Trying to improve my mixing skills

[jefflaplante]

Can you all take a listen to my newest cue?...a modern pop instrumental. I'm wanting some advice on the mix, as I have been doing a lot of research on how to achieve louder volume without distorting the sound. One library that I'm working with is asking for -6 to -8 LUFS in order to compete with Top 40 tracks. Problem is, I don't have a $100,000 budget. I'm just a dude on an $800 PC. (Melodea...I still need to learn your side-chaining technique.)

https://soundcloud.com/jeff303/top-notc ... al_sharing

[DouglasKnight]

Wow, this sounds really great to me, Jeff. It's not really my genre, but the mix sounds punchy and has a lot of air. Great work as always!
Best of luck,
Doug

[myk247365]

ok, this one hit hard to start off, had to turn down the volume to make it through the track. So I'm guessing you hit the mark with the request for -6 to -8db LUFS.

I'm missing quite a bit of high end in my hearing due to playing drums for 30+ years. So when something sounds really hot on the high end, I'm concerned for those who haven't beaten up their ears like mine. I hear tons of sizzle, the cymbals have no low end which gives them a dated quality(IMHO). The snare seems to be using up a fairly large spectrum which can impede other instruments coming through, especially some of the slower attack synths which seem to get buried. Also, on the other end, I tend to hear lots of sub bass in today's music, and I don't really feel it in this piece. I think you could do well to tweak the bass drum and bass so that there's a bit more boom as opposed to the punch you have. That will tend to fill out the frequency spectrum and give the other instruments a nice bed to lay upon.

Hope this helps.

Michael

[cosmicdolphin]

Hey Jeff

Had a quick listen on all 3 monitoring options here in my treated room. Sounds good on everything here - translates well to the Mixcube in mono and the boombox so no red flags so as long as it's loud enough which I suspect it will be then you're good.

I disagree with Micheal about the high & low end which is pretty much on a par with current material. As you know I've a lot of this type of thing on TV and this would fit right in IMHO. I do hear some sub in there, probably more than I would have myself, I can hear it on these monitors which go down to 37hz ( allegedly ) and if I pull up the scope I can also see what I hear. I don't think it's an issue as it's within acceptable boundarys and I have heard ref tracks with this level of sub too.

So all in all I think you're good to go - Nice job !

Mark