I've been working on this remix for an Indaba contest but have gotten to the point where I have lost perspective -- hoping to get a fresh listen from the forum here. In particular, the chord changes are different in the first and second chorus. Should I make them the same in both? If so, which do you prefer? I have a little over a week before the contest deadline, so any feedback would be much appreciated. https://soundcloud.com/mo...o/lose-myself-mm-remix

Really fine mix you've got going here my friend!  I like the chord changes just the way you have 'em.  Your instumental track is nearly flawless in my little opinion.  One crit-  I would raise the volume of the percussive synth that comes in at about 2:20 a tad.  It's a very cool sound but is slightly buried for the first part of the phrase.

Now a little bigger crit on the vocal-  She has a great voice... so let us hear it!  On my monitors, she is slightly muffled (I can't understand her words), so I'd like to see you add some "air" (9k - 11k??) and bring her up in the mix just a bit.  I also think a little longer reverb with a little predelay would add drama to her lines and put her in the same space as your drums. Maybe even add a slight tempo delay to her vocal.

So that advice and 4 bucks will get ya a cup of coffee at Starbucks.  LOL  Good luck in the contest!!  Keep us posted.

  Thanks Tony -- very helpful. I love the detailed advice about mixing because I am flying blind/trial-and-error on this stuff. I will definitely apply your advice.

I'm very new to the Forum and a low-rank amateur... but I love this stuff!  LOL  Let me know if you like the changes.

Great song!  I agree with Tony on the technical details, but those are easy fixes.  The main thing is that this is a killer song, and I wish you all the luck in the world.

Hi mate, good stuff! 

 In my opinion the 2nd chorus chords, musically, compliment the vocals better than the 1st. 

If I'm honest, and I will be because I think the tune and what you are on to here deserves it, I feel that chorus does not have enough impact. To me, it feels like the chorus wants to explode when it comes in, but it sounds a bit lack lustre and I think it is all to do with the bass and drums. 

These are the things, that I hear, could be improved: 

1. The bass is too dominating, I understand for this genre this is desirable, however, I think the drums need to be slamming. The drums sound like they are fighting the bass, and can almost not be heard. I really can't tell if there is a kick drum on the chorus, which proves my point. The drums and bass should be one unit, a beautiful duo of impact. At least bring the snare up in level, and fatten it (it sounds ok in verse). Maybe reduce level of bass slightly and work on drums. 

You could even try to automate the choruses so that they are slightly louder than the verses (old trick)

2. When the first chorus presents itself, there is hardly any build up, a snare roll, a bass level swell etc, could help its introduction. You have actually done this on the 2nd chorus (which I like) but have you considered, instead of having that sample go from high to low, reversing it so that it goes from low to high (such as you did at 2:40). Going up in pitch usually leads the ear to expect something bigger, rather than the other way around. 

3. Also feel that the timing sounds off in parts in the choruses. I would take a look and see if you can get it all locked down. A bit of natural swing can be good but when a few elements are slightly out, it can sound disorientating. For example, the 2nd and 3rd bass notes on the 2nd chorus sound slightly late (1:45) then the 4th note is early (1:47) I think if you could tighten it all up, it would have more impact. 

You know when I heard this tune I immediately thought of the Pendulum tune: Propane Nightmares @1:15 http://www.youtube.com/wa...6-Q&feature=fvwrel   two different tracks (although similar sounding synth, bass and drums), but you can hear how the instruments lock when that that drops @ 1:15 

Really like the vocals on your track, have you tried panning the high harmony vocals slightly? just an idea to gain some slight separation. 


OK, I'd better stop there, otherwise I'll be splitting this into 'Chapters' LOL


 And, it's only my opinion, take whatever is helpful to you from it. Good luck! 

  Silverfox, that is all incredibly useful info. Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. I suspected the 2nd chorus was a better fit. Your other comments are also very very insightful -- i will do my best to implement them. Chapters of help like this would be perfectly fine by me!

Pleased it was helpful. 

 Post up next version when finished. 

I've incorporated the super-helpful feedback already received into the track and reloaded it up onto SoundCloud again. The original link should still work, or here: http://soundcloud.com/mos...o/lose-myself-mm-remix I will submit to the contest in about a week so let me know of any other changes. Again, really appreciate the comments.

I think it sounds great. Don't hear too many chillstep tunes here.