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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

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

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

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