2nd song rough mix suggestions.

[BertM]

This is the second song we have recorded and was hoping to get some opinions on what you guys think. This isa close to done but still a rough mix of the song.

We won't be able to finish the song till sometime next year because the studio we record at recently bought out "The Studio" in Philadelphia so we have to wait for them to move to finish it.

When Stars Align by The Big Button

So what do you guys think? Suggestions for mixing?

The "C'mon" at the begining will probably be gone in the final version even though I think its hilarious

[electracoyote]

Nice tune. Cool power hip pop. Well executed.

The biggest issue I heard was in the verses, the strummed rhythm guitar overshadows and destroys the arpeggiated guitar. That's a great chord progression, and it was powerful when arpeggiated, but the strumming wrecks it. I'd either lose or bury that strummed rhythm guitar in the verses, or maybe simplify it to only a couple of notes played funk style.

[DWBass]

Assuming this is a 'pop' tune.......here's my thoughts..........

Since this is a vocal tune, the bass should be a bit lower in the mix (and less busy)(I'd also change a few notes here and there). Right now it's kind of like 'Hey, I'm a bass! Listen to me now'! It's distracting. The song needs something more during the chorus sections to make it stand out a bit more. Maybe strings or an added guitar! The playing (all instruments) is fine. The song always comes first.

Take all this with a grain of salt. This is just my opinion from over 30+ years of studio work in recording, arranging and songwriting.

[BertM]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Assuming this is a 'pop' tune.......here's my thoughts..........

Since this is a vocal tune, the bass should be a bit lower in the mix (and less busy)(I'd also change a few notes here and there). Right now it's kind of like 'Hey, I'm a bass! Listen to me now'! It's distracting. The song needs something more during the chorus sections to make it stand out a bit more. Maybe strings or an added guitar! The playing (all instruments) is fine. The song always comes first.

Take all this with a grain of salt. This is just my opinion from over 30+ years of studio work in recording, arranging and songwriting.

I agree, the bass definetley needs to be turned down in the mix and I think that will give the song a better feel and put the emphasis back on the vocals.

As for the chorus needing something extra, when I heard this current mix (I had to leave the studio early the day we did this) I thought the exact same thing. It feels empty, I just can't think of what would add that special somethin' to it.

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Nice tune. Cool power hip pop. Well executed.

The biggest issue I heard was in the verses, the strummed rhythm guitar overshadows and destroys the arpeggiated guitar. That's a great chord progression, and it was powerful when arpeggiated, but the strumming wrecks it. I'd either lose or bury that strummed rhythm guitar in the verses, or maybe simplify it to only a couple of notes played funk style.

Thanks for the suggestion! I think whats really over powering it though is the bass being a little to prominent. Hopefully when that gets turned down a bit the arpeggio will stand out more.