Whispear To Scream (mixed by konop)

[konop_tnt]

Hello,

My first post and mix here. What do you think about this? There is no automation at all, but no excuses - just information. Hope you'll enjoy.

Normally with this song I find it better to keep the vocals further back. However, in your version the up front vocals work very well. Oh, and as far as not having any automation goes, I consider that a plus. I believe automation should only be used when necessary; most mixes, IMHO, don't need it if you balance everything well. Nice work!

Speaking of the vocals, that was one of the only problems. Vocals sound a bit too harsh. Sounds like you applied EQ to them in the 5-6 kHz region to try to bring them out of the mix. That might be your problem; you may have overdid it. I suggest no more than 5 dB boost in that region, maybe even 3 or 4.

Also, you need to dial WAY back on your compression in mastering; you can hear it turning up the noise during the ending tailoff and it's causing some unpleasant pumping in the sound of the cymbals. Honestly, I prefer to use NO compression in the master buss; why not try a master without it and see what you get? I realize, of course, I'm in the minority on the whole "no compression during mastering" thing so if you MUST use it then just pull back on it to about half of what you have here and that should eliminate the problems it's causing.

Wow thanks for comments.

About automation: yes, I agree. It should be used only when needed, but... I think in modern music it is a must. And in fact all of us apply automation (more or less). Flying faders during mix it is one thing. But we often divide track and change events gain, we are splitting track into two or more and adjust differnt processing etc. But anyway: I should use automation here IMO.

About vocal harshness: yes, I agree

About master bus: This mix was one of my latest attempt to mix into mastering bus effects chain turned on. Of course settings were adjusted durning mixing process, but there were some initial settings. Right know I prefer this way of working. At the end of the mix I'm not supriesd with the effect. So when it is done, it is done. No guessing, what will be after mastering. And you have right, my mix is overproccessed. It is oalso possible that oh pumping cames from sub-groups not from master bus

In general this was fun to mix, in the mean time I will try mix second version.