Commence Bashing these Alt-Soul Tunes...

[imrevealed]

Hi All!

I happened on this site via a Google search for compressor settings suggestions and loved it, so I thought I would seek some help.

I have been obsessed with recording/producing for the last 5 years or so, well... naturally when my band wanted to cut a demo, I volunteered for the job of producer/engineer. I am running a M-Audio ProFire 2626 into a MacBook Pro into Ableton Live. All processing is done In-The-Box. Drums are triggered mesh heads into Superior Drummer 2.0 via MIDI, Bass is direct, Guitar is direct, Keys are MIDI, and Vox are done in a sound foam treated closet thru a Studio Projects T3 (Tube Mic). On to the result... I have very thick skin, so please be honest. I am always looking to learn. Oh... I am the song writer as well as the guitar player.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

- Mike Reed

[oldmusicguy]

Sounds good to me. I like that separate vocal thing you got going on with each channel. Is that two separate vocalists? Is that a "signature" thing with the group?

I love wha-whas, but they are so misused or overused. I have to say that is the tastiest clean wha I've heard in quite a while. What are you using there?

[imrevealed]

Thank you so much for the feedback!

As for the vocalist, that is one guy doubling all of the lines with hard pans L & R. From a production standpoint, I just thought it sounded cool. If it turns out to be signature, well the would be cool too!

Could you elaborate on what you mean by "Misuse or Overuse" of the wha? It would be helpful in resolving the problem.

The wha is an early 90's DOD pedal. I love the sound for this style of music.

Thanks again for the feedback. - Mike

[oldmusicguy]

No wha problem in this recording... it sounds great. Just in some others. I thought some of the Terry Kath stuff in Chicago was unnecessary, although he was a brilliant soloist. I'm dating myself here, but on "I'm Your Captain" by Grand Funk the guy tries to do this rapid wha-warble in the beginnig and he can't make his foot move fast enough, and it sounds like crap. That sort of thing.

[imrevealed]

Ok... got it!

Really the only exposure that I have had to recorded wha useage is via Hendrix in the 60's and Curtis Mayfield type soul in the 70's. Well... maybe Prince in the 80's. Otherwise I just play what I feel.

I found attached pic of the DOD FX17 wha so you could get a visual on it.

Thanks again for the feedback.

- Mike

[fHumble fHingaz]

Very nicely done. Mixes & playing sound very solid & classy. Vocals are outstanding. A couple of things I thought I'd mention that are probably just personal taste issues, but since you told us you have thick skin, here I go... On the first track, the panning of the mix elements is a bit distracting - I'd suggest panning the harmony vocal closer into the centre & panning the keys & guitar either side of the lead vocal. I know that probably sounds very traditional & boring, but hey - it works! Also, I'm not sure if the change in reverb effect adds anything to the chorus vocal. It's a great idea, but I think the kind of ambience you've chosen lends a slightly trashy vibe that detracts from the general feeling of slickness.
On the second track, the wide vocal panning works much better, but the drum sounds could do with some work. Particularly the kick - it seems to be far more "clicky" than is required for this genre where there is not so much need for the kick to really "cut through" a dense wall of distorted guitars (as is metal). The toms also have a kind of metallic, ringing resonance that would probably be more at home on an indie style track. Overall, this is top-notch work & you've done an excellent job.

[imrevealed]

fHumble,

Thank you for the wonderful feedback! This is exactly what I need. As you guys all know, when you listen to a tune over and over and over again, there is a tendency to start doubting your ears and in the process get a bit too creative. From an artistic standpoint, I really like things going on all around me in the stereo spectrum. Rather than distracting I find it interesting, like I want to listen multiple times to consume the total vision. Thus, all the hard pans; but that comes down to personal preference as you said. Maybe I listened to "Dark Side of the Moon" one too many times. LOL!

fHumble I listened to some of your stuff earlier today when I was at work; I will hit you later with feedback, but I like where you are going with the guitar tone.

Thank you again for listening! - Mike