Genuine feedback, on my upcoming single mix + master...

[Spells]

I used to send songs off to be mixed and then mastered and the process filled me with dread - in part due to the logistics and back / forth getting the sound I wanted. Anyway, I've posted before on this topic and have an older account I can't seem to login to. In any case, I have been trying to mix / master my own stuff more and more and invested in nice converters and a couple of hardware pieces to give the material an 'analogue kiss' at the very last stage. I have bought and sold pieces of hardware in the hunt for my sound.

Genuine feedback appreciated as I take everything on board for the next release. This single isn't out until Friday but I have the video up to preview. Please let me know your thoughts.

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu_Wt-z7s4E

[The Elf]

Sounds fine for what it is. Really wish it didn't have autotune on the vocal though.

[RichardT]

I think it's really good and the track and video work together very well. My only observation is that the vocals are getting a little lost and I think they could benefit from being just a little higher in the mix. Not much, just a bit.

[Spells]

I think it's really good and the track and video work together very well. My only observation is that the vocals are getting a little lost and I think they could benefit from being just a little higher in the mix. Not much, just a bit.

Do you know, I think you're right I sense that also. It's subtle but just a little smidge up would have helped the vocals a bit. I will take on board for the next one as this is submitted now

[Spells]

Sounds fine for what it is. Really wish it didn't have autotune on the vocal though.

Noted! I write, produce, record, arrange, mix and master my own stuff and perhaps 'jack of all trades, master of (some )' is appropriate here.

Thanks for checking it out.

[Aaron Straley]

This mix sounds great to me. The autotune blends well to my ears. Levels are well balanced. Kept waiting for a change up in the song, which in my mind would be some distinct rapping, a key or beat change.

[sonics]

Overall, very well done indeed. My notes:

- Looking for a little more variation in the arrangement; more space in places, more ebb and flow. It's quite dense and there are some parts I'd like to hear featured more clearly, like some of the vocal FX.
- A little dark for my taste. More vocal clarity, a little more tops. The bottom end gives us the weight, but the tops give us the movement.
- Stereo width. I'd use more "sparkle" in the sides.
- Transients seem a little lost. The tack could "punch" a bit more, hit a bit harder for me.

(Don't you hate having to use words to express music?)

[Spells]

Wow, thank you all genuinely for the feedback. I'm not lying when I say I take it all on board.

Yes some vocals could be more 'present' I feel in hindsight. Maybe a change up would have been good. I think I've been focussing so much on the technical side of things, it was hard to go back to the creative song writing side when I was so far down the line. This is the thing about being a one man band but I hope to get better at juggling that!

Can I ask, to the last review. More punch on the tack, excuse my naivety, what do you mean by tack, did you mean kick?

I did pass as a final stage, the mix through prism converters, into a Symph EQ and then a TK Audio BC1 which def took some of the punch away but the trade was a little glue.

All noted for my next one!

[sonics]

Can I ask, to the last review. More punch on the tack, excuse my naivety, what do you mean by tack, did you mean kick?

Just a typo, sorry. I meant to type "track". I think a transient shaper would tighten it up nicely. Again, well done!

[Spells]

Can I ask, to the last review. More punch on the tack, excuse my naivety, what do you mean by tack, did you mean kick?

Just a typo, sorry. I meant to type "track". I think a transient shaper would tighten it up nicely. Again, well done!

Ok, got it! Many thanks

[Exalted Wombat]

I agree with the rest! Nice, but I couldn't hear the vocals.

[OneWorld]

"Staring Down the Barrel of the Forum" (oops - Shotgun)

I remember being at school when the teacher barked at me "Speak up boy" when I was asked a question but mumbled the answer, when in fact what I was doing is trying to hide what I was saying, in the futile hope my mumbling would would suffice as an answer LOL

In common with other comments, it sounds great, but the only words I can make out are "Staring Down the Barrel of a Shotgun" mix the rest of the vocals up a tad and you've got a tune that's oven ready

[Spells]

Thanks again for all the feedback. Yes, I feel in hindsight... the vocals need to be clearer.

I think I should post early versions of songs here for feedback before I release them... because this is out now, in the big wide world!

I think I was trying to go for the Lofi / obscure vibe - but this came at the expense of clarity. Goes to prove that a clear sense of how things need to be is important. Also, as a one man band doing every stage... it's easy for things to get lost. No fresh ears to say "hey wait a minute!".

I will be sure to pay more attention to vocal levels and be sure vox are clearer, no matter the aim of the song / vibe wise. I think vocals need to be understood.