Newbie testing the waters!

[cavetyoureruptor]

Hi Everyone!

I am hoping for some constructive criticism (on any aspect - the mix, the song, performance, etc.) on a new song I am mixing. I usually have trouble with bass levels, btw. This is actually the first song I have been able to mix all in one session thanks to a new dual-core processor! What a joy!

Anyway, the song is called "Let It Go" and here is a link to download it:

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/newsongs.htm

Thanks in advance!!

[cavetyoureruptor]

Hi Everyone!

I am hoping for some constructive criticism (on any aspect - the mix, the song, performance, etc.) on a new song I am mixing. I usually have trouble with bass levels, btw. This is actually the first song I have been able to mix all in one session thanks to a new dual-core processor! What a joy!

Anyway, the song is called "Let It Go" and here is a link to download it:

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/newsongs.htm

Thanks in advance!!


OK, so no one has really jumped on this one yet, so I decided to do some more work on it on my own. I have a new version that is actually in a player on the more formal part of my web page.

Give it a listen:

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/Let%20It%20Go.htm

Thanks for any feedback!

[dikledoux]

I like that the organ is such a primary element in the song - gives it a very spacious kinda vibe. The singing is pretty darn strong and the song's good as well - at least to my ears.

You're right that the bass level is a bit off - too low and undefined. But if you simply bring it up, it'll likely compete with the low end of the keys. Make sure there's room for the bass before you just run the level up.

Also - at the beginning of the song the groove is a bit disjointed. Sounds like some of the instruments are playing ahead of the drums in spots. Maybe get the kick drum more aggressive and glue that to the bass as much as possible and that'll help the overall timing feel - which seems to sort itself out pretty much toward the end of the song.

I got that song sticking in my head now - and that can't be a bad thing.

dik

[dwoz]

Ok.


First off...cut the intro in half.


I think there's a problem in the front of the tune. See, when you have an intro, and then the vox start, you expect the vox to "take the ball" from the strumming guitars, and start running like a bastard.


Because, after all, the song is about the guy who is singing, right?


But in this production, the intro guitars never give up the lead to the singer. They make the singer wallow around in the sidelines.


Finally, about 2/3 of the way through, the singer grows a sack and stands up and takes the song back.


dwoz

[dwoz]

...and yes, the bass track was kicked in the 'nads once or twice too often when it was a child, and is too shy nowadays to stand up and be counted.


dwoz

[cavetyoureruptor]

Ok, I've had another go at it. Mostly just changes in levels - as recommended by IntelDoc (over at the DUC) - or at least my best try at it. And some AutoTune-ing - just to iron out the rough spots.

Here's the latest (Now with more bass!!):

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/Let%20It%20Go.htm

Enjoy!

[Aardvark]

Ok, I've had another go at it. Mostly just changes in levels - as recommended by IntelDoc (over at the DUC) - or at least my best try at it. And some AutoTune-ing - just to iron out the rough spots.

Here's the latest (Now with more bass!!):

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/Let%20It%20Go.htm

Enjoy!


Your arrangement is choking the the track and leaving you nowhere to go in the chorus... there is no lift and thus little to differentiate the v/c sections.

Because the melody is something we have all heard a million times before you need to use your backing instruments to highlight the few strong moments instead of just having everyone play through the whole track.

There is also a tremendous lack of depth in the mix and very little sense of space anywhere.

Less is more.




Cheers,
Aardvark


:Wink:

[cavetyoureruptor]

Aardvark,

I just want to get a better sense of what you are talking about. When you talk about space are you referring to too many instruments playing together or panning or dynamics or EQ? Or all of the above?

I've been doing this for a while, but not that often - just a hobby for me - so any enlightenment of the terms would be appreciated!!

Thanks for listening!

[Aardvark]

...Or all of the above?


Bingo.


Reduce, refine and relax.


Too many parts competing for space and at the same time serving to diminish the primary rhythmic structure.

Avoid limiting and go easier on the compressing.




Cheers,
Aardvark
:Wink:

[southboundloco]

i agree with aardy there's so much going on all the time...even on the parts where one would expect for things to quiet down a bit. and the drums is getting buried amidst all the other stuff that's happening. its almost like listening to one big verse...i suggest to take out some stuff out of the verses...and have it building up to the chorus, so ur chorus could explode kind of a "release" kind of thing...coz ur listener expects to feel something different inside when it comes to the different parts of the song.

just my 2 cents...nice tune tho! :Thumbsup:

josh

[cavetyoureruptor]

Ok - so I try to take all your comments to heart and see what I can do with the mix. This is my latest attempt to add some more space and dynamics:

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/Let%20It%20Go.htm

Let me know if I'm heading in the right direction!!

CYE :)

[zenpool1]

Ok - so I try to take all your comments to heart and see what I can do with the mix. This is my latest attempt to add some more space and dynamics:

http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/Let%20It%20Go.htm

Let me know if I'm heading in the right direction!!

CYE :)

CYE-
Well, it's obvious the drummer didn't mix this :lol:

Did you comp the voc? It kind of went south a bit
past the 3/4 mark (no timer on the player), needed
Melodyne Celemony or Rol. V-Vocal more than AutoTune.

I agree w/ the comment on basically maintaining the
same gear all the way through. It needs something
to break it up. Suggestion- Write a middle, maybe w/
some strings, give the guitar a rest until the big finish.

Keep it up, you're going in the right direction.:Thumbsup:

Kirk

[cavetyoureruptor]

needed Melodyne Celemony or Rol. V-Vocal more than AutoTune.



First of all - I'm not even really sure what these two things are. Second - why these two instead of AutoTune? What do they do different, or better?

Thanks!

[zenpool1]

Celemony Melodyne breaks a mono voc track into snips,
allows you to drag notes up/down, sort of like a
piano roll editor does midi, only w/ much more control.

You just grab the offending note (or syllable)
drag it into place.
You can also make quick harmonies, use it to
sweeten any mono instrument track.

Rol. V-Vocal (incl. w/ Sonar PE) does the same thing,
but the graphics aren't nearly as good.
Info and demo downloads @-

http://www.celemony.com/cms/index.php?id=358

Kirk

[cavetyoureruptor]

OK - I'm back again - with the same song!!

This time with more Melodyne and less compression! And some work on the drums.

If anyone can stand listening to it anymore, I'd love to hear more feedback.

Thanks!

Link: http://www.cavetyoureruptor.com/Let%20It%20Go.htm

[zenpool1]

Hey John-

Everyone that posts it up for critique deserves
a reply, sez I.

The vocal still goes a bit wonky at the 3/4 mark
(sorry, no clock). It's like you're attempting an acrobatic
that's beyond your breath control.

If you're stuck on leaving it in, record the voc several
times, pick the best one, paste it in.
You're depending on singing louder to give the tune build.
do some harmonies, thicken them up as the tune progresses.

I realize this is an mp3, but...The drums are lifeless,
the kick waaay too far back in the mix.

It's not a bad tune in that Bob Segar kinda way,:Wink:
but it's poprock..it needs polished to a high gloss.

Kirk