Don't Take My Dreams Away- NEW MIX - 11/21

This is the latest song I've written and recorded in X2.  I started this about 3 weeks ago, and after mixing for the last 3 days, I've reached a point where I'm ready to turn it over to all of you for your input and advice.  Except for Superior Drummer, it's all in the X2 box.  At this point, I've concluded that X2 is the best mixing platform I've used, so far.  However, this mix is very open, and I look forward to hearing from you all.  Thanks in advance for taking the time, and the best to you.

11/21/12:
Thanks to all of you who've participated in this production.  I've incorporated several of your suggestions in this remix, including marimba and compression issues.  I'm not sure this song is complete, yet, as there may be a big surprise in the future, but this is the next step in its evolution.  I look forward to your thoughts and help.

Don't Take My Dreams Away can be found here: http://www.soundclick.com...ngid=12009916&q=hi

Really nice Lynn; very catchy.  Listening on a laptop at work, but even from here, I can tell this is really open and well mixed.  Has that Walch feel again, which I really like.  Wonderful bass lines.  Also like the way you have layered the vocals with effects.  I think this is my favorite of yours so far.

Interesting that you would choose that xylaphone plug with this tune. The tune has more of a retro feel to it. I like it, but that sound (to me) is distracting from the vibe. The modulation on the bridge is pretty cool :-) And the hard pan on the guitars would be easier on monitors, on my buds it's always weird (hard pan) who's doing the high vocals? They sound great!

It just finished, it's a cool tune? It's quirky and different, ahhhh reconsider that xylaphone! LOL!

Oooh, this is a cool piece! Sounds like the use of stereo panning that really pushes the audibility of each instrument... Sounds aweomse, very unique, but perfectly fitting for this song!
I think the only thing that got to me was the lack of a sub-bass-ish sound.
On another leaf, I love the lyrics, vocals and harmony, though. Really nice!

Great tune.  I like the xylophone.  

Thanks to all of you for having a listen and taking the time to reply.

AT-Thanks for you kind words.

Mike-I appreciate it, my friend.

Makke- Thanks again.

Robby, Thanks for your time.  Actually, I'm using a marimba sample because it's not metallic, and I spent 2 years in Guatemala where the marimba is the national instument.  That's me doing all vocals and instruments.

Tim- I agree that there is a lot going on, and I'll be taking that into account when I revisit this mix.  When I dropped the marimba into the mix, I had in the back of my mind a Steely Dan song that used that sound which I really like.  As for the bass, your comments are exactly what I'm looking for, and I will deal with that.  You have golden ears.

David- Thanks for your kind words about the vocals and lyrics.  I often get more excited about writing decent lyrics than anything else.  As for the sub bass, I don't have a sub woofer to monitor those frequencies, so I don't deal with them.  I'm just happy to get in the ball park let you guys report to me what I'm missing.  Eventually, I'll have to get a sub woofer, obviously.

Shad- Thank you so much and nice to hear from you.

Old55- I'm so happy you appreciate the "vibe" ;)

Beagle- Thank you for you time.  The lead and harmony vocal are unprocessed and just slightly compressed.  The BG vocals are going through Breverb, but at a low setting.  The guitars, which I played through TH2 are heavily compressed, as is the bass.  The drums are going through a limiter in ProChannel, but only to limit the peaks.  My objective was to have some texture in the vocal tracks.  In the next pass, I'll be thinking about giving the mix some breathing room.

At least of all the synth packages I have, I find the general midi vibraphone to be the best one I have.

Love the organ, what patch is that?  Vocals are killer, this is all pretty cool.  It seems like your stretching out on this one.

What is the bass?

Daryl

Daryl1968, thank you!  The marimba will go under the microscope the next time around.  And, I share your views on the breathing room.  Good call.

Darylcrowley, I just love tuned percussion instruments.  Their frequency response often finds a niche in a lot of songs.  The organ is organ 2 from Rapture, and the bass is a Fender Prophesy bass into a Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster.  Thanks for your kind words.

Marcus, thank you very much!  Likewise.

Only listening on lappy, but this still sounds great. Love the vox and use of panning here... going back for another listen.

This come across quite well for me.

Wookie, thanks for the compliment and your time.  Always appreciated.

Beagle, I misinformed you a little about the vocals.  On the verses and choruses the lead and harmony are dry, but lightly compressed the the PC2A comp.  However, on the bridge before the last verse I doubled the lead and harmony by recording them and not with f/x.  BUT, I did process them with the Sonitus EQ's telephone setting for a little change of pace.  You have very good ears, and I appreciate your participation. 

This is very good Lynn; The tune, the lyric, the vocal, the mix, every thing about it is good. Great work Lynn. The Hook is right on the money!!!
 
 
Cheers, Terry
 
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11892224

A little Zappa there - love the organ and the guitar-play and of cause the filtered voices. If I had to nag anything maybe its a little hush on the compression - lighten up a tiny bit.

hi lynn love your mixes there is a lot going on however its all under control everything fits well together thanks eric

Like the song Lynn, great groove and feel. If I was mixing this (everyone's a producer, right?)I might start the first verse pretty sparse, with the marimba. That way it would be 'introduced' before the heavier guitars come in around it. Just a thought.