Quote from: lyteside on January 14, 2016, 01:46:54 am

curious to hear "before & after" pieces from you!

Oh Geez.
Old:
4 of the oldest tracks I could find. All from around 2-3 years ago.
https://soundcloud.com/arrient/nitro-fun-dragonfly-arrient-remix/s-sH9f0
https://soundcloud.com/arrient/arrient-ghosts/s-Xj8YG
https://soundcloud.com/arrient/im-alive-arrient-remix/s-Nig4k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tklVCf4xvDs

Some of my more recent tracks:

Here would be my favorite track Ive ever worked on:

Beautiful work! Great to see [hear] how far you've come. But also, just fantastic work regardless. Beautiful melodies and explorations

I always kind of assumed that you should only use pan and volume automation for effects and fade ins/outs. I figured doing otherwise messes with the balance of your mix. But I've never seen anybody say anything about this.

I was surprised to find that so many professionals use volume automation for vocals, guitars, drums, etc. on top of the standard compression and limiting techniques. Panning is a little less surprising, since I hear that quite a bit in music, especially in EDM (where a synth or arp is panned differently to accent it during certain parts).

Keep in mind that a song is linear and tells a story too. We're not talking about a 5 second loop here, but a movement over time, so these tricks are sometimes necessary.

Thanks so much for the feedback! definitely gonna take a look again at these guitars.

I agree that the vocals are untamed in their loudness too.

nice babes in the cover pic too!

ha, thanks! Those are actually the vocalists in the song - a duo called Booty Luv.

Looking back on my old music is pretty rough and unsettling

Oh. My. Goodness. So true. lol

The trite lyrics. Horrid unbalanced tone. I can actually hear my unskilled self through the song. "Yep, definitely didn't know about compression very much in this song. (laugh)" "Ugh, why didn't i add a separate sub to this song?"

Then eventually I realize, that's okay. It's all a part of my journey of learning and growing. I'm resolved to not become like George Lucas, going back over and over again trying to re-invent my songs with new knowledge. I think there is something sweet and special about leaving those songs in their states, as a witness of how far I've come in my ability. Also... sometimes it's good to come back to those songs because every once in a while, a song still sounds good, and I think its because I didn't know more about what to do, so i didn't screw it up with over EQing, compression, effects, etc.


I'm working on a new album this year, and i hope to learn how to use my creative time better, so it takes me 2-3 years to complete (not 7 like the last one!). Also wanting to increase efficiency of my work flow. I'm even learning how to value myself enough to set boundaries & deadlines with other collaborators, so we can actually get things done (or move on).


Great post. Good to reflect...

I'm nervous about you just adding more reverb on channels, or pads, etc. I think I like the stabby in your face mix here.

What I would try next is some sort of stab sound with long reverb tails and sidechained, etc. that comes in every once in a while. This can add some more character and layering in there, without the whole song getting a wash of reverb, tone, noise, etc.

Try taking your second bass "fart" sound to complete mono, to contrast it with the first one in stereo (or do the opposite). I think you'll get some more texture and character that way too.

I threw some of the vocals in, just to fill the space a little, but they haven't been processed terribly yet. Looking for some honest feedback on the tonal balance of the mix. Everything sounding even and full enough? After working on a mix for so long, its easy to miss things! Thanks in advance for your time.

https://soundcloud.com/delta-s/carnivale-bootyluv-justcherise/s-DkWg1

curious if I can get away with more volume on the wah guitar during that verse section too...

Hey there, I feel like I may have some good input for ya since I'm a "new artist/producer"

~ Hope it helps.

Post some examples of your vocal songs! Can't wait to hear

I think the chemistry between you, the producer and the vocalist has work really well too so you both talk open about what you think is good or what needs improvement.

absolutely! So much depends on the chemistry and ability to communicate accurately ideas back n' forth. Sometimes an "okay" vocalist can become a great one with some confidence and clarity on the direction given.