Let me start out by explaining my background. Im 28, ive been making electronic music ( or trying) since I was 15 using everything from FL Studio, Reason, Logic, Pro Tools, Cool Edit,Countless VSTs .I have mercury waves bundle , Izotope full bundle and some other high-end effects aswell as tons of great synths such as massive and other Native-Instruments products. I even went to "Full Sail" for a year which I did learn some but my productions. I love music I Have a studio set up with sound treatments on my walls and bass traps , I have Yamaha hs80 monitors and a mbox mini ( 3rd gen) [ working on getting a better interface ]
I like all genres of music I have been been into Dubstep lately but I like to make breaks and trace aswell as some mashups or house music.
Ive been sequencing within flstudio , I side chain , compress , limit, all types of volume/eq automation's , I use imaging effects the whole 9 yards I may not be a pro but Ive been doing this for along time ive tried and tired to get my mixes/productions to the next level but I keep falling short.
If someone could listen to my mixes and maybe give me some pointers or ideas to read material to help improve my mixes/productions I would be most grateful.
Music is my passion and I hope one day I could make a living from it thats what I have been working on all these years but I am starting to begin to doubt myself.
Thanks ahead of time for anyone's input.
Here is my sound cloud with various examples of my work the top being my current project "ROBOT"
https://soundcloud.com/mrdin
What am I doing wrong ! Finial mixes/productions are not up to par.( electronic Music )
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 24 Aug, 2012
From listening to your tracks, I can definitely see your many years of experience. I don't have nearly the same amount level of production techniques as you probably do. You have fluid transitions, wonderful glitches and nice sounds going I like.
However, I still do think there is something lacking like you said. There are a lot of production techniques going but not enough emotional momentum. Think of pop songs, they have lots of emotions (some too much and not enough production skills hence why people hate them), or uplifting Trance, makes you feel uplifted.
A song I really like of yours is "Din - Death of the dissonance". The vocals brings up tension and drives you to the drop, followed by a pretty sick glitchy section with lots of bass coming.
I can say that you are really good with the techniques and that if you can capture a song with heightened emotions your productions would be solid I feel. However, that would be very subjective and hard for people to describe.
In terms of dubstep (since I don't know much about breakbeats), I'm not sure if you like Feed Me but his song Blood Red is what I think is a good example of this. Or better yet Skrillex's Cinema Remix. I'm not a fan of Skrillex but if you feel the emotions presented in that song, then that's a good reason why that song is so popular.
Also, if you make more songs like Death of the dissonance, I think your productions would be excellent
This is just my 2 cents
However, I still do think there is something lacking like you said. There are a lot of production techniques going but not enough emotional momentum. Think of pop songs, they have lots of emotions (some too much and not enough production skills hence why people hate them), or uplifting Trance, makes you feel uplifted.
A song I really like of yours is "Din - Death of the dissonance". The vocals brings up tension and drives you to the drop, followed by a pretty sick glitchy section with lots of bass coming.
I can say that you are really good with the techniques and that if you can capture a song with heightened emotions your productions would be solid I feel. However, that would be very subjective and hard for people to describe.
In terms of dubstep (since I don't know much about breakbeats), I'm not sure if you like Feed Me but his song Blood Red is what I think is a good example of this. Or better yet Skrillex's Cinema Remix. I'm not a fan of Skrillex but if you feel the emotions presented in that song, then that's a good reason why that song is so popular.
Also, if you make more songs like Death of the dissonance, I think your productions would be excellent
This is just my 2 cents
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 28 posts since 2 Jan, 2010
Thank you very much for the reply! I understand what you are saying about the emotional content . I am really interested in that but I am also trying to go for impact and clarity.For instance in this song
You can hear the kick drum nice fully detailed with depth same goes for the snare and they both have a lot of dimension to them . Not only are the kick and snare clear but the whole mix is every balanced and evenly space in the spectrum. Could it be FL studio isn't a good DAW or the EQs im using are sub par.. I just am confused...
You can hear the kick drum nice fully detailed with depth same goes for the snare and they both have a lot of dimension to them . Not only are the kick and snare clear but the whole mix is every balanced and evenly space in the spectrum. Could it be FL studio isn't a good DAW or the EQs im using are sub par.. I just am confused...
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 24 Aug, 2012
I personally don't like FL Studio but it's definitely not because of that nor the EQ's.
From what I hear, it is just good mixing and mastering. I'm no expert at making that great drum sounds but having listened to that, I'm pretty sure that the kick and snare sounds fully detailed because they aren't clashing with sounds at the same frequencies. Aside from the bass, the kick (lower freq) and the snare (low-mid freq I believe) are at different frequencies from the other sounds which are all at the highs. For the bass and the kick, the kick hits when the bass volume is at a low and probably has some sidechain compression also.
What usually helps for me to get the drummings sound cleaner is making sure the choice of kick and snares or whatever drums dominate a certain frequency and isn't muddled with other frequencies.
For a stronger or more whole-sound kick, I dunno if you know about parallel compressing the kicks. It involves duplicating the kick and using a compressor in a specific way. You can even layer it with a hi-hat clap or whatnot. I can't explain it well so maybe looking it up will do. Also make sure to play with volume levels, that alone can go a long way.
But take all this as just my 2 cents, that's just what I think and I'm no expert at mastering/mixing yet and there might be a few things I missed.
From what I hear, it is just good mixing and mastering. I'm no expert at making that great drum sounds but having listened to that, I'm pretty sure that the kick and snare sounds fully detailed because they aren't clashing with sounds at the same frequencies. Aside from the bass, the kick (lower freq) and the snare (low-mid freq I believe) are at different frequencies from the other sounds which are all at the highs. For the bass and the kick, the kick hits when the bass volume is at a low and probably has some sidechain compression also.
What usually helps for me to get the drummings sound cleaner is making sure the choice of kick and snares or whatever drums dominate a certain frequency and isn't muddled with other frequencies.
For a stronger or more whole-sound kick, I dunno if you know about parallel compressing the kicks. It involves duplicating the kick and using a compressor in a specific way. You can even layer it with a hi-hat clap or whatnot. I can't explain it well so maybe looking it up will do. Also make sure to play with volume levels, that alone can go a long way.
But take all this as just my 2 cents, that's just what I think and I'm no expert at mastering/mixing yet and there might be a few things I missed.
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- KVRian
- 910 posts since 21 Aug, 2011
@ OP. It seems like your production chops are great. The tracks though, sound over-processed a bit, and that adds to the density and lack of clarity.
The other, a very important thing is the arrangement. You've got to spread out the frequency ranges of the parts playing at the same time and again, you'll be surprised at added clarity and interest (sonically) you'll unearth.
Last: Less is more.
The other, a very important thing is the arrangement. You've got to spread out the frequency ranges of the parts playing at the same time and again, you'll be surprised at added clarity and interest (sonically) you'll unearth.
Last: Less is more.
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- KVRian
- 576 posts since 15 Apr, 2004 from Sweden
I don't have time to listen right now but just a quick check: do you play any instruments? it sounds like a cliché and it's not an absolute requirement but it really helps give you ideas and develop more fluid, dynamic expression.
bleh
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- KVRAF
- 5913 posts since 17 Aug, 2004 from Berlin, Germany
You have some good ideas and there is no boring track. This is very good!
But I have the feeling you are trying to put as many effects and samples together as possible
Lot of effects, many breaks... IMO this destroys sometimes a bit the idea and the flow of a track.
I cannot say something bad about the sound, it's all very good. Good stereo image, good frequency balance, compact sound
So my idea was more for the arranging stage, not to use too many effects, breaks and samples. Give the track more a chance to develop a own flow and give the listener a more emotional feeling.
