-
Mix feedback on original piece
This is the first “finished” piece in a collection of music I plan on releasing next year. I’ve been working on this piece for years on and off, so have absolutely no objectivity at this point lol. Would love any feedback. Particularly interested in low-end feedback, and if I’ve properly achieved clarity within all the different elements. Applied some of @dana ‘s great advice from a previous inquisition surround the “clarity in chaos” concept. Was SO helpful in getting to the finish line on this track. Thanks Dana! And thanks for anyone’s input on this!
-
17 Replies
-
GOOD LORDT, @Nate, this is utterly gorgeous!!!! Wow, man. Stunning piece of music. I’m only listening on my Macbook Pro speakers at the moment (and will listen again on the studio speakers Sun night or Monday), but even on the MBP speaks it sounds phenomenal. And, I mean, musically too, it’s just fantastic. U should be super proud, man. The low end on the laptop sounded excellent – kick and synth bass coming through nicely. Felt very balanced, and I’m stoked to crank this on the ATC45s when back in the studio!
FWIW, here are two songs that came to mind while I was listening. Both are songs/records I love, and sharing here cause you might dig them too, and perhaps they’ll also be useful as references for your piece (not that u need them tho – more just sharing for love of music and style similarities).
-
This one for general vibe and especially the descending synth bass tone and melodies
https://open.spotify.com/track/2aDVymoLLpxVmITtdK0yiD?si=2c8ca6d34c6d453c
-
This one for the fabulous middle section bridge / instrumental / beach-boys-esque orchestration. I love this song and the way it blends hip hop/trap and 60’s era pop arranging (for lack of a better description). Like from 2:40 till the end it takes such an incredible unexpected turn, genre-wise and production-wise. And the video is amazing too. Moves me every time – just super creative, genre-bending, surreal storytelling. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/track/3PPAFAhNAvJYs74JnujgGq?si=f6d7ad1416354a3c
-
this track is amazing – holy fack. I’m obsessed
-
Right?? Same, man. So glad you dig!
-
I’ve listened to that album 3 times since you mentioned that track haha
-
-
-
-
Wow @dana I’m flattered! Really appreciate you taking the time to give it a listen, and I’m so encouraged by your positive reaction!! I definitely appreciate the insight about referencing things on the paper weight speakers, and working from the foundation (beat, bass, vocals, piano) up. I was definitely a little lost in the sauce of all the colors, and your feedback in that discussion forum was a great help! The final mix love was provided by my good friend Con Davison here in Austin, TX. He’s doing some great work out here. I can’t wait to listen to the tracks you shared. So appreciate the references!
-
Dude … Just listened in the studio … wouldn’t change a thing! It’s freaking awesome! I love the mix, and I love the music. The low end is freaking bonkers 💪 and super-extra-credit for making a 5/4 time signature sound natural and danceable in a pop setting. I’ve always admired Sting for pulling that off over the years too. Anyway, you’re crushing it man, and I look fwd to hearing more! Bravo!
-
Wow thank man. Means SO much to hear that! I actually used “It’s probably me” by Sting as a reference track for this as I was building it….funny you mentioned him.
Again, so grateful for your input! Can’t wait to share more!
-
Oooh, “It’s Probably Me” – that’s a great one! I was also thinking of “Seven Days” and the end section of “I Was Brought To My Senses” (which features an amazing Branford Marsalis soprano solo I transcribed in college). Sting’s pretty amazing at making odd meters work in pop. What a riot that you were on the same wavelength!
-
that whole Ten Summoners album is amazing. The chorus progression on “Seven days”…..sheesh. Totally forgot about “Brought to my Senses”! Such a great track. Looks like I’m listening to Sting tonight.
Congrats on transcribing that solo! Not an easy feat (at least not for me. Currently transcribing a bunch of orchestral stuff for an upcoming project….not my favorite part haha).
-
Yeah that album is incredible – we have “Sting night” fairly often around here lol. I love transcribing and used to do it a ton in high school and college. Dug around in my closet this evening and finally found this in one of my old transcription folders. Branford is such an insane talent.
-
Nice work! And great penmanship! I usually just go straight to Musescore these days as my transcript penmanship looks like a 4 year old using a living room wall.
Thought exercise this conversation has stimulated – learning the science of mixing has really enhanced my ability as a composer. I feel as if learning the foundations of a good, clear mix (final product) sort of acts like a mental mix buss for the composition process. I’m composing into my hopes and expectations for a final product, and the mix knowledge I’ve gained over the years has created a platform for how to achieve a higher quality, balanced end result. Much like knowing the foundations of theory help to achieve a clearer, more directly translation of thought to paper.
🤓
-
Haha thanks man! I’ve always loved the visual aesthetic of music notation and admired many of my teachers’ penmanship throughout the years. (I prob should’ve spent more time shedding scales rather than “drawing” haha).
Musescore … ! Wow, I just looked into that and am so pumped to try it out – thanks for that! (FREE?? 🤯) I have Sibelius but I use it so infrequently that each time I launch it I end up scouring manuals and trying to relearn it and often times revert back to my handmade “music drawings” instead haha.
And right on — what a brilliant “thought exercise”. I totally know what you mean and feel the same way, often letting the “final product” finished mix (percolating in my imagination, or taking shape on the speakers) inform and inspire compositional/arranging decisions along the way! Love it!
-
nah — without the drawing, there’d be no music to shed over. We all have our areas of diligence. Yours needs no introduction!
Musescore has totally changed the game. And the latest update (Musescore 4) is easily some of the best freeware around. Pretty decent (free) downloadable sample library too!
I’ll bet there’d be a decent interest in a video/course/class about an idea like “mixing from a compositional perspective”, or “composition from a mix perspective”. Seems like a niche fire waiting to be stoked.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Duuuuuude!!! This sounds INSAAANE!!! So good. I started to listen to it with a critical ear to see if I could offer up any suggestions…but then quickly became completely lost in your music, in a good way haha. It’s so high level from a songwriting, production, orchestration, mixing, and just general conceptual vibe. I would listen to this all the time. Congrats man – So very beautiful ❤
Best,
Jesse
-
Thank you so much Jesse! So humbled by your words! Definitely feeling the Mix Protege love right now, and it’s elating 🙂
Been loving the stuff you’ve been posting on IG too! So many beautiful textures/colors.
-
Log in to reply.