Old 06-21-2010, 09:06 PM   #1
Roncore!
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Default Test Mix before we start recording album.

We start recording our album (concept album....16 tracks, jesus).

Hardware is dual Presonus Firepods, KRK RP6's. Reaper for my DAW.

Cheap CAD pro drum mic set minus the SM on the snare. Individually miced, but that doesn't matter because my room is shit. Working on that, but for this album I'm using drum samples triggered by Drumagog.

Guitars/bass are all DI and are all Guitar Rig 4 with custom presets (yes I know, and I do have the Le and TS30, and Nick's sim). Using Kefir for Mesa Impulses.

No vocals on this test mix, just prepping some recording/mixing techniques before we start on this bitch. I've been recording my ex-band (punk) for two years now, first metalish thing I've done in ages so I'm trying to get a grasp. I'm running Waves SSL EQ/comp on the guitars and bass. The OH's have some compression and the whole kit has a little bit of reverb to kind of mix things together. Guitars are double tracked, my brother is the other guitarist along with me. Two different guitars (S520EX on my side (left), Schecter C1 for him (right)). Guitars are panned 80% both ways. The guitar's are a bit sloppy and will be tightened up in the end.

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULLABYE-testmix.mp3

I have lots of troubles with getting levels and compression right.


EDIT: NEWEST MIX

Here is a newwer mix, minus compression on the master buss.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULLABYE-MIX8.mp3

Last edited by Roncore!; 06-24-2010 at 03:46 PM.
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Old 06-24-2010, 06:25 AM   #2
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No tips. Just dropping by to say that it sounds like a good start and I'm looking forward to hearing more.
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Old 06-24-2010, 07:48 AM   #3
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Thanks so much! Here is a new mix, better or worse? http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULL...-MIX6-Ver2.mp3
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Old 06-24-2010, 09:20 AM   #4
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The first one makes better impression. I think the second one may be overcompressed. Honestly, I think it needs more work either way.
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Old 06-24-2010, 09:38 AM   #5
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Thanks for the comment. I think that is probably the compression on the master buss that is doing that. I'll try to put the uncompressed version up.
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Old 06-24-2010, 12:05 PM   #6
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I also think the 1st one is better, tho the drums do sound "flat".....
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Old 06-24-2010, 12:52 PM   #7
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Listening to the first one...
First thing I noticed is, the kick has too much reverb on it.
If you're running a reverb buss off your main drum track, put an EQ after it and high-pass it at about 180Hz or so; that should clean up the kick nicely.
Then turn the drums (not overheads) up as a whole, or turn the guitars down some; that would probably be better, actually, because they're really loud, especially the cleans.
The toms need some more work... too much compression, seems like. Let them breathe a little. Turn them up, and take some of that compression off. Toms can be a little louder than the rest of the mix; they add a huge dynamic element when they sit right and punch through.
I'm not at my studio right now, so I'm listening on cheapo computer speakers, but try those suggestions and see what you get.
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:26 PM   #8
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That kick is sampled and doesn't sound like it has reverb on it to me as a single file, maybe the rest of the tracks reverb is clouding it? The kick is actually on a separate chain than the rest of the drums for that purpose. I will def try the hi-pass. I have a hi-pass at 100hz on everything but the bass and kick right now.

Here is a newwer mix, minus compression on the master buss.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULLABYE-MIX8.mp3
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:40 PM   #9
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Lots better! Kick still needs some work, but the weird reverby effect from before seems to be gone.
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:42 PM   #10
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Thank you and I agree, the kick is still standing out somehow, any suggestions?
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:45 PM   #11
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It's not standing out, it's getting lost!
If it were me, I'd put a high-shelf around 2k, and start boosting it until the click starts coming through; the low end seems to be there, but there's no highs, so the guitars cover it up.
How are you getting that kick sound? What program, compression, EQ, etc.
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:47 PM   #12
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The kick is being triggered via drumagog. The kick, I believe, was already compressed and eq'd before it was released out in the wild. I'll try the pass.
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:50 PM   #13
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High-shelf, not pass. Huge difference.
And if you can't get it to come to life, try another sample. That's the awesome thing about samples; there's tons of them. XD
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:53 PM   #14
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Yep Yep! I actually originally used a Sneap sample, but it was too clicky. Maybe I need to find a middle ground, haha.
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:56 PM   #15
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Yeah, sounds like it! Haha.
Try high-shelving the Sneap sample, but doing a cut instead of a boost.
That will bring down the click some, while retaining the thump.
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Old 06-24-2010, 04:26 PM   #16
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How about this http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULL...X8-KICKFIX.mp3

I took the existing kick and did the hi shelf, about 1.5 up on 2k
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Old 06-24-2010, 04:30 PM   #17
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Aw yeah, that's it!
You could probably use some automation to crank up the kick and snare for the loud parts, and bring them back down for the softer passages.
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Old 06-24-2010, 04:38 PM   #18
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How much would you raise the heavy parts on automation? I've got the kick and snare right around -5 to -6 peak right now.
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Old 06-24-2010, 04:43 PM   #19
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Maybe 3dB. Not enough to clip it out, but enough to add a little fire into the chorus.
Alternatively, you could automate the clean parts down; that would probably be the safer bet.
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Old 06-24-2010, 04:58 PM   #20
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I brought it up for now, and added some reverb to the guitars, very very little, trying to take the harshness off of them

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULL...FIX-Reverb.mp3
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Old 06-24-2010, 05:16 PM   #21
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Sounding really good, man! I'm diggin' it.
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Old 06-24-2010, 11:18 PM   #22
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Vocal Test #1!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULL...5-10-MIX10.mp3
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Old 06-24-2010, 11:25 PM   #23
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I had to listen really low, because it's late, but...
awesome. \m/
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Old 06-25-2010, 05:27 AM   #24
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Hey, now.

Sounds great with the vocals. I really like the style. The clean sections almost have a Roger Waters or Frank Black kind of vibe to them and the heavy sections are really aggressive, but not harsh.

Nice one.
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Old 06-27-2010, 05:19 PM   #25
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Thank you guys so much! I got some more work done this weekend on two new songs.

Here was the last mix I did on it. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SKULL...5-10-MIX12.mp3
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Old 07-02-2010, 06:50 PM   #26
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New song, new mix.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/324982/SHUT%...-10-MIX4-2.mp3
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Old 07-03-2010, 10:27 AM   #27
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And video of us recording! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSVQ3DBAc-0
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