Aint no sunshine

[TerenceSharp]

For one of my units at college (I am studying music) we have to record and mix stuff.
So this is what we did.

Since I am still learning my way around cubase and noting the affect things have on sound (Which key frequencies do what, how reverb can be used without adding cheese) I would like some pointers on what I can improve in this recording (drums were outside my control however)

For those interested:
Guitar Mic - Behringer B2 Pro
Vocal mic - Behringer B2 Pro
Bass - DI from Bass amp (I HATE this amp, not my amp, college)
Drums - Cheap Roland V-Drum (The bare bones one)
Strings - Yamaha PSR keyboard

Anyway, thoughts? - What could I improve? - Is it totally crap?

[Bigduggieface]

It sounds like you're on the right track, Terence. Overall, the mix wasn't too bad.

To me, the mix of the drums is the weak link. The kick is really quiet while the crash cymbal is uberloud. In order to get this mix to really work properly, you may need to re-record the drums. I assume that you don't have a multi-track mix of the drums when you say that they are "outside of your control".

With Cubase and the Roland V-drums, there is a multitude of possibilities. I would record the MIDI performance along with the multiple analog outputs on the V-drum module. I think the oldest V-drums had 4 outputs. Kik on 1, snare on 2, and a stereo mix of everything else on 3&4. If you're foresighted enough to record the MIDI tracks, you have the added option of triggering other sound modules or samples after the drums have been recorded. (but that's another topic)

If this is impossible with your situation, and you're stuck with this drum recording, maybe try a narrow Q boost on your drum eq at around 80-100Hz to bring out the kick. Try a de-esser set at about 6kHz to reduce the nasty cymbal.

Also I'd suggest using a compressor on the lead vocal in order to tame some of the louder syllables. This should help the vocal stay up-front and you'll hear every word clearly without the loud bits jumping out.

Finally, I notice that the acoustic guitar, the strings, and the crash cymbal all seem to be panned to the right while the left channel is rather empty. Try panning the guitar or the strings slightly left for balance.

[TerenceSharp]

Originally Posted by Bigduggieface

It sounds like you're on the right track, Terence. Overall, the mix wasn't too bad.

To me, the mix of the drums is the weak link. The kick is really quiet while the crash cymbal is uberloud. In order to get this mix to really work properly, you may need to re-record the drums. I assume that you don't have a multi-track mix of the drums when you say that they are "outside of your control".

With Cubase and the Roland V-drums, there is a multitude of possibilities. I would record the MIDI performance along with the multiple analog outputs on the V-drum module. I think the oldest V-drums had 4 outputs. Kik on 1, snare on 2, and a stereo mix of everything else on 3&4. If you're foresighted enough to record the MIDI tracks, you have the added option of triggering other sound modules or samples after the drums have been recorded. (but that's another topic)

If this is impossible with your situation, and you're stuck with this drum recording, maybe try a narrow Q boost on your drum eq at around 80-100Hz to bring out the kick. Try a de-esser set at about 6kHz to reduce the nasty cymbal.

Also I'd suggest using a compressor on the lead vocal in order to tame some of the louder syllables. This should help the vocal stay up-front and you'll hear every word clearly without the loud bits jumping out.

Finally, I notice that the acoustic guitar, the strings, and the crash cymbal all seem to be panned to the right while the left channel is rather empty. Try panning the guitar or the strings slightly left for balance.

Thanks for your suggestions, I will give them a shot!

Unfortunatly on this occasion I hadn't had a MIDI setup at my disposal (otherwise I wouldn;t have it any other way!) nor a multirack from the module which is a bummer, this isn't too critical a piece, more just a practice piece if you like so not all is lost! I will make sure to bring a MIDI lead and interface with me to college next time at the very least!

I hadn't noticed the panning imbalance till you mentioned it, will certainly have a fiddle and see how things pan out (ugh, bad pun)

Once Again, thanks for taking your time to listen and comment!

once I get my studio rebuilt I'll do some fiddling (half my home studio equipment is also used for the band P.A... Really need to get this stuff racked and consolidated...