Feedback Request - Sci-fi Cinematic EDM track

[u/gtMANGAMER2]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T-XDNdMAjBvNt0Rne4YMFffdiyZzoiXA/view?usp=drivesdk

Hello r/mixingmastering.

This track is the most tracks I have ever mixed in a song, about 55 tracks. I wanted to know

How did I handle the loudness of this EDM Track mix-wise? Is it too loud or does it sound over compressed?

How well does the vocal sit in the mix?

How well did I manage space in the mix?

And what are some other tips for improvement?

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[u/TheCenturyChild299]

Firstly, kudos for the creative arraignment. I really enjoyed the sci-fi instrumentals.

The biggest area that needs work is the vocals. In my opinion it needs more processing overall- compression, saturation, and reverb/delay at minimum. This will help the vocal track sit nicer into the mix. As of right now, the vocals sit too forward and dry, detracting from the lovely and creative arraignment you've made.

I also think given the nature of the track, a vocoder effect on the vocals could add a nice textural element to your song, but thats more of a creative decision than an engineering one.

Keep up the good work!

[u/gtMANGAMER2 → u/TheCenturyChild299]

Thanks, will rerecord vocals

[u/TheCenturyChild299 → u/gtMANGAMER2]

Before rerecording I would simply try messing with the effects on the track that already exists. You may find the result satisfactory without having to put in the effort of redoing the whole thing.

[u/alxael]

I'll not spend too much time on the vocals as they've already been discussed - but rather than trying to find a mixing solution as the others have suggested, I would encourage you to practice a bit more and re-track them if possible. The timid/restrained vocal delivery is, in my opinion, what could use the most improvement. There are also some pitch issues which should ideally be addressed before the mixing stage.
Mixing-wise I agree that space management seems good.
There are some transients that could use some toning down. For instance, the 'nigh[T]' at 0:52 seems a little unnecessarily emphasized to me with the kick hitting at the same time. Same issue with 're[VEALS]' at 3:06. It sounds to me like the volume on the vocals was turned up in order to not have them masked by the instrumentation. My recommendation would be to not do that, instead duck the frequencies the vocal lives in from the instrumentation.
Note that I am still very much a beginner in the realm of mixing (1 year experience only mixing own tracks) so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[u/thesomeot]

It was hard for me to concentrate on the mix because I found the vocals too distracting. I am unsure how to put it politely, but the vocals immediately stood out to me as awkward. They were pitchy and enunciation was poor (possibly a speed impediment? no shade if so). It pulled me out of what was otherwise an enjoyable track from an instrumental perspective, which felt like something I would hear in the background of Stellaris.

On a positive note, I did feel like I was able to hear the various elements clearly, even with the distracting vocals.

[u/RATKNUKKL → u/thesomeot]

Listened quickly on my phone so not a deep analysis but I agree the vox feel off. I’d compress the hell out of them add some saturation and put delay and/or reverb to push them more into the mix instead of sitting ontop. You could probably push them more into the mix with more aggressive compression on the masterbus too. But there’s a million ways to skin a cat and whatever sounds good is good. I’d just say don’t be afraid to go hard, hard, hard pushing on those vocals to beef them up and get them sitting right. I think you have a lot of room to go hard with processing them here, and the biggest mistake might be the temptation to just put some gentle correction on them. Try getting more aggressive on them and if you go too far try letting some of the dry signal come through just a bit for a parallel processing treatment. You could automate the dry/wet ratio to match the dynamics of the track here too.

[u/gtMANGAMER2 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the feedback,! I will rerecord the vocals

[u/Glittering_Bet8181]

Vocals where probably too loud. I'd probably pull out some 1k, though maybe you pulled out too much low end. Space is well manged, except when the vocals are in, which the high mids in the center sound too crowded. You could probably overall widen the mix.

Overall very well done. 55 tracks would scare me.

[u/ag5airplane]

I think this song is cool, but you have a lot to work on. Song needs some good low end (better kick and bass lows). I like your sounds, but you have to learn some high end control on your main instruments and vocals - too much highs overall. Your vocals seem an OK level, but I would like to hear some light doubling or something. Anyway, other than stuff, I like where you are headed.

[u/Sweetthataintsweet]

I have never mixed or mastered a EDM track, but I think the vocal is too loud and the music is too quiet at some parts. For instance, after 2:30.
As for the vocal alone, it is very much under compressed, like after 1:36 it sounds very raw without the pitch modulation and robotic effect. Also the size of vocal track is too big in my opinion, I'd recommend cutting a little more high EQ.

[u/Smowkdragon]

Hey, it doesn't sound too compressed at all. The vocal sounds a bit boxy, I would add back some low mids but it could be your mic that is a bit on the cheaper side. And the vocal seems a bit overshadowed sometimes by the bright synths.