Nice master but I think the vocals would definitely benefit from some more stereo width and perhaps more reverb, they sound quite dry right now. Also, if you're careful - I'd try make them a little more crisp as well by adding some high freq (just not too much or they'll become harsh)

Yea I think you're right. I've updated the track with your suggestions. I used the vengeance audio stereo bundle and their multiband compressor to bring out the presence and widen up the vocals. I think I found a nice balance without getting too harsh.

https://soundcloud.com/failmachine/no-remix-wip/s-ukFAq

yea.. I'm digging that 112 version too.. the problem is I'm still torn between the claps and the snare version... Maybe with the snare brought down in volume and leaving the claps on top.. I dunno.. I need to give it a break for a few days and come back with some fresh ears I guess.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Quote from: failmachine on April 25, 2016, 09:32:29 pm

So I used to love Massive and FM8 but to be honest, I have really been geeking out to Spire and Serum lately.

The spire has so many great characteristics of my Virus but in soft synth form. I love the grundgy bass sounds I can make with it. And Serum is so rich and smooth! I don't think I could make another track without using at least one of those two synths right now.

ahh sounds good..massive is still my favourite and i love it too

Spire I'm still learning, but I've seen that it takes a lot of CPU, it slows down the computer so much

Yea, I typically end up freezing a lot of my soft synth tracks during the writing/creation process... and I usually render down to audio before I start mixing because I like to have as much CPU and memory possible for my EQ, compressors, stereo processors, saturators... etc

Honestly though, I think all the synths mentioned are amazing and capable of a lot in general. If you're new to synth programming/patching, pick one and learn the hell out of it. Some of the best music is made with very tight constraints.. I made a whole track where all my synths were just serum and it sounds great!

Its better to know one synth really well than to have like 8 that you can only tweak presets on.

Thanks for the feedback!

I'd up the tempo right away; I think it would definitely suit a faster BPM.

Here is the 127 bpm version for you (I like the hook but the acapella sounds rushed to me):
https://soundcloud.com/failmachine/no-remix-127bpm/s-BGk2h

Sounds nice overall, not sure if that dubstep-ish snare fits the track though, maybe try somenthing like a clap, it should sound better imo.

And here is the 112 bpm version with the claps (you are right, it sounds better):
https://soundcloud.com/failmachine/no-remix-claps/s-eI3ri

I'm kinda leaning towards the slower version with the claps right now but I would love to hear more of my fellow producer's opinions on the subject!

I am totally rocking out to this while at work. Great track. I love the almost 80's throwback with the modern twist. Solid track and solid mixdown. I love it!

The best advice ever given to me was to check your mixes in mono. I have a stereo processing effect rack I made that I use on many of my mix busses and the master bus. If you use Ableton you can grab it here:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3817027/FM%20Stereo%20Processor.adg

Here are what the macros do:

• Low X-Over: the crossover frequency for low to mids
• High X-Over: the crossover frequency for mids to highs
• Mid Drive: Adds some analog clip saturation drive to the mids
• High Drive: Adds some analog clip saturation drive to the highs
• Low Width: Lets you make the lows less wide (on big systems, you should be full mono down there)
• Mid Width: Control width of mids
• High Width: Control width of the highs
• Master Width: If you turn this to 0 you will be in full mono.

If you put the master to 0% width you may find something similar to what you are hearing on your mobile phone speakers. (summed mono can be a killer if you don't have all your phasing perfect)

I've found this rack super useful in controlling the low end because any stereo information below around 150hz will rob you of power on a club system because the subs are almost always summed to mono. Just slap this on your bass buss and set the low width to "0". Then tweak the low x-over until it sounds the best.

If you pull the master width to 0 you will here anything with phasing issues cut out and as you open it back up you will here which things you need to "fix"...

Controlling the mid and high width individually can also help diagnose phase problems that may be fixable with EQ.

Enjoy

I love that piano and the whole vibe. I think the song could use a little melody with the piano on the second section.