Does this sound midi to you:

[JohnForster]

https://soundcloud.com/johnforster/bang ... -full-inst

This Caribbean instrumental just got returned: #399 liked the energy but said it had "a distinctly midi sonic quality." The thing is, there are only real instruments on the track. So my question is, how do I fix this so I don't get that reaction again? What's giving that midi impression? Any feedback much appreciated.

[eeoo]

It's always helpful to post the listing and the full critique but if that's truly all the feedback you got I'd say it's worth an email to the headscreener and ask for clarification. Sounds pretty spot on to me, nice work!

[Len911]

nice track! Kudos! It doesn't sound midi to me. If I were to guess, maybe the flute on the solos didn't sound like they were in the same space as the rest of the band, and it seems unexpected to have a flute of this sort in this style, however, it seems to work rather well. And also I'm no expert on this Caribbean-type style.

[DannyWeber]

As said before.. sounds spot on.

What I have a problem with and maybe the screener did too is one would expect miked instruments to have more mid to low frequencies bust through the mix. More than I hear in this track.

Maybe it's just an eq or ambiance problem but those steel drums sound especially thin to me. Sorry.

I think the screener got this one right despite the live instruments.

Just my 2 cents,

Dan

[JohnForster]

Thanks so much for listening, guys, and for your helpful thoughts and suggestions. I'll revisit the mix with them in mind.

[Kolstad]

Yeah, the sounds are great, but some of the rythm does sound a bitt stiff. Did you quantize the audio? Might be solved with a touch of room on some of the elements, lack of space can give an unnatural impression even if the instruments are real. A well treated studio is not a natural space, so you would still need some “air” around the instruments.

[pveniot]

https://soundcloud.com/johnforster/bang ... -full-inst

This Caribbean instrumental just got returned: #399 liked the energy but said it had "a distinctly midi sonic quality." The thing is, there are only real instruments on the track. So my question is, how do I fix this so I don't get that reaction again? What's giving that midi impression? Any feedback much appreciated.

no midi whistle, nor midi brass, just keep the nice flute... less is more

[pveniot]

https://soundcloud.com/johnforster/bang ... -full-inst

This Caribbean instrumental just got returned: #399 liked the energy but said it had "a distinctly midi sonic quality." The thing is, there are only real instruments on the track. So my question is, how do I fix this so I don't get that reaction again? What's giving that midi impression? Any feedback much appreciated.

no midi whistle, nor midi quantiized brass, just keep the nice flute... less is more
don't be affraid to be ahead or behind time. Keep the groove

My two cent, getting there man!

Good luck

[JohnForster]

Interesting... There's no quantizing of any of the audio. The guys just play in time. Sounds like you're suggesting they play SO in time that the listener assumes it MUST be quantized. To be honest, that's NOT a problem I run into very often

But, come to think of it, a compilation producer asked me once if I'd mind if he replaced my midi drums on a track with real ones. As in this case, the track had only real drums AND the drummer was the same one as on this Caribbean track. Guess I'll need to trot out the "randomize audio" plugin.

[Kolstad]

Yeah, not to blame the musicians at all. It happens with orchestral cues often too. The real world often exceeds what we can make up! Just my opinion, though. Mileage may vary, and perhaps the track will be just the ticket for another listing.