hard. I trust you guys a bunch. The recording
forum gives basically no feedback whatsoever, so please, help me out guys!

Gary

[dethmetalanimal]

the local guitar shop around here just started stocking alot of behringers stuff. i went in today and checked a good bit of it out, i came home with the GDI 21. it's a effects pedal/DI box. basically a tech 21 samsamp clone. i recorded this direct. it's not perfect but it'll be great for late night recordings, and that's what i got it for.


Transylvania (http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=69)

[dethmetalanimal]

Originally posted by riffy
SONG HERE (http://members.cox.net/gsmart1/Gary%20And%20Toms%20remaster.MP3)

A remastered song I did with a buddy of mine named Tom. Superb bassist and keyboardist.
I did the guitar wankings, and programed the drums. Tom did all the bass and keyboard
work. He did such a great job that gave me a superb bed to play over. I don't think I did it
justice for sure.

I posted this a long time ago(couple of years I believe) and dug it out today and tried
mastering it myself. I don't know how good a job I did but I really tried to do it well. Hoping
I got all the levels and the mix right as well as added a bit of "sparkle" to the sound via
mastering technology!

I was kind of an Y.J. Malmsteen ripoff artiste on this one...lol
I remember using a re-issue Marshall 1987x and old greenback loaded cab I have. I remember
borrowing a friends banana yellow strat to play this with. If you listen closely you can hear
a bad guitar cable I have start shorting out near the end...

Anyway enough of my rambling. I would love to know what everyone that hears this thinks
of the mix and the mastering job. I tried really hard. I trust you guys a bunch. The recording
forum gives basically no feedback whatsoever, so please, help me out guys!

Gary




nice job, sounds pretty cool. you don't here alot of keyboard backed shredding.

[ArrMatey]

here is one of mine.
heavy rock
4 track of guitars, heavy compression with a TL Audio on the drums
4 tracks of lead
2 bass
1 track of singing vocal
1 track of screaming vocal
1 background/2nd vocals
9 of drums which has:
2 tracks of kick that seem to not come out so much
2 snare
1 hh
2 overhead
1 room
2 toms

the file (http://s30.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2QDDK8LVRCPC81FR7VXB3D5EG8)

I used the tc electronic mx2000 for the delay.

Critics, be harsh and just! :)
any other idea?

[dethmetalanimal]

i couldn't play the file

[ArrMatey]

Originally posted by dethmetalanimal
i couldn't play the file

here is an updated version of the mix
The mix! (https://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0HA1WV7LTFPBU1868JU5FM2TEQ)

[ProducerNate]

I have been recording since I was 17 (I'm 20 now). I started out at my high school auditorium, but now own my own gear (http://www.halfwaytoeight.com/18601.html). I rent out a room in a local practice space to use as a studio, and I share the space with two people (both have bands). The sample I have is with one of the bands, Karenin's Smile. The name of the song is "Marissa."

I used the Oktava MC012s as drum overheads, 57 on snare, Beta 92 on kick. There are a lot of keyboards on the song, as well as several guitar tracks. The production on them was pretty standard - line in for keys and mostly a 57 on guitars. I want a general overview of the song, mainly in terms of production, but musical critique is fine, too. Listen especially the bridge, which comes in around 2:40.

*I will warn you now, some people like the singer's voice, and some hate it*

Current demo tracks (http://halfwaytoeight.com/6955.html) listen as you please, I will post more songs here in the coming weeks
Marissa (http://www.halfwaytoeight.com/Music/Marissa.mp3) <--- this is a direct link to the song

[the russ]

Originally posted by TIP
Recorded this in my barn, in an odd way. First the singer and I recorded an acoustic guitar and voice guide track on to a 1/2 inch 8 track. Then a week later I had the drummer show up and record drums to the guide track. Only had 3 mics but they were good ones. I put a U87 about 6 ft in front of the kit about chest high to the drummer, then a AKG 414 over the drummers left shoulder about 6ft high pointing at the snare, the 3rd mic is anothe 414 on the right hand side of the kit pointing at the drummers shoulder. This is a common 3 mic technique and I think it worked ok to capture what the kit sounded like in the room.
Then we transfered the drum tracks and guide tacks to ProTools
and I started layering stuff,and got rid of the guide tracks. Guitars recorded with a 414 and U87 for some room, the amp was a Deluxe reverb, a Gibson Les Paul for solo, strat for rythm, Gibson B-25 for acoustic,B-25 restrung with Nashville tuning, Bass a G&L direct thru homemade passive direct box. Used a Lexicon PCM60 for most of the reverb. We ended up recording this again in a pro studio but this version still sounds better, probably cause I had so much time to mess with it and get the perfomances right.
Hope you enjoy

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=7889

this is fucking great, man. i like the production vibe, and it's a really good song to boot. call me crazy, but it reminds me a lot of the Gin Blossoms or mid-90's alt-rock.

[hethaerto4]

Check out this nice recording of a father and daughter duet.

This is the link (http://studioforums.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5476001124/m/8531095931)

[Phil O'Keefe]

hethaerto4, that was a nice recording. :) I've always liked that song. Cool guitar tone too... but IMO, it's a bit "wide" on the stereo. Maybe pull that stereo delay in a little tighter? IOW, I'd try a little shorter delay time to narrow it a wee bit. But the tones are good and the mix balance sounds really good.

Nicely done! :cool:

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe
hethaerto4, that was a nice recording. :) I've always liked that song. Cool guitar tone too... but IMO, it's a bit "wide" on the stereo. Maybe pull that stereo delay in a little tighter? IOW, I'd try a little shorter delay time to narrow it a wee bit. But the tones are good and the mix balance sounds really good.

Nicely done! :cool:

Thanx, Phil.
:)
Yeah, it seems I'm the only one who digs that wide stereo acoustic guitar. Myabe I should've used a central heavy acoustic track and supplemented with the stereo trax.
The song's no longer on my hard drive.:(
Maybe next time.

:cool:

[Phil O'Keefe]

I like wide acoustics too.. especially when you have a really stripped down mix like that, with only a few elements. IMO, it was just a bit TOO wide though... but that's what comes down to personal preferences. :) I certainly had zero beefs with the overall guitar tone. Nice job. :cool:

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe
I like wide acoustics too.. especially when you have a really stripped down mix like that, with only a few elements. IMO, it was just a bit TOO wide though... but that's what comes down to personal preferences. :) I certainly had zero beefs with the overall guitar tone. Nice job. :cool:

:cool:

[hethaerto4]

ProducerNate,
It's rare that I listen to a recording on this or many other recording forums where I actually like the drum sound.
Most people seem to put the drums in the most LIVE room they've got available, throw up one cheap condensor as far away from the kit as possible, and call it good. This yields room sound that is louder than the actual kit, and that frickin pisses me off! Drums are my favorite element in rock music.
Your drums sound pretty good. I'm just happy that I'm not listening to the room instead of the kit. So thanx!
Actually, the drums could use some work, but at least the basic recording is workable.
Was that enough about drums?:D
I really liked the electric keyboard tones.
The singer's track needs some work, too. It's lacking definition and presence.
Maybe it's the singer that needs some presence? I have difficulty with the lead vocal myself, so maybe somebody else could offer some advice?

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by gsHarmony
I just started using an orchestral sample library and wanted some opinions on a short little demo I did to get myself familiar with it.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~gstitt/fullorchestra.mp3

I basically just used a simple theme and then tried out different orchestrations. I've never had to automate midi volume so much until I started using this library. It really takes a lot of work to sound close to realistic.

I was curious to hear how the mix sounds on everyone else's speakers. I think the piano could probably use a little more reverb to help push it back a little. Feel free to comment on the mix, the music, or whatever. Thanks

The drums sounded great!
The strings sounded dull in contrast with the rest of the mix. The strings being the dominate element should be more commanding, a little brighter. I guess them being samples or whatnot, dynamix are difficult to fake.
Nice music. Did I say how much I liked the drums?

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by DonaldDemon
Great thrad by the way. Here are 3 songs we have almost finished. Actually "Human tornado" was done yers ago and it is what it is at this point so no comments needed. The other two are almost done but are not coming out right. They aren't our best songs so we did these first before the other songs on the eventual album.
Problem #1 is the "engineer" is a kid who doesn't know jack shit and is unreliable. So we are finishing the first 4 songs and then moving on to a different studio.
My main complaint is that it is not capturing the true energy of the songs. I attribute this to the mix for the most part.
Our goal is to make a decent album to sell at shows and whatever though I know we cannot afford a professional sonding album. i just want the emotions and essence of the song to be captured. Please listen and comment on anything you want. It will all be appreciated!
Cheap Sedated Hams (http://www.myspace.com/cheapsedatedhams)

I seriously think your guys should change your band name to :"The Human Tornado". That fits your sound so much better that "Cheap Sedated Hams".
Great songs. Very original style, at least to my ears.
The myspace media player is garbage. Any other place we can hear your songs?

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by dethmetalanimal
the local guitar shop around here just started stocking alot of behringers stuff. i went in today and checked a good bit of it out, i came home with the GDI 21. it's a effects pedal/DI box. basically a tech 21 samsamp clone. i recorded this direct. it's not perfect but it'll be great for late night recordings, and that's what i got it for.


Transylvania (http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=69)

I used to own the GT2 by Tech 21.
I would say that you used way too much gain, at least for the GT2.
Does the Behringer RIP-OFF! have the secret gain switch position?

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by kurdy
I posted this in the Recording Forum, but I didn't get much of a response. I'm thinking it was so great that nobody knew what advice to give , or so bad that it was beyond any advice that could help it. I have sort of a beginners set-up, not "state-of-the-art" by any means, but I would like to make the most out of the limited gear I do have. Anyway, here's my original post:

I've been involved with home recording/mixing for sometime and although I have improved somewhat, I'm never completely satisfied with the result. My goal is to one day be able to make recordings that sound somewhat professional, though I realize I still have a ways to go, which can be quite frustrating, artistically.

