"Save Me" (2nd Attempt at recording/mixing/EQing/etc.) **NEW VERSION POSTED**

cho_drummer


Okay. hi, first of all.

I won't comment on the song writing aspect. But i can address a couple of issues for you.

The strange bass frequency that i pick up on comes from the guitar performance. It sounds as though the bottom string is left open and you're either inadvertantly hitting it or the harmonics of the other chords you're playing are interfearing with it. Be careful on chord changes and pulling off of those notes, because that's the unfortunate result.

The guitar sound itself is a little empty in the mids and has a few strange issues in the top end. i don't mind an acoustic guitar with an overpronounced top end, but, what we have here is a messy top end rather than a shimmering top end it comes across as somewhat lo-fi. I'm not sure what you're using to record it, but either the mic doesn't like top end very much, you're going through the dreaded 'pick-ups' or you've done a little too much messing with the top end without listening to the effect it's having. Could be a combination of the above.

Vocal capture is not bad, if you ignore the signal to noise ratio issues. The intimacy sort of there. i can see what you're going for. It's too 'whispered' for my liking. The reverb is too abrupt and makes it sound as though its recorded in a small room with reflective surfaces. Try a longer reverb with a pre delay.

As you've said you wanted it to sound intimate, i'd have compressed it a bit more, with a short attack time to take off the harsh spikes in there. That'd give it a smother feel i think. A longer attack would leave those spikes in and bring everything up afterwards, which may give it a more in your face feel. it's worth messing around with. I tend to find around 20-30ms works nicely on my vocal. but it depends what you want. you could use a compressor with a high threshold to just catch the spikes then brickwall it a little with another compressor.

I've not really focused on the positives. There are many, but i figured, constructive criticism might help you more, seeing as you've said you're pretty new to this.

Cheers,
Chris.

Janet


This has a great feel to it and I think it portrays the emotion you were going for.  Make sure when you say '-ing' on 'falling' that you're hitting the note.  Maybe I just couldn't hear you well enough.

Nice job.  I don't know enough about mixing to be able to help you with anything else, but I like this. 

peggysuechan


I like it richer like this.  Your voice sounds stronger now. It's like you said--warmer. Your work paid off. At 2:43 I hear something like microphone noise?

Why not edit your your title on the song page of the forum and include that you reworked it, and put a date that you resubmitted your rework. That way, people will know and come in and give it another listen. I was coming in anyway to listen again, when I found you'd reworked it. But how will the others know?

equality


I must first comment on the song which I really like. So sensitive and honest just with the guitar and your great voice. Good song writing and performance. The mix however is muffled and murky. Go back to the raw recordings and redo. First, place guitar and vocal in center as if someone performed right in front of you. Use as little compression, equalizing, reverb and delay as possible, if needed at all. The crucial point is what guitar you have, if new strings are of good quality and new and then the type of microphone (preferrably a condensor type of mike), then what type of microphone pre-amp. First on fourth place, I would say, speaking about sound quality, come issues about different fx:s.  

Beagle


Hi Nick,
listening on a soundmax and $5 headphones, so take that for what it's worth.

love the song and the message you're conveying there.  has a very intimate feel to it and that's great.

the guitar is recorded good, the bass is good.  I'm not hearing the contention that chris mentions between the bass and the guitar, but again, I'm not listening in a very good environment so I might be missing some of the bass.

vocals - hmm...how did you record them?  if you recorded them as clean as the acoustic, then what did you do to them in the mix?  they're muddy and phasey and fuzzy and I think they'd sound better with a much cleaner sound.  I know you're going for a warmer "lonely" feeling, but I wouldn't process your vox like this - at least not all the way thru.  maybe only for emphasis in some areas.

nice work, tho, keep it up!