Members philbo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 I agree with some of the comments here regarding the mix, especially the anemic sound of the drums and the vocals being a little bit too loud (on top of the mix). I'd love to hear them sunken in to the mix a little bit more while still being discernible (clear). I also think that there's not enough clarity and "ooomph" in the guitar. I keep wanting to hear more definition. It's not just a matter of panning it to one side and the sax to the other, although that might help. It's getting a little more separation from the two, and also just having a sense of the strings being played. Listen to how clear the guitar is in the intro, but the minute everything kicks in, you almost can't tell what instrument is playing. I'd suspect that a little bit of EQ could bring this out, as there might be some frequency masking going on, often the case if the guitar sounds great on its own but disappears in the mix.The bass lacks a bit of definition. I don't know whether this is the sound of the bass when it was recorded (probably), but I would love to hear more definition and less mud and thuddiness.And finally, I've tried not to comment on the performance because you asked about the mix, but the drums are a bit out of time, including on some of the fills, and I do think that the shifting time of the drums - maybe the rhythm section - adversely impacts a mix. I don't feel like they are completely grooving together, and that can sometimes make it more difficult to mix. You can hear that the bass and the drums, including the kick drum, are really battling each other at times. There are numerous times in the song when the bass and the kick don't hit tightly when they come in on the "1".I guess I'm extra picky here because in addition to it adversely affecting the groove and mix, in my opinion, I notice this because I like the general vibe of this song and the vocals. Personally, I like the growls. There you have it. I hope this helps. Wow, thanks for the detailed analysis. The comments on drum timing and guitar definition are good feedback. On the bass, I used the neck pickup and fingerpicked, so there's not much in the way of highs to pull out of there. I was going for a sort of 'traditional' basic blues bass, avoiding the Chris Squire type sound (which, I guess, would be the other extreme). Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 Sorry Ernest, I mistook your meaning... Actually, it was Coaster who said that.The 'bit forced' comment I do get. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 About the vocal - if there's anything about the track that brings something new to the blues, I'd say the vocal is where it's at. Not that the vocal is perfect, but it's, to me at least, by far the most interesting thing going on. Kind of a baritone sad-basset hound vibe - a drunk David Bowie sound- hey, there's some real blues feel coming through.So I'd be careful messing too radically with the vocal style-wise...but in terms of the mix, if it were my track, I'd back the vocal down into the mix a bit, smear it up a bit with some reverb. I think that would soften the first impression of "oddity" that the vocal imparts. And ride the fader to smooth out the volume at bit more.In terms of the vocal style itself - all my instincts say, accentuate the unique quality you're developing, don't play it safe in order to avoid putting people off.Your pipes are closing up and sound squeezed on some of the higher notes - if you can relax a bit and keep the from tightening up and blocking air all the way through, that might take away some of the "forced" impressions mentioned.I think you're onto something, got some work to do, keep it up!nat whilk ii Excellent comments - - The 'ride the fader' thing was also mentioned by Blue, IIRC.I like the 'don't play it safe' idea, too - - I've always felt if you're gonna do it, do it with confidence & put it all out there. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 Best mix I ever heard !!!Craig, where is the bow emoticon? Btw, I miss several emoticons to express my feelings in a general and worldwide understandable way. Thanks Rudolf! You're not just saying that because I'm Swiss, are you? (just kidding)...I believe I'll revisit the mix to tweak a few things; some of the other comments hit the mark pretty well, I think. I'm sort of wondering if Soundclick collapsed the mix to mono when they resampled it to 128K? It was uploaded at 260K; I was sort of disappointed they choked it down like that. Anyway, thanks for listening. I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 I was listening to Philbos track last night, then listened to CooterBown and his band for awhile... and got to thinking how cool it would be to see these two guys on the same stage in a club where you can buy cold beer and some hot whiskey. Hmmm... I'll have to give Cooter a listen. And maybe contact him to let him know to stop in for some jammin' & beer if he ever gets out here in the wilds of Iowa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted March 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 Here's what the I Ching said about doing a remix:(from http://www.ichingonline.net) The hexagram: Inner Truth The subject of this hexagram discovers a key to Tranquility by first gaining insight into his own nature, then turning that vision outward.By resolving inner conflicts and being at peace with himself, he learns to gain insight into others.In effect, he enters another, sees with the other's eyes, listens with the other's ears, feels with the other's heart.He then returns to his own center, with new perspective and understanding. The wind blows over the lake and stirs the surface of the water. Thus visible effects of the invisible manifest themselves. The hexagram consists of firm lines above and below, while it is open in the centre. This indicates a heart free of prejudices and therefore open to truth. On the other hand, each of the two trigrams has a firm line in the middle; this indicates the force of inner truth in the influences they present.The attributes of the two trigrams are: above, gentleness, forbearance toward inferiors; below, joyousness in obeying superiors. Such conditions create the basis of a mutual confidence that makes achievements possible.The character of fu ("truth") is actually the picture of a bird's foot over a fledgling. It suggests the idea of brooding. An egg is hollow. The light-giving power must work to quicken it from outside, but there must be a germ of life