Pop/HxC song to bash, say it like it is

[Guastafarian]

I know the volume is really low, maybe you guys could shout out some suggestions to get it up a little higher... But as far as the sound goes, I need some guidance. I'm getting new Mackie MR8 monitors in a month so I'll be able to critique my mix more accurately before I put it on here next time.

Thanks for any and all crits!

--Mike

[donkeyman2341]

Wow, for a second I thought my itunes started playing Four Year Strong, but alas it was your song. Not bad, I will give a more accurate listening tomorrow on my monitors cause right now I'm on some stupid computer speaker.

[glenn]

All i can say is: this is a great song

But there's lots of work to be done, honestly with that equipment
you use you delivered already a stable mix!

The sidethings i hear is that there are moments that the music sound's
a bit hollow, like the bassdrum is coming out too loud at times,
music instruments sound's a bit dry in the mix often too..

the song as a whole is a very good idea and i love it already
to hear more things of you..

I see you using a gt8, i hate that processor, tryed it one day and never
liked it but you managed to get a great sound of it.

great work so far
glenn

[brianinogang]

its a nice song. correct me if im wrong but all sounds seem to be coming from the center....try separating the guitars. and pan the drum tracks.

[Guastafarian]

It is all in the middle, I'll work on panning it when I get monitors... I'm currently mixing out of a PA lol. And I didn't use the GT-8, I mic'ed up a Mesa Boogie and a Marshall. The straight signal out of the GT-8 is a bit... fizzy and empty, I can't use it seriously.

Thanks for the positive feedback!! We haven't played a show yet, as we don't have a singer... But we're working on that. Now I'm psyched knowing people approve!

I'll post more songs as we finish them, we'll have a myspace soon I'll put that up too.

--Mike

[rockerdude]

This sounds a bit whoooofy in the kik drum department.There is a muffled tone to the whole mix.It is not clear.Are the drums real?Guitars were muddy and not mixed well.The musicianship is top notch.Great song!The piano was lost.This is a bad mix in my opinion.I think there is a phase problem also.....Just my 02....Sterling Sound Studios

[Guastafarian]

I have no idea how to fix phasing, and there is no phase reverse on my board or on my DAW... unless I don't know about it. Any idea how to get a phase inverter?

As far as the guitar clarity, do you think I should use exciters to clarify it? or just take off some low end?

The drums are real. Should I lower the requencies from 600hz to 300hz on the kick or just lower the track altogether?

The piano sound was not my idea. Drummer insisted on the 80's electric keyboard sound. Think I should revert it to normal piano?

[brianinogang]

Originally Posted by mike

It is all in the middle, I'll work on panning it when I get monitors... I'm currently mixing out of a PA lol. And I didn't use the GT-8, I mic'ed up a Mesa Boogie and a Marshall. The straight signal out of the GT-8 is a bit... fizzy and empty, I can't use it seriously.

for my taste, i think micing the amp is still the best way to capture your tone. there is also another method. the DI method using virtual effects and impulses. they also sound bad ass. but i only use them when im not home. if you have those 2 amps you mentioned, putting them in front of a mic is the best way. if you want your gt8 to be DI'd, it could also be done with good results. you'd just have to do at least three patches. one patch on the lows, the second focuses on the mids, and the third on the high's not exceeding 11k max. then mix them to your linking and you'd achieve it. but its a lot of hassel. but if you have the time, you could also try it for learning purposes. do you have 2 separate track takes for your rhythm guitar track??

Originally Posted by mike

I have no idea how to fix phasing,

if you mic your guitar at the center of the cone and only used one mic, then you wont have problems about phasing. but if you use 2 mics and mic'd it off the center off the cone, i suggest you put em the same distance away from the center. the distance depends on you. just keep the mic's distances from the center of the cone balanced left/right. well at least thats what i know about phasing. if you want to learn more about mics and phasing, send me your email in this thread or pm me. i hope this helps bro!!

[mcdisease]

The piano part seems lost more like it falls out of time. Something is weird about it. The tone is also kind of weird. it kind of sits on top of the mix.

[Guastafarian]

my email is MGuastafeste@mac.com

The GT-8 thing sounds way too complicated, I think I'll stick to micing amps. I do have 2 tracks for both guitars. The problem I had with one of the guitarists was that he "always" puts one mic on the grill of his cab, and then another one a little ways out. After fighting him on it, I told him to position the mics, so thats probably why I have phasing. Next time I record I'll put both mics on the grill pointing to different parts of the cone.

The piano part is not in time at all, the drummer wouldn't play to a metronome and no one knew how to play piano. They just threw it on there last minute.

If you have time brianinogang, maybe you could explain how exactly to set up the GT-8 for recording? Email me though, this thread is getting pretty long.

Thank you everyone for all the feedback!!! I can afford monitors in exactly one month so I'll put up another mix and begin critiquing other mixes more!!!!