Any hints/tips on this mix? (Industrial Metal)

[Torniojaws]

I just finished a mix that I did in a completely different way that I usually do. I started with vocals, then added bass, then synths/FX. Then I added individual drumtracks (kick, snare, toms, HH, overhead) and finally guitars. I did groups whenever I had finished an instrument. I guess the advantage is that now I have the vocals pretty clear even in a busy mix There was a little bit too much room sound on the untouched vocals, but that's something I can't help.

Anyways:

http://www.sneapforum.celtiaproductions.co.uk/torniojaws/mp3/vortech-evomix3.mp3 (8.52 MB)
http://www.sneapforum.celtiaproductions.co.uk/torniojaws/mp3/vortech-evomix3.wav (50.3 MB)

My problem area is bass guitar. I can't seem to make it clear and punchy ála Dream Theater - Train of Thought. And something seems to be choking the mix, but looking at the frequency spectrum per-instrument there shouldn't be any major chokepoints

 

[KeithRT99]

the guitars could be more defined. the vocals are buried. the synths could sound bigger/roomy-er.

 

[smy1]

What Keith said. And my girlfriend (!!!!) said after 5 seconds: "Are those drums programmed? - It's too perfect!" ...

She's right, too

 

[cobhc]

Yeah, I afree on everything that's been said, more low end as well, feels like there isn't a bass on it at all, but the song sounds fucking good man, get this mixed properly and randomize those drums and it will kick serious amounts of ass.

 

[Downtime]

I like the mix at all (except the mentioned things like bass and a lack of room etc.], just don´t like drums where kick and snare sound to similar, like in this one. *clickerclickerclicker*

 

[Torniojaws]

Did a fourth version, this time doing some pretty extreme cuts, practically forcing the bass to be heard , and see how it would work. Oh yeah, I also muted the 50 % L/R guitars and only left two 91 % L/R guitar tracks. Thinned them out a bit, but also cleared up some room for the bass. I also bumped the vocals up a bit:

http://www.sneapforum.celtiaproductions.co.uk/torniojaws/mp3/vortech-evomix4.mp3

 

[cobhc]

A little too rumbly now dude, a little less bass and the synths need to be up a little more, and it'll sound good, now get working on those drums as far as randomizing.

 

[Torniojaws]

Can't really randomize with just one kick sample and the stock kicks on Ezdrummer suck uke: The various kicks posted here are usually just for the high end click, and very few samples are more low end oriented. That's what I always find samples and VST drums missing, the low end. They always sound weak.

Oh and the hits are already hand-placed individually out of absolute quantization leaning slightly back and forward.

 

[Torniojaws]

Here's an adjusted version (bass quieter, synths more spacy and louder, and the lead guitar thingy louder):

http://www.sneapforum.celtiaproductions.co.uk/torniojaws/mp3/vortech-evomix4.1.mp3

 

[Torniojaws]

Here's an adjusted version (bass quieter, synths more spacy and louder, and the lead guitar thingy louder):

http://www.sneapforum.celtiaproductions.co.uk/torniojaws/mp3/vortech-evomix4.1.mp3

 

[cobhc]

It still sounds programmed, but it sounds better, maybe try another snare sample, it's really not doing it for me.

 

[Torniojaws]

Well, that is the only good sounding snare in Ezdrummer. The rest don't sound good for metal. Blending a sample with aptrigga won't sound too good, at least from my experience.

 

[Jaymz]

I blend the original EZ snare in 25% with another snare sample usually, sounds like the black album's.