Another DnB Track, looking for feedback :)

[Jopmanajop]

No stereo problems anymore, well done!

[Robmobius]

Yeah, it's definitely better and the stereo doesn't have that weirdness but it feels a bit dark now... Could do with adding some highs in there (not too much). Maybe it's because you changed the sub.

I'd definitely look at getting some better headphones in the long run especially as you are based in an apartment and will be using them a lot.

Something like these will save you a lot of time (open earphones tend to be better also for mixing):
https://www.thomann.de/ie/sennheiser_hd ... gLZ4fD_BwE

Mind you, decent monitors are the best in a well kited out room (which is not always an option for everyone).

[sjm]

I feel something is still off with the vocals in the latest version, and I think it regressed a bit from some of the intermediate versions. Seem quiet and the muddiness is back. I think that's partly contributing to that "dark" feeling mentioned above. In particular, the lower notes/lower frequencies of the vocals are overly present at times. You can hear this most noticeably right at the end when there's less going on, particularly the last "oh".

You could try multiband compression or dynamic EQ to address this; but before you do that, check that it's not caused by some of the processing you already have. It's really easy to get yourself going down a rabbit hole adding more and more processing to something when actually all you need is a few targeted adjustments in the right places. Especially when you are starting out, there's a tendency to overdo things. Remember that things like compressors can change the frequency content, so it's not always the most obvious candidate that's to blame. Try turning off all your FX on the vox, then switching them back on, and comparing the frequency content (with your ears and a spectrum analyser). You might find that you have been overly zealous somewhere and that dialling back a bit is what you need, rather than adding more.

It might also be the case that these issues are more obvious now that you've cleaned up everything else, and were always there.

Whatever is going on, you've probably learnt an awful lot that will make your next track 10x easier.

[Zeekuh]

- Overlooked the vocals and cut some lowend on them. You are right it was a bit muddy, it was probarly hidden in the discant before. Im low passing the ohs btw and have the other chops as high pass, so they're meant to be a little low but not as low as it was before fix.
- Made it less dark and more high end, its tricky to balance but think this version turned out better.
- Messed around with multiband compressors but lost a lot of the punch when i used those so decided to skip them (im probarly doing it wrong).
- Lowered bass volume slightly and gave master track a eq boost at 200 hz area giving the kick and snare some added punch.
- Adjusted volume on different elements, especially lead as it wasnt comming through
- Added lead on second drop which i somehow had missed. Sometimes i find these really weird things in my mixes without any recall how they got there.

https://soundcloud.com/zeekuh/out-of-it-5/s-DGOxa

It's still more discant than the tracks i compare with but i find it hard to balance hearing all elements vs cutting some high end.
The suggestions and tips you guys have given have really helped alot, im already correcting my old tracks during deadtime, it's fun to go back and hear the improvements with things you learn

[Kongru]

You've come a long way since the first track in the thread!

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

You've come a long way since the first track in the thread!

Moreover, it's definitely been good to watch Z ditch his ego, in service of learning and a better outcome. This is how to honour the music. Very inspirational

[VariKusBrainZ]

Sounds pretty lo fi and muddy.
Honestly feels like a bunch of 3rd party samples stuck together.
The drums sound like they were tacked on as an afterthought and are way louder than all the other elements.
Youve definately chosen the required samples for the drums though to conform with 2 step doctrin.

[Zeekuh]

- Lowered drums
- Redid eq to reduce muddiness, there are still some elements clashing like breaks and instruments/vocals but i aint sure if i should slice those up even more it's already pretty sliced, open for suggestions though.
- Removed high end cut on master to get less lo-fi touch, might be a little to discant now aint sure.
- Split vocal chops into 2 different eq spectrums, one for the high part and one for the low part ohs, it turned out a little discant aint really sure if that's optimal either. Will look more over this tommorow.
- Adjusted volume on supersaw chord.

https://soundcloud.com/zeekuh/out-of-it-6/s-siVIE

Hope it's an improvement.

[Jopmanajop]

Vocal chops are too loud and too harsh, try to remove every fx from it and start again. It is from sample pack, right? That means the vocal are processed to some degree, so all you have to do is to make it sit in the mix. Simple gentle equalization and a little reverb (maybe) will do the thing. Just don't overcook it, balance it

You know, you might take a rest for a while. You've heard your mix so much times, perspection might be lost already. We've given you so many advices, you just need your fresh ear to apply them. Otherwise you will keep doing rather radical changes

[Zeekuh]

- Tweaked volume on several elements, especilla vocal chops.
- Redid eq on vocal chops, sliced it up with very thin cuts and kept both chops at same eq but inverted them so when one's panning right the other one is on the left.
- Bass was down on c3 octave so i raised the roof one octave.
- Redid bass eq and gave it some more mid end out of the chords
- Redid eq on chords and gave it more low mid end from bass aswell as tiny slicing to make it feel less lo fi.
- Reequed breaks with tiny slicing aswell to give other elements more space
- Removed stock eq cut on snare that was there for some reason from the drum and bass template, think it gave a little more punch to the mix.

https://soundcloud.com/zeekuh/out-of-it-7/s-X87Cl

Considering the C3 octave thing on the bass i belive you are right - i need a break from this. So i will take untill tommorow to rest and come back with fresh ears.

[Jopmanajop]

Oh man, now it just doesn't sound right overall. Again, too much unnecessary changes, too radical, none of the reference tracks sound like this
I'm afraid one day is not enough, a week at least, forget about this track for a while, then come back to it. Otherwise you'll never break this loop of bad decisions
I think it would be good then to start mixing from scratch an do less, focusing on the balance

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Oh man, now it just doesn't sound right overall. Again, too much unnecessary changes, too radical, none of the reference tracks sound like this
I'm afraid one day is not enough, a week at least, forget about this track for a while, then come back to it. Otherwise you'll never break this loop of bad decisions
I think it would be good then to start mixing from scratch an do less, focusing on the balance

I would tend to agree with taking a longer break, for perspective's sake. The changes do seem a little erratic, and the reasons for doing so aren't always clear. Making changes without understanding the 'why' behind them can lead to this frustrating dance - It doesn't take much of the 'wrong' move to change things radically, and without much experience one can end up chasing their tail trying to rectify the imbalance elsewhere...which just leads to a different imbalance.



Perhaps the op would benefit from some online mixing classes

[Robmobius]

I'd agree with el-bo... I'd think about getting some online mixing lessons - unless you know some people who can help you out in the scene. But you've improved a lot!

Just listening to the mix again and it sounds a little dull and the drums have no punch. Have you been layering them up?

DnB is such a specific and highly tuned genre that if your mix is not 'perfect' you'll always run into trouble.

Incidentally, when I was making making a lot of it, I got a lad from the Dogsonacid forum to give me some skype lessons. I learned loads from him. Be aware there are some tight fools on that forum and will waaay overcharge you. Some lad was looking for £100 an hour! LOL

[Jopmanajop]

Perhaps the op would benefit from some online mixing classes

BTW, can you recommend a good one?

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Perhaps the op would benefit from some online mixing classes

BTW, can you recommend a good one?

I've not taken any full courses, but i do intend to go through some of this guy's course:



Been subbed to his channel for a while, but never took the plunge on his courses.

I think it's important to find someone that one feels really knows their stuff, and this needs to be someone that the student feels they can tolerate for the duration of a long course. Mike ticks those boxes for me, but maybe not for anyone else.

He does use a different DAW to me, different plugs than I have access to, and covers a ton of tutorials on aspects of mixing I may never have to deal with in the outside world, but there is bound to be be relevant take-home points that can be applied to all aspects of mixing.

Anyway, like I said, I've not taken a course.

Try the free course, above, and see if you vibe with his style. And if you want to go even deeper, he has more paid content. Courses are currently discounted. I've emailed him to find out how long the discount lasts :

https://www.mixingwithmike.com/store

The memberships also look interesting.