Anyway, I could really use some opinions on a recording/mix I just did. Please let me know what you think.

http://www.soundclick.com/artist/7/keithdominique_music.htm

Also, apologies for posting this in a separate thread. I'm new to this forum, and didn't see the dedicated thread at the top of the page. If I could request that the moderator delete my previous thread, it would be appreciated. It's a bit embarrassing. :rolleyes:

I liked the song, but I'm not sure I liked the EXECUTION of the song. The dude's voice irritated me, though he did sing with heart.
I would like the song more, but it seems to have a plastic undertone that grates at me.

[TrashFace]

www.myspace.com/stevermusic

give a listen.

[nosamiam]

My band got asked to be on local compilation CD, so we picked one of our more "throwaway" songs and recorded it at home. This is my first attempt at tracking/mixing and I was hoping to get some feedback. What do you all think? What does it need?

http://www.theheliumtapes.com/sounds/Caligula.mp3

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by nosamiam
My band got asked to be on local compilation CD, so we picked one of our more "throwaway" songs and recorded it at home. This is my first attempt at tracking/mixing and I was hoping to get some feedback. What do you all think? What does it need?

http://www.theheliumtapes.com/sounds/Caligula.mp3

Maybe you could use a different song.
Compilation CD's are useful for free promotion, so you should use a song that at least YOU the mixer actually like, so that you will work very hard to get it sounding good, instead of "good 'nough".
You should work harder to get a wider sounding drum kit of which everything is audible.. I heard the snare in the left speaker, and a cymbal in the right. That's all I heard for drums.
The lead guitar played constantly regardless of what the song was doing, even right through those chimes (which sounded nice. The chimes, that is).
The bass guitar was the loudest instrument, and that's wrong. EQ the loud-ass midrange down and make it work for you. The lead guitar is loaded with cheap spring reverb. Is this dude using a Line 6 amp?
I did like your use of space, though.
You had everything in it's own little quadrant, and that's very good.
Get back to work, and report back.

[nosamiam]

Yes! Just the kind of stuff I was looking for. Thanks!

I shouldn't have too much trouble widening the drums. I've got a lot of room to pan.

The guitar is actually a 12-string (which our player uses exclusively) going into a Laney tube amp, close-miked with a 57. The spring reverb is the one on the amp. He tends to use it a lot (the reverb) during rehearsal and gigs. His background is in garage and if I asked him, I imagine he'd say its part of his signature sound. Should we record him dry, do you think, adding reverb later? Or maybe even record direct (he hates the idea) and then re-amp the track to try to convince him that maybe less works better than more?

[hethaerto4]

Originally posted by nosamiam
Yes! Just the kind of stuff I was looking for. Thanks!

I shouldn't have too much trouble widening the drums. I've got a lot of room to pan.

The guitar is actually a 12-string (which our player uses exclusively) going into a Laney tube amp, close-miked with a 57. The spring reverb is the one on the amp. He tends to use it a lot (the reverb) during rehearsal and gigs. His background is in garage and if I asked him, I imagine he'd say its part of his signature sound. Should we record him dry, do you think, adding reverb later? Or maybe even record direct (he hates the idea) and then re-amp the track to try to convince him that maybe less works better than more?

I record drums with two overheads,
an Audix i5 on snare, and an Audix D6 on kick. I try to record in a treated room as well. I hate room sound on drums. Room sound and ambience are two different things. The over heads will give you some ambience, taking away the upfront immediacy. Make sure the dude can tune his kit. Polish the cymbals so they'll ring instead of clang.

Definitely keep recording the amp with the 57. Get the mic as close as possible to the outer edge of the speaker. With headphones on, have him play while you slightly adjust the mic until you like the tone.

You're going to need tons of olume to get it sounding strong and full, in my opinion. It is a tube amp, and tube amps don't come alive until you push them really hard.

The original tone in your recording sounded very thin. He probably has his EQ scooped. You'll need to adjust his EQ while he plays. You'll need lots of midrange, and not very much bottom.
I tend to cut the shit out of the top end, but that's my taste.

Sometimes guitarists refuse to kill the reverb completely, but a good compromise is to set it about 30%. That way it's there, but not too obvious.

You've got a strong bass guitar tone, so I wouldn't change too much there except cutting the midrange to make room for everything else.

Do you guys have a better song with some dynamix and maybe even some singing?

I'm glad to see your desire to learn.

[nosamiam]

Good ear! Yes, our room is pretty much untreated. That's something we're going to work on before we do any more recording. I used a pair of MXL SDC's as overheads, a Studio Projects LDC for snare/hat back a little bit and toward the bottom (didn't use the pad and they ended up liking the sound of the overdriven mic) and an AKG D112 on kick. I think treating the room will go a long ways towards making it sound better. It took a LOT of EQ to get those MXL's to sound decent.

Our guitarist is quite opinionated, kind of rash, and he's been playing for a really long time. This sometimes adds up to quick judgements from him that aren't always sound. He's a "slap a mic in front of it, no effects" purist kind of guy. But he always comes around eventually. We just have to sneak in some nice touches and then tell him how we achieve them. He's a pleasure to work with really, and he really makes us work on our diplomacy.

Drum kit tuning? What's that? J/k. Our drummer has only actively tuned his kit once from an online guide I printed for him! But he's lately taken a big interest in sounding better. He just really doesn't know where to start. Thanks for the tip about the cymbals!!!

And thanks for the guitar EQ tips. I'll definitely try to incorporate them.

We do have much better songs and this is our only instrumental. We just thought this would be a good song to get our feet wet since it's a relatively simple one.

Thanks a lot for suffering through our song and offering the pointers. We had a really short suspense date, and the mix is due tomorrow, so I'll take another crack at it and then I'm off to bed.

[hethaerto4]

Cool. Good luck.

[keka]

Ok heres a little electronic music

http://zebox.com/ticka/

I entered a competition on another board Titled "sample MIXUP"
5 of us posted 2 samples each and we were too use nothing but those samples and our computers and samplers..We could process and chop them up as much as we wanted ,we just had too use those samples...

the original samples were pretty bad ,I somehow got inspired from them and made this track..

I dable with electronic Music in between time with my band.

I mainly want too know what you think of the production.Input on the song would be nice also,im thinking about adding some vocals and maby a little guitar if I can fit it in there somewhere.:)

[hethaerto4]

Keka,
I'm sorry, but I honestly have no input for you.
If your mix was built upon real elements recorded with a microphone played by real people, then I could give you some feedback.
Not that the genre you subscribe to is not genuine, it's just that I really don't get it.
I listened twice to your song, or mix, but I couldn't get into it.
Sorry,
Allen

[keka]

Originally posted by hethaerto4
Keka,
I'm sorry, but I honestly have no input for you.
If your mix was built upon real elements recorded with a microphone played by real people, then I could give you some feedback.
Not that the genre you subscribe to is not genuine, it's just that I really don't get it.
I listened twice to your song, or mix, but I couldn't get into it.
Sorry,
Allen

Thanks for the responce!..Im guessing you not a fan of electronic music?

It started out as 10 seperate 1-4 sec wave files and i composed,proccesed,automated and played over keys on my MIDI controler.
Realy there is nooooo way in hell you could do anything close too what is done in electronic music with the good old fashoned Guitar and "real elements" it is impossible.It just brings a whole new level of creativity too music that has never been done and could never have been done until now.Thats what electronic music fans and musicians look for(myself anyway) ..Its all about pushing sonic boundys that old skool musicians just cant do or understand.

Why did parents not like rock and roll when it was first braught too the table?? because they didnt understand it.

Why did parents of the 80s hate metal??Because they didnt understand it.

Why do partents hate HipHop today??They dont understand it.
and so on....People dont like things that they dont understand and automaticaly become ignorant too them.Well i guess not in all cases there are things that i understand(at least i think i do)and still dont realy care for.Like most new Hip hop is total rubish some of the beats are ok but for the most part Rubish! Same old crap over and over..Will the 808 ever die??

Ill post something that ive been working on with my band soon you will be a little more up too speed with that..I see myself as a decent bass player but Im just getting into recording "real elements" and i would like some feedback..


Again thanks for the responce :)

[C JoGo]

A little fun with Lennon... ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (http://www.redshift.com/~cjogo/TUNES/UNIVERSE.mp3)

[fallbackdown]

Ok folks, here's one for ya. Looking for comments on the mix/sound/textures. This is my song "Sides of Us" sans words. . .waitin' for the AT2020 to track vocals again :) Here's the rest of the lineup. . .

Fruity Loops
Yamaha 4-string bass (direct)
Tele
Squier Bullet
Peavey Backstage 50
(solo was thru a Boss HM-2)
Nady SP-9
Behringer Eurorack UB1002
Tracktion :thu:

Anyway, let me know what you think, what needs improvment (besides my gear! ;))

Sides of Us (unfinished) @ Soundclick (http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=2990979&q=hi)

---edit---
It's a bit repetetive and boring without the words. . .once you get thru the first verse and chorus, the bridge is at 2:18 and the solo at 2:45. Thanks!

[fallbackdown]

Originally posted by C JoGo
A little fun with Lennon... ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (http://www.redshift.com/~cjogo/TUNES/UNIVERSE.mp3)




I wish I could play guitar like that. Very nice, very relaxing. Sounded good man, the acoustic was a little bright in my crappy computer speakers, but whaddaya expect, eh? :thu:

[C JoGo]

Originally posted by fallbackdown


I wish I could play guitar like that. Very nice, very relaxing. Sounded good man, the acoustic was a little bright in my crappy computer speakers, but whaddaya expect, eh? :thu:


The brightness is probably me always requesting new strings for a session, from an artists..and the guy can play ..

