Post by: canada on July 01, 2005, 03:33:00 PM
http://www.satellitelot.com
click on the songs to steal them
Let me know what you think if you have the time!
J: If this post is inappropriate for this forum, please just delete it instead of moving it?
I recorded this myself, hence some lofi, and it was mastered by Adam Ayan.
Thanks in advance!
Post by: j.hall on July 01, 2005, 07:43:19 PM
gimme a few days to get caught up and i'll take a listen.
Post by: j.hall on July 15, 2005, 01:43:05 PM
i think the material is well written, and performed. it's not my thing, but it's done well.
it's hard to comment on things like this and have it remain just a comment...so here's my best attempt.
the low end seemed a little light to me, and the high end was a bit sizzlie at times. i think the overall balance and aesthetic of the mixes is nice. there are some nice effects and the stereo field is filled out nicely too.
is there something in particular you are looking for?
Post by: canada on July 15, 2005, 01:56:32 PM
I used Nuendo 2, a Motu 828, A few AT4041s and some random effects boxes (I have relatively few plugins) to try and create the sound I wanted... Mixed through two nearly blown B&W consumer speakers of different model and size...
I guess what I'm looking for are glaring mistakes, such as stupid stereo panning decisions I may have made, blatantly dumb mix issues... not so much for criticism of this album but so I'm scared of the next album...
But thanks J, that's all I really needed ;D
Post by: j.hall on July 15, 2005, 02:31:40 PM
you need to serve the song...and personally, i think you've done that.
i'd pick up some good headphones to get a better hold on the over all sonics in the future.
Post by: NelsonL on July 15, 2005, 03:52:33 PM
I agree with J. that your mixes serve the song-- maybe you could make some changes in tracking this time that will improve your results come mix time.
Aside from the drum takes you did off site, I'm assuming most overdubs were AT 4041 into the motu pres-- is that right?
Anyway, I imagine you could up your game with a few strategic purchases and maybe the occasional rental.
If you're still not happy with the mixes you're getting then you can always think about hiring somebody else to do it.
Post by: canada on July 15, 2005, 04:01:50 PM
Yeah I'm planning on buying a dual rack preamp setup and maybe some josephsons or something similar. I'm not super broke, but I like to get a deal.
However, I know that the one piece of gear that will totally change my outlook is a decent set of monitors. What I'm using now is a fucking joke.
Believe it or not, Mr. Ayan fixed alot of the crappiness of my mixes after the fact... though it's not something to rely on.
I listen to a lot of harsh shit in my spare time so I think my mixes have suffered
Post by: NelsonL on July 15, 2005, 05:01:19 PM
So what do you hear that you're not liking? Or is it just the overall sonics that bug you?
Post by: canada on July 15, 2005, 05:36:33 PM
If every album I do brings my music across better and better, I'll be a damn happy camper
Post by: j.hall on July 15, 2005, 06:35:10 PM
i think you need to round out the spectrum of the mixes...tame down some high end, and beef up the bottom a bit.
your mix ideas are good. if you are looking for bashes, mix the next one like crap.
FYI, rattleyour, is one hell of a tracking engineer, i'm mixing his tracks right now and they are easily some of the most focused, well rounded tracks i've had the plessure of mixing.
"takeout"
"viking"
"rattleyour"
these guys (from personal exprience of my own) have a really great grasp on what works in budget tracking.....very talented tracking engineers.....all working with little to no budget and/or gear.
Post by: Rivers on July 15, 2005, 10:23:53 PM
I listened to the first couple of songs on computer speakers for what that's worth.
The whole mix does seem a bass/low end shy.The whole mix sounds at times "thin", particularly the drums.
Your tracking room might be at fault.
I was wanting to the songs to "rock" a little more but that's just me.
I agree the mix ideas and balances seem well done.
To sum it up there's nothing wrong but a few more things could be more right.
The 2nd song had a nice Grandaddy vibe.
Post by: Norwood on July 17, 2005, 11:58:29 PM
Do you listen to Eisley? Seems like something you would dig.
Post by: canada on July 18, 2005, 10:50:53 AM
I'm glad you like it!
Post by: takeout on July 18, 2005, 11:39:56 AM
I concur on the overall dearth of low end; it's not necessary in certain contexts, but this is not one of those. You could have gotten away with the small kick sound if the bass had more "oomph", since the bass follows the kick for the most part.
The positive is that you made some creative mix decisions to get around the limitations of your gear and some of the tracks, which is what anyone who has recorded themselves has had to deal with at some point.
Post by: canada on July 18, 2005, 12:22:55 PM
Thanks for the criticism, it's really helping me out.
But I do like the vocal sound right where it is
Post by: Norwood on July 18, 2005, 05:55:20 PM
Post by: drumsound on July 20, 2005, 11:00:08 PM
Post by: jimmyjazz on July 21, 2005, 02:33:17 PM
#11 By Lantern Light . . . wow, nice structure & melody. The female vox seems a bit too thin, and her 'verb isn't as lush as I'd like. I would back off her level just a touch, too. I'd also like to hear more 'verb on the drums. It's kind of a non-interesting snare. As far as the arrangement goes, I would consider losing the drums until the break, and then make sure the piano is up as high as the acoustic guitar (or actually that the acoustic is low enough). The piano seems to be the primary instrument in the tune, and it should stay that way. (In my opinion, of course.) LONG outro.
#3 Hold Your Fire . . . hmmm, it just sorta starts with a faint drum click. Weird edit? Some of the little keyboard flourishes aren't so well-timed. The xylophone is too loud. Prechorus reminds me of Bowie. (This is good.) The chorus drags, mostly because of the flamma-flamma drums. Nice jangly guitar. Man, this song is letting me down. It's got such potential, but hmmm, it's just not quite a hit right now. It's just a bit spastic. I think it's "overproduced" in a certain sense.
#2 All Defenses Down . . . cool. Cool, cool, cool. Maybe a bit of distortion in that opening pad? Oh, I like the autopanning delay on "dry". Chorus is dragging a bit, but it's a wonderful resolution to the tension in the verse. Lead singer needs to clear his throat on "All defenses down!" This song reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd. (This is also a good thing.) I'm not totally cool on the tempo variations, though. And the swirly panning organ is a bit loud at times, too.
Casey, this is adventurous, intelligent pop. You are to be commended. I think it challenges the listener, but not in some sort of "look at me" way, but rather it draws them in. I'd like to hear you rein in a bit of the production tricks and focus on the SONGS just a bit more, because they're strong. Very strong. And quite original, I might add.
Good job.
Post by: canada on July 21, 2005, 02:43:55 PM
About Hold Your Fire... I think that song could've come off much stronger, but we have never played it in a room and it's all overdubs. I wish I had more time to mix that one.
I was actually going for a really lo-fi mix on By Lantern Light, as if Sebadoh had recorded it (hence the super hype acoustic guitar in the outro). Once again, there's only one song on this whole record that was recorded live in a band setting (only me and another guy in the band).
Thanks for your kind criticisms!
Post by: jimmyjazz on July 21, 2005, 03:10:46 PM
It's a beautiful song. My philosophy is usually to try not to cut beauty off at the knees.