Mix advice needed!!!

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TraceyStudios
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2013/04/12 16:13:53 (permalink)

Mix advice needed!!!

I recorded a church group (live at their performance) and have been working on the mix. there are 3 singers (all singing harmony most of the time) , 2 electric guitars, 1 acoustic guitar, bass, drums.  Any advice for the vocals and the 3 guitars?  I understand every mix is different etc. Just looking for a starting point, maybe somone has had done this type of thing before.
 
I have the electric guitars hard L & Hard R, the acoustic about 20% L, And the main vocal center, the harmonies around 10% L & R. The acoustic is getting lost, and the vocals are really over powering when all the harmonies are happening. I was really limted on the drums, there were only 3 mics and the drums were in a "cage". so I am still working  on them.
 
here is a version of the mix, i know its not very good, this is why I am posting for help!  :)
 
http://soundcloud.com/blakkmire/reunionsong-mix3

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    Psalmist35
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    Re:Mix advice needed!!! 2013/04/12 16:33:45 (permalink)
    Tracey,
    This is a Kim Walker song (Jesus Culture).  These are big shoes to fill and I can't help but compare the original to your recording.  I think the group did a great job covering this song. 
     
    IMO, I think the vocal harmonies are competing against the lead vocal (personal pet peeve of mine).  I thing you should bring down the harmonies several db.  Also, IMO, I think the guitar panning is too extereme.  My personal choice would be to bring them closer to center maybe 60% L/R.
     
    Overall nice mix.  I enjoyed listening to this.
     
    Rich

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    theguitarplayer
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    Re:Mix advice needed!!! 2013/04/12 18:37:12 (permalink)
    From what I could hear I will make a guesstimate. Try this: Drums at 5%-15%, lead vocals fine in center, harmony vocals 20%-25% L&R but don't let them compete with the lead, electric guitars 35%l and other one 40% R bass guitar 45%, acoustic guitar 50%-60%. Then you have to adjust the volume levels so each track/instrument/vocals fits right into the entire piece. This is going to take time to tweak each track, so you really need to play around with this. This is just an idea for you to play around with. Hope it work for you. Then we can revisit the new posting. Good Luck.

    Peace and Blessings, John

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    AT
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    Re:Mix advice needed!!! 2013/04/13 00:46:04 (permalink)
    Yea, the vocals get overpowering when everything is happening at once.

    I like the wide pan on the 2 guitars.

    Some of the things you can do w/ the backing vox is the channel tool.  Take those suckers out of the center - there is a preset if they are in mono.  Also roll off the top end of them - should put them more behind the main vocal.

    I would think you'd have a lot of automation w/ the guitars esp, finding just the right spot for them and the lead vox.

    good arrangement and nicely done.  From your description of it, I was thinking it would be in much worse shape.  The song is really strong.

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    TraceyStudios
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    Re:Mix advice needed!!! 2013/04/13 04:28:29 (permalink)
    Preogress mix, I think the guitar on left is too low now. Anyways, let me know if it better or not. I have lost my perspective for the day.

    http://soundcloud.com/blakkmire/reunionsong-mix4
     
    Thanks all for your feedback. I'm gonna play with it more tomorrow. :)
    post edited by TraceyStudios - 2013/04/13 04:29:52

    AMD FX-6100 six-core processor 3.3GHz
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    KRK Rokit 8s
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    ARC2

    Folgers Dark Roast, a bit of crazy :)
    & lots of help from the forums!
     
    http://www.reverbnation.com/blakkmire
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    TraceyStudios
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    Re:Mix advice needed!!! 2013/04/14 21:46:57 (permalink)
    Another progress mix: http://soundcloud.com/blakkmire/reunionsong-mix5

    Thoughts/feedback?

    AMD FX-6100 six-core processor 3.3GHz
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    SONAR X3 Producer
    Tascam FW1884
    Mackie Blackbird
    Presonus Digimax
    Avalon U5
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    Alesis DM8 Pro drums
    KRK Rokit 8s
    KRK 10s
    ARC2

    Folgers Dark Roast, a bit of crazy :)
    & lots of help from the forums!
     
    http://www.reverbnation.com/blakkmire
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    Psalmist35
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    Re:Mix advice needed!!! 2013/04/15 07:35:41 (permalink)
    Sounds much better.  The harmonies are no longer competing with the lead.   
     
    The vocal adlib @ 2:32 - 2:34 could be brought up more I had to strain to hear it and could not really understand what was being sung.
     
    regards,
    Rich

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