>> heres my path : may have something to do with the bright side ~~~
Rode NT 3 on the neck & AT 4033 on body...and a Rode NTK about 8 feet back for the "room." Manley DVC pre to a SEK'd converter ....effects were all TC electronics & a LXP5 ...a parameter in the Behringer 2496 gave the wide stereo--and final EQ/Comp >> to a Masterlink

glad you gave a listen

[UstadKhanAli]

Here is a new song that I got through mixing recently. Those who enjoy a bit of psychedelia with their rock will especially enjoy "Undone". Lemme know what you think (post here). Thanks!

Undone MP3 (192 kbps) (http://www.elevenshadows.com/nectar/music/Undone%20MP3.mp3)

Page with more songs if you want to hear more... (http://www.elevenshadows.com/nectar/music.php) These are all songs from my band. I play guitar and keyboards and did all the recording. The recording was done at my very own Blueberry Buddha Studios.

These songs will sound a little different from each other in some respects...they were recorded at different times:

-Some were tracked on analog and mixed down onto DAT.

-Some were tracked on analog and then transferred to Pro Tools for further overdubs and mixing.

-And some were tracked and mixed on Pro Tools only.

I don't know if you'll be able to tell or not. I doubt I could if I didn't know already!

~~~~~~~~~~~

As always, thank you so much for listening and for your comments!!! If you want to know how they were recorded or any other technical information, ask away!!

[elamberth]

Hello!

Here is a song I've done recently and would appreciate any comments - positive, or helpful suggestions.

I record as a hobby, and use pretty basic stuff - a VTB-1 and Joemeek VC3 pres, then [sometimes] to a samson s-com compressor, then into a tascam US-224 converter, to SONAR 3 Studio (with the sonitus EQ and compressor). I wrote the song (rock instrumental) and play the guitars and bass. The drums I arranged from a sequencer. I plyed an epiphone dot guitar, and the cheapest squier p-bass I could find. I monitor with KRK ST6's.
I did do some "mastering".

Thanks for listening!

[elamberth]

OOPS! I tried to attach the mp3 with the "Attach file" function and I guess it didn't work.

Here is a link:

http://home.comcast.net/~elamberth/RhythmsMastered-less_bass.mp3

Thanks!

[C JoGo]

Ken ::: what effects are you using for the vocals ??

The tune set me back to the venues of '68/70...remember those concerts well !!

Thanks

[UstadKhanAli]

Originally posted by C JoGo
Ken ::: what effects are you using for the vocals ??

The tune set me back to the venues of '68/70...remember those concerts well !!

Thanks

Thanks! "Undone" seems to be a new favorite when we play it at clubs.

FX on the vox...reverb's the TC Electronics M300 (hardware), and the delay is a TelRay Delay plug-in...I don't know what kind, but I think it came with either Pro Tools itself or a Bomb Factory plug-in.

In either case, I really like the TelRay plug-in a lot. Sometimes I sneak it in with a track so you can't hear it, but if I were to take it out, you'd notice something sounded different.

On this song, however, I just let it fly, "gain-riding" it throughout the song.

We really have a lot of fun playing this song, and had a lot of fun mixing and recording it. Hopefully you and others will like it.

[UstadKhanAli]

Originally posted by C JoGo
Ken ::: what effects are you using for the vocals ??

The tune set me back to the venues of '68/70...remember those concerts well !!

Thanks

Thanks! "Undone" seems to be a new favorite when we play it at clubs.

FX on the vox...reverb's the TC Electronics M300 (hardware), and the delay is a TelRay Delay plug-in...I don't know what kind, but I think it came with either Pro Tools itself or a Bomb Factory plug-in.

In either case, I really like the TelRay plug-in a lot. Sometimes I sneak it in with a track so you can't hear it, but if I were to take it out, you'd notice something sounded different.

On this song, however, I just let it fly, "gain-riding" it throughout the song.

We really have a lot of fun playing this song, and had a lot of fun mixing and recording it. Hopefully you and others will like it.

Undone MP3 (192 kbps) (http://www.elevenshadows.com/nectar/music/Undone%20MP3.mp3)

[C JoGo]

Perfect delay ! I use mainly TC > but you nailed the parameters on that one !!

[UstadKhanAli]

Originally posted by C JoGo
Perfect delay ! I use mainly TC > but you nailed the parameters on that one !!

Thanks! It's kinda funny because that plug-in has very crude parameters to tweak. It's a bunch of knobs with no read-out and crude increments, not much to adjust. Just use your ear and "twist".

Which is fine since after all it's emulating an old TelRay.

[DonaldDemon]

Originally posted by hethaerto4


I seriously think your guys should change your band name to :"The Human Tornado". That fits your sound so much better that "Cheap Sedated Hams".
Great songs. Very original style, at least to my ears.
The myspace media player is garbage. Any other place we can hear your songs?

Hey Thanks, I didn't think anyone actually listened to any of the songs. Human Tornado is a Black 70's B-Movie with Dolemite so there would probably be some copyright infringements if we named it that. You can also listen to them at our website in my sig. Iwill give a listen to your songs but I have to do it at work and I must be quiet.:(

[Lee Knight]

Originally posted by UstadKhanAli
Here is a new song that I got through mixing recently. Those who enjoy a bit of psychedelia with their rock will especially enjoy "Undone". Lemme know what you think (post here). Thanks!

Undone MP3 (192 kbps) (http://www.elevenshadows.com/nectar/music/Undone%20MP3.mp3)

Page with more songs if you want to hear more... (http://www.elevenshadows.com/nectar/music.php) These are all songs from my band. I play guitar and keyboards and did all the recording. The recording was done at my very own Blueberry Buddha Studios.

These songs will sound a little different from each other in some respects...they were recorded at different times:

-Some were tracked on analog and mixed down onto DAT.

-Some were tracked on analog and then transferred to Pro Tools for further overdubs and mixing.

-And some were tracked and mixed on Pro Tools only.

I don't know if you'll be able to tell or not. I doubt I could if I didn't know already!

~~~~~~~~~~~

As always, thank you so much for listening and for your comments!!! If you want to know how they were recorded or any other technical information, ask away!!

I lost myself in that one. Really cool zip/zap effects. Morcheeba-esque?

Now for the suggestions... I think the snare is too present. It needs to be murky too fit the vibe. Vocal needs more air.

In other words, bring the singer forward, and move the drummer back about 8 feet.

Very cool stuff... very groovy.

[UstadKhanAli]

Thanks!

I actually did jack the high end (I don't remember, probably around 13-6kHz) in the vocals by quite a lot.

The snare should be darker? I can try that....they are really really loud in the overheads, so I don't think I can lower them in the mix very much.

[Lee Knight]

Originally posted by UstadKhanAli
Thanks!

I actually did jack the high end (I don't remember, probably around 13-6kHz) in the vocals by quite a lot.

The snare should be darker? I can try that....they are really really loud in the overheads, so I don't think I can lower them in the mix very much.

I'm always uncomforable giving input towards something that sounds so good. My comments were based solely on a first impression of what I'd do. It sounds way cool as is...

Maybe I'm not talking air on the vocalist but that presence that comes between 1 and 4k. Something to put her right in my ear. Not a ton, but I think she deserves to win the fight with the snare, as cool sounding as IT is.

I mentioned Morcheeba earlier. They get her hovering just above everything else...

Or...

It's completely done and finished and sounds GREAT!:thu:

[UstadKhanAli]

Gotcha, thanks! I guess we're probably gonna leave it as is since no one wants to really touch it. The snare is very dominating. The drummer was using a large Noble and Cooley snare, and then banging on the thing with the fat end of the stick to get a really huge sound (which I'd say he achieved <g>). But sure, maybe a little more presence with the vocals may have helped.

You may have seen the post I left under the Neve Portico thread in this forum. I recorded vocals through the Neve Portico that I just got, and it is so unbelievably warm and gooey sounding when used in Silk Mode. It would have been interesting to see how the vocal would have sounded recorded through that preamp.

[menJop]

Ken,

Undone -- I just gave it a quick two listens. My monitor chain was Cool Edit for playback, through a Pulsar 1 sound card, into a Samson Servo 120 driving Samson Resolv 65s. The system seems to translate reasonably well to the other systems I test mixes on, but is a little lacking in the bass department. I'm an amateur whose experience is mostly limited to solo projects in my home studio. Random comments:

Cool track -- are you guys from Ireland? ;)
Nice kick, but the snare sounds a little loose
Guitar sound is very cool -- especially those layered guitars towards the end
Toms could use tightening up (compression/less room mikes?)
Middle bit (lead) just clipping (also at about 4:10), basically the two places where it gets really loud. Overall, I think it may be a bit too dynamic, but that may be from listening to too many overly-hot radio masters.
Great guitars -- or did I mention that?
Bass is nice, right where it needs to be.
Lead vox sit very nicely in the mix. I agree with Lee that the vox could use a touch of air, but it sounds darned good as is.

That's about it. Great track -- I enjoyed listening to it.

-John

[menJop]

elamberth -- The first thing that jumped out at me was that the track's peak amplitude is less than -9dB. You'd gain a lot (no pun intended) by using more of the available headroom. See my previous post for details of my monitor chain, and disclaimers about my experience level :) Random comments:

Nice groove.
Cymbals may have clipped somewhere along the line -- they sound a bit harsh.
Guitar tone is nice -- love that clean one especially.
The track might be served by a more natural drum tone (less gated-sounding, although the gating is well done).
For a track like this, I think the bass and drums should more out front. You might consider a little more bottom-end on the bass as well.

