Helpful ReplyMy First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song.

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E-Dub
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2016/03/17 12:36:32 (permalink)

My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song.

Hey Folks,
 
I have a bad habit of starting songs and not completing them. I have decided to change that and here is my first song that I have done from beginning to end including ,mixing. Funny thing is when I listen to the mix I still hear spots I could have fixed or done differently. 
 
Do you guys do that too? I know I will get better in time.
 
The name of the song is All I
 
https://soundcloud.com/edubatl/all-i
 
#1
stevec
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/18 14:27:11 (permalink)
Sounds pretty good for a first mix attempt! 
 
Appropriate mix for the genre IMO - decent clarity in all of the parts, and the vocals run just enough on top so they don't get lost.  I do hear a bit of compression affecting the levels but it's not distracting.  As you wrote on SC, "old skool" feel.        The only thing I would point out is that the mix seems a little left-side heavy...

SteveC
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#2
Lynn
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/18 21:25:35 (permalink)
If this is a first time production, then you did a stellar job.  I love the 808 style drums and your clever arrangement, especially at the end.  The crispness of the guitar and snare are perfect compliments of the low end of the bass drum.  Overall, the mix is warm and organic with much clarity.  However, that much clarity points out the "pitchiness" of the lead vocal in the verses.  If you are using Sonar, then I would explore Melodyne or V-Vocal (depending on which version of Sonar you have).  You are close enough that any pitch correction shouldn't leave any artifacts.  That being said, it doesn't take away from the success of this production.

All the best,
Lynn

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#3
jude77
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/18 23:00:20 (permalink)
I'm with Lynn: for a first ever attempt this is very good!! 

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#4
E-Dub
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 10:06:50 (permalink)
stevec
Sounds pretty good for a first mix attempt! 
 
Appropriate mix for the genre IMO - decent clarity in all of the parts, and the vocals run just enough on top so they don't get lost.  I do hear a bit of compression affecting the levels but it's not distracting.  As you wrote on SC, "old skool" feel.        The only thing I would point out is that the mix seems a little left-side heavy...




I had a hard time with the compression. In the beginning the kick drum is the bass but on the chorus I used a bass. I was unsure if I should duck the kick drum or duck the bass. What I ended up doing was eq-ing the bass to try to make it fit which ended up effecting the compression as a whole. I also considered dropping some of the musical elements a few DB to make it smoother. These are all things that I will consider on my next song. 
 
I appreciate the feedback.
#5
E-Dub
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 10:12:50 (permalink)
Lynn
If this is a first time production, then you did a stellar job.  I love the 808 style drums and your clever arrangement, especially at the end.  The crispness of the guitar and snare are perfect compliments of the low end of the bass drum.  Overall, the mix is warm and organic with much clarity.  However, that much clarity points out the "pitchiness" of the lead vocal in the verses.  If you are using Sonar, then I would explore Melodyne or V-Vocal (depending on which version of Sonar you have).  You are close enough that any pitch correction shouldn't leave any artifacts.  That being said, it doesn't take away from the success of this production.




Its hard to do songs when you really aren’t a singer. I was always the guy in the band that would maybe lead a couple of songs for the whole gig. I try to use “style” to make up for my lack of ability but with tools like Melodyne I will continue to explore the possibilities of what I can do. Also with the comping feature I will get better and better.
 
The feedback is appreciated. BTW I like the style of your songs. 
#6
E-Dub
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 10:27:41 (permalink)
Thank you all for the feedback.
#7
bapu
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 10:35:50 (permalink)
Very good for a first attempt.
 
I just felt the drums were a bit too compressed.
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Lynn
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 14:25:39 (permalink)
Mrewheeler
Lynn
If this is a first time production, then you did a stellar job.  I love the 808 style drums and your clever arrangement, especially at the end.  The crispness of the guitar and snare are perfect compliments of the low end of the bass drum.  Overall, the mix is warm and organic with much clarity.  However, that much clarity points out the "pitchiness" of the lead vocal in the verses.  If you are using Sonar, then I would explore Melodyne or V-Vocal (depending on which version of Sonar you have).  You are close enough that any pitch correction shouldn't leave any artifacts.  That being said, it doesn't take away from the success of this production.




