Metal Critique

Hello! If anyone is willing to give some comments on the mixing for "Stage Presence" I would enjoy hearing your feedback! This is the latest recording project I have taken on for a local band and any comments would be great....especially from anyone with a sub on their system. The vocals are not mixed in yet....

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=322676

Thor,

Sounds awesome. However, I agree with the previous poster that the drums are too muffled. The guitars really punch through, but the drums are drowned out.

Regards,
Dan

The guitars sound good, but I agree with the others that the drums sound muffled. Cool tune.

I like the tune, and I like the sound. I think it has too many effects to get the double guitar sound though. JMO.

To be totally honest and I will probably get blasted or flamed for this but : What I really can't stand about this tune is the commercialism with the way the drums/guitar/everything sounds that you are attempting to do. I don't mean that as an insult or nothing, but it's like "I've heard this over and over again". No offense meant by that. I mean hell, I'm the last person who should be saying that because I do old 80's dead and gone metal stuff. But I hear this stuff everyday on the Radio : "If you wanna be someone else then you've got it down 100%", if you wanna be yourself come up with your own style and sound. Like I said I ain't noone to preach, but you asked so I responded.

Don't give up though because that is some impressive playing and who's to say you aren't better than the rest on the radio!!!!

Bobby

i read Freeze's post and i can see what he's saying - 'double-tracked Killswitch guitars (themselves sub-ATG) - check!' 'machine head/pantera harmonics and stop/start rhythm - check!' 'alternative screamo and emo vox - err, not yet...'. actually i think it's better than that, there's some interesting riffs in there, and depending on the vocalist you employ, it'll either be commercial or underground orientated. nice recording, yeah the drums can come up a bit, make sure you leave plenty of bass-space by filtering out the lower frequencies from the guitars, but it's a pretty good effort!

I understand what Freeze is saying, but at the same time if the mix was produced better I think there might be a different take on it. If you listen to every stinking metal group they all start to sound the same, but at the same time, that's what you expect from them. If AIC started to mix it up and started to sound like Antrax, people might start to wonder (I think I just dated myself using Antrax...). Now with that soapbox out of the way...

Just clean up the mix. Yep, the drums need to take their place in this song. IMHO, the kick drum needs to give me a headache from the thumping, and the snare needs to crack (I know the drummer will appreciate the posting of needing more drums ). I can't put my finger on what the guitars need, but Freeze might be right on this one, less of the effects might make them more cutting. But I think you have them placed right in the mix (right to left panning).

Musically, I like the arrangement and the drive of the song. Great musicianship. I really enjoyed this tune.

I love it! I think mixing made all the difference in the world here! This sounds EASILY as good as the stuff I pay on cds! I can't wait to hear it with vocals. Need a good singer? I'm not one, but I can get the word out! :) :)

You did a good job with mixing guitars but read above...on drums....
It must be quite difficult to get good articulation and balance with heavily distorted guitars and still make room for other instruments to have their space.