Expert Advice Needed!

[ashs35]

hi just wondering if anyone can hear anything that needs improving in this recording in terms of recording quality, specifically the guitars, also the drums are made with a drum software program and they sound ok to me but I suspect they may be a little amateurish or fake sounding not sure... any feedback would be appreciated.

[fHumble fHingaz]

I don't claim to be an expert (except if by the definition: of ex = has-been, spurt = drip under pressure!) but this sounds quite good, no actually very good. Possibly the high end is too hyped & cutting (maybe turn down the hi-hat / cymbals) & the repetitive double kick sound kind of gets to me after a while - but I understand this sound is de-riguer for heavy music these days. Overall, a pretty well-balanced, clear mix that possibly could do with a bit more individual character.

[Audio~Geek]

kick drum can come down about 6dB

Needs some Tom fills!

It feels at least a minute too long

Overall the sound is very nice, great job!

[Gerhard]

Dude very nice job!!! Love the song. I agree with the others on a few points. The cymbals cut a little bit too much. Really like the drum sound, esspecially the snare. What did you use for drums? Why no tom fills with a drum sound this nice?? The kick is nice turning it down a bit just might make it sit better in the mix and make it sound more realistic. Rhytm guitar nice could do with more clarity(highs). Very unique and cool lead tone. What did you use?

Overall great job man

[Danny Danzi]

I really like this Ash and think the issue is more how thin the guitars are and how low they are in the mix. Your drums are the loudest thing in this mix...which is a necessity for rock/metal in my opinion. I'd not change a thing with them.

I would work on getting those rhythm guitar thicker, making them louder and also bringing up your bass guitar so it is heard more than felt. The whole problem with this mix is the drums are too loud. So, if you don't have the drums being sent to a buss, send each out to a buss and use that fader to turn the drums down a bit if you want....or...work with fixing the other instruments and make them thicker and louder.

There is just so much drum volume it's making some of the elements the others have mentioned leap out way more. If you listen to rock or metal music, you hear those drums at all times. Every kick and snare is heard...you don't have to try and listen for it, it's just there. You have those elements...we just need thicker guitars that are louder, more defined bass thats a little louder and you'll be in good shape.

Now, another thing to consider is you may wanna pan your hats in a little tighter as well as your rhythm guitars. Extreme pans make your mix sound too separated at times in my opinion. Think of what you would see on a stage and what you would hear. The hats wouldn't be as panned as you have them. Crash cyms would be slightly outwards from the toms etc.

I thought I heard 4 guitars there. 2 rhythms and 2 lead type guitars. It will be upto you which you want to pan where, but I'd have 2 panned at about 80% L/R the other 2 slightly inside them. For example, the leads are somewhat of a focal point...I'd bring them closer in and leave the rhythms at like 80% L/R. Just suggestions of course...but the mix itself even in its current state is pretty audible. So to recap...

Suggestion 1: If you like what you have currently, buss the drums and lower them -1.5dB or more.

Suggestion 2: What I'd do, leave the drums alone....thicker guitars, leave the lead guitars alone...it's ok for them to be a little thinner...but those rhythms need to be chunkier and louder in my opinion. Bass guitar need to be heard more than felt. If you feel that your cymbals on the drum kit are a little too sssssss sounding, if you put your drums on a buss like I suggested, you can also add an eq on the buss. You can tame 12k on up by pulling them down a tad until the ssssssss goes away. But don't do that until you see what this sounds like with your guitars and bass brough up louder as I think you will enjoy the results without touching the highs on the cyms. Just experiment and see how you fair. Best of luck...nice mix!

[awaken1]

I agree with Danny, thicken up the guitars and the drums won't be so pronounced.. I also agree with the other guys, would be nice to hear a tom fill here or there..sounds real nice otherwise.

[ashs35]

yeah the drums are done with a program called acoustica beatcraft but ive added some different samples I found from various places on the net & the guitar distortions are made with a boss 8 track recorder, I mainly do 2 different rhythm tracks 1 panned full left and the other full right and then 2 leads with the same distortion with delay, 1 panned left 30 and the other right 30, didn't feel the need for any toms but im sure a real drummer could make it sound way better with toms in it, my main concern is that the guitars dont sound real enough because they're coming directly from a built in distortion on my 8 track not a real amp, so not sure if the quality of them is up to standard or not but I'l definitely try raising the volume & beefing them up a touch, thanks heaps!

[fHumble fHingaz]

Originally Posted by ashs35

yeah the drums are done with a program called acoustica beatcraft but ive added some different samples I found from various places on the net & the guitar distortions are made with a boss 8 track recorder, I mainly do 2 different rhythm tracks 1 panned full left and the other full right and then 2 leads with the same distortion with delay, 1 panned left 30 and the other right 30, didn't feel the need for any toms but im sure a real drummer could make it sound way better with toms in it, my main concern is that the guitars dont sound real enough because they're coming directly from a built in distortion on my 8 track not a real amp, so not sure if the quality of them is up to standard or not but I'l definitely try raising the volume & beefing them up a touch, thanks heaps!

This is amazing! You've obviously got a great set of ears. Considering the equipment you're using, you've achieved an excellent sound. I have a Roland VS840ex, & it has similar virtual amps to the Boss stuff. I also have Mixcraft (from which Beatcraft is derived) & it's a great program to get started on. Keep at it!

[ashs35]

Cool thanks mate, do you recon the quality of the distortion is like realistic though ? cos what I'm trying to do is emulate like Killswitch engage like quality in terms of the guitars that is, just not sure how far off the mark I am..

[King83]

I'm not an expert but I LOVE the rhythm guitar tone and sound, I wouldn't mess with them at all.. maybe bring up the bass a little more to help feel the void that people mention is missing, that thin feeling.

Great song though, I enjoyed it and once the song kicks in the bass drum isn't that bad.

As someone who also uses a drum machine of sorts to make my music I'll suggest something my drummer friend did - Make the drummer ADD. Doesn't mean the beat has to change, but maybe he changes his preference from the high hats to the ride, from the ride to crashes then to the ride bell. I think that will help bring a little more dynamic to it as that one cymbal is just there over and over and over again.

Also every time I hear that splash I want to hear a crash cymbal right after. It's like a tension cymbal and should lead into something.

Just some thoughts, overall really nice song though!