A little country type ditty I just finished (but am still kind of in the process of mixing) with a young lady named Jennifer Pearl.
This one fought me every step of the way.. still is actually..
If anyone has any thoughts on how to clean up this mix would be it would be much appreciated..
Doesn't really sound like it, but there is a LOT going on in this one and they dynamics and trying to get it to work has been a real #&$&~!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=676362&songID=7828134
Chas, I may not know how to say it, but I always pay attention, and I think I have an ear; except I have been away from songwriting for awhile and never was at the mixing console (much) - but yes, I wrote, I sang, and left the rest to the experts, including the playing nearly all the time.
I visited your site and the song My Child, My Child. Jennifer has a beautiful voice! Good Lord, she's fantastic. And you're right, there are many dynamics, but maybe it doesn't have to be so busy or cluttered.
Just a coincidence: some of us were talking about Alison Krauss. I believe the answer to your mix is in her videos, "Goodbye" and "Restless". Here's a link. http://www.alisonkrauss.com/site.php?content=videos #
If you want a basic simple sound, follow the formula of "Goodbye". If you want to keep it dynamic, busier and loud, with plenty of punch, then "Restless".
But, your song is not restless, yet it is somewhow faster in tempo, but the theme is peaceful - it's about sleep.
IMO, whichever way you choose, I would want to hear the vocals louder still, more compressed and slightly wetter or more full and attention-getting.
I can't hear enough of the midranges in the instrumentation, which Alison's people just nail!
You can play with the bass dynamics a bit, and keep using it for effect driving the beat, except it is a little predictable, then it gets distracting and we follow it subconsciously, so don't lose those beautiful vocals in any way, crank 'em up!
I like the steel guitar, want a little more, and can't quite hear any other guitar which I'd like, and also there's fiddle, right?
The drums are good musically, but seem flat in the mix, and not crisp enough. Did you use brushes? I'd use brushes in a sleep song but still need to hear them too.
I hope that years of loud amplifiers, and car engines and exhaust haven't killed my hearing - I do know that certain frequencies have been taken out in me, and won't blame that on your mix then. :lol:
It's not my intention to be negative, just positive, but I still want to be constructive and not just give empty compliments or forget to say what IMO needs a fix - you are looking for clear impressions and/or advice.
Again, I just think the the these Alison Krauss videos and their super dynamics, different yet appropriate, would be helpful. :wink:
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
It has the makings of a good song - but you have to get the balance. Need to pull the vocal to the front - the amount of reverb - compression and eq may help here. The drums are a bit flat and too far to the front - maybe a change in reverb or compression here. Are these mono tracks ? Need to pan instruments to get them to sit in their place to get a better depth to the over all sound . Jennifer does have a great voice as far as I can tell - let it shine through. The bass needs something - just can't put a finger on it. Now that may all sound critical - but I really like the song and look forward to hearing any changes you make.
The Powderman
Pretty good suggestions so far :D I like what I hear though :D The vocal really rocks :twisted:
Thanks for the thoughts everyone.
I am trying to incorporate the advice into todays remix session..
Thanks again~!
I went back and clicked on the link again - I guess you did some work on the mix - sounding pretty good !
The Powderman
The drums to me are all wrong for this song , very busy and in your face . They need to be made a part of the rhythm section along with the bass and not stand out so much . A simpler but longer pattern might help .
If I claim to be a wise man , it surely means that I don't know .
Nice song. Lots of good music and singing. Is this a re-mixed version now? I saw someone mention something to that effect. I'm still trying to lay down a basic rhythm track over a drum/bass track and bombing miserable. :oops:
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Jennifer has a great voice. the instrumentation is good. as another poster mentioned...I don't care for the drums. that shuffle beat causes confusion to my ears. may I suggest a simple one/two beat?
nice steel. who plays that?
