Test mix

[JD01]

Ok, this is riff that I came up with ages ago that I've built a new song around.

I need to add a few more little lead parts to this yet, but this is the main rhythm guitar mix, no real leads or solos.

But, something about it isn't quite sitting right and I don't know what it is. Think my "heavy tone" everything heavy prior to the faster section at the end might be a bit shit and I should probably retrack it. What you think?

Also and other comments on what I can do to improve this one.

Rhythm Mix.mp3

[vomitHatSteve]

Right away, the guitars and bass don't really feel like they're gelling. Especially the far right guitar sounds like it's just behind everyone else. When the drums and tremolo picking come in, it starts to work better.

As for tone, the bass is a little prominent. I like the guitar tones.

[JD01]

Right away, the guitars and bass don't really feel like they're gelling. Especially the far right guitar sounds like it's just behind everyone else. When the drums and tremolo picking come in, it starts to work better.

As for tone, the bass is a little prominent. I like the guitar tones.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the intro. Was hard to record all those parts in perfect time without a beat!

[TripleM]

I heard the same thing in the intro. Maybe try to retrack to a click. I'm not 100% sure those parts in the intro are going to gel tho.

After it kicks in it sounds excellent. Guitars sound great.

Kick is a little clicky. Snare might be just a bit back in the mix.

[musicturtle]

Yeah there is something about the bass in the intro. It sounds off time to me, be maybe just a complex rhythm I am not getting. There is a lot going on there, but I like the feel overall sonically.

I also think the sound of the bass for this one is a bit "clacky" if you will. I don't know what you are playing instrument wise, but sound too much like a Rickenbacker for my taste with this tune. I want it to be more sustained to fill the bottom a little more.

Guitar sounds are great.

Anyway just my two cents.

[JD01]

Hmm, the problem with the intro is that my playing just isn't good enough. I've barely had chance to record since this covid bollocks started.
I think I'd just listened to it enough times to get used to the obvious problems with it.

[rayc]

Yeah the intro is problematic but along with the timing I think the note that ends each phrase isn't quite the one to suggest the phrase is done. The bass note at 2.36 is weak as well.
After the intro I think the bass needs a boost - or even some parallel drive/grit - in those spots where the heavy riff guitars drop back.
nice risk taking on the slid notes - it works in an unsettling/expectations teasing way.
Good track James.

[JD01]

Cheers, I'll try and have a listen to this again later today. Will be the weekend before I can retrack anything though.

[WhiskeyJack]

Cool tune JD lots and lots going on. The beginning / intro has the feel of a "new" song. As others have stated just a bit of tightening up is all that needs i think the notes being played are cool and lend to the vibe i think.

I don't think the bass tone is working for what you are shooting for here. The punky Pbass sound could be re-engineered. This tone is great for all your other stuff but it just doesn't feel as at home in this song which is notably more heavier then your usual fare. it may just be a matter of rolling off a bit of that present clanky sound for a quick fix, but if you end up retracking maybe spend some time finding a more bottom end heavy metally tone that marries with your guitars a bit better. If i can find an example sometime today or tomorrow i'll send it you.

Guitars sounds are all awesome. I think you got that down to a science. The heavy sound is really great.

The little snare repeater thing you got going on @ 3:36 and onward after that cool punchy bridge thingy smacks of fake drums. I 100% get what it is you are trying to do though!!! Just i think maybe you've gone to far with the humanization. Drums as a whole were great up until there and it stuck out like a sore thumb i was listening to canned drums. The difference between the two snare hits can be more subtle and then you are there. Quick fix i would think.

This will be a good one dude. I would say probably your most technically challenging one i have heard in a long time if ever. Keep at it dude.

[JD01]

Cheers, Shan.

I was on the verge of binning this one but I'll give it another go.

[WhiskeyJack]

Cheers, Shan.

I was on the verge of binning this one but I'll give it another go.

No. Keep at it dude. It'll be a good one.

[Tadpui]

This sounds excellent, JD. Toss some vocals on this and it'll be a very good project!

[JD01]

This sounds excellent, JD. Toss some vocals on this and it'll be a very good project!

Small problem there Tad... the vocalist.
I'm actually gonna see if I can find someone locally to replace my vocals. I have got a bit better over the last few years but they're never gonna be much good really.

[liv_rong]

I like this dude. I really like the little drag parts around 2:56.

I would loose the bass for the intro completely, just let the guitars talk. Then the bass and drums come in together and it hits. Is that 3 guitars in the inro, light picking, a reverb laden lead and the palm muted part? Put that reverb guitar center and highest in the mix, pan the other two hard each direction and a bit lower. That's how I hear it anyways.

Also, send me this without the drums. I want to fuck around with it, if that's ok.

[Tadpui]

Small problem there Tad... the vocalist.
I'm actually gonna see if I can find someone locally to replace my vocals. I have got a bit better over the last few years but they're never gonna be much good really.

I actually like your vocals. They just belong in your tunes. I'm the same way with my vocals...I'll never be a natural pitch-perfect belter, but I've come to terms with my own voice in my own songs (for better or for worse). But your voice, when you get it dialed in, is perfect for these songs. I'd say at least give it a go and see what you end up with!

[JD01]

OK, I re-tracked the bassline (for the whole song) and added a bit of a beat to the intro to give it something to hang off.
I've also made minor adjustments to levels of the various parts - only a few db here and there, you won't really notice, but you should notice that it sounds better.

Rhythm Mix 2.mp3

[JD01]

I like this dude. I really like the little drag parts around 2:56.

I would loose the bass for the intro completely, just let the guitars talk. Then the bass and drums come in together and it hits. Is that 3 guitars in the inro, light picking, a reverb laden lead and the palm muted part? Put that reverb guitar center and highest in the mix, pan the other two hard each direction and a bit lower. That's how I hear it anyways.

Also, send me this without the drums. I want to fuck around with it, if that's ok.

Liv - I'll send you a drum-free mix and the whole reaper project by We-Transfer later, gotta log off now, but I should get back lunchtime, UK time.
I've noticed that aside from EZ drummer I everything else is a Reaper VST, so it should load up easy enough without any dramas.
I'll include my reverb impulse - there's only one in the entire project - so that should work too.

[JD01]

Small problem there Tad... the vocalist.
I'm actually gonna see if I can find someone locally to replace my vocals. I have got a bit better over the last few years but they're never gonna be much good really.

I actually like your vocals. They just belong in your tunes. I'm the same way with my vocals...I'll never be a natural pitch-perfect belter, but I've come to terms with my own voice in my own songs (for better or for worse). But your voice, when you get it dialed in, is perfect for these songs. I'd say at least give it a go and see what you end up with!

Pitch isn't there main problem even though it is a problem. It's more that I just can't get them to sit in a mix as I want them too. I've tried various mics, differing signal chains, EQs, compression styles etc. But they never quite work. They always sound apart from everything else.

[vomitHatSteve]

The stick/hat at the beginning definitely helps hold things together.

Bass definitely seems a little loud.

I feel like your voice generally sits pretty well. I could see getting someone with a higher range for a lot of your stuff tho.

[JD01]

The stick/hat at the beginning definitely helps hold things together.

Bass definitely seems a little loud.

I feel like your voice generally sits pretty well. I could see getting someone with a higher range for a lot of your stuff tho.

Yeah, need to EQ that bass a bit to get it to cut though without just turning it up!

I'll post about vocals specifically on a different thread cos it's really pissing me off. I have an "albums worth" at least of punk trucks all written and musically recorded but I'm never happy with the vocals.