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Totally amateur recordings thread
- Thread starter bholder
- Start date
Thanks for the feedback!
I must confess I am getting discouraged regarding mixing. Believe it or not, I've been working on this one for weeks, and I seem to have done nothing but go backwards!
At this point, I probably lost all semblances of objectivity with this track.
Any pointers on learning to mix? I wonder if I just don't have the ear for it
I must confess I am getting discouraged regarding mixing. Believe it or not, I've been working on this one for weeks, and I seem to have done nothing but go backwards!
At this point, I probably lost all semblances of objectivity with this track.
Any pointers on learning to mix? I wonder if I just don't have the ear for it
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Regarding your bass tracks specifically, remember that bass doesn't need much in after-processing. A little compression and EQ and you're good. But speaking of EQ, when you have that many instruments in the same frequency ranges, it's a good idea to EQ them differently so that they don't step on each other. (Same goes for other instruments.)Thanks for the feedback!
I must confess I am getting discouraged regarding mixing. Believe it or not, I've been working on this one for weeks, and I seem to have done nothing but go backwards!
At this point, I probably lost all semblances of objectivity with this track.
Any pointers on learning to mix? I wonder if I just don't have the ear for it
Hi all, I just found this thread and thought I would share something I have been working on. It's a simple bass track, a couple synth layers on my MicroKorg, and some Logic drums. Thanks for listening.
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Very cool! I dig the textures, and the bass sounds great, although a little loud, IMO. But it's your song.
You did a good thing by keeping that first mix.Thanks for the feedback!
I must confess I am getting discouraged regarding mixing. Believe it or not, I've been working on this one for weeks, and I seem to have done nothing but go backwards!
At this point, I probably lost all semblances of objectivity with this track.
Any pointers on learning to mix? I wonder if I just don't have the ear for it
When I start to get frustrated with the progress of a mix, I simply walk away from it for a while. I may go get something to eat, watch a little TV, or literally take a walk. More often than not, I return to find that the mix sounded fine the first time. Oh, it might need a little EQ or level adjustment here and there, but nothing major.
You'd be surprised at how good your ears are if you don't get too fussy with the mix!
P.S. I'm a total amateur myself, but I have been producing and mixing my own recordings for nearly 40 years, starting with a Tascam Porta-One 4-track cassette recorder.
Thank you for the kind words and feedback. I updated the track and lowered the bass a bit.
Here is another try on my mixing quest. I greatly appreciate the feedback from before, and I agree that the original sounded better than the remix. However, I still feel that there is a little "something missing" in the original, and am determined to improve it.
While I have a hard time being objective about my "work," I think that this attempt is maybe a step in the right direction? Again, I would greatly appreciate feedback. Thanks!
Original:
New remix:
While I have a hard time being objective about my "work," I think that this attempt is maybe a step in the right direction? Again, I would greatly appreciate feedback. Thanks!
Original:
New remix:
Alright matthew, I'll try to help you out. I'm no mix master, but I have dwelved into this quite a bit at my home studio. I just listened to these two tonight. 2nd one first. I liked the mix. I thought there was good defenition whith which to pick out one bass from an other. In the first one it sounds like thy're more in a line on the same plane. It had it's moments as well, But I'd have to say I like the 2nd one better over all. Other than the little flaws any one would get building something like this that I heard once in a while, I can haedly point out a bad thing. Maybe try some more mixes maybe with dropping one out while emphisizing another tastfully through out the song to give things a little more of a spicy flavor.
This reminds me of some of my own prodjects where I was trying to get that balance. But with three saxophones.
Ya got all the aspects of being a good player with an ear and aperture. None of which am I. But I layed tracks as best I could and ran with it pulling OUT the things that were offensive to me. Trying to tastfully weave these three saxs together when some of them weren't even properly in key at times. I tried to make it the best I could with the tracks I had played when we had recorded the album. Actually, the story is this.
The band had gotten slim and it was just me and the drummer for a while. We set out to do an album, (4th by our group) But I brought in various singers, guitarists and such. Plus I played instruments I should not be allowed to in public.
After that was all over, I decided to remix all the songs. (22 of em), but with out any vocals and indeed no restraints to leave room for vocals.
Lots of room to weave 3 saxs where in a real vocal song version it'd be over bearing. As an example, I'll grab one and see if I can post it here. Ahead of time I think "good way to go" might be a good reference for the blending of 3 saxs...
Bb tenor,
Eb alto,
Bb soprano...
The saxophones do not begin in earnest until the 1:05 mark. Remember, this was a song where I pulled out the vocals and remixed it with the chance to highlight the instruments. This was just my 2 cents and what do I know...?
T
This reminds me of some of my own prodjects where I was trying to get that balance. But with three saxophones.
Ya got all the aspects of being a good player with an ear and aperture. None of which am I. But I layed tracks as best I could and ran with it pulling OUT the things that were offensive to me. Trying to tastfully weave these three saxs together when some of them weren't even properly in key at times. I tried to make it the best I could with the tracks I had played when we had recorded the album. Actually, the story is this.
The band had gotten slim and it was just me and the drummer for a while. We set out to do an album, (4th by our group) But I brought in various singers, guitarists and such. Plus I played instruments I should not be allowed to in public.
After that was all over, I decided to remix all the songs. (22 of em), but with out any vocals and indeed no restraints to leave room for vocals.
