Mix for review

[Aaron Straley]

Here is a song I wrote, recorded all the parts, mixed and mastered. This is my second song doing all steps. Please feel free to give a listen and critique. I am trying to build a collection of decent songs that I can present as my work. I'd like to eventually do mixing for others and also collab as a song writer/and guitar player. Thanks for any advice you can provide

https://soundcloud.com/aaron-straley/i- ... al_sharing

[Sam Inglis]

Welcome to the forum!

There's a lot to like about this. The performances are excellent and it has a really nice slightly retro vibe to it. The recording generally sounds good too. I think inasmuch as I have reservations they are more to do with the arrangement than the mix.

As the song went on I felt like the arrangement was becoming crowded, but that the additional instruments weren't always adding anything useful. I much preferred the sparse feel of the very start, and I think it would be a more effective song if you maintained that sort of level of minimalism throughout the verses -- not necessarily keeping the same instrumentation all the way through, but dropping existing instruments out to make way for the new ones when they come in. In particular I thought the second rhythm guitar and the lead guitar fills between vocal lines were a bit unnecessary. It's all a bit "more of the same" because every instrument in the mix is basically quite percussive and plinky. There are no real sustained sounds apart from some very quiet backing vocals in the choruses. I think the chorus would benefit from some much bolder harmony vocals, or a Hammond, or some strings to lift it.

Keeping the verses more stripped back would also help the chorus to stand out a bit more. At present the chorus feels a bit anticlimactic after the verse.

Also, am I right in thinking that there's no bass instrument apart from low notes on the rhythm guitar? Either way, a more interesting bass line played on an actual bass would really help to elevate things.

From a mix POV I only have a few minor comments:

(1) You could and should be bolder with panning. Don't be afraid to hard pan sources fully left and right.
(2) There is some noticeable hiss in places, especially at the start.
(3) The kick drum, if that's what it is, that comes in in the chorus is a barely noticeable subby sort of 'thud'. If it's going to be in the mix at all it needs to have more presence further up the spectrum and probably be a bit louder.
(4) There is very little use of effects in the mix. Not that that's a problem exactly but as a result it doesn't sound very contemporary. Unless you're deliberately aiming for a 70s sound I think it'd be worth experimenting with a few spot delays on key words in the vocals, for example.

[James Perrett]

It has a great feel and the mix is pretty good. I would agree with Sam that you could make more use of the stereo spread. I'm not sure that I'd agree about the lack of a bass instrument - it kind of works for me.

However the mix is fairly midrange heavy but this could be an artefact of the Soundcloud player which does tend to lose detail and blur transients.

[Aaron Straley]

Thank you Sam and James. I much appreciate you taking the time to listen and give your advice. Super nice to have this type of resource when learning. Normally my only listeners are friends and fam who only say nice things, and are not exactly critical listeners.

There is no bass line, because I dont own a bass right now. Not a good excuse, and perhaps I will add one on the future. The song progressed without one from the start and I made a conscious decision to leave it out. I think when I remix this tune, I will consider putting one in. (If I ever get around to it)

I do like the vintage vibe of the tune. I dont have much effects because I decided not to overdo the effects on this one. I hope to do a reggae tune soon, and will use more delays and other effects.

I used the subtle kick in the chorus to help drive this section. I clearly recall setting the level and liked it sitting a bit back more in the mix. It could be louder, but I thought this was a good level at the time. Perhaps better EQ on the kick would have a more pleasant response at mgreater volume

One thing that is driving me crazy when mixing is that when I change any one thing even a little, I need to go back and tweak other tracks to accommodate these changes. It is time consuming. I hope to get better with my workflow in the future and complete mixes in a more timely manner.

Another thing I struggle with is knowing when to call a song complete, as there are always certain things I am not completely satisfied with. When I get something pretty decent, I just want to finish it and be done. Difficult to know when to call a song a complete. I feel like I should remix this now but I need to move on to other projects

[OneWorld]

One thing that is driving me crazy when mixing is that when I change any one thing even a little, I need to go back and tweak other tracks to accommodate these changes. It is time consuming. I hope to get better with my workflow in the future and complete mixes in a more timely manner.

I feel your pain! I too find that making a relatively small change is like dropping a pebble into a pool and the waves spread outwards, affecting the whole thing. The change impacts in ways you couldn't anticipate. On the plus side, some of the changes bring about a serendipity, a happy accident where something novel occurs. That said I am the type that is easily distracted and I often end up re-writing the whole son, before I go all around the houses and end up where I started out, in search of the Lost Chord Syndrome I guess you'd call it.

Another thing I struggle with is knowing when to call a song complete, as there are always certain things I am not completely satisfied with. When I get something pretty decent, I just want to finish it and be done. Difficult to know when to call a song a complete. I feel like I should remix this now but I need to move on to other projects

Stevie Wonder was once asked "Which is your best tune?" and he replied "That'll be my next one" seems like we all go through that phase where were on the cusp of finishing a tune, we are 99.9% there, but something pulls us back into it. I guess it was easier to deal with situation way back when we booked time in a studio and we were on the meter, whereas now with desktop recording, we have instant access, at anytime. Factor into that a myriad of influences on a tune and it's little wonder we never quite finish something off - is it a case of too much choice - a different kick drum sound, a different virtual amp, adding yet another instrument and so and - as they say "Be careful what you wish for"

Good tune by the way. I could hardly add anything which hasn't been mentioned already

[Drew Stephenson]

Not much to add on the mix that Sam and James haven't covered, I'd like to hear a little more of that kick, not in level so much as a bit more attack.
I wonder if there's space for a little of high percussion? I know there's the shaker in there but maybe some tiny bells or a bit of tambourine?
Personally I'd like to have heard a bass line, but I like basslines so...

If you're happy with midi instruments by the way, amplesound do a free version of their p-bass https://www.amplesound.net/en/pro-pd.asp?id=19
Might be worth a look in case you do decide to go investigating the bottom end on another track.

[GreenHat23]

Good tune and nicely recorded! Reminds me a bit of Mother Earth.

Another free P-bass (60s style) here:
https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/modobass2/

[Aaron Straley]

Good tune and nicely recorded! Reminds me a bit of Mother Earth.

Another free P-bass (60s style) here:
https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/modobass2/

Thanks! I've downloaded a couple bass plugins and have been working with them. Easier than I thought to tap out a bass line on the keyboard. Glad you liked the tune my friend

[Rene Asologuitar]

The mix is perfectly laid.
I love the vocals.
The guitar solos are very nice.
Lovely song, and very nice total production.
Rene

[awjoe]

Here's a cheap seats listen on earbuds. In my mind, I can hear the electric bass part that isn't there. Next, the vocal sounds just a *taste* overbright for the context, like it was EQ'ed to stand out from the rest of the mix. Which I do all the time myself, and which is great unless it's noticeable. Finally, it's a great tune and I really enjoyed it.

[Aaron Straley]

Here's a cheap seats listen on earbuds. In my mind, I can hear the electric bass part that isn't there. Next, the vocal sounds just a *taste* overbright for the context, like it was EQ'ed to stand out from the rest of the mix. Which I do all the time myself, and which is great unless it's noticeable. Finally, it's a great tune and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks, I hear that, with the vocal being maybe just a little too up front. I could have done more work adjusting the volume dynamics on the vocal track. Recording and mixing this song has been a great learning experience for me, and the folks here have been a great help, thanks!