How can I produce better sounding tracks?

with industry Pro, Nick Batzdorf

Moderators: admin, mdc, TAXIstaff

Post Reply
bmoBauhaus
Getting Busy
Getting Busy
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2021 12:17 pm
Gender: Male
Contact:

How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by bmoBauhaus » Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:55 pm

I submitted three tracks that I felt had the overall vibe that was requested but they all got returned because the production value could be better. Any tips on how to fix this? Can anyone give me a clearer idea of what they mean by that? I'm not an audio engineer so I'm sort of learning as I go but, this is probably the best I can do right now.

Here are the three tracks that got returned:

https://www.taxi.com/members/N5SOUeh_Qe ... -happy-day

https://www.taxi.com/members/N5SOUeh_Qe ... r-celesta-

https://www.taxi.com/members/N5SOUeh_Qe ... or-guitar-

PaulyB
Active
Active
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2022 7:04 am
Contact:

Re: How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by PaulyB » Sat Nov 12, 2022 11:10 am

HI bmoBauhaus ,

I'm new to TAXI but not new to sync. This is what I hear (IMHO):

1. "For Your Eyes..." the lead melody has an edginess/harshness to it. I think some EQ to take that edge off or a different VI patch.

2. "Goldfinger" Overall, it's very bright. If you haven't already, compare it to the references with an EQ analyzer. Load an EQ Analyzer on your stereo bus. Then play your cue and then a reference (with Celesta) Check out the differences between yours/theirs.

3. "The Happy Day" the instruments are standing out individually versus blending together homogeneously. I think a re-mix fixes that. Also, do a headphone chcek with the mix if you haven't already.

By the way, I like your composing chops. Focusing on making things blend more I think is the answer.

Best of luck and I hope this was helpful.

Paul

User avatar
Telefunkin
Serious Musician
Serious Musician
Posts: 2479
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:37 pm
Gender: Male
Contact:

Re: How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by Telefunkin » Sat Nov 12, 2022 11:55 am

bmoBauhaus wrote:
Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:55 pm
I submitted three tracks that I felt had the overall vibe that was requested but they all got returned because the production value could be better. Any tips on how to fix this?
Tough question! :) It prompts one in return - what's your specific problem(s)? Without knowing that its hard to answer. It could be...
- having good sound sources
- selecting appropriate sounds
- having decent recording kit
- getting good recordings
- editing and manipulating sounds
- arranging
- mixing
- mastering
- referencing
- monitors
- room
- room treatment
- setup
- hearing issues
Then there's the styles of music you want to work on (orchestral, hip hop, EDM?) that might prompt different approaches and even different kit (certainly sounds and plugins).

You might need to address several of the above, but unless you yourself can pin it down it will always be difficult for someone else to advise you. I would suggest diving into Youtube (although you might want to set a LOT of time aside) and checking out some of the MANY people who could help you find the answer. Some that I would point you towards include Graham Cochrane (Recording Revolution), Joe Gilder (Home Studio Corner), Warren Huart (Produce Like A Pro), Jesse Josefsson (sync My Music), Nathan James Larsen, and there's hundreds more to suit just about every flavour of DAW and genre. Good luck! :)
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

User avatar
Paulie
Serious Musician
Serious Musician
Posts: 2664
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:23 pm
Gender: Male
Location: San Antonio, TX
Contact:

Re: How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by Paulie » Sun Nov 13, 2022 8:26 pm

All three tracks are very good compositionally, for sure. Nice work. One thing I notice is that they all seem "dry" to me, as in lacking reverb or the feel of being live or in a room. You can also experiment with panning instruments to give the compositions some more space... place some instruments hard left or hard right to spread out the sound.

There are a ton of great YouTube channels out there, I think Recording Revolution does a great job of explaining things to new engineers.
https://www.youtube.com/user/recordingrevolution
Paul "yo paulie!" Croteau
"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." Beethoven
http://www.yopauliemusic.com | https://www.taxi.com/members/paulcroteau | https://youtube.com/@yopauliemusic

jefflaplante
Impressive
Impressive
Posts: 324
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:10 pm
Gender: Male
Contact:

Re: How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by jefflaplante » Fri Dec 09, 2022 2:46 pm

Valhalla Reverb...Get It!!!

User avatar
Telefunkin
Serious Musician
Serious Musician
Posts: 2479
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:37 pm
Gender: Male
Contact:

Re: How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by Telefunkin » Fri Dec 09, 2022 3:18 pm

jefflaplante wrote:
Fri Dec 09, 2022 2:46 pm
Valhalla Reverb...Get It!!!
Ahhh... but which one? :roll: I can't decide between Vintage and Room, but then there's Plate and Shimmer. :)
I must say though that Supermassive is the best free plugin out there, so thanks to Valhalla for that one.
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

User avatar
Burnzy
Getting Busy
Getting Busy
Posts: 77
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:11 pm
Gender: Male
Contact:

Re: How can I produce better sounding tracks?

Post by Burnzy » Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:47 pm

Engineering is a skill that takes time to develop. I’m also a much better writer and musician than engineer. Sometimes I’ll collaborate with an engineer for potential future writer credit, or if I think the track has a very good chance to make it I’ll pay an engineer to mix and/or master. Meanwhile, definitely working at it.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests