This was one of the mixes I gave up on when I was a beginner. Now I'll remember this as how much I've progressed. It was still quite a challenge, for sure, but I think I got it to some degrees. Now, I need you guys' unbiased ears. What do you think of it? Please let me know.
I just tried this one myself this evening and it definitely has it's challenges, you're right. Listening to your mix is interesting, we seem to have made some similar decisions.
First off, your balance is great in my opinion. Nothing is overpowering, nothing jumps out. Controlled and clean. Ideal.
Personally, I hate the sound of the toms on the recording. I did my best to disguise that "tak tak" sound, especially on the floor tom. It's quite apparent in the second half of the first verse in your mix. So that's something I might have changed, but only because I don't like that sound.
The other thing I noticed is there is an electrical hum on the guitars which I can still hear in your mix, especially when there is a break in the bass. I tried eliminating it by notching out the worst frequencies, they're all somewhere between like 60-400Hz. Unfortunately I don't think it's something you can get rid of completely without killing the guitars though.
You did a great job on the low end. I think a lot of people, including me, ended up with a little buildup down there, but I think you did well.
Anyway, nice mix, I dig it. Good work, brother.
Thanks for the quick response! I entirely forgot to talk about the toms. I definitely agree that they don't sound good at all. However, I did intend the floor tom to be quite the 'focus of the drums in the second half of the first verse. I noticed this song is quite similar to 'Unnatural Selection' by Muse, which is a very tom-driving songs, so I just referenced my mix from there. I tried bringing it down and it just sounded like some cracking noise on my right ear, so I just leave it up to at least make it clear it's a part of the drums.
Definitely looking into the guitars. Thank you again for the feedback!