So, over the past month and a half I've been working on what is actually a remake of a tune I did back in 2015. The new version is right below, the old one is at the bottom of the post.
https://soundcloud.com/davdud101/defenders-of-totem-2017-2
 
Let me know what you guys think! I wouldn't say it's done, but I'm here to get some critiques about the mix and arrangement.
 
Original:
https://soundcloud.com/davdud101/defenders-of-totem
 
Thanks for a taking a listen! It's been a LONG while it seems since I last uploaded, and I've been putting a lot more time into the details when recording (especially in arranging and performance) than I ever did before, so hopefully that shows even though I don't necessarily just stream out with new (low-quality) tunes week by week like I used to!

Herb Alpert lives! Great mid 60's soundtrack feel primo job on the brass melodies, timbre and execution. Are these real horn players? My only crit is the distracting low buzzy thing that starts at 19 seconds. It sounds like a 60 cycle hum through a fuzztone on my lappy. Maybe on better monitors it would fit in. Otherwise, Super arrangement and very pro job top notch and fun IMO.......Ron

savageopera
Herb Alpert lives! Great mid 60's soundtrack feel primo job on the brass melodies, timbre and execution. Are these real horn players? My only crit is the distracting low buzzy thing that starts at 19 seconds. It sounds like a 60 cycle hum through a fuzztone on my lappy. Maybe on better monitors it would fit in. Otherwise, Super arrangement and very pro job top notch and fun IMO.......Ron

 
Haha! Thanks for the words, Ron! Yup, used a 9-man horn section in this tune (trumpet, flugelhorn, and trombone - three of each. I'm considering adding in an Eb mellophone or something and doing pairs of flugels and mellophones or something.)
I particularly like writing in certain groups and voicing styles with this arrangement - flugels over trombones in chords, two trumpets and a flugel in octaves, flugels playing lines in unison, etc. etc.
So many cool possibilities with this kinda group!
I was certainly aiming for that sort of classic big band sound to some degree with a modern drum 'n' bass-like approach, so it's cool that that stuck out :)

(I'm trying different things out with that 'low buzz'- it's either my sample-based cimbasso, or my synth bass. Most likely the latter, I'll look into that a bit. Might be worth it for me to also do a mono-check- forgot about that!)

Gosh, that was an unexpected pleasure to listen to. Cool peppy lounge with your drumnnbass twist.
I listened on headphones, and found the bass or lower registers a little wanting. I bet an earbud listener might not hear much low end at all, even given the shortcomings those infernal contraptions possess.
 
The tune itself was remarkable and inventive, and I thought maybe a "Cirque du Soliel in the 60's" concept album is in the making here. Well done!
 
-Tom
 

Very cool - nice little production touches here and there.

The first thing that needs to be said is that this is a really good little piece of music.  As for crits, I would say you could use more low end (bass and kick), and I felt the percussion could have made more of a statement when you changed up around :50 - 1:00.  But overall, very nicely done.

daryl1968
Very cool - nice little production touches here and there.

Thanks for listening, Daryl! 
 
 
 

philz
The first thing that needs to be said is that this is a really good little piece of music.  As for crits, I would say you could use more low end (bass and kick), and I felt the percussion could have made more of a statement when you changed up around :50 - 1:00.  But overall, very nicely done.

Thanks a lot, phil. I'll bear in mind the bass-issue for future mixes! I personally also felt that lack, even while mixing, but was nervous about ruining anything. I've only got a pair of low-end 3-inchers at my disposal, so not much in regards to the low end.
I also agree with the comment about that transition - it felt a little lacking.
 
Thanks again, guys!

Spectacular - big sound you have here. Very ingenious - you're one talented guy - love this.

Nice job on this Dave! Agree on the low end comments, but everything else sounds nice and tight. Sounds like you had a good time putting this together.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

MarkusClinus
Spectacular - big sound you have here. Very ingenious - you're one talented guy - love this.

dcumpian
Nice job on this Dave! Agree on the low end comments, but everything else sounds nice and tight. Sounds like you had a good time putting this together.
 
Regards,
Dan

 
Thanks a lot, fellas! I definitely had a blast making this one 
 
 
My setup is pretty low-end deficient. I think it'll fix itself up as I work more in it and get used to the sound of my speakers. Perhaps I can find a pair of reliable headphones and use those for checking if I've got enough bass?