Mix Feedback - Keep Your Knots Tight

[johnnyrowing]

Hoping for some "fresh ears" recommendations on this mix.

https://www.taxi.com/members/Ef77nz5GSm ... nots-tight

It is for an Americana/Folk Listing
https://www.taxi.com/industry#listing-S241128MR

[cosmicdolphin]

LIstened to the refs...Americana with a slightly darker vibe...stripped back arrangements - no drums on any of the refs ...Cool.

I played yours and I'm immediately hit by a big drum fill and fairly loud rhythm track and a much more jaunty vibe than the refs, so for me it's immediately apparent it's not a good match for the listing irregardless of the mix but would probably be suitable for another more upbeat Americana listing.

Mix wise I'd say the vocal is too far out front and the guitars / banjos etc are too low in the mix. You need to bring them up without masking the vocal so the best way is to put them all on a buss, turn them up enough so they cover/mask the vocal somewhat and then do an EQ cut in the instrument buss that 'reveals' the vocal undernath and lets it cut through. Or you can cheat and use something like Trackspacer. Then you'll end up with a more balanced mix.

The low end also seems a bit shy, I don't know if you've rolled of a bunch of stuff but you might have overdone it. It's no good referencing it against the tracks in this listing as they don't have a similar enough arrangement but you should be able to find somehing to A/B your mix against and adjust the low end better to match genre expectations.

Mark

[johnnyrowing]

Mark,
Thanks for offering feedback. I used the Oldsmobile track for a reference when I wrote the tune. As you note, this is jaunty in comparison.


I aggressively applied your critiques.
1. Drums brought back.
2. I took music bed up and vocal bed down. I did some sidechaining of the vox to the bed to try to make sure vox still have clarity and cut through.
3. I had my acoustic instruments with a pretty aggressive low-cut (possibly around 200 hz). I rolled that back to more like 125 hz. I think this is the "low-end" you might've sensed was lacking.

Ironically, I'm a bit concerned that the bass guitar is too loud.

I'm having some major disfunction in my ears right now (medical stuff). So, your feedback and wisdom is deeply appreciated.

https://www.taxi.com/members/Ef77nz5GSm ... nots-tight

[cosmicdolphin]

Yeah that sounds considerably better to me now - I still think as a song it's too jaunty for this brief but this mix balance works much better in general so it's a worthwhile exercise.

You're right the bass guitar is too loud now. It has a lot of mid range sound that cuts through a little too much I think so maybe try applying a low pass filter first before you decide whether to nudge the fader down as well

My other nitpick now is that the vocals are coming across a little crispy sounding. They sound a little overprocessed to me or maybe you've applied EQ too aggressively but I am missing some warmth and hearing an edgy upper mid so I think that would be worth looking into as well.

Mark

[telefunkin]

I have to agree that this one heads more towards Jimmy Buffett than down-home earthy Americana. I like it though and hope it gets picked up.

I also agree that its sounding better after the tweaks. I'm not too upset by the bass, but in a couple of places I get a hint of sharpness in the vocal. My main comment is that the mando notes step in the way of the vocal a little in the two sections 33-45s and 1:25-1:35, so I'd be tempted to push it out of the way a touch and let the words come through clearly.

Best of luck with the song .

[johnnyrowing]

Thanks Mark and Telefunkin for taking the time to put your ears on the track.

Mark,
I applied your 2nd Round of Feedback yesterday. This might be why Tele wasn't bothered by the bass.

Tele,
I applied your feedback today. I took down the Banjo/Mando volumes in the sections that you noted. Also, per both you and Mark I tried to EQ the reduce harshness.

I appreciate both of you. I'll submit this later today and hope that the listener sees some hope/connection to what the client desires. I have some darker stuff I am submitting too. So, we'll see.

With gratitude,
Johnny

[funsongs]

Thanks Mark and Telefunkin for taking the time to put your ears on the track.

Mark,
I applied your 2nd Round of Feedback yesterday. This might be why Tele wasn't bothered by the bass.

Tele,
I applied your feedback today. I took down the Banjo/Mando volumes in the sections that you noted. Also, per both you and Mark I tried to EQ the reduce harshness.

I appreciate both of you. I'll submit this later today and hope that the listener sees some hope/connection to what the client desires. I have some darker stuff I am submitting too. So, we'll see.

With gratitude,
Johnny

Howdy - here's hoping to hear the mix you submit.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Amigo!
Missed seeing you at the RR.

[VanderBoegh]

Ay Johnny! I didn't listen to the ref tracks, so I'll just have to assume that the other fellas hit the nail on the head in that it doesn't quite match the mood & production of the refs.

BUT.... dude, this is a GREAT song! You've really found your voice this past year - and this song might be among the best I've heard you sing on. It's a fun little tune, with a "Neil Young meets Bruce Springsteen meets Rascal Flats" vibe. I keep getting The Boss' "Greetings from Asbury Park" vibes from your stuff - and that's a high compliment, because that album is still easily in my Top 10 favorites of all time! Keep making more of this stuff.

~~Matt

[funsongs]

BUT.... dude, this is a GREAT song! You've really found your voice this past year -
and this song might be among the best I've heard you sing on.
~~Matt

Not trying to steel any of the Professor's THUNDER - just that I was thinking along similar lines;
I too really like your voice/vocal performance on this song.
Hope you'll post your FINAL mix.
Cheers & Merry Christmas-season to you.
Peter - by the sea!

[johnnyrowing]

Thanks Matt and Peter.



I do think I have finally found "my thing". Now I just gotta get better at "my thing" and keep working until someone makes it "their thing".

I submitted 5 tracks to the recent Americana listing. Hopefully, the listener will find redeeming qualities in the work.

I appreciate the support and affirmation.

Johnny