But I have the feeling you are trying to put as many effects and samples together as possible
Lot of effects, many breaks... IMO this destroys sometimes a bit the idea and the flow of a track. I cannot say something bad about the sound, it's all very good. Good stereo image, good frequency balance, compact sound
So my idea was more for the arranging stage, not to use too many effects, breaks and samples. Give the track more a chance to develop a own flow and give the listener a more emotional feeling.
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- KVRAF
- 1596 posts since 19 May, 2011 from North Carolina
Just had time for a quick listen, but right off the bat:
IMHO you might just be over compressing a bit, and (for the genres) neglecting a bit of the low end. "Got That Fire" sounds great, and the kit's pretty punchy, but there is just a little something lacking in the dynamics and the low end seems to lack a bit of depth.
It's a decent sounding track so I wouldn't do anything drastic.
If you have Ozone on the master (you mentioned Izotope so I'm assuming), I'd do some EQ matching to a similar track, and look at the compression. Ozone can make a track sound awesome and crunchy, but misuse of the multiband compressor (and too much limiting) can flaten a track (I think Ozone makes it easier to make this mistake because the limiter especially is forgiving and not prone to the typical plug-in digital distortion).
I also agree with the other posts - you might want to take a bit of the fx, etc. out of the tracks and let them breathe. That will help the kits and wub-wubs punch through more.
But I don't know crap, so take it all with a grain of salt!
IMHO you might just be over compressing a bit, and (for the genres) neglecting a bit of the low end. "Got That Fire" sounds great, and the kit's pretty punchy, but there is just a little something lacking in the dynamics and the low end seems to lack a bit of depth.
It's a decent sounding track so I wouldn't do anything drastic.
If you have Ozone on the master (you mentioned Izotope so I'm assuming), I'd do some EQ matching to a similar track, and look at the compression. Ozone can make a track sound awesome and crunchy, but misuse of the multiband compressor (and too much limiting) can flaten a track (I think Ozone makes it easier to make this mistake because the limiter especially is forgiving and not prone to the typical plug-in digital distortion).
I also agree with the other posts - you might want to take a bit of the fx, etc. out of the tracks and let them breathe. That will help the kits and wub-wubs punch through more.
But I don't know crap, so take it all with a grain of salt!
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- KVRAF
- 4090 posts since 29 Jun, 2011 from USA
2 Questions to start with.
1.Are you using compression on the overall mix?
2.Are you side-chaining your bass for example with the kick and or snare?
1.Are you using compression on the overall mix?
2.Are you side-chaining your bass for example with the kick and or snare?
Aiynzahev-sounds
Sound Designer - Soundsets for Pigments, Repro, Diva, Virus TI, Nord Lead 4, Serum, DUNE2, Spire, and others
Sound Designer - Soundsets for Pigments, Repro, Diva, Virus TI, Nord Lead 4, Serum, DUNE2, Spire, and others
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- KVRist
- 98 posts since 26 Jul, 2011 from Dublin
13 years producing and still cant "figure stuff out"...maybe your in the wrong industry mate. IMO, This is nothing but a thread for the OP to show off his work.
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- KVRian
- 1073 posts since 8 Mar, 2009
I'd sort of plus +1 this......IRL303 wrote:13 years producing and still cant "figure stuff out"...maybe your in the wrong industry mate. IMO, This is nothing but a thread for the OP to show off his work.
Your levels are all over the show,seems like you're relying too much on the dynamics processing to get your levels right,very very very flat
TIMT
I
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 28 posts since 2 Jan, 2010
@qa2pir
"I don't have time to listen right now but just a quick check: do you play any instruments? it sounds like a cliché and it's not an absolute requirement but it really helps give you ideas and develop more fluid, dynamic expression.
----"
I started out as a child playing basic violin , then I tried the sax then I just messed around on a keyboard . Im no way classically trained, I just went a year " at full sail" where I learned some Musical Theory, But I probably lack some a lot of emotional dimension because of lack of ability to play an instrument.
@Aiynzahev
"2 Questions to start with.
1.Are you using compression on the overall mix?