Lots of room to weave 3 saxs where in a real vocal song version it'd be over bearing. As an example, I'll grab one and see if I can post it here. Ahead of time I think "good way to go" might be a good reference for the blending of 3 saxs...
Bb tenor,
Eb alto,
Bb soprano...
The saxophones do not begin in earnest until the 1:05 mark. Remember, this was a song where I pulled out the vocals and remixed it with the chance to highlight the instruments. This was just my 2 cents and what do I know...?
T
Strictly an amateur here, but I remember the days of Win95 and how long it took to "render" a file, what you had to do if running effects on more than a couple tracks.
Back when I smoked, it was a mutually-supportive thing.
For that reason, I'm happy today to stick with XP Pro (CEP2.1) because it slows me down, which leads to planning and consideration.
Thanks for the pointers and kind words! I listened to both of the tracks you shared: I thought you did a good job of blending the three sax parts. I liked the tracks, (especially the bass.) Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome. I am not schooled in this at all. Been messing with audio and video a long time. As I saw you were looking for people's "take" on what you've done to this point, I just thought I would go ahead, listen and reflect. I think going through that process caused me to reflect more on my own works than help you. And I can't point out everything I hear. But yes, I think you should experiment more with the placement of the basses with in the stereo field as well as picking your favorite licks along the way to highlight them while at the same time pullin back or OUT others at creative locations. I think this will increase the whole dynamics of the piece. Think of it as a form of experimental exercise.
My stuff is all created in a linier fashon. There's no computor or program or files involved. I get my drummer in the room and play the piece with him, then I go back and redo the bass most every time. But too, I add in what ever instruments I desire. I usually kind of "play" stuff like the saxophones as their own entitee, regardless of the other saxs, then I have to weave in and out of what sounds good/what I did a good job on. That's kind of what I assume you've done with bass. But as well, the different saxs had their different goals to acheive while laying those tracks.
As far as bass sound, there too I have to work with it to make it pleasing to me. I think most every one I hear on this forum does better than me. I use this trick on some tracks where I record raw bass/ bass with effects on seperate tracks and I am indeed having to dial up their dynamics and weave those sounds.
I have a REALLY hard time logging in here and not throwing one of my songs out too... sorry!
I like this one a lot, though I get a bit lowly feeling as I could not find any one to play the other instruments on this. 22 songs and I brought in about 7 other players for this or that. But nobody wanted to tackle this one. So ya got the drummer and me on the scratch track, then I had to fill in with all the other instruments, the mixing and production. Again this is one from the same album...vocals out, music/instrument remix. I think there's only 2 saxs. I like the sax weave at the very end of the song for those two saxs. I don't know how to play guitar, but had to perform on this one. Over all I think it has a good sound and I think it is generally a type you don't really hear these days.
My stuff is all created in a linier fashon. There's no computor or program or files involved. I get my drummer in the room and play the piece with him, then I go back and redo the bass most every time. But too, I add in what ever instruments I desire. I usually kind of "play" stuff like the saxophones as their own entitee, regardless of the other saxs, then I have to weave in and out of what sounds good/what I did a good job on. That's kind of what I assume you've done with bass. But as well, the different saxs had their different goals to acheive while laying those tracks.
As far as bass sound, there too I have to work with it to make it pleasing to me. I think most every one I hear on this forum does better than me. I use this trick on some tracks where I record raw bass/ bass with effects on seperate tracks and I am indeed having to dial up their dynamics and weave those sounds.
I have a REALLY hard time logging in here and not throwing one of my songs out too... sorry!
I like this one a lot, though I get a bit lowly feeling as I could not find any one to play the other instruments on this. 22 songs and I brought in about 7 other players for this or that. But nobody wanted to tackle this one. So ya got the drummer and me on the scratch track, then I had to fill in with all the other instruments, the mixing and production. Again this is one from the same album...vocals out, music/instrument remix. I think there's only 2 saxs. I like the sax weave at the very end of the song for those two saxs. I don't know how to play guitar, but had to perform on this one. Over all I think it has a good sound and I think it is generally a type you don't really hear these days.
Thank you very much, I appreciate that. I too liked the vibe of your track, very cool layering melodies. I wish I could give pointers for mixing but I'm really new to it.
That is one of the most fun grooves I've heard in a long time!
The recording sounds great, too!
Thanks man, I'm a glow hearing that from FilterFunk! Vocals mix... The instrumental sounds more open and free than this vocal mix. Album cover shows the drummer and me. Then there's the three different singers I brought in for the different songs. This was the bald guy up top.
Used the yamaha aw4416
Used the yamaha aw4416
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Alright. Bonus points awarded to the 1st who gets what song this is.
amateur 1999 production of a song by a San Francisco band from the 60's. Rudely reconstructed here for your enjoyment, with out lyrics, stripped down and performed by... shall we say, "unschooled" hooligans.
amateur 1999 production of a song by a San Francisco band from the 60's. Rudely reconstructed here for your enjoyment, with out lyrics, stripped down and performed by... shall we say, "unschooled" hooligans.
Well, I have no clue as to what actual song that may be but, If I were to throw out a guess as to what I would like to hear, it would be Debbie Harry/talking heads collaboration. I honestly can picture Debbie singing something over this.
