Re: Help with Electric Guitars

[hummingbird]

Quote:I'm trying to work with a mix of electric guitar in this indie pop/rock tune. This is just the instrumental version before vocals start going in. Before I start cutting/sculpting the tracks to make room for the vocals, I want to see if you have any comments on the guitars and how I can improve this mix.instrumentalOnce the vocals are added some of this will be pushed back in the mix. This is a "faders up" version with no thought applied to the mastering.I don't have the smarts to comment on the guitars in terms of tone, but what I did notice was a good contrast between sections & the growth towards the end, so that seems right to me. Nice groove and makes me interested to hear the song itself.

[aubreyz]

Quote:I'm trying to work with a mix of electric guitar in this indie pop/rock tune. This is just the instrumental version before vocals start going in. Before I start cutting/sculpting the tracks to make room for the vocals, I want to see if you have any comments on the guitars and how I can improve this mix.instrumentalOnce the vocals are added some of this will be pushed back in the mix. This is a "faders up" version with no thought applied to the mastering.Hey songwriter. I really enjoy your stuff btw.This is kind of an impossible task without vocals, but I'll give you my thoughts about the track as is. First suggestion, is always lay a scratch vocal first--- even if it's just la, la, la. I've found that even though I know in my head where the holes are, without an actual scratch there I tend to get things too busy. Yeah, you can mix elements down later, but IMHO it is better workflow to build parts around vocals first rather than fitting vocals in later.About the mix--- the elements of the music are pretty interesting, but there doesn't seem to be a definite style going on. The progression is somewhat pop, and could possible lean indie with the right vocal, but the choice of tones kind of dates this---(once again, I think the musical elements are cool, I'm just commenting on the sound selection).Drums sound very processed and compressed -- not a bad thing, but modern sounds are usually more real and in your face, less "paper" sound if that makes sense. the gated verb on the snare with all the high end gives it that 80's pop feel.The pad in the "2nd verse?" about a minute in has the oriental flute thing that Peter Gabriel used a lot, and was copied to excess in the late 80's early nineties. More transparent pads, with some interesting textures are more common today.The first guitar tone, sounds a bit like the talkbox effect without vowels--- a little Bon Jovi. Part of it is the tone--- somewhat bright and saturated, more solid state - another thing that is throwback is the staccato. That same part-- with some sustain rather than muting-- a darker tone more in the tube family and it might work better and seem more modern.The distortion in the chorus is better, but still a little thin sounding, and the clean double of that is cool, but I'll suggest something about that too in a sec.The rhythm part in the verse sounds very Police. Not a bad thing, but not very up to date. I would suggest trying the cleaner tone you are using in the chorus here, with some "ring" to it (maybe some delay, but not so much it's U2ish) ala Snow Patrol, and using this "clean with some bite" tone to either replace the clean over the chorus chords or add too it, maybe panned hard left and right with the distortion in the middle. For variety, you might try a cleaner tone for the bottom distortion in the first verse, and juice it up in the 2nd, etc.Bass might be a little busy in the verse too.Hope you don't take any of this as a slam- It's not. I have really had to relearn so many things to get out of the 80's and 90's mindset--- and I though I'm closer, there are still some dated things I find myself gravitating to out of comfort.Overall, think more organic. Let layers create the space. Let drums be drums, guitars be guitars, etc. FX to add character, but not THE character in most cases.That's my 2 cents, I'm eager to hear the vocal -- you have a way with hook and melody that's very natural and interesting.Aub

[horacejesse]

I liked it. Thought it had a good feel. Next to an expert like Aub, though, there is very little I should (or could) say about production. I look forward to hearing the completed piece.What we need around here is a single thread where guys with Aub's knowledge can really get busy defining and delineating ALL the differences in production values between the various eras. Unless there already is such a thread. I find such information fascinating and useful but just very hard to remember, for some reason.

[tuite]

Hey man!First impression, I liked the groove, it has a happy vibe and Im interested in hearing the vocal track. I agree with Aub on the bass in the verse, its way too busy, it sounds a little "Midi-ish" too (if that`s even a word?). The drums, I also don`t like the gated snare, the highs (snare top, cymbals, hat etc.) are a little harsh and the low end isnt in the mix. Try adding 50-60 hz to the kick. The levels are okay though. I love the 16ths in the chorus on the hat. I also like the beat that comes after this section. It mixes the song up well.The verse guitar tone is a little too "classic rock" for this type of song I think but I`d have to hear the vocals to really say. Aub is right, the vox could put a nice slant on this whole vibe. I really dont like the "bell" sound on the line in the verse. There is a twang on some notes which would sound very odd to untrained ears, it is very repetitive also. It might conflct with the vox also, when there in. It`s not good to have a busy track panned center with a vox track.Anyway, I wont criticise too much, post up the track when its done please, Id ;ike to hear it. That was supposed to be constructive so I hope you dont take offense. Again, it sounds positve so keep it up.Colm.

[emusic]

Nice groovy and a good uptemo feel. Repetetive. Need more small variations, but I guess that comes in your final version. Looking forward to hear it.If the guitars need something here; it´s a little spicy riff here and there and some variation; but then again - maybe there aint room for that. Well; final version will tell us that.Keep it up.