Its hard to do songs when you really aren’t a singer. I was always the guy in the band that would maybe lead a couple of songs for the whole gig. I try to use “style” to make up for my lack of ability but with tools like Melodyne I will continue to explore the possibilities of what I can do. Also with the comping feature I will get better and better.
 
The feedback is appreciated. BTW I like the style of your songs. 


Listen, you truly are a singer, and potentially a very good one.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised after a pass with Melodyne.  Just remember to apply it to small phrases at a time for faster results, and don't forget to bounce to clips after rendering.  Do this to a clone so you can keep your original, which can be archived and hidden, in case you want to start over.  I'm looking forward to hearing your next song.



All the best,
Lynn

my songs
www.soundclick.com/lynnwilson

www.youtube.com/lywilson
my videos

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#9
rbecker
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 14:27:18 (permalink)
Nice tune. I especially like what you did with the backing vocals.
 
>I think the percussive off-beats could come down in level when the vocal comes in. IMO it is too dominant throughout the tune.
>The lead vocal could come up in the mix.
>As stated above, the mix is left-leaning.

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pistolpete
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/19 21:03:41 (permalink)
For your first mixing attempt, this was good.
There are a number of folks here who have been doing this for years and still don't get it.
 
#11
rbecker
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/20 09:32:17 (permalink)
pistolpete
For your first mixing attempt, this was good.
There are a number of folks here who have been doing this for years and still don't get it.
 


I'm one of them.

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#12
bitflipper
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/20 11:54:50 (permalink)
Mrewheeler
Funny thing is when I listen to the mix I still hear spots I could have fixed or done differently. 

Everybody suffers from this syndrome, and it only gets worse as your critical-listening skills improve and you hear more and more things you can improve upon. It can lock you in an endless loop if you let it! You'll even start listening to commercial recordings and picking out things you would have done differently. 
 
The trick is knowing when to let go of a mix, accepting that some flaws are necessary. I'm not there yet, but I've only been doing it for 40 years.
 
 
 


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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Tap
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/20 14:52:27 (permalink)
Nicely done R & B tune. Great first go around .... enjoyed it.

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kevinwal
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/03/22 14:55:13 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby E-Dub 2017/03/01 21:32:24
This is a great first effort, great arrangement, ambitious singing, lots of feel and you voice has a great tonal quality. You've got some good feedback here, I just wanted to throw in my thumbs-up for your work.

Kevin Walsh
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mesayre
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/04/07 03:42:08 (permalink)
I'll concur with the other posters that this is pretty good!
 
Aside from what's already been mentioned, I might try a little delay or ambience/verb on the keys. Just a touch, to ee if that helps glue everything together a bit more.

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Zargg
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2016/04/07 04:06:53 (permalink)
Hi. I can just agree with the others saying that this is great for a first song. It is catchy. Your voice is cool, and has a vibe to it. Nice backing vocals. As for not being a singer, just keep singing until it gets fun
All the best.

Ken Nilsen
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#17
E-Dub
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2017/03/01 21:31:32 (permalink)
bitflipper
Mrewheeler
Funny thing is when I listen to the mix I still hear spots I could have fixed or done differently. 

Everybody suffers from this syndrome, and it only gets worse as your critical-listening skills improve and you hear more and more things you can improve upon. It can lock you in an endless loop if you let it! You'll even start listening to commercial recordings and picking out things you would have done differently. 
 
The trick is knowing when to let go of a mix, accepting that some flaws are necessary. I'm not there yet, but I've only been doing it for 40 years.
 
 
 


So true. My second song took months and it was because I couldn't let go. I am learning to love 'em and leave 'em.  Thanks
#18
E-Dub
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2017/03/01 21:32:15 (permalink)
mesayre
I'll concur with the other posters that this is pretty good!
 
Aside from what's already been mentioned, I might try a little delay or ambience/verb on the keys. Just a touch, to ee if that helps glue everything together a bit more.


Great tip.
#19
twisted6s
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2017/03/02 09:51:32 (permalink)
Nice groove! Sweet lyrical sentiment! Lead vocal is a little pitchy in areas.

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#20
E-Dub
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Re: My First Attempt at Mixing Myself. My R&B Love Song. 2017/03/13 16:13:46 (permalink)
twisted6s
Nice groove! Sweet lyrical sentiment! Lead vocal is a little pitchy in areas.


Thanks for the feedback. 
#21
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