What are the qualities of a good recording?

[astrozombie]

Hey guys, ive been recording for a while, but when it comes to mixing and mastering...i just suck. :banghead:

heres a few questions, but feel free to give any general advice.

How loud should the drums be in comparison to the rest of the band?

how should guitars be laid out in the recording?

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

There is no right or wrong way. Listen to what you like and try and copy it. Monitor at very low levels to set the balance of your tracks loudness. There are a lot of good tutorials and books on mixing and mastering but for most it's all about experience. And, me personally...I have been doing this for many years and still don't think I mix well.

 

[DankStar]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

I usually compare with several CDs I like. I still pull out things like Slayer's Reign in Blood to see how the EQ range is on the bass drum during the drum "solo" part, or Metallica's MOP to see how loud the solos are. Use songs that have the drums by themselves (helpless), a bass guitar by itself (my friend of mistery), etc. to see how loud these things are relative to the other things going on. Usually, these instruments aren't cranked during their solo parts, they are just playing by themselves, so use that to your advantage. If you can't move the volume slider up and down on a solo and tell when it is too loud or too low, there's no diagram or rule that's going to help that - just your ears unfortunately. And they will play tricks on you.

Your best friend these days is the net, both for information (like EQ guides) and posting your songs and asking people what sounds messed up. Kind of like cheating, but hey, they might hear stuff you don't.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

Because of the way your ears work;monitoring should be done ,heading towards the 98DB level[fairly loud]because that,s the area our non linear ears work most evenly[balanced top end to bottom end]Ear response is technically measured in"Phons" ,a non-linear scale.
The lower the volume; the less top and bottom end perception by our ears.These are the reasons CD,s dynamic Range is set at 98DB.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

Because of the way your ears work;monitoring should be done ,heading towards the 98DB level[fairly loud]because that,s the area our non linear ears work most evenly[balanced top end to bottom end]Ear response is technically measured in"Phons" ,a non-linear scale.
The lower the volume; the less top and bottom end perception by our ears.These are the reasons CD,s dynamic Range is set at 98DB.

I'm pretty sure this is too loud and will cause ear fatigue and that the accepted range is close to 83 dbs. Setting levels at a low volume is a tried and true practice.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

I said -towards > 98 DB
"Setting levels at a low volume is a tried and true practice."- maybe where you come from; and maybe after doing your initial mix[loud] ,to see how it comes out at at low levels; and medium levels ;and on different devices.[another "tried and true"practise!]
It would also be the easiest way to make a mix that goes askew when turned up!

And you,ll get ear fatigue at any level above a whisper;after too many hours of contuous sound.Low level hiss will cause such things,as the ear try,s to mask it.
and don,t forget the air pressure of the day; will affect your bottom end-top end and amplitude.That,s why some days your "amp" "stereo"have no balls[low Air Pressure]

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

maybe where you come from

I come from a major label producer and artist background, if that matters to you.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

Yes/No ;just that there,s more than one way of doing things;and high level monitoring is common place in major studios in OZ[if that tells you where i,m coming from]:kabong:

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

It's all cool, I'm not going to compare piss streams with you.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

just having a listen to your link?What,s your involvement?

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

just having a listen to your link?What,s your involvement?

I'm the owner.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

I,m listening on some computer speakers with a sub woofer;sounds a bit harsh[over EQ,d] in the Mid upper mid,s on the vocals and snare.But to do it justice i should listen to it on a bigger sytem.Tomorrow maybe ;it,s almost half past three ,here in OZ and i,m of to bed soon .:kabong:

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are the qualities of a good recording?

I,m listening on some computer speakers with a sub woofer;sounds a bit harsh[over EQ,d] in the Mid upper mid,s on the vocals and snare.But to do it justice i should listen to it on a bigger sytem.Tomorrow maybe ;it,s almost half past three ,here in OZ and i,m of to bed soon .:kabong:

You're wasting your critique, I run the label I don't mix the artists albums.
The only project I have a hand in is Another Black Season which was done in my project studio.