Over the past seven years I've been in a band who have changed name and line up several times, though out most successfull incarnation was the Phunkynutts. Anyhoo the key to the band(s) was the unique mix of genre(s). A few of the remaining members have been very slowly recording some new songs in my home studio. And here's the first one out of the production line.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.smith33/Darryls.mp3
I couldn't remember the name of the song when creating the MP3 so I've named it darryl's song as he originally wrote this one!
Anyway. This has not been mastered properly (just a brief compression and limiting) as I will properly master when I have enough songs for a short CD. But I'm keen to get any mixing/production tips as I want to get these songs sounding really good.
Cheers
Ben
BTW I'm the one playing (my new) bass and guitar in it.
New Song from my band with Steelpans.
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- KVRAF
- 2083 posts since 8 Apr, 2004
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- KVRAF
- 1740 posts since 6 Jan, 2004 from USA
hey glooper, cool little tune there. bass line was really great, i enjoyed it! the acoustic guitars sounded great as well. the steel drums were a cool suprise acutally, wasn't expecting that at all. i thought the 'regular' drums could have been a little louder, especially the kick drum (might just be my shitty headphones though). vocals were okay, the could definitely use more volume and some fattening up - they sounded a bit thin to me. keep it coming!
lates
t-willy
lates
t-willy
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2083 posts since 8 Apr, 2004
Cheers t-willy for the feedback...
I think I always have a tendency to mix the guitars louder than everything else
... me me me me... 
Though I'm still not at home in mixing vocals and drums. But I'm slowly learning. Not quite sure how to fatten up the vocals anymore? any tips?
Ben
I think I always have a tendency to mix the guitars louder than everything else
... me me me me... Though I'm still not at home in mixing vocals and drums. But I'm slowly learning. Not quite sure how to fatten up the vocals anymore? any tips?Ben
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- KVRAF
- 7672 posts since 9 Nov, 2003 from Netherlands
The man for vocal tips would be donkey;
Even though this is not my regular music, I'll try giving my ears impression anyhow...
I agree with T that that bass sounds quite good, but it is burried way too much in the mix when everything else is playing. The accoustic actually sounds about right, maybe only slow down the attack on the compressor. Those steels are very surprising and fitting, but beware with the richness of this sound that I feel it needs EQ'cutting so as to let eg the bass get through more. Vox; like said, Donks has a way better view on that.
Its a good tune that right now sounds a bit flat and with a bit better balancing/EQ'ing could get a lot more life.
Even though this is not my regular music, I'll try giving my ears impression anyhow...
I agree with T that that bass sounds quite good, but it is burried way too much in the mix when everything else is playing. The accoustic actually sounds about right, maybe only slow down the attack on the compressor. Those steels are very surprising and fitting, but beware with the richness of this sound that I feel it needs EQ'cutting so as to let eg the bass get through more. Vox; like said, Donks has a way better view on that.
Its a good tune that right now sounds a bit flat and with a bit better balancing/EQ'ing could get a lot more life.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2083 posts since 8 Apr, 2004
Cheers Mystahr...
I've just posted a new version where I've cut the bottom end of the steelpan out to give the bass more room. Though I might have been too subtle As I can barely hear the difference on the mixdown!.
Also had a go at fattening the vocals a bit by using the MDA stereo to give them more. Seems to work pretty well, especially in the chorus where the double take vocals now sound nicely blended.
It's the same link as before.
Cheers
Ben
I've just posted a new version where I've cut the bottom end of the steelpan out to give the bass more room. Though I might have been too subtle As I can barely hear the difference on the mixdown!.
Also had a go at fattening the vocals a bit by using the MDA stereo to give them more. Seems to work pretty well, especially in the chorus where the double take vocals now sound nicely blended.
It's the same link as before.
Cheers
Ben
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- something special
- 8627 posts since 16 Mar, 2002 from Birmingham, Alabama
cool tune, reminds me of the yardbirds..
Is there harmony on the chorus? I'm not sure if I hear it, or want to hear it so bad that I'm imagining it..so if there is, bring it up a bit. If there's not, then do some!
Is there harmony on the chorus? I'm not sure if I hear it, or want to hear it so bad that I'm imagining it..so if there is, bring it up a bit. If there's not, then do some!
