31-03-2015, 03:11 AM
Hi Pauli, likewise very nice to meet you and thank you for your comments.
The main challenge I found on this track was translation onto smaller systems. The verse/chorus transition is represented primarily through the Moog baseline and extra kick samples (and one cannot rely on level differences making it through to the eventual listener). Yes, definitely some compromises on how I handled the low-mids for translation that, as a side effect, may make the mix slightly "boxy" on full range systems. As you noticed on the piano and synth arp, I've also taken the liberty of moving some of the instruments around to slightly unorthodox places in the mix (I figure I can get away with that in an EDM themed mix, less so in something like rock). This was all in aid of finding options to convey the dynamics of the song clearly, even where its going to be compressed later.
Lyrics are key to this song. I took it to be a new artist looking to make an strong impression on first listen, so the lyrics need to be clear even in compromised environments (i.e. as background music in a restaurant). Within the genre there's maybe a 2db difference in vocal levels between mixes. I would agree I'm towards the top end of that range (i.e. a vocal-up mix), but its a deliberate decision to focus attention on that element of the mix.
You are also correct that the high end is quite hot. I personally find it hard to listen to a top 40 playlist for long as it's so fatiguing, but it's the standard expectation for mixes in this genre. Again, a fine line on whether I've pushed it to far, but the objective was to match the references I used. In my case I take the mix, slot it into a playlist of 3-4 other songs from the same genre in Spotify, then listen (focusing on typical listening environments for the genre, so earbuds, ipads, my car stereo, as well as studio monitors.)
You commented "It's best to do 90 percent of your mixing with your faders, pan pots, and high pass filters." Perhaps in some genres -- and assuming things are very well tracked -- but IMHO that would be hard to achieve on a commercial mix in the Pop or EDM genres! But your point is well made about getting the basics right in a mix first.
Cheers, Jeff
The main challenge I found on this track was translation onto smaller systems. The verse/chorus transition is represented primarily through the Moog baseline and extra kick samples (and one cannot rely on level differences making it through to the eventual listener). Yes, definitely some compromises on how I handled the low-mids for translation that, as a side effect, may make the mix slightly "boxy" on full range systems. As you noticed on the piano and synth arp, I've also taken the liberty of moving some of the instruments around to slightly unorthodox places in the mix (I figure I can get away with that in an EDM themed mix, less so in something like rock). This was all in aid of finding options to convey the dynamics of the song clearly, even where its going to be compressed later.
Lyrics are key to this song. I took it to be a new artist looking to make an strong impression on first listen, so the lyrics need to be clear even in compromised environments (i.e. as background music in a restaurant). Within the genre there's maybe a 2db difference in vocal levels between mixes. I would agree I'm towards the top end of that range (i.e. a vocal-up mix), but its a deliberate decision to focus attention on that element of the mix.
You are also correct that the high end is quite hot. I personally find it hard to listen to a top 40 playlist for long as it's so fatiguing, but it's the standard expectation for mixes in this genre. Again, a fine line on whether I've pushed it to far, but the objective was to match the references I used. In my case I take the mix, slot it into a playlist of 3-4 other songs from the same genre in Spotify, then listen (focusing on typical listening environments for the genre, so earbuds, ipads, my car stereo, as well as studio monitors.)
You commented "It's best to do 90 percent of your mixing with your faders, pan pots, and high pass filters." Perhaps in some genres -- and assuming things are very well tracked -- but IMHO that would be hard to achieve on a commercial mix in the Pop or EDM genres! But your point is well made about getting the basics right in a mix first.
Cheers, Jeff
All sound is a distortion of silence / soundcloud.com/jeffd42