Pretty big newb here...

Would love some input on my first track recorded in Sonar.

https://soundcloud.com/sc...exical-shuffle/s-85498

Thanks!

Hi Scott ,
 
I enjoyed that... On a second listen now.
 
So, how did you fabricate this piece? Is it all audio? Or is there some MIDI accompaniment? Did you play everything or is it your band?
 
As I always say when I listen to peeps toons here, I'm on headphones, so I'm not going to be hearing the bass that well. The bass guitar part comes through okay but the kick is a bit understated, which may well be the sound you wanted. The track isn't available for download so I can't "evaluate" it in my fave tool of the moment, SPAN.
 
I'm not sure on the sudden drop in energy at around 1:34... Is it to make way for something in the future perhaps?
 
Great guitar work throughout.
 
I'd have panned the hi-hat just around 15~20% off centre, but that's just me.
 
This needs some input from someone who can comment on the mixing mastering side of things though because I'm on a bit of an expedition myself anyway.
 
cheers
 
andy

Hey thanks for the feedback Synkrotron!

I used AD2 for the drums. There is a little synth part at the beginning using Rapture and I play the bass and guitar myself.
 
I think you make good points about the Kick and Hi-Hat. I'm mixing in headphones and I find the bass frequencies somewhat hard to manage. I think the hi-hat is sitting too low in the mix and it doesn't sound panned because it's all coming through the overheads.
 
Cheers!

Outstanding indeed for first mix. Sound wise, guitar and bass sound real good to me, drums , nice choice of sounds but may need to come up a tad. Love the tone and box gizmos. Very musical subtle playing, I really enjoyed. 

Good start! Guitars are well done, so it's pretty clear what your native instrument is, lol. Bass has a bit of a boxy sound and could use some low end. The drums are a little to busy in spots, but otherwise serve the song well. The kick really needs some love though.
 
Regards,
Dan
 
 

UPDATE:


Thanks for the feed back everyone!  I've tried to take some of your suggestions into consideration and I've remixed the song. I've also tried my (feeble) hand at mastering.

Again, feedback greatly appreciated!!

https://soundcloud.com/scott-mcgregor-3/lexical-shuffle-1 

Hi Scott, welcome to the big show!!! 
 
I listened to both versions. The bass is more present in the second version, but still needs more 100 - 250 hz or so. The bass is prominent I think in the upper 400 hz (or thereabouts) which is a fine choice, reminded me of early 80's Joe Jackson. But I think your song wants it beefier?
 
Mixing aside, I like what you are doing musically. Cool ideas! Keep at it.
 
I'd say all of your drums could be louder, and something in your process is phasing the crap out of your hi hats and cymbals. What resolution are you uploading? Is Soundcloud hitting you with a phaser?
 
cheers,
-Tom
 
 
 
 

Good start! The guitars are well done, and I love the tone.  As others have said, the drums could use a little work.  I like the parts, but not the samples, necessarily.  Keep working with this and you'll have a stellar mix in the end.

Hi again Scott,
 
Your latest mix is definitely a step in the right direction dood.
 
I'd say keep at it... Might be worth dragging a couple of your favourite commercial tracks into your project to use as references. Use a spectrum analyser to see where yours is different to your reference material. I think this is what some of the other peeps here do from time to time, at least until you get used to how stuff comes over on your 'phones.
 
cheers
 
andy