within, if life is to be awakened. Far- reaching speculations can be linked with these ideas. THE JUDGEMENT INNER TRUTH. Pigs and fishes.Good fortune.It furthers one to cross the great water.Perseverance furthers. Pigs and fishes are the least intelligent of all animals and therefore the most difficult to influence. The force of inner truth must grow great indeed before its influence can extend to such creatures. In dealing with persons as intractable and as difficult to influence as a pig or a fish, the whole secret of success depends on finding the right way of approach. One must first rid oneself of all prejudice and, so to speak, let the psyche of the other person act on one without restraint. Then one will establish contact with him, understand and gain power over him. When a door has thus been opened, the force of one's personality will influence him. If in this way one finds no obstacles insurmountable, one can undertake even the most dangerous things, such as crossing the great water, and succeed.But it is important to understand on what the force inner truth depends. This force is not identical with simple intimacy or a secret bond. Close ties may exist also among thieves; it is true that such a bond acts as a force but, since it is not invincible, it does not bring good fortune. All association on the basis of common interests holds only up to a certain point. Where the community of interest ceases, the holding together ceases also, and the closest friendship often changes into hate. Only when the bond is based on what is right, on steadfastness, will it remain so firm that it triumphs over everything. THE IMAGE Wind over lake: the image of INNER TRUTH.Thus the superior man discusses criminal casesIn order to delay executions. Wind stirs water by penetrating it. Thus the superior man, when obliged to judge the mistakes of men, tries to penetrate their minds with understanding, in order to gain a sympathetic appreciation of the circumstances. In ancient China, the entire administration of justice was guided by this principle. A deep understanding that knows how to pardon was considered the highest form of justice. This system was not without success, for its aim was to make so strong a moral impression that there was no reason to fear abuse of such mildness. For it sprang not from weakness but from a superior clarity. Food for thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UstadKhanAli Posted March 31, 2011 Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 Wow, thanks for the detailed analysis. The comments on drum timing and guitar definition are good feedback. On the bass, I used the neck pickup and fingerpicked, so there's not much in the way of highs to pull out of there. I was going for a sort of 'traditional' basic blues bass, avoiding the Chris Squire type sound (which, I guess, would be the other extreme).Thanks again. Sure thing, I hope it helps. I think that with a fingerpicked bass, you can still pull more definition out of this, even if it's by dipping the "boomy" area of the bass or something similar. But yes, you could try getting a little definition by sweeping around the mids or high mids and getting a little bit more definition. It may work. But try dipping the boomy area and see if that gets you somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rudolf von Hagenwil Posted March 31, 2011 Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 Thanks Rudolf! You're not just saying that because I'm Swiss, are you? (just kidding)...I believe I'll revisit the mix to tweak a few things; some of the other comments hit the mark pretty well, I think.I'm sort of wondering if Soundclick collapsed the mix to mono when they resampled it to 128K? It was uploaded at 260K; I was sort of disappointed they choked it down like that.Anyway, thanks for listening. I appreciate it. Of course I said that because you are Swiss. We people sitting on the mountain top sunbathing every day until 16:30 PM eating Fondue with a Rolex on our wrist, then skiing down to the village with the mandatory rifle over the shoulder visiting our secret numbered bank accounts, and when not advising international tax evasion clientele watching cheese porn all night and dancing the L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rudolf von Hagenwil Posted March 31, 2011 Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 I'm sort of wondering if Soundclick collapsed the mix to mono when they resampled it to 128K? It was uploaded at 260K; I was sort of disappointed they choked it down like that. Don't think that is the reason. There isn't much energy lost when downsampled to 128 kbps, but if so, then you can push the energy of the master a little over the top, and then the conversion process of Soundclick will sound just right as you had it mixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members amplayer Posted March 31, 2011 Members Share Posted March 31, 2011 Cool tune, and I think most everyone else has beat up the mix enough. What I want to know is why there isn't a solo on there. Guitar or Sax. This tune CRIES for a solo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted April 1, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 1, 2011 I was thinking the same thing. Maybe right before the last verse. I have a friend coming over this weekend to contribute some guitar work to the album, so I might put in an extra verse and turn him loose on it to see what happens. He's an awesome player (); I'll have to see if this is the right song for him. I have several others in progress, so I'll definitely have some of his work on the album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philbo Posted April 1, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 1, 2011 Of course I said that because you are Swiss. We people sitting on the mountain top sunbathing every day until 16:30 PM eating Fondue with a Rolex on our wrist, then skiing down to the village with the mandatory rifle over the shoulder visiting our secret numbered bank accounts, and when not advising international tax evasion clientele watching cheese porn all night and dancing the L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rudolf von Hagenwil Posted April 1, 2011 Members Share Posted April 1, 2011 I think it is a good idea to play some relaxed music as you do in that song. All the over-produced nonsense I do, slowly but surely kills my nerves. I am ready for the island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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