My first metal mix: please critique!

IcedEarth112

IcedEarth112

New member


Hey guys. I recently got into recording and after doing some orchestral VST stuff I gave one of my metal tunes a whirl. The title is misleading, the first mix is actually long gone, this is my first uploaded mix though. I'm looking for feedback because I don't know how to make it better from here, my knowledge is still very limited in this field, I basically took all my EQ and Compression tips from google searching and tinkered from there.

Gear used:

Carvin DC727 with SD Full Shred/Liquifire -> Roland Quad Capture -> Lepou amp sims & God's Cab IR

EZdrummer Pop/rock kit

Please let me know what you think and I'd love any advice on where to go from here.

EDIT: 02/09/2013 New mix posted with metal machine drums
 
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Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Either my ears are waxed up this morning or there is no bass on the track. The kick drum only becomes noticeable at very end of the recording as the other instruments fade away. Even then, it seems to be almost entirely beater click. If there is a bass guitar in there, it must be exactly in sync with the rhythm guitar.

What loudspeakers are you using to monitor?

For my tastes, the orchestral/choral synthesizer pad sound takes up too much of the frequency spectrum. I would either deliberately thin out the sound with EQ or try it an octave higher.

Obviously, you are under no obligation to use an electric bass guitar. A synthetic bass part would do just as well. Could be an analogue synth pedal drone. Could be an orchestral contrabass (to fit in with the pad).


EDIT - I came back for another listen. My guess is that you mixed on computer gaming 2:1 loudspeakers.
 
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Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Assuming there's bass guitar, bring up it's 50hz by 6db in a narrow bell and also raise the 1hz area too. Smash that with compression. After the compressor, bring down the 100-120hz area (which you should proportionally raise on the kick drum) and you can have a deep humming bass and a punchier kick drum.

The snare drum also lacks a lot of punch in the mix and could stand to have some pre-comp 200hz.
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

I agree with the synths. You kinda have to make decisions about where everything is going to fit. For my bands first album we kept the low end in the synths and had the actual bass guitar live in the 200hz for low end so they fit well together. The kick drum low end was in the 80hz to treat the subwoofer.
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

What recording software are you using? Will the mix edit screen allow you to solo out just the guitar reverb and the synthesizer pad wash? If so, I would reduce the level of the synth pad until it seems to blend into the "halo" that the reverb forms around the rhythm guitar(s). The synth pad should be there to subtly enhance what the guitars are doing, not compete with them for attention.

This is just my opinion. You are under no obligation to take the slightest notice.
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Thanks a bunch so far for the tips guys. I really appreciate your help here. I did notice the problem with the snare and the synths seemed a little to much as well. However, whenever I listened to this in my car it seemed like there was almost too much bass, I think I must have over compensated for that on the mix I posted. The bass is following the guitars exactly, I bumped it up slightly and added some 50hz and ducked the 110hz where I upped the kick. I also cut the synths everything below 200 hz and turned them down a bit. I bumped the 200hz frequency on the snare and turned it up slightly but now I'm clipping and I think that snare is what's doing it.

btw, I have no monitors at the moment and am mixing on AKG k240 headphones.. every time I think I have a decent mix I bring it to my car to test it.

EDIT: I am using Reaper
 
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Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

I would separate out the frequencies between guitar and bassguitar with a good EQ, I like my voxango gliss eq

I would upgrade to S2.2 for hifi and easier equalizing

that stuff costs $$ though, it sounds decent as is! may just wanna use the software you have and tweak the subtractive equalizing more and then compress, make the bassdrum more metal sounding
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

IcedEarth112 said:
Thanks a bunch so far for the tips guys. I really appreciate your help here. I did notice the problem with the snare and the synths seemed a little to much as well. However, whenever I listened to this in my car it seemed like there was almost too much bass, I think I must have over compensated for that on the mix I posted. The bass is following the guitars exactly, I bumped it up slightly and added some 50hz and ducked the 110hz where I upped the kick. I also cut the synths everything below 200 hz and turned them down a bit. I bumped the 200hz frequency on the snare and turned it up slightly but now I'm clipping and I think that snare is what's doing it.

btw, I have no monitors at the moment and am mixing on AKG k240 headphones.. every time I think I have a decent mix I bring it to my car to test it.

EDIT: I am using Reaper
Click to expand...
The 50hz I suggested is actually for slamming into the compressor. Post compression the frequencies to focus on are around 80hz and 200hz
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Thanks guys so much. This mix is starting to sound better for sure! Just listened in my car. the snare hits a little better now and the kick is a little clearer.
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

cool tune! I'd bring down the cymbals - EZD's aren't that hot, especially the hi hat. I can hear it in other people's stuff but I've tended to overlook it when I've use it. Now when I listen to some old stuff I've done on EZD I cringe at the hi hat.

This doesn't take away that you made up a great little ditty.
 
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Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Thanks for the tip! I have had multiple tips about the hihat so I just turned the hihat mic off and use the overheads only. But are the cymbals too loud as well? I felt they were fairly quiet.. though it's hard to judge on my headphones
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Is the posted track the first mix or an updated one since the discussion here ?
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

it is the first mix. I just recently bought the EZX Metal Machine kit and perhaps will update when I finally upload a new version
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

So I just updated with a new mix, it has the metal machine drums now which made everything easier to mix.. but I am still looking for pointers as I don't feel quite there yet..

Thanks a bunch to everyone who has given me mixing tips so far, you've been a huge help.
 
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Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

I love the sound
I am using Metal Machine also, have to say its my favorite (and I've tried too many)
Let me know if you switch to S2.x and if you like it better. Or rather, how much better you like it!
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

Thanks! I doubt I will do a switch any time soon for two reasons, I am perfectly content with EZdrummer, and I have way to much software on my list of things to buy! but.. If I do sooner than later change my mind I will try and remember to let you know!
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

RobSoundtrack said:
I love the sound
I am using Metal Machine also, have to say its my favorite (and I've tried too many)
Let me know if you switch to S2.x and if you like it better. Or rather, how much better you like it!
Click to expand...

I love to blend SD2.0 and Metal Machine! It's a killer combo.
 
Re: My first metal mix: please critique!

joleyjames123 said:
Is it compulsory to go with 50hz?
Click to expand...
It's not compulsory but raising the 50hz with a narrow bell before heavy compression puts you at more of an advantageous position when it comes to getting the bass to sit right later on.
 
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