Ok...here goes...let's have it. (prog-rock/metal or something)

[Metaltyme]

Well, here is my first entry into "bash this recording." Right now, as it stands, it will be an instrumental. Feel free to [B]not/B] be gentle if you must. I am a new newb when it comes to mixing and mastering. I'm clueless on many of the terminology in mixing and mastering, but I want to learn as much as I can from here. So give it hell.

The only thing performed on my recording is the guitars. Everything else is some MIDI that I tracked with one or two soft-synths added. Thanks for the welcome!

[Lab24Seven]

Well, I'd have to say you've mastered mastering (no pun intended :-p ) This sounds really good. Really really good. I feel compelled to ask you what you used for the drums, bass, etc. I won't 'cause I know that gets incredibly annoying. I think the solo towards the end could be a little louder and cleaner, but that's about it from me. Nice work!

[Lab24Seven]

Btw, check out my song if you get a chance. It's basically just a riff I looped, but I turned it into something more with some midi work. I'm thinking about toning down the overall volume of my mixes in an attempt to get a more even sound like you have going.

My first Metal

[Metaltyme]

Lab24Seven, thanks for the comments...I'll have to do a follow up on this project to see if I can bring out that lead you were talking about near the end. Might have to re-record it. I think I can play it a little cleaner as well. I'll post it as soon as possible.

For the drums and bass, I used the Cakewalk TTS-1 Plugin that comes with Sonar, which is what I use for recording. I stumbled on the plugin by accident and thought it was cool. It made my raw MIDI drums sound much more believable than without.

Do you know or recommend any drum software that can make them sound even better? Sonar has session drummer 2, but I don't know how to use it and I've honestly been too lazy to search the manual for specific instructions.

[Metaltyme]

P.S. I'll check your tune out when I get home in a little while...I'm at work and have no speakers on these computers...lame, I know. Until then, later on.

[jeffsanders]

Excellent sound. And a pretty exciting, dynamic and lively performance! I'm really impressed.

I could get into minor details like frequency clashes (the drums take a lot of sonic space), but it makes little difference in a track like this. It demanded my full attention, and that's what matters.

[Necromancer]

I like it too. The solo in the middle could be brought way up as well. The guitar work is excellent at least what I can hear of it.
The kick might be a little strong.
The drums are impressive considering you used TTS1

[lolzgreg]

Very well arranged, HURAH!

Great playing and programming. I the other mentions about the drums hold true.

Where did you perform your cut on guitars/high pass to make room for the other instruments?

-Greg

[chas_w]

I thought the drums sounded a bit weird at times, but probably the nature of MP3 compression. Solos could probably come up a bit. I liked it and I'm not a fan of instrumentals.

[Metaltyme]

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. Some things that I wasn't really aware of were brought to my attention about this recording. I'll see if I can give it a bit of a makeover when I get some time this week.

I'll probably re-work the drums with a different plug-in, and it'll proabably be with Session Drummer in Sonar. I checked out some demonstrations on youtube and it sounds way better than the TTS-1 thing I'm using. I guess my next step is scouring the manual for tips on how it works. Maybe it will help set the drums better with a more natural drum tone in the mix.

I will definitely bring up the solo in the middle and lead-type stuff near the end. At the time of mixdown, to my mind, those parts were just right...but, now that you guys mention it, you can't really hear what's really going on.

Also, lolgreg, the guitars were recorded direct with a BOSS ME-50 distortion and some chorus on the clean. No effects or treatments were added to the tracks. I honestly wouldn't even know where to start with EQing and filters. I don't really understand all the Hz stuff or even knowing where to target it. For me, everything is dead center, except the rhythm guitars. I pan one track 100% left and one likewise to the right. The drums, bass, leads, and textures are left in the center...don't really know why, that's just what I've been doing lately. Any suggestions?

Thanks again for all your input on this. I'm going to use your comments to make this and other recordings better. Priceless feedback to a layman...much obliged!