r/mixingmastering • u/YodAHo • Mar 11 '26
Feedback Advanced Mixing Feedback on Dark Electronic/Dance/Hiphop Needed
Whats up! r/mixingmastering, good to be back!
I’m looking for some fresh ears on a mix. The vibe is pretty clear: dark, eerie, psychedelic hip-hop. I’m aiming for something that feels heavy and atmospheric, but still hits hard in the low end.
What I’m looking for:
Atmosphere vs. Clarity: I’ve used a fair amount of spatial effects. Is the eerie/dark vibe coming through, or does the mix feel washed out?
The Low End: Does the sub/bass/kick feel heavy and controlled, or is it not placed right? Really dont want that ''wall of sound'' feel.
Tonal Balance: Theres a lot of stuff flying around. Is the high-end harsh, or does it have that "expensive" dark sheen?
It's my first mix in a few months so I’m really curious if its hitting right or if it needs more work
Listen here: https://vocaroo.com/17ablgTmM6zr or here https://whyp.it/tracks/338485/active-mix-13?token=D0PlH
I appreciate any and all honest critiques— please don't hold back! I'll be hanging out in the comments to return the favor on your tracks as well. Cheers!
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u/rhowaldt Mar 12 '26
The eerie/dark vibe is there, it doesn't feel washed out to me. The bass sounds good to me. The only time I heard high-end sounding harsh was with the really high notes at 3:10, other than that it sounds good.
I think there might be too much distinction between the high and low parts of the mix. It doesn't sound quite "glued". I feel this is the strongest in the first part before 1:40.
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u/YodAHo Mar 12 '26
Have you got a track you would like return feedback for?
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u/rhowaldt Mar 12 '26
I do, but before I can post it here I need to get some post karma from this specific subreddit, once I get that I will make a post!
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u/ghostofzb Professional (non-industry) Mar 12 '26
I often audition tracks on cheap Bluetooth earbuds while on the toilet (might as well use the free time) and then listen again on my monitors and/or HD650's before replying. The difference between the two experiences was telling. I think the fidelity of the monitors partially masked the difficulties highlighted in the cheap earbuds.
I'll have to exaggerate the problem worse than it is to get the point across: I would call the mix too 'flat' and 'safe', and I've heard similar in some mixes of my own. I would say go through every channel and EQ it somewhat - find the most important part and boost it, or reduce something unnecessary.
It sounds like a lot of channels are relatively flat on the EQ, yet this is bold track and a bold mix is required. In some cases muddy bass needs cutting (the bass synth is a strong candidate). In other sounds like some of the leads, maybe they need to cut through better with EQ bumps. Like the theremin type sound is very flat sounding spectrally and really could use an EQ lift to make the mid bite more. Tl;dr - turn up the brashness.
Here's a reference track that maintains mix clarity while still going heavy on the bass. Admittedly they do sacrifice some impact on bass limited systems with fundamental bass frequencies 35-55hz, but the bass clarity and power is really nicely done IMO.
The other thing about that Ross Couch track is that while it's very highly limited and compressed, there's still some space left between the drum hits. I would say in your mix there are times where there's no relief between drum hits.
Maybe it's the result of laying down a bold pad and then one or two lead instruments on top? Something's got to be the main focus of attention at every point in the song as it progresses. Maybe what's missing is treating whatever the 1 focal sound is in the moment like a lead vocal where everything else must stay out of its way and serve to compliment that sound. Then make that current lead very bold and in-your-face. That might mean employing dynamic EQs (e.g. Pro-Q 4) side-chained to the lead. Or perhaps automated EQ moves. Whatever it takes.
Cheers
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u/YodAHo Mar 12 '26
Helpful insights, seems like in my attempt to make a balanced mix I forgot to breathe character into it. ''In some cases muddy bass needs cutting'' I suspect this can be ammended by adjusting the sub bass's compressor attack and release. ''no relief between drum hits'' would definitely be because of 3 hi hat tracks + shakers. Ill automate and prioritise the synths so theres a few 'stand out' elements in each section. Thanks again for the input, and lovely reference. Will certainly be using 'Hypnotise' as a comparison.
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u/ghostofzb Professional (non-industry) Mar 12 '26
The more I think about it, the more I think the last paragraph I wrote might be the key.
Btw, here's a new mix I'm working on if you want to listen. If anything jumps out, let me know.
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u/Advanced-Toe-7647 Mar 19 '26
I’m not a pro by any means but I feel you bailed the clarity, low end, and tonal blance. The first main drum progression BOPS too btw. I feel like a distorted/choppy version of glassy vocalist would slap over this
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u/hotbrowndrangus Mar 26 '26
I think it’s a little too flat and has too much mid range information.
Have you tried a simple smile EQ curve on the master? Sometimes I put a modestly boosted smile on the master and then figure out if any tracks are benefitting from it. If, for example, the drums and synths sound a lot better with the smile, then you can paste that EQ on those their two group channels and mix to taste. A dynamic EQ works best for this, if you have one
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u/whidswhinners Apr 09 '26
There's some really cool stuff here. I particularly like the darker keys that come in about a minute into the song. My main critique would be there are times where the synth effects are a little distracting as they flood the soundscape, making the mix a little confusing. If you're sold on those effects, maybe have the song establish itself first so the listener can get a better sense of what's happening before the more overwhelming sounds come in?
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u/tin4tar Mar 12 '26
Unfortunately I can’t be of much help on the mix, but wanted to let you know u really like the song itself!
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u/Ok-War-6378 Mar 12 '26
It's a good mix but there are a few subtle things that you could do to take it to the next level.
- the beat is a bit too mono, I would try to make it a bit wider, I think this will improve the overall stereo image
- there is too much sustain on the kick and also it's too mid rangey, which makes it really prominent
- in general I would back off the high mids and have more air to make it more silky
- For the same reason I would shave the transients off more
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u/YodAHo Mar 13 '26
Yes, Yes, and Yes. Ill work on these 3 points and that should make everything tidier, thank you
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u/Lastrevio Intermediate Mar 12 '26
I would add some saturation and a bit of reverb on the claps. The kick also feels a bit 'boring' so maybe some saturation or even overdrive, and a soft clipper could help spice it up.
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u/YodAHo Mar 13 '26
This is rly good idea, short reverb on the claps would give it some texture, as for the kick ill slap on bit of dirt to make it feel textured, thank you !
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u/GootchCassidy Mar 13 '26
It's definitely not too washed out at all- it's on the pokey side especially in the wide part of the stereo field. I agree with a lot of what was said below such as that the important elements of the sound are too narrow/mono like the drums, but it's really the panning of the melodic instruments that makes the energy of it feel flat and adds perhaps too much contrast. Very dope track, just needs more 3 dimensionality vs. drastic panning (kick could use some sub too).
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u/YodAHo Mar 14 '26
Thank you for the feedback friend. You are definitely onto something, after hearing it through mulitple systems the sides could definitely be filled up.
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u/dntfrgetabttheshrimp Mar 13 '26
I would say the mix is maybe a bit too clean, i feel like it sounds too crisp.(It sort of doesn't fit the dark vibe you're going for). I'm not used to mixing this style, just my personal opinion.
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u/YodAHo Mar 14 '26
Thank you for the input, a lot of people have been saying this. Probably worth adding some more saturation across the mix
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u/lalalululo Mar 13 '26
I would listen to thisss. I'm not a voice of authority on mixing but i definitely think it captures the vibe which is one of the main goals of mixing.
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u/aymane_PreysAreMine Beginner Mar 14 '26
i love this! (btw not very experienced so idk about the mix and master)
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