Patrick Talbot - "Upper Hand"

[juanjose1967]

For this mix I've been using the new waves nx virtual mix room plugin since I don't have a sound treated room at home to mix. So I had to get used to the new sound I was getting in my headphones.

I hope the result was good but if not, feel free to point out what's to be improved!

[takka360]

Translates ok mate,The mix sounds ok,bit lifeless maybe

[juanjose1967]

ok, let me see what I can do to solve that! thank you, Alan!!

[takka360]

Get better at mixing? lol only joking mate .Its probably just getting used to the plugin

[juanjose1967]

get better? I think that's everybody's goal here!

yes, I must get used to the plugin. Things sound very different and it's like walking with new shoes...

[ptalbot]

It's always possible to do better, jj, don't worry!
Your mix doesn't sound bad to me, just a few things that I've noted:
- the bass is very round, it lives mostly in the low end but there's little transients, so I find it muddies things a bit and lacks a bit of punch.
- the LV is perhaps a little loud, which could also be what takka said about being a bit lifeless: the background tracks are masked by the vocal.
- horns could have a bit more presence and punch, they are lacking a bit of sustain, I think.
Oh! and the fade out is a bit early and rushed IMHO.

[Olli H]

Overall sound pretty good to my ears. I like acoustic and bass.

Opening fine to me, but when vox comes in, it feels like a bit too much eqed. Or as if he’s singing in a small closet. Or something else. But vox sound doesn’t blend with the band nicely. Now it's like a cue track, the artist has not visited the studio yet. I think it's the vox sound that causes Alan comment your mix a bit lifeless.

I like drums

To me the horns have too much presence. But that's just personal preference. Just for security reasons I want to keep a good distance to any horn player.

The edge of solo guitar and the edge of horns are probably too much on the same area.

[juanjose1967]

Here's a second mix with some improvements regarding your suggestions.

I have no idea about what Alan meant with his lifeless comment since everyone here seemed to understand a different thing. In fact I was thinking about too much compression in certain instruments.

But anyway, here it is and I hope it is now better.

Thank you Patrick and Olli for your help!

[ptalbot]

Sounds better to me jj!
But now I think the cymbals sound a bit loud and the end Lead guitar solo is a bit harsh.

[juanjose1967]

I'll check on that too. In fact, I had noticed those same things one day later after my post with fresh ears... right now I'm on a business trip, but I will post the new mix next week when I return home.