Overall, pretty nice.

[menJop]

C Jo Go,

Really nice track. Just gave it a couple of listens, and here are some comments:

I agree that the guitar is a bit bright -- sounds great, but could use some eq (2k-3k? a guess).
The mix is a bit hot -- clips around 1:48, 1:58, 3:09.
Overall, could use some eq to get the various parts out of each other's way.

I'm just nit-picking; much as I'd like to offer some constructive criticism, I can't find much to criticize. It sounds awesome.

--John

[menJop]

Okay, karma time. As the guidelines for this thread suggested, I wanted to give a bit of feedback before asking for some. So now it's time to (hopefully) get some back.

http://www.geocities.com/phillyguy_1/Dosed.mp3

By way of background, I'm principally a guitarist; I've been playing for nearly 25 years, at varying levels of seriousness (pretty serious the last couple of years).

This is a Chili Peppers tune that I did principally as a guitar layering and mixing exercise. I think it's among the two or three best finished products to come out of my spare-bedroom studio.

There are 7 guitar tracks here, all of which were played on a FrankenStrat that I put together from various bits (but it's basically a '57-reissue -- pickups, body, bridge). I recorded it direct, and added the amp tone later using Cakewalk's Amp Sim (this was before I discovered the joys of ReValver).

There's a whopping 14 tracks of backing vox here, most of which only come in at the very end.

The bass and piano are a Roland XV-5050, and the drums are Drumkit from Hell. The whole thing was recorded and mixed on Sonar.

I'd be very interested to hear what people think of this, most especially what I could be doing better. It's basically a sound-alike of the original, or at least, as close as I could get it, so an A-B comparison might be interesting if you have the By The Way CD handy. Compliments are always welcome, but I think criticism is more useful in improving one's skills. So fire away!

BTW, I'm not a singer. You have been warned :)

Thanks in advance to anyone who gives this a listen.

--John

[moogerfooger]

I wrote this song for an independent film called "Will"
A metaphor for creation -- a trio of men -- an old man -- his son -- and his grandson -- set about dragging a very large bucket of water accross a desert in order to plant a tree in the middle of the desert, and encounter their flaws and fears long the way. it was to demonstrate that; as we suffer so must the creator have suffered to bring us into being. the song was recorded on a Protools mix system using a korg triton, ensonic TS12, trinity rack, minimoog, and les Paul into amp farm. a vintage slingerland drum kit, and esp horizon bass. I played and sang all the parts. the song ran throught the credits , and I was filmed performing the song in front of a blue screen and then superimposed over out takes and other footage not used in the film. it was a real gas to see the movie and myself on the big screen-- I also scored the film, did complete dialoque replacement, and foly

http://www.tvfproductions.com/rememberwhen.mp3

the website is terribly out of date - I have since moved to a new facility- a new site is in the works.

[Steve LeBlanc]

here's something different I'm working on...any feedback on the mix would be appreciated

Anthony Triplett
http://www.jamfree.com/alibi12-08-05.mp3

[UstadKhanAli]

Originally posted by menJop
Ken,

Undone -- I just gave it a quick two listens. My monitor chain was Cool Edit for playback, through a Pulsar 1 sound card, into a Samson Servo 120 driving Samson Resolv 65s. The system seems to translate reasonably well to the other systems I test mixes on, but is a little lacking in the bass department. I'm an amateur whose experience is mostly limited to solo projects in my home studio. Random comments:

Cool track -- are you guys from Ireland? ;)
Nice kick, but the snare sounds a little loose
Guitar sound is very cool -- especially those layered guitars towards the end
Toms could use tightening up (compression/less room mikes?)
Middle bit (lead) just clipping (also at about 4:10), basically the two places where it gets really loud. Overall, I think it may be a bit too dynamic, but that may be from listening to too many overly-hot radio masters.
Great guitars -- or did I mention that?
Bass is nice, right where it needs to be.
Lead vox sit very nicely in the mix. I agree with Lee that the vox could use a touch of air, but it sounds darned good as is.

That's about it. Great track -- I enjoyed listening to it.

-John

Thanks for the comments, John!

Snare is probably a little loose. I dunno....we love the snare sound. I don't like tight, snappy snares in general, and we got those last time and didn't want them this time.

I like big fat toms. I dunno, I just let 'em fly. There's some compression on there. I know, they have a lot of ring and stuff to them, but I just love it that way because that's the way they sound in the room. They're not too flabby and lack punch, though, I hope?

It is very dynamic. I absolutely love it that way. I'm sure that in mastering the guy will tighten it all up a little. None of those songs have mastering or anything at all. I have the ability to just utterly squash a song and make it sinfully loud, but I just really detest that sort of sound. I'm going to tell the mastering engineer to make it as loud as it will go without sacrificing the sound quality. If it's a little quieter than other CDs, then so be it.

Thanks for the compliments on the guitars. We are very happy with how the guitars came out!!! I'm playing the more effected clean guitars, while the bass player is playing the clean chords. I play the lead guitars with distortion, while the bass player is playing the chunky, scrappy rhythms behind it. The bass player is also playing a lot of the spacey parts in the middle, and then at the end, I'm playing the leads and all the wah-wah parts at the end. We had so much FUN playing this song and recording it...

The vox....hmmm, I guess it's aesthetic. I seriously jacked the top end for some air, but I didn't want it as open and airy as some of the other vocals that I've done because I wanted a sort of '60s psychedelic vibe....so after thinking about it, I decided to just keep the vocals as is. I mean, they sit so well in the mix and everything as it is, I hate to mucky around with it too much and destroy the beautiful balance. We're thrilled with this song, and figure we'll just keep it the way it is.

The clipping....I'll have to check that out.

Thanks again!! I really appreciate your comments and the time you took to make them! We just had so much fun recording this song, so I'm really glad that you enjoyed listening to it!!

[moogerfooger]

menjop -- great job over all -- nice job on the vocals -- get the drums together and your set -- pump out something original ---I like the grt tones . I thought you put the song over well -- I really like that song so you had something to work with from the start. translated well to my playback system -- mackie 8bus to JBL 4412A's wth subs -rainAC 22 Xover - QSC 1200 and 1400 amps -respectivly:thu:

[psycho chemist]

Originally posted by hethaerto4
Check out this nice recording of a father and daughter duet.

This is the link (http://studioforums.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5476001124/m/8531095931)

I liked it a lot. Very nice guitar playing too.

[psycho chemist]

Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe
(Originally posted by Funkwave, and moved to proper thread at his request by moderator. Please address any responses directly to him. Thx! - Phil)

***********************************

Hey Dudes, let me know your honest opinions on this one. I just finished it today.

I did all of the instrumentation and sequence programing, my gal friend did the vocs.


http://www.project80s.com/danny/Blue%20Skies.mp3

That's a nice one. It's not my kind of music, but it surely rocks.
Nice vocs too.

[psycho chemist]

Originally posted by ProducerNate
I have been recording since I was 17 (I'm 20 now). I started out at my high school auditorium, but now own my own gear (http://www.halfwaytoeight.com/18601.html). I rent out a room in a local practice space to use as a studio, and I share the space with two people (both have bands). The sample I have is with one of the bands, Karenin's Smile. The name of the song is "Marissa."

I used the Oktava MC012s as drum overheads, 57 on snare, Beta 92 on kick. There are a lot of keyboards on the song, as well as several guitar tracks. The production on them was pretty standard - line in for keys and mostly a 57 on guitars. I want a general overview of the song, mainly in terms of production, but musical critique is fine, too. Listen especially the bridge, which comes in around 2:40.

*I will warn you now, some people like the singer's voice, and some hate it*

Current demo tracks (http://halfwaytoeight.com/6955.html) listen as you please, I will post more songs here in the coming weeks
Marissa (http://www.halfwaytoeight.com/Music/Marissa.mp3) <--- this is a direct link to the song

I liked the voice. Malkmus comes to my mind.
I'd cut some lows, but that's just me - or my speakers.
Anyway, a good job! Congrats!

[psycho chemist]

Well, here's a trial. I've recorded a trio this weekend - piano, flute and violin.

Link to the song (http://www.aktive.com.br/1.mp3)

The digital piano was recorded directly to an Audiophile 192, stereo. The flute and violin were overdubs, so there were lots of bleeds from each track. Sennheiser e835 for the flute, a homemade mic based on telephone capsules for the violin. Cheap mixer preamps on the overdubs chain.

Audacity was the software, freeware plugins have been used too.

Violin at center, the other ones were panned 20%, opposite.

Any replies are very welcome.

[Stocklin]

Originally posted by psycho chemist


I liked it a lot. Very nice guitar playing too.

Hey, thanx, man!:)

[Weatherbox]

Originally posted by C JoGo
A little fun with Lennon... ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (http://www.redshift.com/~cjogo/TUNES/UNIVERSE.mp3)




I really like the bright guitar tone; it lets the melody shine through and has a nice percussive attack.

[DonaldDemon]

Originally posted by ProducerNate
I have been recording since I was 17 (I'm 20 now). I started out at my high school auditorium, but now own my own gear (http://www.halfwaytoeight.com/18601.html). I rent out a room in a local practice space to use as a studio, and I share the space with two people (both have bands). The sample I have is with one of the bands, Karenin's Smile. The name of the song is "Marissa."

I used the Oktava MC012s as drum overheads, 57 on snare, Beta 92 on kick. There are a lot of keyboards on the song, as well as several guitar tracks. The production on them was pretty standard - line in for keys and mostly a 57 on guitars. I want a general overview of the song, mainly in terms of production, but musical critique is fine, too. Listen especially the bridge, which comes in around 2:40.

