'In The Game' needs some help....

[aframe9999]

Ok.. this is a tune we recorded maybe 6 months ago, but i was never really convinced i was happy with the mix.... Well, now that i've found you fine folks, it seems like a good time to open this one back up, put some good ears on it and re-mix this thing.

So mix suggesions are what i'm most interested in. All of our performances and arrangment are long over with, suck as they might....

Of course, feel free to comment on any aspect of the song, because i know that with honest critique, ms. aframe9999 and I will continue to improve as writers. But i'm most interested in how to soncially improve what you hear here.... I will continue to re-mix with the suggestions here until it's right....

What you hear in this file is right out of the box with no 2-buss compression at all.....

Thanks gang.... let er rip....

AF

[ajcamlet]

With that kind of 6/8- i dont think you can have the rhythm section (read: BASS) playing all over the place, all the time.

It a great song. its just a little busy where it shoudldnt be..

i'd maybe select another mic for her too.


and stuff.

ace

[dikledoux]

... the rhythm section (read: BASS) playing all over the place, all the time.
I didn't get this impression at all. In fact I wanna hear MORE of the bass - specifically more of it's low mid character so I can tell what's being played. The kick drum goes BwooP and kinda sits out there like it WANTS to be connected to the bass, but I can't hear enough of the bass to get a sense of that connection.

and...
...i'd maybe select another mic for her too.I agree here. Her vocal doesn't sit in the mix like it should. Since you've already mentioned it's unlikely you'll retrack, maybe just find a way to give the vocal more body so it nestles in with the other instuments. Maybe some mild band-specific compression to keep the upper mids from jumping out of place. Could just be an EQ that would fix it.

But these are both minor items in my ears. Another strong one - you guys bellyin' up for CaPE, I hope.

dik

[Scratchy Potts]

I Kinda go with Dicks on this!
for me the Bass should underpin the Vox, eq it??
to work with vox! it is a little bit bizzy and could of bin played to carry the vox better! but I like the song .....:Thumbsup:

[dnafe]

Hey Afeame

Over and above what's already said about the bass and vocals I'd like to add there is an over abundance of mids that IMHO detract from the song.

I hear a much warmer earthy type of soundscape for this tune

Don

[aframe9999]

Thanks for the comments gang....

This tune was originally tracked and mixed when i was barely a freshman at H.U. (the mix posted that you've heard so far.) So as I opened this up and started analyzing the raw tracks, i realized how rough the capture was on most of the stuff.

So I'm basically turd polishing at this point.

I tried to take everyone's comments and apply them here. the vox is eq'd drastically differently, i tried to add some mojo to the bass, and nudged some of the mids out of the whole thing. On this mix i added some parallel compression and a little limiting too, because i don't think i can get it any better with what i have to work with, source-wise or equipment-wise.

Hopefully it's better than the orignal. looking forward to hearing the comments....

and yes, Dik..... We're on board for CaPE, that is if anyone will show mercy and let me/us on their team....

AF

[dikledoux]

To my feeb ears, it seems like you pushed the low mids and mids past where they shoulda been. I guess the tell-tale is that I like the acoustic guitar sounds a lot more first time around. But at least all the information is there now, the vocal sits better and I think you could correct with some eq to the full mix - like a bit of a dip at what sounds like around 230 ish?

And then maybe trashy-up or thicken the main vocal in the chorus section. Not a ton, but some kinda touch would be nice. She's singing aggressively enough, but an edge to the sound would help get that across and differentiate the hook from the rest of the song.

note: standard disclaimers apply <g>.

dik

[aframe9999]

I got up and listened to the new mix in the car and about barfed. it's amazing how you can fool yourself into thinking something sounds good in the heat of the moment, then come back with fresh ears and realize it only took about 3 mouse clicks to screw the whole thing up.....

anyway... i'm gonna hit the mix with some subtle EQ and try to shape this thing into something respectable tonight. Is it fair to say, that the overall relationship of the mix is on target? I think i can live with that aspect of it, considering what i have to work with...

[dikledoux]

...Is it fair to say, that the overall relationship of the mix is on target?
To me it sounds like it is.

dik

[freepatriot]

And then maybe trashy-up or thicken the main vocal in the chorus section. Not a ton, but some kinda touch would be nice. She's singing aggressively enough, but an edge to the sound would help get that across and differentiate the hook from the rest of the song.<g>.

I was thinking that a little bit of harmony vox's the chorus would have been nice, but he's done tracking so that's probably not going to happen now. So in absence of that... yeah.

I like the 'more reverb' that I hear on the 2nd version where the song breaks after the solo. The 1st version was too dry there. Felt like I was in a closet with the band.

I might have preferred a fadeout when she's hummin at the end, at that point I was toe-tappin (3:11). Instead the band scaled back and the groove melted. IMHO.

Nice stuff.
Scott

[aframe9999]

this is it.... hopefully 3rd time's a charm...

brought some of the mids back in ever so slightly, cut (slightly) some of the mid 200 range. I have to think this might be the winner....





....at least relatively speaking...

AF

[freepatriot]

Wait, you mean anything can ever be finished?


:D :D :D


The chorus does not excite me in this mix. Not the musicality of it, I mean the dynamic of it. There's no oomph getting into the chorus. Could be just me though.

Nice work.
scott

[dikledoux]

Sounds like the low-mid buildup has been cleared up pretty well I think. I'd quit and move on unless you're considering additional tracking for the choruses to make those parts step up a bit. That chorus is beggin' for strings, though :Coolio: .

dik

[aframe9999]

alright cool.

thanks for the help guys. We're movin on. And you're right, Free.... Nothing is ever done. It's just varying degrees of compromise and rationalization.... :D

[freepatriot]

That chorus is beggin' for strings, though :Coolio: .

dik



I was thinkin' Oohs and Aahs, but depends on the style/genre thang he's going for I figure. Strings would be purty.



And you're right, Free....


You all can call me Scott :Coolio: