Finished 5 Song CD

@MrBungle 9121 wrote:

Just got done listening to the tune. PIrates stole my lunch money? LOL Good stuff….

I think its good. Though I would try to throw some effect in some of the instruments. Especially some of the solo drummed parts. Feels very empty. Maybe a reverb?
The mix I though was a bit uneven but then again Im listening on some crappy PC speakers at work at the moment. THe vocals are very overpowering at times.

So if I were to say use some more effects. You can really fill in the “gaps” so to speak.

I dig all styles of music. So A+ on this. I cant wait till my son/daughter grows a tad older and hopefully says “Dad, will you buy me a guitar!” 🙂

Good job and looking forward to more. 🙂

Now that I have been able to take a break from the mixing. I am seeing small things like you mention in the mix. I am limited to some of the things I can do since the kids in the band do not want me to change their sound to much. It took me a while to make my son understand that things like reverb etc on vocals are something that everyone does. I am trying to get him to get some vocal processing equipment for his live shows but he is still fighting me. He is afraid of being labeled as needing equipment to get his sound. Makes no sense to me…. I told him thats like a guitar player going out there and using an acoustic guitar for this type of music and saying “I don’t want effects like distortion and amps because people will think I am using it to cover the fact that I do not play that good” That seemed to work a little bit with him. Its been a learning process all the way around for everyone. 🙂

@Sean Conklin 9133 wrote:

Hey Kyle,

This is awesome man! Looks like you guys had a blast with this project. I think they could go places if they keep it up. Definitely have talent.

Mix-wise I probably would have done a few things differently, but for it being a “home-made” 5 song demo, I think it sounds fine.

One thing I noticed right off the bat though is how centered the mix is. I personally would have really widened the guitar sound (recorded the rhythm parts twice and panned them hard right and left). Also the guitar tone in general is pretty muffled.

I think the clean vocals and drums could use some reverb. I also noticed a couple brief moments when the drums were off time. I’d probably splice those parts and slightly move them to be more in time.

But yeah that’s just stuff I’d do myself, but you should feel very proud. Great job! Are you guys going to be sending it off to any labels?

Ya I agree with the drums being off a little bit here and there. I learned a lesson because I recorded the drums and then let the guitar and bass player play to that drum track. So it would have been double the work to fix the drums and the other tracks to work.
I did pan the guitars hard left and right. Maybe I am not doing it quit right…. The only thing dead center are the drums. Even the 2 overhead mic’s are panned hard left and right on the drums. The kick and the snare and toms are the only thing dead center. The bass is about 20% left and right. I think the biggest thing is that I did not have more than one track. I doubled then one track and then panned them. Probably needed a track that was a little different to help give it depth. I tried nudging the same track out of time a little just enough not to give it a delay sound but enough to make it thick. But I noticed that it lost some of the attack and got lost in the drums. Anyway I just have to stay after it.
They are not sending the CD to any labels. My son would get all wide eyed and nervous if I asked him that 🙂 Maybe after they get a little more experience. They are using this CD to help make money at the shows. They play at least once a month somewhere in the state. They usually play at a venue with 4 or 5 other bands. Next they are going to get T-Shirts to go with the CD. They sold about 18 CD’s at the last show. So they are having fun and are out in the mix making new friends and learning how to build a fan base. I have to say that I am impressed with what they have done so far. Its been a blast to watch from the sidelines 🙂 Sometimes I get recruited if they need someone to help haul equipment and help setup at some venue that always seems to be 3 hours away. Of course they always know I will buy them food and maybe spring for gas and a hotel room if they are out to late. Not always thought 🙂 Once again thanks for taking the time to comment.