*I will warn you now, some people like the singer's voice, and some hate it*

Current demo tracks (http://halfwaytoeight.com/6955.html) listen as you please, I will post more songs here in the coming weeks
Marissa (http://www.halfwaytoeight.com/Music/Marissa.mp3) <--- this is a direct link to the song

I really liked this song and the vocals. Very Pavement-esque as someone else mentioned. I would say the production sounds right on except the drums sound a bit weak to me, erspecially in the bridge. Maybe the guitars were too loud in that part but it seemed to make the drums sound far away in the mix. I really dug it though.

[sneakyjesus]

Hey guys. I'm super amatuer, and I am givin a stab at this recording thing. I did everything with a digi 002, a pair of at 4040s, 3 SM57s, and a beta kick. This is my third attempt at really trying to record a band, so it's sort of all over the place.

http://aristocrat.sealpiggypig.net/index2.html

[sneakyjesus]

Producer nate, I think that's a really good sounding track. I have a handful of problems with it though.

Firstly, the guitar tone is hot, very pavement ish, but it sits a little too far left for me.

The way drums, vocals, and especially the gutiars are panned, it feels like everything is really competeing when full band starts rockin out.

The tamborine sound is a great idea, but is really lost on my speakers, a pair of logitech home computer junky speakers and a 10" sub.

The drum sound is good, but there's some highs, that I myself have had a really big problem getting rid of, that sort of attack the ears coming from the over heads.

Acoustic guitar track is really hot, same with that rhodes sound, but I think that they are really contrasting sounds that are a bit wierd... really crystal clear rhodes sound and synth sound (panned too far right maybe) and they stand out HARSH from the mix. Try to soften them up with another pre? Maybe the lightest touch of a small room verb.

Cool music though, definitly

[sneakyjesus]

Originally posted by psycho chemist
Well, here's a trial. I've recorded a trio this weekend - piano, flute and violin.

Link to the song (http://www.aktive.com.br/1.mp3)

The digital piano was recorded directly to an Audiophile 192, stereo. The flute and violin were overdubs, so there were lots of bleeds from each track. Sennheiser e835 for the flute, a homemade mic based on telephone capsules for the violin. Cheap mixer preamps on the overdubs chain.

Audacity was the software, freeware plugins have been used too.

Violin at center, the other ones were panned 20%, opposite.

Any replies are very welcome.



Hey, I really dig the sound, especially from the digital piano, it's some of the best digital piano sound I've heard in a long time. The Violin is getting a ton of surface sound that I don't think most listeners are used to hearing. That could be from a hanful of things.
#1, try micing the violin in a good room, using a room mic and a direct mic, and blend heavy on the room side.
#2, Have the violinist use less abrasive strings, something like a eudoxa just sound richer in tone, less like a karate chop.

He or she is also struggeling a bit with intonation, which is just inherintly hard on a stringed instrument. causes a sharp pierce to the sound sometimes.

Lastly, the vibratto the violinist uses is a little to spastic. Try to encourage a more controlled and developed sound. When playing legatto, a really quick vibratto sounds out of place, it needed a bit wide vibratto sound, changing with the speed of the passage.

Good luck

[psycho chemist]

Originally posted by sneakyjesus




Hey, I really dig the sound, especially from the digital piano, it's some of the best digital piano sound I've heard in a long time. The Violin is getting a ton of surface sound that I don't think most listeners are used to hearing. That could be from a hanful of things.
#1, try micing the violin in a good room, using a room mic and a direct mic, and blend heavy on the room side.
#2, Have the violinist use less abrasive strings, something like a eudoxa just sound richer in tone, less like a karate chop.

He or she is also struggeling a bit with intonation, which is just inherintly hard on a stringed instrument. causes a sharp pierce to the sound sometimes.

Lastly, the vibratto the violinist uses is a little to spastic. Try to encourage a more controlled and developed sound. When playing legatto, a really quick vibratto sounds out of place, it needed a bit wide vibratto sound, changing with the speed of the passage.

Good luck

Hi there,

Thanks for replying.

Well, I had some huge problems. First I had to record it at the violinist living room. Second, the violinist wouldn't use headphones to overdub. The violinist was using a good instrument, but too old strings. I've asked her to change strings a week before the recording (time enough for the strings sit well and hold the tuning), but she just didn't. If you listen carefully, you might notice some arch touching the body of the instrument as well. Oh, my, she's 60 or so...

As for the digital piano, it was a Yamaha, can't tell which model, but it was one with furniture. No EQ on that, no effects, just plugged into the card and didn't mess with the piano tracks. I wanted it to give the lows missing on the other instruments.

Ten hours recording, twenty mixing... Five songs... A fifteen minute demo. Isn't that amazing?

Thanks for the tips, a room mic would definitely improve the sound. However, mic placement would take the time they had to track. They're pretty satisfied with what they got, especially due to all restrictions imposed by time.

:wave:

[Shai Hulud]

This is my first visit to this forum. I usually post in OJ, Electric Guitars and the Political SSS forum.

Check out my recordings/mixes/masters....

This is modern rock music recorded with Power Tracks 9.0 Multi-tracking software, Sony Acid 3.0 software and drum loops and T-racks for Mastering. I have my own project, PC-based studio set up in my house.... nothing fancy, all affordable stuff you can buy out of a Musician's Friend or AMS catalog.

I realize there's going to be some initial prejudice because I use drum loops instead of a "live" drummer.:o

http://www.myspace.com/jovianoblivion

[elamberth]

Menjop,

Thanks for the reply and the input. I will be listening to others soon.

First the disclaimer - I am an amateur with some pro studio experience, and have a CD out that has had some independent airplay here and abroad. The monitor chain: PC out to Mindprint D/A converters to a SONY stereo amnplifier to KRK ST6's. I listen in a dedicated studio that is treated.

The song sounds really good - I especially like the bass and the feel. Very crisp.

A couple of questions - did you intend for the breath sounds on the lead vocals? Right or wrong, if it were me, I would have softened the guitars on the intro, with a warmer, dreamy feel, perhaps EQ the highs down a bit and add some compression. The LA2A setting on sonitus FX compressor can do that well, then and let it build up to the guitar sound you use with the whole band.
Nice job on the song, and nice performance.

:thu:

[alcohol]

bye bye

[bjorked]

I've been trying my hand at the production side of things lately. Here is something I just finished with a singer / songwriter I'm currently producing.

Give me some feedback guys.

Tell You (http://www.undertonestudios.com/sounds/tellyou.mp3)

[elamberth]

Wow, excellent! Did you use the Tascam for your A/D converters on this? Which preamps did you use?

I really like her voice and the song.

I really liked the balance between her voice and the beginning and the end with just the piano. When the acoustic guitar came in and the rest of the instruments I thought that they could be softer - it seemed to take attention away from her voice, and not back it up. I don't think you need anything else out front with her - just soft support in a very Norah Jones kinda of way.

Nice job. She is good.
:thu:

[bjorked]

Thanks for the critique. Yeah, those are the tascam converters (my only option as of now) I don't think they sound terrible. I used the RNP exclusively for pretty much everything miced in the song except the bass which I went direct with and used the sansamp bass DI.

About the instrument levels... I have gone back and forth on this and actually have a few mixes where her singing is more upfront... I think it works though, even with her voice buried a bit.

Give me some more opinions guys

[alcohol]

bjorked,

Singer has a nice voice and everything sounds real good through my headphones.

When the guitar comes in, it seems that the piano has been shifted to the right side of the stereo field while the guitar occupies the left. This seems unnatural, the switching. The guitar also seems to be louder than the piano so it doesn't feel balanced. Production wise the song feels empty instrument wise and rhythmically. I hear lots of opportunities for a percussionist with a variety of instruments to fill it up, especially since the melodic phrases are short and leave plenty of space in between. Just a suggestion to try and see if it works.

It's a melancholy song. Maybe it's me, but melancholy love songs aren't so frequent in pop music. Being a pop music fan, I hear music in that perspective. I can hear you giving this song a more, desparate and intense feel. The phrase "I'd give anything" seems to feel resigned instead of having the emotional and punch such a phrase would usually be expressing. Also, in the middle of the song the phrase, "I'd give anything" is repeated once. I'd add an additional repeat in between. The phrase is a like a cry out and in the middle we hear a guitar aprgeggio? I can hear harmonies in the singing arrangement too.

Production is a thankless task, because there's always some backseat driver like myself with different ideas.

Overall good work though.

[hakase]

[edit] thought i'd get the copyright thing first..

[hakase]

bjorked-

i'm someone that likes unconventional sounds - i actually like that the piano shifts to the right during the song, and that the acoustic guitar sounds unusually loud. it really depends on what you aim for though. as it is, it's a great indie/ alternative song (if it must be categorized) - if you wanted a "commercial/ polished sounding" track it would be different, but i have a feeling that it's not the direction you want to go anyway. it sounds exciting and interesting to me as it is.

apologies for having only vague suggestions but i'd personally try to find a way to EQ and make the guitar sound a bit *thinner* (it's cool to have a big presence in the mix, but it does sound a bit too boomy, sometime to the point it's too much on my ears through my headphones. also, many big sounds seem concentrated on the left channel, so i might want to shift the pan a tiny bit). i wouldn't do anything on the piano, it's also dynamic and it might be a bit problematic, it'd leave it as it is. the vocal sounds nice. i'd experiment with EQing on the guitar and percussions, to gel with the piano and the voice present.

i like the way each instrument is recorded. really intimate.

[C JoGo]

Just a early Roland VS 880 recording...background vocals...TLAudio pre with a AT 4033..one take >

WORLDS APART (http://www.redshift.com/~cjogo/TUNES/WORLDS%20APART.mp3)

[Tedster]

Yo, folks...

A cover tune for ya...all me...except for my trusty offspring Andrew on the drums...

