With Feathers - Julibee (Folktronica?)

I've been working on this for several weeks, I and THINK I've gotten the mix where I want it.  Seemed like SUCH a good idea to have a full-on Julianna Choir at the time.... Hard to tame that beast.  Yikes.
 
Anyway.  I've never been very comfortable with my mixing skills, namely that I've never really EQ'd anything, because I simply didn't know what needed it and/or how to get it to sound as I wanted it.  I found THIS GUIDE to mixing (electronica specific) the other day, and clickety-click, stuff started making sense.
 
So this song is what I was working on when I started reading.
 
I didn't mix it traditionally, nor do I want to - but I do want to know what some of my more traditional friends think, and from that standpoint how I might improve it. 
 
There are lots of loops here (I made them, though - they aren't pulled from some CD or downloaded) which you may or may not appreciate. 
 
Lyrics available at SoundCloud.  Lyrics, Music, Production - Me.
 
With Feathers on Soundcloud

I wouldn't worry too much about your mixing skills or lack of knowledge about EQ.  This sounds as professional as any mix I've heard here, so far.  Everything sounds clear, clean, full, and organic.  I didn't find myself wanting to hear more or less of anything, it was all there.  You're obviously a good enough engineer to get a good vocal sound, which vexes many engineers.  Oh, it helps to have a great voice and performance.  I like the way you approached this by thinking outside the box, so to speak.  This song deserves to be heard, and I wish you the best of luck.

Beautiful sound Jules.   I disagree with Bapsi about the vox, but switch the comment to the drums.  They could do with a little more hi/mid punch.

Very professional production.

I like this a lot.

Very original, I've got not crits at all, yeah there scope in there to change the emphasis of this or that but it's all working.   I love that rhytmic guitar chopping sound that it all hangs off with the piano providing the melodic counter to that and the lyrics fit the mood nicely.

The vox we're evoking some Sonja Kristina especially during the chorus which was infusing the Folktronica vibe with a faint whiff of Patchouli.  Yep it was definitely bringing up an outdoor festival vibe and I could hear this wafting over a Somerset landscape with strobes lighting up a summer solstice night.

I'm there already.

was it your last one or one of Lynn's or Karyn's which had a similar vibe? kinda Kylie Minogue in her ambient/trance period. FWIW this mix is pretty damn good Julianna. Someone like Cryophonik would give you much bolder drums (and they do need to come out a little bit), at least one breakdown and maybe another synth lead line in there somewhere as the songs gathers momentum; currently it's a little one-paced/lacking dynamics. of course, a great vocal performance, that goes without saying!

Wookiee


My only observations are, the vocal feels/sounds a little detached from the rest like its in a different place and the drum could do with some middle snap. 

But hey what do I know?

Thanks for sharing

Wook, you know LOTS.  :) thanks, buddy.


Mike, I think you may have heard my last one, "Wide Awake and Dreaming" as mixed by Karyn... So that would make sense.  ;) I'm thinking cutting a bit from the final chorus repetitions.... It's too long and didn't go as far as I thought it would in terms of impact.  So, likely some trimming at the very least.  Hoping cryo will chime in with some ideas.  Wish Blipp were here. :(

This is my favorite of yours so far...  I'm hearing a seemingly newfound maturity in your productions... more confidence maybe... you are very talented and it shows here...

Beagle


cool stuff Jules!  

I'm gonna agree and disagree with Karyn AND bapu! I'd like to hear the vocals a little louder in the mix, a little less processing/verb and more clarity (did you EQ the vox?  they sound bandlimited).  But I'd also like to hear more punch in the drums, they're distant and boomy instead of clear and punchy.

the rest sounds pretty good.  nice ambient sounds with a good backbeat. 

+1


Thats what I was going to suggest as well. Thanks for saving me the trouble Beag. Not all the effects though. Some are great.

This could go in so many directions.
Personally, I like the vox bathed in verb/delay vs the relatively dry instruments.
You have some wonderful textures going on here.
How do you feel about this piece? Is it true to your vision?

Pardon my lateness in replying... Art Show today... Lots to prepare for last night and most of the day, today.  I need to catch up on my listening, as well...

Fox! THANK YOU for pointing those things out...  I hear two things with your comments in mind; the echo tracks on the chorus (I think) got nudged out of place, and the low harmony is farther out front than I intended in a few places.  Sliding the echo back a hair might also clean up some muddiness.
Daryl, yeah... Rule of thumb... Pull your fx back to where you want it, then pull it back a little more.  :)

Oh, Frank.... Thank you.  I couldn't hear that from a more respected forum friend.

Thank you, Janet!  I've been enjoying my drum machines.  :)

Bub, I think I am going to work on that a bit more... And probably cut one or two of the last chorus repeats.  It's too long...

Robert---- wow, you made me stop to think.  IS this how I want it to sound?
It's funny how we get so wrapped up in doing one thing that we can lose sight of another.   But, I think the answer is mostly a "Yeah"-- I DO want a sort of slightly buried, veiled, echo vox, boomy drums with a little punch, prominent bass line--- I want the vox in this sort of song to almost be just another instrument, rather than the always being the highlight, but I don't you to struggle too much to pick out the lyrics, either.  A fine line....  There is a certain amount of muddiness that I LIKE, in fact. One of my favorite influences is Mazzy Star and that whole Indie era, really.  I want that mixed in with Trip Hop and ambient.  So YEAH!  It mostly IS!  Thanks for showing me that. :)

Sorry if that happens, Greg! :D

I WIN!!!! YAY!!!!

Thanks, James! :):):)

Julianna, this is really nice! Your vocal control has come a LONG way.  I wouldn't know what to change either.   Music and thingys fit nicely and kept me listening!!! 

julibee


Aww... See?  James1213 understands me.  Either that, or he's just readcomments to Robert, and is very Gentlemanly.... ;) Either way.... thanks, James.

I honestly didn't read the thread before I posted. I've had the same conversation with a couple of people about the lead electric guitar in SMB's stuff..sometimes it's part of the whole, rather than standing in the spotlight.

julibee


I WIN!!!! YAY!!!!

Thanks, James! :):):)

Ha! Exactly what I was thinking.   You certainly did win with this one.  Way to go!  :)