Building a studio computer

[nomiyah]

Thanks Dave. I'm working on it tonight so when I read your post above I just took off the reverb on the lead. When I uploaded it, it replaced the first one so just listen to the original link to hear it without reverb and let me know if it's better or not. Nomi

[davewalton]

Quote:Thanks Dave. I'm working on it tonight so when I read your post above I just took off the reverb on the lead. When I uploaded it, it replaced the first one so just listen to the original link to hear it without reverb and let me know if it's better or not. NomiMUCH better to my ears.

[nomiyah]

Thanks Dave. Appreciate the real time feedback. Nomi

[aubreyz]

Quote:Aub and friends,I've been working on the suggestions and can hear exactly what you mentioned. But I realized I don't really understand what to do. You mentioned numbers and when I look on the plug-ins I'm using there are lots of types of numbers: gain, release, threshold, etc. There are compressors, eqs, etc. I can't figure out what numbers you're referring to and I realize it's probably elementary but that's where I'm at, learning to mix. So I'd love if you can give me a bit more info. Here's the numbers I'm talking about:Quote:The bass is a little boomy (try toning down the 200 to 400k range. The vocals could use some more compression and some sparkle. They kind of jump out rather than living in the mix. (though they are not mixed too hot, like in the first sample). Try adding some 10 to 12k eq.I also would try compression on some individual things – like the lead sax, and a little (3db or so) on the overall mix.Thanks,NomiHey Nomi,The numbers I used there are EQ frequency ranges. Most EQ plugins have a sweep where you can set the actual frequency that you are cutting or boosting. 200 to 400 hertz is what I call mid-bass, with the actual deep bass being around 150 to 60 hz. 10 to 12k is 10,000 to 12,000 hertz and is what I call sizzle or air. The harsher ssss vocal sound is more in the 5k to 7k range. EQ use should be subtle as a general rule. Plus or minus about 3db is plenty in most instances, though there are exceptions.A quick listen to the new mix (I missed the reverb washed version evidently) - The vocal does ride in the mix better. The hat seems a bit out of place, I would back it down a few db at least. As far as the vocal sound... it can be fattened up a little. A doubled or stacked track would probably help. I'm going to shotgun some things to try. This may seem overwhelming, but a step at a time this stuff becomes second nature. On a typical lead vocal track, I will sometimes have at least one extra stack (if not two), an EQ, De-esser, 2 Compressors, a tube or tape saturation plug, a harmonizer type pitch effect (not an autotune but more like a flange or chorus), a short slap delay, a longer repeating delay, an ambient early reflection reverb, a short plate reverb, and then a touch of the main overall reverb. The thing is, you can't actually hear all this stuff, but would know it if it wasn't there. Some vocals don't need all this either - it's not some magic bullet, but just wanted to give you an idea. The trick is to add beef without making the beef obvious.You might try adding a couple of delays. One very short stereo delay, one side set to 9miliseconds with no feedback and the other set to 16ms (if there is an option to change the pitch you can do that too, up about 9 cents on one side, down about 9cents on the other). Add this in to the vocal until you can hear it, and then drop it down just a touch. Another way to add some meat is to have a delay that repeats on quarter or eighth notes. Again, add it until you can just hear it and then back off. I also will use an early reflection or ambient reverb in addition to the main reverb. This is a very short reverb that just adds some character --- and the trick again is to add it until you hear it, then back off. From there add in a touch of the main verb - and you know the drill, when you hear it, back it off a touch.btw- there are a lot of good resources out there for technical info. That little studio buddy thing from the Taxi homepage actually contains some decent tips. It all may seem like Greek for a while, but keep at-- keep reading and tweaking. The lightbulbs tend to go off all at once Aub

[nomiyah]

Aub,Thanks so much for that lesson!!!!!!! I'll try everything you mentioned, when I translate it... This morning, I doubled the vocal, one dry and one with reverb. Also pulled the hat back and a couple little tweaks. Again it replaced the original so you can hear it on the same link.I know what you mean about beefing it up without noticing the beef. I'll get the hang of it. I'll bring in some people with mix experience into my studio to help me catch on faster. (Will you be in the Bay Area anytime? I know the kids want to go to Alcatraz!)Thanks again for the help.Nomi

[aubreyz]

Quote:Aub,Thanks so much for that lesson!!!!!!! I'll try everything you mentioned, when I translate it... This morning, I doubled the vocal, one dry and one with reverb. Also pulled the hat back and a couple little tweaks. Again it replaced the original so you can hear it on the same link.I know what you mean about beefing it up without noticing the beef. I'll get the hang of it. I'll bring in some people with mix experience into my studio to help me catch on faster. (Will you be in the Bay Area anytime? I know the kids want to go to Alcatraz!)Thanks again for the help.NomiFunny thing, my kids think our house is Alcatraz! It would be great to show them what a real prison is like!Here's the fictitious TV spot:... so Aubrey, you just landed a huge publishing deal through Taxi, what are you going to do now? ...I'M GOING TO ALCATRAZ!Aub

[nomiyah]

They have refrigerator magnets with little bars that say Alcatraz "The Rock" and you put a picture behind the bars. I put my son's school photo in it and, since he always tries not to smile in pictures, he looks very depressed behind bars. Cheers me up (I'm kidding for all you CPS spies)...

[andreh]

Quote:I'll bring in some people with mix experience into my studio to help me catch on faster.NomiThis is a great way to improve you mixing skills...possibly the best. My greatest "Aha" moments have come when sitting behind someone else who knows how to get a great mix and watching/listening to them work through the process, especially if it's someone who likes to think outloud.Great advice here from Dave, Aub, and others.Andre

[hummingbird]

I agree - I'm keeping a close eye on this thread!!

[nomiyah]

I've spent a great deal of time looking over the shoulder of someone mixing. That's how I've learned much of what I do know. But it was always in their studio. Now I'm going to have them come and work in my studio so I'll learn my own equipment/software.Tonight I played Couldn't Walk Away (the version on the link) for a songwriting class taught by Steve Seskin. The feedback was very good and Steve gave me some good suggestions. Here's some notes I took:"Good contrast on the sections... Interesting point of view, unexpected... love the second verse, interesting imagery, addresses how friends all have opinions about what we should do but they can't really know... the lyric is really cool, music works really well... interesting musically, like the modulation... very cool song..."