They changed my sound. Is it good?

scottfeldstein · #1 01-12-2012, 10:20 AM

I put down some scratch tracks a couple of weeks ago in my band's rehearsal space and was surprised at how great it sounded. When I got sent a mixdown, however, I was surprised yet again at what had been done to the sound I had.

I'm afraid I can't give you a "before," but I can describe it in relation to the "after."

Here's the after.

Notice the soft, fuzzy clipping kind of sound? That wasn't there. All that I heard before was new ProSteel strings and a hint of grit/modeling from my very modestly dialed-in SansAmp BDDI. The before was big, growly and aggressive--but not the slightest bit fuzzy as it is now.

The knob-twister dude mumbled something about having added some "SVT." I think he was inspired by the sight of my SansAmp and figured I would like it or something.

Anyway. I'm trying to decide if I like it or hate it or if I want to suggest something different to him or what. This guy's going to be engineering my bass sound on two upcoming albums.

What do you folks think? Like the sound?

lowendgenerator · #2 01-12-2012, 10:24 AM

It won't load for me.

The Impostor · #3 01-12-2012, 10:26 AM

Worked for me, atleast. Sounds great!

lfmn16 · #4 01-12-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Anyway. I'm trying to decide if I like it or hate it or if I want to suggest something different to him or what. This guy's going to be engineering my bass sound on two upcoming albums.

What really matters is how you feel about it. If it was me (and I was paying for it) I wouldn't suggest, I'd tell him to put it back the way it was.

One of my pet peeves is these knob twisting nit-wits (who I am paying) that think they can just change my sound because they don't like. I appreciate suggestions, because I'm paying for their expertise, but don't just do it behind my back.

If I'm paying the bills, I'm making the decisions.

lowendgenerator · #5 01-12-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Impostor

Worked for me, atleast. Sounds great!

What browser are you using?

Evil Undead · #6 01-12-2012, 10:32 AM

Won't load for me either.

MonetBass · #7 01-12-2012, 10:35 AM

I agree with what you said. Too 'gritty' for my taste. And I think the signal is clipping. +1 to telling the engineer to fix it. You're paying him -- make it sound like you want.

scottfeldstein · #8 01-12-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

What really matters is how you feel about it. If it was me (and I was paying for it) I wouldn't suggest, I'd tell him to put it back the way it was.

One of my pet peeves is these knob twisting nit-wits (who I am paying) that think they can just change my sound because they don't like. I appreciate suggestions, because I'm paying for their expertise, but don't just do it behind my back.

If I'm paying the bills, I'm making the decisions.

You're quite right. Upon reflection, I think that I do like it--for this particular track. I love the sound I get right now straight out of my DI, but I think his creative instinct--to muddy this one up a bit--is one that I can get behind.

Also, this isn't someone I've hired. This is my guitar player, synth/drum programmer. Clever guy, actually, and a terrific musician. But we've just started working together a few weeks ago, so I'm getting used to the way he does things and vice versa.

Art Araya · #9 01-12-2012, 10:38 AM

I think the sound is excellent. But then again I don't have the BEFORE tone to compare against. At least he didn't compress the heck out of it.

scottfeldstein · #10 01-12-2012, 10:39 AM

Sorry for the m4a file, guys. I think that's what's throwing some of you. I'll try to replace it with an mp3 or something. But it'll have to be in an hour or two.

nebmbass · #11 01-12-2012, 10:40 AM

It's too bad you couldn't produce some pre-mixed sounds because that sounds pretty solid to me. I do hear the 'clipping' sound, but it sounds intentional.

miramadar · #12 01-12-2012, 10:41 AM

Sounds just right for the song. Very scooped tone. Works well I think.

WJGreer · #13 01-12-2012, 10:43 AM

It's good. If it were me, I'd let it ride. And if the producer is also a player in the band, getting him to change it may be a political quagmire anyway.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #14 01-12-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

What really matters is how you feel about it. If it was me (and I was paying for it) I wouldn't suggest, I'd tell him to put it back the way it was.

One of my pet peeves is these knob twisting nit-wits (who I am paying) that think they can just change my sound because they don't like. I appreciate suggestions, because I'm paying for their expertise, but don't just do it behind my back.

If I'm paying the bills, I'm making the decisions.

I totally agree with this, Scott. Although I like the tone in the recording a lot, you must decide if that tone represents your style and your whole idea of how a bass guitar should sound. Assuming, of course, that the result is a whole lot different than what you expected. I mean, minor tweaks and suggestions are welcome in means of respect to the experience and wisdom of the engineer, but a totally different approach should definitely be discussed if you are not convinced about it.

SolarMan · #15 01-12-2012, 10:49 AM

I think it sounds great -

Once the guitar kicks in there is no way it will matter anyway (IMO).

WJGreer · #16 01-12-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

I totally agree with this, Scott. Although I like the tone in the recording a lot, you must decide if that tone represents your style and your whole idea of how a bass guitar should sound.

I disagree. Digging your feet into the ground and halting the progress on the rest of the project in order to insist upon your own tone goal is one way to go, but in my experience the downside outweighs the upside.

That bass track sounds sick, even if it's not precisely what Scott may have envisioned. Maybe the other guy is right, and it will work well in the final product.

Scott, I'm basing all this opinion on your implication that you don't HATE what you are hearing there; it's just not quite the same as you heard before.

AltGrendel · #17 01-12-2012, 10:52 AM

If you like the change, I think I'd try to use this as an opportunity to get some communications going so you don't feel out of the loop in the future.

foq1978 · #18 01-12-2012, 10:57 AM

If you can't hear it by clicking the link, right-click and choose "Save Link As...", or whatever they call it in your browser.

I like the sound. Would love to hear the "before", so I could compare.

In any case, if you're decided to have your original sound back, explain your vision to him and ask nicely. He's going to be engineering your bass sound on two upcoming albums...

DanHB18 · #19 01-12-2012, 10:59 AM

If it helps the song, do it. But, you will always play better if you like your tone. He could have added just a bit of grit to help it cut through the mix better. It's a technique called parallel processing.

scottfeldstein · #20 01-12-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I'm basing all this opinion on your implication that you don't HATE what you are hearing there; it's just not quite the same as you heard before.

Quite right. I think it's a pretty cool sound. I was just surprised by it. I wouldn't want that sound full-time, but it's pretty cool.

I think that's the point I need to make sure is clear: cool for that track, not cool all the time.