KVR Audio

Lo Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo Fi Massahkah** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:52 pm

Greets!

I've been working on this new song, and I'm kinda pleased with the arrangment and instrumentation. But I'm having a hard time with the mix. That's a general problem for me... I don't really know what to listen for - and I don't know how to remedy what doesn't sound good. I have no clues how to make a sound "fit" or "blend". It's all trial and error and that is to much hit and miss for me right now.

Also I think my monitoring is nowhere close to flat or ideal in any way. They're a couple of Jamo 100 euro wooden cabinet computer speakers. This particular song is mixed to a large extent on my K141 headphones, though.

The song sounds completely different on the Jamos and my hi-fi system. Completely...

I know a bunch of experienced people reside here and I'd be thrilled if you'd listen to my song on your monitors and gave me a few pointers on what I could do to improve my mix.

Here's the song: Resistors, Capacitors and Delay Lines

Thanks a lot!
/Mikael

MickGael · Post by **MickGael** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:56 pm

Hi Mikael,

Others are sure to chime in, but I'll listen tonight and send along some comments on the mix/production.

Assessing the fidelity will be an approximation, as the source file is an .mp3, but hopefully I will be able to offer some comments that you find useful.

Cheers,
Dan

mystahr · Post by **mystahr** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 4:46 am

AS close as you may get with mixing on headphones or computer boxes; a good monitoring system is half the song made. For you can twiddle and tweak, but if you can't hear the subbtle nuances it will be a problem getting that final edge in your tunes. Do try and listen to the tune on as many different sets if possible to at least the point that you can hear where there are shortcomings of your own monitoring system.

Anyhow the tune itself;

I don't think the mix sounds very much off, but then again I am listening at a low volume here. I do notice though how some of the hats and hi's seem to peak a lot although hearing them it's not that bad. A bit more emphasis on the low notes would be quite allright. Spreading of the various sounds is done quite allright as I can hear.

Like you said it is mostly a question of a lot of trial and error. I myself am far from having perfect mixes and the only way to learn is to do it. And listening to other tracks that you like and try and analyse them a little. Plus don't be hesitant to ask around for posted tunes here in the café; many will not have a problem explaining their techniques, as a matter of fact I can only imagine that such questions will only cheer the poster and aid other people in the process too.

Errrrrr, a lot of lines and words that may or may not make sense; I am just a promateur here anyhow.

Lo Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo Fi Massahkah** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 5:03 am

Dan - looking forward to your input. Thanks a lot!

Mystahr - thanks! I will be getting some decent monitors, but I'm holding that off since we will be moving house. I'll be setting up a small (small) project studio in one of the rooms.

I could easily do with even more pointers before I start wrestling with this song again.

Cheers,
Mikael

MickGael · Post by **MickGael** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:17 pm

Hi Lo Fi Massahkah,

I listened last night and I have to say that I think the mix is really pretty darned good. You managed to give it some depth, which is not always easy to do, there is an interesting stereo imaging. Sonically, the spectral range seemed quite balanced, with no obvious peaks.

The only thing I might tweak was one of the synth sounds. It is a tad too loud for my tastes. We just the slightest bit obtrusive at times. I would consider adding a whisper of compression or slide the fader down a bit and that should nail it.

I also think you did a fine job of sitting the vocals in the mix. Again, not always the eaiest thing to do.

As for the song itself, it was a lot of fun! The only production suggestion I would make is (at some point) brind the hammer down with the drums track and lay ito a groove. Appropriatley, the "sputtering" percussion bits at the beginning paint a very vivid sense of, well, Resistors, Capacitors and Delay Lines! But I found myself wanting to hear the drums hit overdrive!

Nice work!

Ixox · Post by **Ixox** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:35 pm

This is really nice... I love this song....

I find there are lots of instrument in the high frequencies and much less in the low...
Bass could be more present. You could use for exemple lower notes on the piano.
Just an idea....

Congratulation... great song...

PS : i have neither "Experienced ears" nor "decent monitors"

Lo Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo Fi Massahkah** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:16 pm

Ixox and MickGael (or is it Dan?), thank you very much!

I'm very flattered that you like the song! Will be working on your suggestions during the weekend!

Cheers,
Mikael

Psygotran · Post by **Psygotran** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:02 pm

A novel idea for a song, I listened carefuly and liked the overall structure but the high end was too
busy for my hearing. The bass could do with mellowing
out a bit, on my monitors it sounded very close to clipping, maybe a little less 'Saw' would do the trick.The song needs a tie on the drum though, a constant beat or at least a rythm line would help.

I enjoyed the track though, and wish you luck with it.

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:12 pm

Not commenting on the mix but I like the song a lot, it reminds me a lot of one of my favorite bands Console.

Lo Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo Fi Massahkah** » Sun Sep 05, 2004 8:56 pm

First - thanks a lot everyone for helping me out!

I've had a new go at the song, the result is here: Resistors, Capacitors and Delay Lines

Cheers,
Mikael

.jon · Post by **.jon** » Sun Sep 05, 2004 9:43 pm

Hoi,

Cool tune, the singing is great!

I'm not a pro but with decent monitoring, and I can tell at least that the stereo image in your mix is restless. Sounds waver from channel to another, and the maybe the main hook looses some of it's effect because of this?

The upper mids are a bit up front, and I agree with others about the drums, they would benefit from some efforts to make them roll more.

Those are almost minor nags, the song itself is fresh and made me feel good.

Happy cycling,

J

Falconmusic · Post by **Falconmusic** » Sun Sep 05, 2004 10:00 pm

that quiet vocoded like sample to the right at around the 2 minute part is WAY to quiet. Think of people listening to this song on a car radio. they would miss a-lot of the good parts. I also think this track needs some more mid and low levels (mostly mid) mixed in....I love idm.

Lo Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo Fi Massahkah** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:11 pm

Thanks alot for all your help!

I've done a third attempt of getting this right, and I don't think I'll get much further on my monitoring of today.

Please have a final listen and, hopefully, enjoy!

Resistors, Capacitors and Delay Lines

Cheers,
Mikael

sailorboy · Post by **sailorboy** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 2:51 pm

hey man, first i have to say songs is very beautifull, wow some elements r&b , others D&b and you have a nice voice,
Monitoring , hmmm , it's a trouble for me too,
i got headphones akg K271 and it works for me rigth know , but when a i'll play my trax on a big club system hmmm, then , i'll tell you
thanks for sharing this songs, it' muuuuyyy bella

GrooveMonkee · Post by **GrooveMonkee** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 3:24 pm

some technical papers on monitoring: http://www.genelec.com/support/publications.php

Experienced ears and decent monitors needed!