MIX hell

[Rosario]

Hi all,

I recently have got some very nice words about my music on some listings I submitted on, but none of them forwarded on. The reason? the mix was not broadcast quality. I am a musician, by no means an engineer, I could never afford to have a pro mix all my stuff. I had an engineer mix one song of mine and it cost me $300. Is there some software that they are using to gauge this stuff? I cant begin to know whats is acceptable other than what I think is cool, because I created it. Are there than many professionally trained engineers listing to this stuff? What dose a po boy do? I want to be a contender but I cant wear more hats than I'm qualified for, being an artist is demanding enough. Critical engineering work is a craft in its own. How are guys like me getting through? or is it that we are not?? I sure would like to here from anyone who could give some advise.

Buy the way, I think the Taxi experience has been an great eye opener as to my strength and weaknesses, and engineering is defiantly one of my weakpoints!

[cardell]

Check out Graham Cochrane's site, The Recording Revolution.

...especially this: http://www.rethinkmixing.com/

Stuart

[davewalton]

I think we might need a little more detail, maybe like a listing and a specific song. For example, I listened to Angel's Call and thought the "broadcast quality" aspect of the recording was just fine (actually the whole thing was fine ). When I listened to "Helplessly" I felt that the instruments were recorded well but that the vocal was the weak link. Recording-wise, it sounds a bit, I don't know... kind of dull. It sounds like the vocal has no treatment at all, just recorded to a track "as is". It seems like it should be a little brighter and that it needs some compression to level things out.

For what it's worth, just based on those two tracks, I'm not hearing a "universal" problem so maybe it's just an element or two on one or two tracks? Or maybe just tracks with vocals? Which ones specifically were the screeners referring to?

[rnrmachine]

I would have to agree with Dave, I'm actually hearing some good work. Although Helplessly is one rough mix. Sounds too much like it's a raw recording with nothing special added. The vocals need work. The mix needs a bit more glue and better transitions.

Buy a book to help ya learn tricks... ways to use certain things to achieve certain things, etc...

Also, I can't stress enough... when you do the drums... would a drummer be proud of that? OR does it sound like you just programmed some drums and jumped right to the part you like to do? each part needs to sound like someone would be proud of what they have done... even if it's simple, it's needs to sound like someone did it with confidence and self gratification... imho anyway.

Good Luck!!! nice work so far!!!

[DesireInspires]

Your strength is in your instrumentals. Stick with those and make less songs with vocals.

[sedge]

each part needs to sound like someone would be proud of what they have done... even if it's simple, it's needs to sound like someone did it with confidence and self gratification... imho anyway

agree with that, John

[BruceBrown]

We are all having to learn to be engineers now.
We're writer, producers, engineers, musicians and office staff all rolled into one. With the advent of home recording we get to wear all the hats.
I suggest you listen to the mixes of your favorite music or study the tracks that are referenced in the listings, for instance,
I'm planning on submitting to a Southern Rock Inst. listing and Taxi referenced the Allman Bros. So i got out my Allman CD's and started listening.
Where do things sit in the mix? Two gtrs, one panned left the other right. Do they sound close to you or far away?
Dry or with reverb? Bright or dull? How loud is the bass? You get the idea. Listen with a critical ear and learn to copy those sounds.
Don't be afraid to plug in eq and just turn all the knobs to see what they do. Same with compressors and reverb. Try the hall sounds the room sounds big small. If you hate it just close your session without saving it and it will be back where you started next time you open it. Don't be afraid to mess it up, you'll learn fro your mistakes and get better with time and practice. Practice mixing like you practice your instrument.
You Can do it.
Use your ears. Ask other people. Read engineering mag. Go to online forums about mixing.
You may not like it, but it's your new gig.
Kinda goes with the territory now days.
Best of luck with it.
Bruce

[Rosario]

Thank you everyone I value all of your input!

[rnrmachine]

Thank you everyone I value all of your input!

You have solid vocal talent... it's being more dynamic in your mixing that is suffering. Only on some mixes too. Don't give up on your vocals, you're too good to quit now!!