2.Are you side-chaining your bass for example with the kick and or snare?"
Yes I am compressing the entire mix
Yes I have the more bassier elements side chained to the kick and snare of I have the frequency's sculpted so they kick and snare can punch through as well as other elements .
@IRL303
" 13 years producing and still cant "figure stuff out"...maybe your in the wrong industry mate. IMO, This is nothing but a thread for the OP to show off his work."
Maybe you should become psychologist seeing that you are so good at psychoanalyzing someone from a simple post and determining my intent. Truth is I love music, im passionate about it and this "post" is me "trying to figure stuff out " and improve my craft. I even went to school for this stuff briefly which I stated. I just want to keep improving this is a major love of mine!
@ Everyone else. IN my song "Robot"
I use an Izotope exciter/maximizer on my master channel Then I have a limiter/compressor to keep the master from clipping.
As far as effects I have extremely light trueverb on some of the drums. Some minor time effects on some of the vocals but for the most part the only effects I put on most of my tracks are dynamics like imaging and eq..
also most of my kicks and snares are layered and compressed with multiple types of sounds eqed to try and get a more full sounding kick and snare/clap .
"I don't have time to listen right now but just a quick check: do you play any instruments? it sounds like a cliché and it's not an absolute requirement but it really helps give you ideas and develop more fluid, dynamic expression.
----"
I started out as a child playing basic violin , then I tried the sax then I just messed around on a keyboard . Im no way classically trained, I just went a year " at full sail" where I learned some Musical Theory, But I probably lack some a lot of emotional dimension because of lack of ability to play an instrument.
@Aiynzahev
"2 Questions to start with.
1.Are you using compression on the overall mix?
2.Are you side-chaining your bass for example with the kick and or snare?"
Yes I am compressing the entire mix
Yes I have the more bassier elements side chained to the kick and snare of I have the frequency's sculpted so they kick and snare can punch through as well as other elements .
@IRL303
" 13 years producing and still cant "figure stuff out"...maybe your in the wrong industry mate. IMO, This is nothing but a thread for the OP to show off his work."
Maybe you should become psychologist seeing that you are so good at psychoanalyzing someone from a simple post and determining my intent. Truth is I love music, im passionate about it and this "post" is me "trying to figure stuff out " and improve my craft. I even went to school for this stuff briefly which I stated. I just want to keep improving this is a major love of mine!
@ Everyone else. IN my song "Robot"
I use an Izotope exciter/maximizer on my master channel Then I have a limiter/compressor to keep the master from clipping.
As far as effects I have extremely light trueverb on some of the drums. Some minor time effects on some of the vocals but for the most part the only effects I put on most of my tracks are dynamics like imaging and eq..
also most of my kicks and snares are layered and compressed with multiple types of sounds eqed to try and get a more full sounding kick and snare/clap .
Last edited by DinDoes on Fri Aug 24, 2012 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Banned
- 10196 posts since 12 Mar, 2012 from the Bavarian Alps to my feet and the globe around my head
How much tracks to you need for one song? It seems that you are packing so much content in the songs that you could make 5 songs out of 1 song... American XXXXXL style... 
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- KVRian
- 898 posts since 26 Aug, 2005 from Oregon, USA
Too much compression, little room for breath...
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- KVRAF
- 1596 posts since 19 May, 2011 from North Carolina
Uh, kinda mean, maybe? He could have just posted in the Music Cafe and not have been bothered with the long post. Also, if you're going to call a guy out on the forum, get "your" and "you're" straight.IRL303 wrote:13 years producing and still cant "figure stuff out"...maybe your in the wrong industry mate. IMO, This is nothing but a thread for the OP to show off his work.
To the OP: 13 years and not getting it figuring it out doesn't mean you gotta give up - in anything creative, sometimes you get stuck with a way of doing things and need to break out of the box.
I think there's a consensus - subtract some elements, and less compression. Barring that, try working against your intuition and habit and do something different. Good luck!