Walk Away Renee (http://tedster.net/renee.wma)

I think it turned out kinda cool... :D

I don't know why the dumb fucking thing INSISTS on tagging it with "I found a love" by M-Factor...:confused:

[C JoGo]

Originally posted by Tedster
Yo, folks...

A cover tune for ya...all me...except for my trusty offspring Andrew on the drums...

Walk Away Renee (http://tedster.net/renee.wma)

I think it turned out kinda cool... :D

I don't know why the dumb fucking thing INSISTS on tagging it with "I found a love" by M-Factor...:confused:

Move over Alice Cooper >>> great vocal take!!! Nice rendition

[Tedster]

Thanks!

[stratmahon]

Was hoping you all could critique my first effort. I'm new to computer based recording, so I would like to learn and get better.

Many thanks in advance!

Sleep (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=460772)

[stratmahon]

bump. anyone? :)

[C JoGo]

A rough take --up the hollar a bit :p REBEL CALL (http://www.redshift.com/~cjogo/TUNES/REBEL.mp3)
12 string '72 Coronado



CRIPPLE CREEK (http://www.redshift.com/~cjogo/TUNES/CRIPPLECREEK.mp3)
plastic fiddle --played from the hip

[Tedster]

Originally posted by stratmahon
bump. anyone? :)

Finally getting a chance to listen...Soundclick always gives me a pain...

So far nice...like the dreamy sort of almost ambient groove.

To my ear I would have brought a bit more bass into the mix...I like that dotted eighth/sixteenth feel on the bass (that old Heart "Magic Man" groove, which is cool)...I'd bring it forefront and kick it a bit.

[stratmahon]

Thanks folks. Good feedback all around! :)

[stratmahon]

Tedster, I have gone back and forth regarding the bass. Initially I didn't have any at all, thinking that the bassy tones created by my Strat would be enough. In the end I settled on the bass tones "sitting" on the kick beats, just enough to color them and round them out. Perhaps you're right though. I'll revisit the mix... ;)

[Shakabrah2]

http://www.myspace.com/shakabrahrecords

Let me know how the mix and production sounds?

Thanks! RA

[onetubetone]

Edit: Sorry about the double post, I thought this thread might be dead :) Here are 3 tracks I recently recorded. The first two are of myself, third is my friend, all are guitar/male vocals. what I'd greatly appreciate is if anyone could give me any comments or suggestions on how the recorded quality turned out... I'm always looking to improve!


Songs (http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transmit.asp?txygnbz=26005&chkldsxv1=195889&chkldsxv2=196010&chkldsxv3=197243&yhgbndsq=3)

The recording was done with an MBox2 and protools6.8, and two cheap large diaphragm condensors (Studio Projects B1, and MXL990) , both ORTF on the acoustic, and the B1 on vocals, recorded seperately. The harmonica was recorded with an old Electrovoice mic.

Ah and I almost forgot. "mastered" with Izotope Ozone 3... if you could call a little EQ and limiting mastering.

Also... I am open to any suggestions on what would be a good choice to buy next to improve the sound of subsequent recordings... perhaps a nice large diaphragm condensor, or maybe a pair of smalls?

[raf]

hey guys,

We recorded a couple of songs at a studio a couple of days ago.
Any comments on the tune, production and mixing of it would be great.


click on link below to listen to song.

hollywoodactress (http://www.myspace.com/hollywoodactress)

Thanks

[Shangrila17]

Musicians helping Musicians
Hi everybody any help extremly apppreciated

I built a pc at pcAudio Labs here's the specs:
AMD Athlon64 X2 3800+ Dual CoreSoltek SL-K8TPro motherboard2GB DDR400 2x1024MBATI Radeon 9550 256MB Dual VGA Plextor 16x Dual Layer DVD /-RW 2MB80GB EIDE (Primary Drive)Hitachi250GB RAID 1 - (2 x 250GB SATA II) (Audio Drive)Hitachi160GB SATA II (Samples)HitachiWindows XP Professional
I will be working with Sonar 5,Acid Pro 5 (rewire them together) Reason 3.0,Antares Avox and AutoTune.

I'm a solo musician playing one instrument at a time (unless I can get ahold of some toxic ooozz that will grow me some more arms).

Will need to record Vocals,Electric guitar,Electric Bass, and use Midi for Soft-Synths.All drums will be created via Loop cd's and Reason 3.0

Any opinions either way would you go with for this situation.
(these are things I've researched endlessly and seemed to fit my needs.
(One of each of these is my exact price range.)

1.Mic for male singer with mid-range and kinda nasaly voice.
(mic will be stricktly for my vocals all instruments will be direct into the audio interface)

a.Audio Technica 3035 (heard it picked up bass better)
b.Rode NT1000(great reviews to help warm the voice)
I know the mic won't do all the work but one of them must pick up the bass in a mid-range voice better than the other.

2.Audio Interface
(for vocals,Guitar,Bass and Midi).
a.Novation X-Station (with all those features in one unit the preamps must suck but if they were good I would'nt need a midi controller cuz it would be there with my audio interface.
b.PreSonus FireBox (been kinda hard to find terrible reviews on this thing)I would need a midi controller with this one though which is fine if it's got better pre-amps than the novation.
c.E-MU 1820M(these look nice cause effects won't burden my cpu as much for effects and Latency may be lower than the USB Novation or the Firewire Presonus.but I've heard it's very difficult to use and get used to.I'm not a tech head so I should maybe stay away from this one.)

3.Headphones
(Only to use while tracking vocals)
a.AKG 271Studio (Looks good)
b.AKG 240Studio (may save me $100.00)
c.or perhaps the gradys everyone keeps mentioning

4.Monitors
(This would be the last piece besides a simple midi controller if the novation preamps suck.)
a.Event TR8 Tuned Reference (looks nice)
b.M-Audio BX8a (looks nice)
c.Behringer Truth B2031a(most seem to agree these suck in some way or another but someone told me don't believe the hype they are used by more professionals than we think and are quite good).

It seems that musical style would matter while picking mics and monitors.I like and record
Hard Rock,Hip-Hop,Ethnic,Symphonic,and New Age.

Harmony Central truly, truly Rules.

[zinzin]

this is my "Strawberry Fields Forever" cover - yeah, i know, this is risky - but i did it!

http://www.cms.consisto.it/concms/AspUpload/liederszene.net/downloads/321_Strawberry%20Fields%20Forever.mp3

what do you think? i tried to rework it so that it could be played by a 4-piece-guitar band in a live situation. what do you think of the recording quality?

[gsHarmony]

Here are my thoughts for zinzin:

I really like the guitar sound. What is that pulsing, delay-like effect that I'm hearing? It's pretty cool.

Initially, I thought there were too many effects on the vocals, but once everything came in it sounded fine.

There were a few spots (sorry I forgot the write down the times) where I thought the vocals got a little buried in the mix.

I really like the sound at around 1:06. My only comment is that it sounds like the drums are all panned right (this could just be my listening environment). I'm also hearing some kind of distortion between 1:07-1:08 (I'm assuming this was on purpose?).
Also, I'm also assuming the distortion at the beginning is on purpose to get kind of a record type sound. However, for me it wasn't quite convincing enough of an effect and could be mistaken for a bad recording.

Overall, I liked it a lot. Good work.

[gsHarmony]

for raf:

I only had a chance to listen to Don't Know You.

I like the song a lot and don't have too many suggestions, given that that genre is not may area of expertise.

At first, I was a little suprised at the guitar tone towards the beginning (0:13 to 0:35). Its not something I have heard a lot of in this style of song. However, this isn't a bad thing because I got used to it and really started to like it.

My only comment regarding the guitars is they seem to heavily favor the right side. Since this is not a very dense arrangment, it just seems like something is missing. However, because of this, the chorus seems very effective when you double the guitar part of the left.

I think the vocals sound great and the overall mix is well-balanced. I can definitely hear all the parts clearly. I'll try to listen to your other songs soon.

[gsHarmony]

For onetubetone:

The acoustic guitar sounds phenomenal! I absolutely love it. I have personally used the B1 on guitar without results anywhere near this. I really liked the ortf micing. Looks like I need to experiment with this myself. Before I heard the song, I was planning on recommending some Oktava MK012's (which I love for acoustic guitar), but it looks like I should be asking you about guitar tone.

The vocals sound pretty essy to me. Maybe try messing around with different mic positions to get rid of some of this harshness, or try some de-essors (I think spitfish is a good one if I remember the name correctly).

On the first two songs, I think the vocals could benefit from a little compression. The dynamics rapidly go from a whisper to a decent volume and sometimes it just seems like a little too much. This is subjective of course.

[gsHarmony]

Just to mix things up a bit here, I'm posting an orchestral piece that I will be entering in a contest, and I would like everyone's opinion regarding the mix and overall quality of the sound. Any suggestions regarding eq, compression, reverb, or anything else would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has an idea for a name for the piece, I would be very grateful (It is currently untitled and I need a name to enter in the contest). Thanks.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~gstitt/music/song5.mp3

[madbutcher]

Couple tracks i just remixed...any thoughts? Extreme metal stuff


http://www.harkonin.com/uploaded/Harkonin_Destined-to-Conquer-2006-remix.mp3

http://www.harkonin.com/uploaded/Harkonin_Dogs-of-Lucifer-2006-remix.mp3

[onetubetone]

Hey, thanks for the comments gsHarmony! I definitely have much more experience listening to acoustic tone than vocals, so yeah haha. The vocals actually do have some compression (JoeMeek plugin) but I went rather light on it. And I hear the ess too, I think part of it is that the B1 doesn't really mesh too well with my voice.

