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Fireside Feedback?
Hey everyone! I could use a little feedback…
I’m working with a mixer in the studio from the box to a trident console on this track I produced with my buddy Roy and could use some thoughts on the mix/master. I feel like it’s suuuper close but maybe there are some resonant frequencies in the vocals (woofy rap vocal maybe in the 200’s, harshness in the singing (1-3k ish) and the snare (maybe some of the high end smack).
Would love your thoughts on those or any other deal breakers.
PS: I’ve worked from soup to nuts in the studio with a few mixers now that basically refuse to ever use headphones for, say, quality control. What’s everyone else take on this? Because when I strap in the headies I start to hear all sorts of problem frequencies and pops n clicks that I don’t imagine anyone could catch without blasting their monitors at a crazy decibel level the entire song.
Thanks y’all!
🙏
Jeremy
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7 Replies
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Jeremy!! I think this is sounding great, man! I didn’t hear anything noticeably harsh or offensive, frequency-wise. The “woofy” rap vocal sound kinda like an effect to me, like a subtle telephone-bandpass. Either way I assumed that tone was intentional.
Any mix engineer refusing to check mixes on headphones should be given a serious side-eye (my daughter hands those out for free, so lemme know if you need one… I got extras!). I always learn so much listening in headphones. I do all my mixing on speakers and then right at the end (sometimes as I’m printing my first mix) I throw on the cans. Invariably, I realize I’m not done with the mix yet and need to address all the wonky things I’m hearing in the headphones! I know I’m finally ready to print a mix when it makes me equally as stoked to listen in headphones and speakers.
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Thanks so much, Dana! gives me confidence and helps tame my mix anxieties. haha.
If you have a good side eye gif I can text next time I hear “headphones are the devil” that would be great! haha.
Hugely appreciated as always!
Jeremy
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Jeremy, That’s greasy good mon! I think it sounds consistent and crystal clear throughout other than that chorus vocal. If you stripped away all the music and listened to only vocals I’ll bet that the chorus vocal has a definite different tonality compared to all the Rastas. Because it is tonally darker and not wide open in the mid-range like the Rastas are, you might think it to be woofy. I’m hearing that chorus vocal (you?) as midrange deficient. Like Dana said, that could be a choice. If it is a tonal choice I have to think a dB or two level boost will make it sit closer to the other vocal parts. The best $79 I’ve spent in audio was the Sonarworks headphone correction software. Highly recommended. Are you hip to it? https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1
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Haha, thanks Paul!
Yeah, all about that One Love since watching the new Bob Marley flick! haha.
I appreciate the encouragement and POV. I’m not sure the telephonic style was intentional (it was really desperately trying to DS a vocal with a huge printed verb). But it seems folks like the vibe so I feel more confident to roll with the effect and not sweat that it doesn’t sound like a full U47 vocal or something.
I’ll check out SoundID. Interesting! I could likely use this quite badly considering my studio space is very untreated and I love headphones.
Many thanks again for your time and ears!
Jeremy
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Dope track Jeremy!!! Love the collab with Roy too. The vibes run deep on this one.
I also 2nd what Dana was saying on the intentionality of his vocal fx, I love the contrast from the chorus. It feels like 2 separate party rooms you walk in and out of, I really dig that!
Cool track, keep em coming!!!
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Hi Jeremy, love the vibe and the space you created here. Pulled me in for sure.
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