Blue Bastards - Lights Out

[andreybenassi]

V3..

One of my definitions of a “good mix” at both the subjective and objective level, is whether I can engage with the audio in a manner that doesn't cause me fatigue from an unbalanced spectral domain which fails to take into account the ear's non-linear characteristics for someone with unimpaired hearing.

Does this mixmaster meet that simple requirement?

No.

The screen grab attached shows an average and maximum spectral distribution (care of Voxengo Span) taken at just 0:07 seconds in. The highlighted part shown by a white line for the benefit of learners, details the hazard.  This range falls within the most sensitive region of a healthy human ear and needs careful consideration because of the consequences and significance. Any hype in this range is going to be received as “unpleasant”, some might even find it uncomfortable (women and children are especially vulnerable – it's biology).

Thankfully I didn't have my monitor device turned up for audition because this forum doesn't operate any Loudness Normalisation, so out of caution I always download and deploy ReplayGain to prevent myself being fooled by those who attempt to benefit from psychoacoustic advantages. Nevertheless, it was still “highly unpleasant” so I stopped listening at around 20 seconds in, not wishing to expose myself further to the unbalanced and over-biased spectral hype.

I will also mention that the bass synth part at this point, wasn't translating over my smallish speaker.

I appreciate your feedback, for the time spent trying to find a technical reason for your argument, even though it does not define a good or balanced mix in my point of view, you need more than that to judge in my opinion, but sounds correct what you've mentioned, maybe the guitars could be less "pinchy". It's okay.

It's a pity that you couldn't hear the whole song, but no problem, even CLA can't please everyone, who would I be? I'm really far from perfect.

I don't like too much "nerd" feedback of "why" I need to tame the highs (in teoric way)... I just don't work that way, I'm more of a feeling guy and it's always worked great for me.

The guitars are a bit harsh? Let's find a good spot for you, no problem at all.

Thinking about nerd tecnicall stuff, it was even greater that you didn't hear the whole song,