Color Me Red - jtbStudio

[jeffd42]

My first thoughts after loading everything up and taking a listen was that while the tracks sounded good, with a great performance, there were a few issues with the arrangement...

Not 100% on the arrangement edits. Don’t think they hurt. But also didn't find the song lacking in the dynamics and forward movement. The breakdown really requires the bass guitar to be prominent to carry the grove through that section.

A solo would fill the song out nicely, either before or after the second break, perhaps...?

Agree here!

Other people have slammed their mixes pretty hard, and they sound good if you're after that kind of feel, but I was looking for something a bit more subtle.

I'll be guilty on that one (but enjoy listening to the more acoustic takes on the song also!)

I've been experimenting with Melda Production's MAutoAlign, and it made a massive difference to the tracks.

I started using SoundRadix AutoAlign about a year ago. Agree with you on the massive difference time alignment makes. Less need to use EQ or other processing subsequently, a huge difference.

All in all, a really fun track to mix. You always know when you've nailed a mix when your head keeps bobbing up and down, even though you've heard it a million times

A few comments on the mix (all very much a matter of personal taste):

Like the acoustic guitar on the intro and the vocals.
Echo spins on lead vocal are good, but a little distracting on the top end. (An HPF would work)
Lead vocal sounded a little thin in places. Perfect in others.
Background vocal levels/intelligibility maybe could be improved.