Opinions on our first demo

[Bermel]

Hi, I want to know what is failing in the mixing/editing of this demo (this one being provisional). Tell your thoughts about whatever. There are 4 songs.

I feel like everything is sounding from the bottom of a cave. It sounds too far, with too much reverb/delay in all instruments, and too much sub bass.

Everything should be heard more present in the mix, but it sounds as if we were listening behind a wall.

http://soundcloud.com/bermejo1981/sets

Do you think in a similar way to me?

[winegamd]

Yes, I agree with you. There is quite a bit of reverb. Lessen the amount on the vocals and lower it quite a bit or get rid of it entirely on the bass and it should bring the mix together.

[Bermel]

Thanks for your opinion. Any word about excessive sub bass frequencies, specially with the bass drum?

[DWBass]

Doesn't sound too bad sonically. Something is funky during the verse sections though. The chords and bass notes aren't meshing. Is there 2 guitarists playing? I would clean that up. Would also be nice to hear a little more bass in the mix. Clean up those chords and root bass notes though.

[winegamd]

I pulled out my Beyer DT770's and gave it another listen. The weirdness DWBass is talking about, I think, is the distortion on the bass. I dont know if it is another guitar or multi-tracked guitars, but the bass high end on the distortion is competing for sonic space with the guitar parts and it is mucking up the midrange. Their distortion tones are just too similar. If there are two separate tracks for clean and dirty bass, lower the dirty track and maybe eq the highs a bit. A scoop at 1-2k may help. The drums are good, but they do need to be a little wetter as there is a loss of depth. Panning the different parts of the drum kit would help this. And, if there are two guitars (which it sounds like to me, also) I think further separation through panning them more left and right would help open things up a bit. Right now there is just way too much going on center image and competing with the vocals.

Track 4 is the best mix of all the tracks. Track 3 is also pretty good. All it needs is the guitar level lowered a bit, and it would be right.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by winegamd

I pulled out my Beyer DT770's and gave it another listen. The weirdness DWBass is talking about, I think, is the distortion on the bass. I dont know if it is another guitar or multi-tracked guitars, but the bass high end on the distortion is competing for sonic space with the guitar parts and it is mucking up the midrange. Their distortion tones are just too similar. If there are two separate tracks for clean and dirty bass, lower the dirty track and maybe eq the highs a bit. A scoop at 1-2k may help. The drums are good, but they do need to be a little wetter as there is a loss of depth. Panning the different parts of the drum kit would help this. And, if there are two guitars (which it sounds like to me, also) I think further separation through panning them more left and right would help open things up a bit. Right now there is just way too much going on center image and competing with the vocals.

Track 4 is the best mix of all the tracks. Track 3 is also pretty good. All it needs is the guitar level lowered a bit, and it would be right.

No, I'm referring to the notes themselves. Some of the bass notes and guitar chords aren't matching. Something is going on on both ends. The chorus sections come in nice and strong with chords and bass notes defined and matching up well. It's the 2nd half of the verse sections that sound off to me. Everyone seems to be all over the place. That's the only part that bugs me. I definitely like Track 2 a lot better.

[winegamd]

On track one at the beginning of the verse there are double stops, then near the end of the verse he just plays the upper note of the double stop. This adds a bit of dissonance and tension due to the chord structure. It sounds weird if you are not used to it. I listen to a lot of djent, metal, and Oliver Messien, and am used to the dissonance. I didn't even notice until you said something. Either way, it is intentional, and works, you just have to be use to the sound.

[Bermel]

Originally Posted by DWBass

No, I'm referring to the notes themselves. Some of the bass notes and guitar chords aren't matching. Something is going on on both ends. The chorus sections come in nice and strong with chords and bass notes defined and matching up well. It's the 2nd half of the verse sections that sound off to me. Everyone seems to be all over the place. That's the only part that bugs me. I definitely like Track 2 a lot better.

I think you're refering to the first track, exactly at 0:41 and 2:05. It's a deliberated, momentary tension before the Rat overdrive comes in. This track has lots of these "risky" harmonies, and you are not the first one to mention that variation as being a little weird. Always sounded fine to me anyways. But I'm also a little weird.

[Bermel]

Originally Posted by winegamd

I pulled out my Beyer DT770's and gave it another listen. The weirdness DWBass is talking about, I think, is the distortion on the bass. I dont know if it is another guitar or multi-tracked guitars, but the bass high end on the distortion is competing for sonic space with the guitar parts and it is mucking up the midrange. Their distortion tones are just too similar. If there are two separate tracks for clean and dirty bass, lower the dirty track and maybe eq the highs a bit. A scoop at 1-2k may help. The drums are good, but they do need to be a little wetter as there is a loss of depth. Panning the different parts of the drum kit would help this. And, if there are two guitars (which it sounds like to me, also) I think further separation through panning them more left and right would help open things up a bit. Right now there is just way too much going on center image and competing with the vocals.

Track 4 is the best mix of all the tracks. Track 3 is also pretty good. All it needs is the guitar level lowered a bit, and it would be right.

I'm hearing tracks 2 and 3 the best by the moment. Very good point on a more pronounced panning with guitars, specially on tracks 1 and 4 IMO. Didn't think about panning the drum kit, so we'll take a look at it.

I'll recheck reverbs, OD and EQ, and boosting vocals/some bass lines, also. I'll post the polished tracks ASAP.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Bermel

I think you're referring to the first track, exactly at 0:41 and 2:05. It's a deliberated, momentary tension before the Rat overdrive comes in. This track has lots of these "risky" harmonies, and you are not the first one to mention that variation as being a little weird. Always sounded fine to me anyways. But I'm also a little weird.

Yes, Track 1. If it's intentional then..........ok! But for me, a guy with perfect relative pitch, it's tough for me to listen to! The other tracks are a lot easier to listen to.

[Ottsworth]

Sounds good to me!!! There's a little mud at some points, but overall, it is an enjoyable listen! Keep it up

[lucas vigor]

I can't find anything wrong with it. I admit, I am not a big fan of the drumming. In places, I would have kept the drumming more straightforward and less "herky-jerky"...but the singer is great, the guitars are great and I love the bass playing. Good job, Paisano!

[GokceKacmaz]

Nice song but why did not you master it a bit louder?

[Bermel]

Sorry for the delay, this is the final mix, pre-mastering. Hope you like it.

bermejo1981's sets on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

[gleventhal]

I am listening to the first tune, on my computer speakers right now, and I think you guys are tight, have a good pocket, the singing is good, the instruments work.. Obviously the band all speeds up in the beginning when entering the groove, but it is clearly intentional.. Great job!

[Bermel]

So glad you liked it, thanks!!