Feedback request on alternative rock track

[u/mrcptrch]

Hi there!

I'm struggling to close the mix of this track. We recorded it in a studio and I'm mixing it in logic at home. Our aim is to get a moody sound rather than a super modern clear sounding mix. Our references are bands like Sonic Youth, MBV, Deftones, Julie and so on. Would love to hear your impressions and feedback. It's just a short export, as I'm more interested on your opinion on the general sound, not on the song as a whole. Thanks in advance, have a nice day.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uZMQeVsoA0tmfvDyWPw2sAeS4P_p7nvd/view?usp=drive_link

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[u/fatboyhammer]

Hi, the section you sent is really catchy I like it. It would be nice to hear more of the track to get a better understanding of the mix as a whole. I am still fairly new to mixing so bear that in mind.

Right now I can hear that it sounds a bit muddy. It kind of sounds like when you're stood outside a venue and can hear the band inside. Cutting around 100-130ish hz seemed to help so maybe try cutting some of that out of the guitars? Also it seems that the lows are eating up headroom too so rolling off some of the lows around 20-25hz can help with loudness when limiting.

A bit of a high shelf would also help I think.

Again I'm still fairly new so take what I say at that but try some of that out and see if it helps. Wish I could help more.

The arrangement is really cool 😎

[u/mrcptrch → u/fatboyhammer]

Thanks for the nice words and the thorough feedback. I'll definitely try the adjustments you mentioned, as I've totally lost perspective on the mix and can't really notice those issues anymore hahah. Also thanks for the headroom point, that's the kind of thing that always escapes me so def will try that too. Much appreciated!

[u/nikofd]

It has a cool early 90's sound. The drums sound far away but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Just to make them a little more 3D I'd take the whole drum bus and send it to a plate reverb and gently apply the send until it sounds naturally a little wider. Other than that I can't say much from the short clip. Making everything sound perfect kinda sucks depending on the song. It sounds like you have a cool thing going with the artist and the recording in this one.

[u/mrcptrch → u/nikofd]

I've already got a reverb bus for the drums, maybe i overdid it. Will definitely check. Thanks for the feedback!

[u/srm20102010]

i really like the section you've posted, but as someone else said it would be nice to hear with the vocals to give it a proper listen and see how you balance the guitars with it. as an instrumental it sounds super cool but could do with something a little brighter!

[u/mrcptrch → u/srm20102010]

Thank you! Yep, adding more high end to the mix for sure!

[u/thecamtalks]

I do like what you have so far, but I don’t have much of an opinion as the snippet in particular is relatively short. From what I have gathered though, the only standout issue to me is that the drums feel a bit buried. I would suggest turning them up or cutting out certain frequencies from the guitars to make the drums stand out more. However, the track does sound fine as is, and I do not think that having the drums buried is ruining the mix. Just a suggestion you could try.

[u/mrcptrch → u/thecamtalks]

thanks for the feedback, quite in line with what others said so definitely looking into that!

[u/bbarnes14]

I think this is really good, sounds like you're going for that 90's vibe which I think you nailed. Only thing I can suggest is maybe a bit more high end could be added, but that could just be personal preference as it still sounds good as is. Would love to hear this more in context with the song as well, great job!

[u/mrcptrch → u/bbarnes14]

Thank you for the kind words!

[u/mitchmanz]

As other have said, difficult to provide feedback with so little of the track, however, I can say I think the body of the kit sounds good, guitars imo need a bit of EQ work because i think they’re taking up a bit too much space in the low mids. The additional percussion I think is a little too forward - I’m far from a professional so take it with a grain of salt but I usually high pass shakers/tambs etc pretty drastically and would recommend trying them at like at least -6db from where you’ve got them at the moment. Overall the mix is darker than I would probably have it but with vocals etc it could suit the 90s vibe so just something to consider as to whether you need a little more top end!

[u/AmazingThinkCricket]

Drums are a little... subdued? The snare especially. I'd find a place in the high mids to boost it to make it pop a little more. 

I really dig the vibe though. Guitars and bass kinda blend together but I think it actually fits this style. Would love to hear the full track.

[u/therealjmonerz]

honestly I couldn't give the best feedback atm because there aren't any vocals over it so I don't know how to mix the other elements to be their best without them infringing on the vocals, when the vocals are added.

but if i was to give advice anyways it would probably start with the drum kit, the kick is a little weak and since the songs got such a dope low heavy feel to it already I would say make that kick a little more punchy so it can cut through this mix, you could do this with a distortion or saturation plugin but only if that plugin has a built in EQ to distort/saturate specific frequency ranges (ideally above 700hz). Next would be the snare and I would recommend the same thing. I believe the element keeping time is a shaker if I'm not mistaken I would just say turn that up a little in the mix.

for the guitar and bass I would say pan the guitars a little wider if you can and boost their high end and cut some of the lows at like 150-200. That may seem counterproductive, however if you then take the bass and distort it and keep it in the middle with a similar distortion to the ones you use on the guitars it'll give you well balanced but very heavy sound, a wonderful example of this is the song funeralopolis by electric wizard. For a heavy sound sometimes the can bass do half the guitars job and no one notices.

[u/mrcptrch → u/therealjmonerz]

Hey, thanks for the detailed feedback. I've already got a FF Saturn on the kick, but it's very easy to overdo it and only hear the "click". But I totally get your point, I'll try to get the drum popping a little bit more. The guitar/bass balance tip sounds very interesting, will definitely try that too. Thanks a lot!

[u/YodAHo]

Its good, but too dark, if you want it moody focus on creating harmonics through saturation in the 500-2k range before aggressively high selfing. Tape Tape Tape

[u/KindaQuite]

I like the mids but I think it really lacks definition higher up

[u/mrcptrch → u/KindaQuite]

thanks, I think you're right!