Epic piece, need your ears for mix

[mazz]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. The mix needs work for sure.Here's some clarification on some stuff you are hearing:The airy sound on the second time around the melody is a voice sample doubling the oboe. I was hoping for a more obvious voice sound but this sample is just too highly processed to work in this context. The only thing that comes out is the hiss. I'll have to re-think that one.The trumpet has a very dynamic response to CC11 and I had it cranked way up, which gives it that buzzy sound that's more appropriate for bright big band crescendos, not as much for orchestral usage and certainly not all the time!! Too much of a good thing! After more listening, I think that's what folks are hearing as the distortion later in the piece, it's just too buzzy and not "orchestral" enough. I think it will still cut through just fine if I back off on the CC11 and make it rounder sounding (and turn the accompaniment down there too!!). I also tried to create my own sFz at the end on that trumpet part (everyone else is using the "built in" crescendo) on the penultimate chord, but it just sounds like it's hanging over. Gone.The drums are mainly Taiko drums which don't seem to ring as much as timpanis (there's a few of those too, used sparingly), along with some snare and low concert bass drum for punch in certain places.My new mixing strategy on this piece is to make it sound more homogenous and orchestral, rather than hybrid orchestral/electro like some other recent pieces. I made a conscious decision to not peg the meters constantly and try to let the very ending be the absolute loudest part of the piece. I think it's a work in progress and a learning curve, to say the least. A few of our mastering discussions on some other threads inspired me to try to figure out a way to get a big sound on the orchestra without it being "in your face". Also, some parts won't be clearly audible but will be a part of the larger texture. That being said, the mix is still muddy and may partly be a function of the orchestration and my learning curve on this new mixing journey.I may not have time to do a re-mix right away but I'll post the new mix when I get it. I will be incorporating your feedback, I really appreciate it. After too many hours of micro editing and mixing, I couldn't hear it anymore.Thanks again, you guys rock!! Mazz

[geo]

Just wanted to say thanks for the listen... Peace, Geo

[fusilierb]

Very nice Mazz. I'd like to hear the final product.B

[marcblack30]

Sounds epic to my ears!

[timbehrens]

Wow... great stuff. I wish I had advice to offer, but just wanted to say your work is an inspiration to an aspiring composer who is just taking his first steps.

[mazz]

Just uploaded another mix.http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... am=trueCut down some of the brightness on the trumpet and modified the phrasing and mixed it a bit lowerMixed the oboe down at the beginning and did some automation moves on itPanned the strings widerBrought up the orchestral percussion very slightlyDid some EQ on the master fader, just some very small, fairly wide cuts at around 100, 250 and 3K, just to take some muddiness out and tone down a little honkinessOther small automation moves on the woodwinds and 1st violins and cellosThat's about it. Time for bed.Enjoy and thanks again for the feedback.Mazz

[ideascapes]

Mazz,I just listened to the intro, since that's what I commented on before. The automation you added seemed to help with the realism and gives the composition a better start to my ears.Vince

[crs7string]

Mazz,You create a very warm string sound on everything you do.Trumpet does sound better.Have you tried an English horn on the opening instead of oboe. I've found that sometimes the timbre of the English horn "sits" better.The oboe does sound better without the doubling of the vocal pad(?)Chuck

[mazz]

As always, thanks for listening.Chuck, I think blending two libraries and the right chord voicings make a warm string sound. I think you're right about the English Horn, particularly in that range. The oboe gets a little nasal down there and those notes are in the nice fat part of the English Horn's range. Next time!Cheers!Mazz

[stevebarden]

Jan 26, 2009, 11:01pm, mazz wrote:Just uploaded another mix.http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... am=trueCut down some of the brightness on the trumpet and modified the phrasing and mixed it a bit lowerMixed the oboe down at the beginning and did some automation moves on itPanned the strings widerBrought up the orchestral percussion very slightlyDid some EQ on the master fader, just some very small, fairly wide cuts at around 100, 250 and 3K, just to take some muddiness out and tone down a little honkinessOther small automation moves on the woodwinds and 1st violins and cellosThat's about it. Time for bed.Enjoy and thanks again for the feedback.MazzMazz, I listened to your new mix. The difference is night and day! Much better. There is clarity between instruments is beautiful. Great job!Steve