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- KVRAF
- 4074 posts since 28 Apr, 2004
ben,
cool tune
i agree with bluedad, you should do some harmony (or bring it out more) on the vox in the chorus
perhaps the drums need bringing forward a bit
the steel drums add an interesting angle to the song
i especially like the bit at 2:36 where eveything is stripped back to just the steel drums and then runs into that "carribean" bridge bit.
top tune.
steve.
cool tune
i agree with bluedad, you should do some harmony (or bring it out more) on the vox in the chorus
perhaps the drums need bringing forward a bit
the steel drums add an interesting angle to the song
i especially like the bit at 2:36 where eveything is stripped back to just the steel drums and then runs into that "carribean" bridge bit.
top tune.
steve.
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- Boss Lovin' DR
- 14312 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from the grimness of yorkshire
I like that, sounds a bit like Echo and the Bunnymen. Vocal effects are good too. Drums are definitely a bit weak though, turn em up a bit (well, hi-hats and cymbals are ok, but kick and snare are very low), and a bigger sound too perchance?
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- KVRAF
- 3266 posts since 22 Sep, 2003 from under the sun
very nice song - i like this genre !
i agree that the drums are too low in the mix.
and the vocal part could be a bit higher, too.
dig it
i agree that the drums are too low in the mix.
and the vocal part could be a bit higher, too.
dig it
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2083 posts since 8 Apr, 2004
Cheers People for the feedback... All good advice
There is a vocal harmony in there somewhere(though it isn't a very ... err.. harmonic harmony), but your right it has got buried under the main voice. I'll have another go at remixing it, and I'll try and bring the snare and bass drum up a bit too and the vocals a smidgeon higher too.
Bigger sound... hmm.. I did think about putting pads/violins/E Piano on it but decideed to keep it more "natural" in the end. Though maybe a small bit of global reverb of some sort might help. I'll have a play with some SIR impulses to see if I can find a subtle but big sounding reverb.
I'll repost when I get round to having a go at remixing.
Cheers
Ben.
There is a vocal harmony in there somewhere(though it isn't a very ... err.. harmonic harmony), but your right it has got buried under the main voice. I'll have another go at remixing it, and I'll try and bring the snare and bass drum up a bit too and the vocals a smidgeon higher too.
Bigger sound... hmm.. I did think about putting pads/violins/E Piano on it but decideed to keep it more "natural" in the end. Though maybe a small bit of global reverb of some sort might help. I'll have a play with some SIR impulses to see if I can find a subtle but big sounding reverb.
I'll repost when I get round to having a go at remixing.
Cheers
Ben.
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- addled muppet weed
- 111278 posts since 26 Jan, 2003 from through the looking glass
right i think the voice is excellent,very elvis costello 
but to be honest i was expecting a more ian curtis type drawl.but thats just me,and it does work why stick to what people expect anyway
very good piece of music.and good move with the steel drums,they do add a certain aspect
but to be honest i was expecting a more ian curtis type drawl.but thats just me,and it does work why stick to what people expect anywayvery good piece of music.and good move with the steel drums,they do add a certain aspect
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2083 posts since 8 Apr, 2004
Okay last mix down attempt,... lowered the volume of everything except the bass drum, snare and vocals, added some volume to the bass drum, and to the vocal (not so harmonic) harmony... and added a smidgeon of global reverb... the latest version can be downloaded from the same place.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.smith33/Darryls.mp3
I'm now totally sick of this song!... All I hear now is acoustic guitars that are played slightly out of time in the chorus/bridge, A bass line with loads of mistakes, a slightly flat vocal with not enough harmonies in the chorus and an erratic drum line!!
time to move on... ...
Ben
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.smith33/Darryls.mp3
I'm now totally sick of this song!... All I hear now is acoustic guitars that are played slightly out of time in the chorus/bridge, A bass line with loads of mistakes, a slightly flat vocal with not enough harmonies in the chorus and an erratic drum line!!
time to move on...
... Ben
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- KVRAF
- 3266 posts since 22 Sep, 2003 from under the sun
link not working 
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2083 posts since 8 Apr, 2004
Wopelka wrote:link not working
hmm... how bizarre... it's working here... it's probably NTL's network going funny again. 
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- KVRAF
- 3266 posts since 22 Sep, 2003 from under the sun
working now
better mix indeed.
great production, a great song.
better mix indeed.
great production, a great song.