In fact! I have a recording I just made, in my dorm room, with two dynamic mics (an old Electro-Voice 664 and a Sennheiser). If you want, check it out and listen to 2 things. First, the main acoustic part is mic'd the same as my other tracks, but with these mics which are as poorly suited to acoustic as any i could think of. Still sounds decent! Second thing... the vocals are recorded with the electrovoice... I think it works well with my voice... what do you think?

Dead Man's Will (cover) (http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transmit.asp?txygnbz=26005&chkldsxv1=203781&yhgbndsq=1)

- Oh and as to your orchestral piece... i'm rather inexperienced in recording this kind of music. What I love is that it's very very clear with excellent separation between instruments. You can really hear everything and it never gets cluttered. The only things that occur to me is that I'd like to hear a little more in the low to low/mid range... it feels like it could use a little more "girth"... perhaps by a touch of EQ on certain parts? I'm not sure. Like, when the bass really comes in at like 1:15, I hear a lot of VERY low frequency power, but i think it would be more effective if it extended a little higher. Also at 2:18 on, the drum part sounds alittle weak... maybe this could be improved by panning it more center, i hear it's almost all on the left. Also in the end, with that last few cello? lines, i think it would be awesome if you did something neat with the panning... maybe like move from one side to the other... that would be sweet.

[ebrecordings]

greetings all

I run a small project studio out of my house, but keep a pretty steady client base. been doin this for a couple years now. i have pro tools LE, minimal microphones (one shure 57, some audix drum mics, and a blue baby bottle), one focusrite twintrak pro, and a behringer ultragain pro A/D converter with 8 mic pres. nothing too high end, but it gets the job done.

i have 4 songs that i've done fairly recently on my myspace account:

http://www.myspace.com/evanburckrecordings

any critiques are appreciated, thanks!

[hertzstudio]

please...pos coment about this...

[Markdude]

My band has been wanting to record ourselves for quite a long time now, and I've finally got a setup that I believe can do it decently. Just to test it out, we recorded some practicing we did.

This is a really rough take and I know the performance isn't very great (but I'm looking for mix criticism, not performance criticism), but I'm trying to mix it the best I can and for what it's worth, I don't think I did too bad. But I bet there's a lot I could work on, and criticism is appreciated. :P

http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3G88JTW2WJOOH2XD7REJ7FBR7P

My setup was:

--M-Audio Delta 1010LT Recording Interface
-SM57 on Snare
-AKG D110 on Kick
-2 cheapo Digital Reference tom mics as overheads (these need to be replaced ASAP)
-Marshall JMP-1 Preamp's speaker emulated output direct-in on the right guitar
-Digitech RP100 multi-effects pedal output direct-in on the left channel (I EQ'd the hell out of it to try to make it sound decent)

The bass track was left out because the bassist thought it would be a neat idea to use a phaser the entire time. Needless to say, constantly sweeping frequencies doesn't work at all in the bottom end of a mix. Slaps to the face will ensue.

Also, the guitarist on the left accidentally flicked his pickup selector switch near the end of the song with the other pickup's volume at 0, so he drops out and you only hear me for end of the song. Once again, mixing critique, not performance critique.
:freak:

But in all seriousness, comments are appreciated.

[bball_1523]

I just recorded a brief riff with drums and a synth pad. I am a beginner at mixing and making all the instruments blend well together so I want to get some tips on making my track sound better with all the included instruments.

here is a clip of the track:

http://streamer.soundclick.com/jarry_DL/16/02/freemp3/riffballer+synthmetal.mp3

how can I make sure the synth blends in well with the rest of the track?

how do I get my guitars to sound more even with the rest of the instruments?

what else can I do to make the track sound mixed well?

[yureal]

bball_1523

i like the guitars sound pretty well, but i'm a drummer not a guitarist.. the drums just sounded clrealy fake to me so that kind of annoyed me i guess, but overall as far as mixing it sound pretty good except i would turn the guitars down a good bit.

[bball_1523]

Originally posted by yureal
bball_1523

i like the guitars sound pretty well, but i'm a drummer not a guitarist.. the drums just sounded clrealy fake to me so that kind of annoyed me i guess, but overall as far as mixing it sound pretty good except i would turn the guitars down a good bit.

no doubt they are fake! they are professionally sampled, but you know how that goes...

I'm trying to fix the levels a bit and get the keyboard to blend in well because it seems as if the keyboard is in its own space.

[Lee Knight]

I've finally finished producing the band Manganista. I produced, engineered, mixed, and helped a little with some playing and singing, all the while making sure it was Manganista's album.

It's kind of "Talking Heads meet Danny Elfman and jam on some English Beat tunes."

It's been a lot of work but I've learned a ton. You can check out a couple tunes here if you'd like...

http://myspace.com/manganista

[zkaudio]

lee, for some reason the songs won't play! weird

[Lee Knight]

Just wait. It should auto load but it takes a minute. Thanks...

[pktaskes]

I mixed this down a little while ago. Oct 012's and a Marshall V67 for vocals. dbx376 pre.

http://stillsmallvoice.info/Still%20Small%20Voice-Favour.mp3

[Steve LeBlanc]

Here's something new I did...if anyone hears something in the mix that needs help, any and all comments are welcome...I already realize the siblants need some taming

"My Best Friend"
http://www.artistlaunch.com/sleblanc

[scsibear]

Here is a song I recorded a few years ago now, this is my First ever recording using a computer and to be honest I haven't done much since. I really should get into it more but was wondering what people's preferences were to using either a computer, a dedicated DAW like say a Yamaha 4416 or to Use both together.
The song as you'll hear came out over distorted in places especially at the solo, but as I say it was my First attempt.

Any advice would be welcomed
regards
scsi

The Crossing
http://guitarplayers.net/riffgallery/The_Crossing_(remastered).mp3

[GeoffonTour]

I've been writing stuff on cubase with midi over the last few days for college & to help build up a general portfolio of work (and for experience), and I put 3 recent songs and an old cover of the tetris theme up on www.myspace.com/geoffontour04

Comments on all aspects of the mix & composition would be very helpful (I'm a music student) and if anyone has any ideas for em I'd be happy to try them.

[Joe Cole]

Originally posted by pktaskes
I mixed this down a little while ago. Oct 012's and a Marshall V67 for vocals. dbx376 pre.

http://stillsmallvoice.info/Still%20Small%20Voice-Favour.mp3

I dug this. The guitar, pad and piano sound really cool.

One thing I I felt is that one of the cool elements is the guitar slapping in the verses really drives the song and becomes a hook. When the song takes off and goes to the chorus or bridge... I kinda miss it.

Maybe a conga or other hand percussion?

[Gonkulator]

Originally posted by GeoffonTour
I've been writing stuff on cubase with midi over the last few days for college & to help build up a general portfolio of work (and for experience), and I put 3 recent songs and an old cover of the tetris theme up on www.myspace.com/geoffontour04

Comments on all aspects of the mix & composition would be very helpful (I'm a music student) and if anyone has any ideas for em I'd be happy to try them.

Track 1: The first half reminds of the soundtrack to Arena or Daggerfall, (or maybe more recent Bethesda games). The solo piano is just ok
Track 2: I llike the feel, the bass, pad, guitarish chords. The drums seem like thay are building up to something, but don't go anywhwere. At 1:28 with just the bass and drum, kind of weak, the drum isn't interesting enough to contribute to that section. After that, the drums are a bit awkward. The "music-makers" clip has been used.
Track 3: Sort of a jazzy Windham Hill thing. Nice for kicking back.
Track 4: A lot of fun. The drums are a bit muted/compressed, but otherwise I like the guitar work.

[dead matt]

Originally posted by pktaskes
I mixed this down a little while ago. Oct 012's and a Marshall V67 for vocals. dbx376 pre.

http://stillsmallvoice.info/Still%20Small%20Voice-Favour.mp3


Vox were very clear. Good vibrato and control. Meshed well with the arrangement. What kind of acoustic were you playing?

[dead matt]

Originally posted by scsibear
Here is a song I recorded a few years ago now, this is my First ever recording using a computer and to be honest I haven't done much since. I really should get into it more but was wondering what people's preferences were to using either a computer, a dedicated DAW like say a Yamaha 4416 or to Use both together.
The song as you'll hear came out over distorted in places especially at the solo, but as I say it was my First attempt.

Any advice would be welcomed
regards
scsi

The Crossing
http://guitarplayers.net/riffgallery/The_Crossing_(remastered).mp3


That was Cool! I pictured it as a video game soundtrack. That solo breakdown was sweet. Kinda Children of Bodom-ish. Make it SQUEAL!!

[daklander]

This is from the St Patrick's Day gig with Somebody's Son, recorded live. I've done nothing to the file except upload it to the computer and encode to mp3.
Big Legged Woman (http://www.miltenbergers.us/music/bigleggedwoman.mp3).
Constructive criticism is appreciated.

[the band i]

Not new to HC, just lost my old account info. The music is new though. The songs below we recorded ourselves at Aliehn Productions Recording Studio (http://aliehn.com/aliehnframeset.htm) which we own and operate. Pro Tools HD and lots of other stuff.

Like Hate (http://www.thebandi.com/01%20Likehate.mp3) -electronic rock?

The Nominonivore (http://www.thebandi.com/02%20The%20Nominonivore.mp3) -eastern influenced rock w/sitar?

I'd like some critique on the production value as well as the songs themselves.

Thanks

[Soundastic]

Hello,
This is my first post here, so, first I wish to say hi to everybody...second, I post a link to a little piece I did, it is a remix of a SNES (old gaming console...you know, the bleeps and beeps kind) game mixed with some original material. I would welcome comments on every aspect of the piece, compositional, orchestration, arrangment, production etc.
I am a hobbyist and I did that on a PC running Cubase SX, Stylus RMX, Atmosphere, CS80V, Rapture, Xphraze, througs an Emu 1212m, Behringer monitors, triggered from the sexy CME UF 7 :).
Let the criticism start! :D
http://
[EDIT: It seems they didn't allow hotlinking...and they deleted it :/...well, i'll need to find another way....]

[Gonkulator]

Originally posted by Soundastic
Hello,
This is my first post here, so, first I wish to say hi to everybody...second, I post a link to a little piece I did, it is a remix of a SNES (old gaming console...you know, the bleeps and beeps kind) game mixed with some original material. I would welcome comments on every aspect of the piece, compositional, orchestration, arrangment, production etc.
I am a hobbyist and I did that on a PC running Cubase SX, Stylus RMX, Atmosphere, CS80V, Rapture, Xphraze, througs an Emu 1212m, Behringer monitors, triggered from the sexy CME UF 7 :).
Let the criticism start! :D
http://www.savefile.com/files.php?fid=8819236

I couldn't get it to play in WMP.

[Gonkulator]

Originally posted by the band i
Not new to HC, just lost my old account info. The music is new though. The songs below we recorded ourselves at Aliehn Productions Recording Studio (http://aliehn.com/aliehnframeset.htm) which we own and operate. Pro Tools HD and lots of other stuff.

Like Hate (http://www.thebandi.com/01%20Likehate.mp3) -electronic rock?

The Nominonivore (http://www.thebandi.com/02%20The%20Nominonivore.mp3) -eastern influenced rock w/sitar?

I'd like some critique on the production value as well as the songs themselves.

Thanks

Like Hate: Good sound overall. The drum riff at 0:22 - 0:46, 1:00 - 1:12, 1:25 - 1:38 doesn't really do it for me. In fitting with the "electronic rock" label, I would add a few more electronic accents, not too much though. In places where the vocal follows straight quarter notes, I would stagger it a little, particularly toward the end.

The Nominonivore: I really like this. I can think of only two overall criticisms. I think it is a bit long, and I would alter the sitar part. I would simplify the sitar during the main vocal phrases, and bring it in during the sustained notes, highlighting the call and response effect. I like the rhythm guitar part, but I would like to hear an acoustic guitar there just to compare the color. I think the middle is either too long, or needs more to happen.real nice vocal, bass, good drum. Nice sound.

[Gonkulator]

Originally posted by daklander
This is from the St Patrick's Day gig with Somebody's Son, recorded live. I've done nothing to the file except upload it to the computer and encode to mp3.
Big Legged Woman (http://www.miltenbergers.us/music/bigleggedwoman.mp3).
Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Not much to critique. The vocal needs a bit more bluesyness (yeah, like I know blues) but that's it.

[Soundastic]

Well, it seems I found a way...here it goes

http://soundastic.tripod.com/

the file is in the middle of the page

[Gonkulator]

Originally posted by Soundastic
Well, it seems I found a way...here it goes

http://soundastic.tripod.com/

the file is in the middle of the page

Nice. Iit's funny, because I thought it would make a good gaming soundtrack, then I looked at your original post. I am not familiar with the original at all. Pretty good vocals. From 1:46 to 2:08, I'm not sure I like the percussion, except at the end for a lead in back to the next section. It may be the arrangement.

[Soundastic]

Nice. Iit's funny, because I thought it would make a good gaming soundtrack, then I looked at your original post. I am not familiar with the original at all. Pretty good vocals. From 1:46 to 2:08, I'm not sure I like the percussion, except at the end for a lead in back to the next section. It may be the arrangement.

The game was called Usagi Yojimbo, it was made for Commodore 64 actually in the 80's, i've never played it, only listened to the track. It consisted of two saw wave like sounds playing the theme from the beginning of my piece in an od 6/8 like measure, not sure because of the sloppy timing of the hardware rendering it. It sounded like crap for short. The theme is good though, and it makes one raise its respect for the people who achieved much using so little equipment, Neil Brennan in this case.

[daklander]

Originally posted by Gonkulator


Not much to critique. The vocal needs a bit more bluesyness (yeah, like I know blues) but that's it.

Thanks for the listen. I'll pass that along to Dale.

:wave:

[echoshock]

Hi all,
Well here goes my first song post. I met this singer last summer. She wrote the song but I played and recorded everything.
Let me know whatcha think!

Sonar
Reason
Vox Tonelab
Bass Pod.
Blue tube preamp
AT 4033a
Don't Go Away (http://www.echoshockmusic.com/mp3/dontgoaway.mp3)

[the band i]

Originally posted by Gonkulator


Like Hate: Good sound overall. The drum riff at 0:22 - 0:46, 1:00 - 1:12, 1:25 - 1:38 doesn't really do it for me. In fitting with the "electronic rock" label, I would add a few more electronic accents, not too much though. In places where the vocal follows straight quarter notes, I would stagger it a little, particularly toward the end.

The Nominonivore: I really like this. I can think of only two overall criticisms. I think it is a bit long, and I would alter the sitar part. I would simplify the sitar during the main vocal phrases, and bring it in during the sustained notes, highlighting the call and response effect. I like the rhythm guitar part, but I would like to hear an acoustic guitar there just to compare the color. I think the middle is either too long, or needs more to happen.real nice vocal, bass, good drum. Nice sound.

Thanks for the constructive feedback, Gonkulator. I tend to agree with you on all the points you made. These two songs were part of our 16 track debut album and there's plenty we would change, things we didn't hear or "get" during the process, if we could rewind time. We'll leave that for our second CD. And thanks for the compliments.

Here are a couple more from that CD:

21st Century Stigmata (http://thebandi.com/21stCenturyStigmata.mp3)

Chembe (http://thebandi.com/Chembe.mp3)

[veracohr]

I'd like some opinions on this mix. And I'd like to offer an excuse right off the bat: this was recorded in the band's practice space. I know the quality is up to me as the engineer, but I'll use whatever excuse I can! :D

My equipment is pretty much bedroom-recording quality. We rented a couple things for the recording. As time goes on, I'm working toward better equipment, but I don't have the money.

I don't need comments on the song itself. The performance isn't perfect, I'll tell you that right off the bat.

The most important lesson I learned on that (long) weekend: don't use compression when you aren't in an environment where you can't really hear what it's doing.

It's death metal.

Devouring Brains (http://www.veracohr.com/Devouring_Brains.mp3)

[bdemon]

Working on my cover of "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx. Took it to some pro dudes who have a quality Pro-tools rig and recording studio. They helped me mix some tunes on my CD awhile back. This tune is sounding good, but I don't know...something's not happening in the mix. The drums still have a "demo" quality to me that I can't put my finger on. I need some outside ears. They're telling me they think this song is near the finish line before mastering, but I'm not so sure.

The song: www.keith-moore.net/audio/onething.mp3

Much appreciated.

[Killadey]

@ veracohr

I'm at very amature stages so i might not have the best solutions to my observations but...

The biggest thing for me was the clarity or punch of
the drums, i think the kick and snare need raising or
some eq to bring them to life a bit, the snare needs to cut through for that kinda music i feel... like punchy!!

Also the cymbals seemed to have to much top end,
they sounded a bit tin-y, a bit ear piercing!

Another thing which isnt so much a problem, more of an option realy; you have 2 guitars panned left and right,right? I think they coulda had more of a contrasting
sound to them which would widen out the sound abit more and add abit more depth to them, rather than slightly mushy, i think this would help the vocals too!

EQ wise the guitars are way deeper than the vox, so having one guitar slightly brighter mightt help the vocals sit in the mix better as it has something to sit against,
at the moment they are up high on their own, bring up the guitar tone and it should make the guitars 'hug' the vox more.

Phew! for someone who doesnt know much i acctually ranted abit eh! lol

Maybe someone could re-iterate my comments with
more concise solutions!!!

btw i used SOAD as a kinda benchmark tool.

All the best!

Adey

[veracohr]

Thanks Killadey.

I often find myself in the bad position of not seeing the forest for the trees, and it was so with this project.

I mixed two songs, this one and another, to sound the same. Then a little later I listened to them next to some Lamb of God, and decided to take a different approach.

I've redone one of the songs, cutting out a lot of low end on basically everything, trying for the general sound of Lamb of God.

Also, I'm pretty poor at mastering, so that may have harmed the mix in what you heard there.

[Killadey]

I thought it had a lot going for it too tbo...

I like the booming guitars acctually, but it needs something sitting between that and the vox tone wise and it will be fuller, you could keep the emphasis on the original guitar sound though i think its one of those "small chages, big difference" scenarios..

Ade

[dxdreamer]

could anyone help me listen which version would be mostly perfered? and all comments on alterations are welcome

same track different mastering chain, (not in the best formate but oh well~)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=268740&songID=3905523
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=268740&songID=3905519

thank you

[Gonkulator]

Originally posted by dxdreamer
could anyone help me listen which version would be mostly perfered? and all comments on alterations are welcome

same track different mastering chain, (not in the best formate but oh well~)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=268740&songID=3905523
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=268740&songID=3905519

thank you

I vote for V2. Sorry not to have more input than that.

[jrm27]

Hey friends:

We recently got a few mixes back from our mix engineer for our new album. The only place I have them posted is on our myspace. (these are songs by a Christian rock band, by the way)

Could you please check it out and let us know what you think of the mixes? He's been a great guy to work with and we liek what he's doign thus far. Any words of wisdom or things to look at with these songs/mixes?

The songs in question are "Because You Are" and "The Real Me", and can be heard onour myspace (http://www.myspace.com/theridemusic) . Thanks a lot everyone. Any feedback would be helpful.

[nickname]

Need some help on my EQ'ing.

http://www.chaseenergy.com/finalmix.mp3

Any suggestions would be great.