Nearly FINAL mix on this - Need some final thuoghts (Metalcore/ Melodeath?)

[Melb_shredder]

Hey guys, nearing the end of this project, which.. despite lots of bad preparation on the band's behalf, has been quite an awesome project to work on!

[COLOR = "red"]FINAL MIX!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/306055/BerserkerFox - Digging Your Own Grave.mp3
[/COLOR]

I reamped, mixed and mastered this. It's at the point where I can't think of how to fix any underlying issues. The kick is somewhat annoying me, but I think it's because I've been listening to it tooooo long I did like it at the start.

My only other issue is the vocals. I feel they just aren't sitting.. PERFECT yet, but I can't pick how or why.

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated on this one.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Ermz]

Sounding good! You'd probably gain some free clarity if you attenuated the low-end of the rhythm guitars a touch more.

A bit loud though, I'd back off the mastering chain a bit.

 

[Melb_shredder]

Cheers Ermz. Vocals aren't annoying you like they are me then I assume?

Yeah, mastering is definitely loud, something I don't plan to keep that way.
However, you try explaining away pulling more low-end from the guitars to a band who's main guy IS the guitarist It's gotta happen anyways, I discussed it a bit earlier with him. But I'm thinking we are quite near completion here apart from little details... FINALLY! haha

 

[HostileEx]

I like this track a lot. Kick sounds fine, a bit clicky for my taste, but not a problem.

Excellent production!

 

[LeSedna]

Sounds good imo ! Only things I could say would be really personal preferences ! I'm listening it through the converters of my macbookpro though, but sounds good so far !

 

[Melb_shredder]

Hey guys! Thanks for that. The kick indeed was a bit clicky, but I've worked on the mix a slight bit and the slap comes through better now. I also noticed the bass (Lows) where too prominent, so I pulled it back 1db.. and I can happily say the mix is pretty much complete, it just fell into place

I'll post it up when I get a chance!

 

[Melb_shredder]

Final mix

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/306055/BerserkerFox - Digging Your Own Grave.mp3

 

[Melb_shredder]

Thoughts guys?

(Only thing not done is the vocal automation/ delays)

 

[Morgan C]

Sounds great but the toms are way too bright and sticky-outy. Other than that it's fantastic. Snare is a great mix of hifi yet trashy, and the bass is killer.

 

[Sacha]

Sounds pretty good overall man! The leads are a little buried. Kick click is in a bit lower of a region / plasticy area for me, and the toms lack some power. The overall mix is maybe a bit overcompressed sounding and scooped in the mid range for my personal taste. Everything gels pretty nice though and sounds real heavy / crushing.

Oh and I think I may have heard a couple of missing kick hits in some of the faster bits?

 

[Viral_Tyler]

I think this mix is pretty good.

Only thing I would suggest, is boost your lows or low mids on the toms by maybe 1 or 1.5 dB.

You could possibly compress the vocals a little bit more, but thats my taste. ^^

 

[Melb_shredder]

Cheers guys! Sacha. Yeah agree on the Kick, I changed that a slight bit. The Toms have a bit more power now too. Those missed Kicks are because the band didn't give me the final drums yet, they were mistriggering hard in the beginning. Fixed now

@Viral - Noted, the Toms needed the boost, but the vocals I'm happy to keep a little more raw i think it works well, but that's just my taste

 

[Melb_shredder]

OLD MIX - OP UPDATED WITH FINAL

 

[Melb_shredder]

Anyone with any final thoughts

 

[Melb_shredder]

Ok! This thing is about to be closed up, i'd love some final thoughts on it though!

 

[LeSedna]

I'd say the only thing that was really distracting for me is the kick during the clean guitars/instrumental bridge. The kick could have less bass, or be less "rounded", it sounds a little weird imo in this part ! Some automation would help, as much as on the snare who sounds really thin and quiet - you could turn it up easily, I think it would fit the part well if it was louder and punchier even if it's just sidestick hits or something.

Personal preference although I'm usually not an upfront lead vocal guy, maybe turn the vocals up a very very little bit, like 1dB. Just personal preference. Same for the little harmony solo that plays something at 1:45, it's too low to be really noticed IMO even if it's not supposed to be an in your face solo and stays in the background of the voice, it would benefit from a few dB without any balance prejudice I think. Also I'm listening on cans right now so judge by yourself before !

Other than that I think you've been as far as possible in the direction of your mix !

 

[Melb_shredder]

^^^ Can always count on you for interesting feedback! Thanks dude, that's probably the last little bit I needed to hear just to quickly look over before finishing this. And I agree, i think this mix has hit its potential, which I'm actually pretty happy with haha.

Thanks guys!

 

[LeSedna]

Aha you're welcome ! Another set of fresh ears is always good, I know it too well cause eventhough I can understand or feel why a mix sounds good or not, or criticize a very good mix, my own ones suck to my ears (or genuinely suck!)

 

[Melb_shredder]

Yeah I know exactly what you mean dude! I'm in the same way for the most part

 

[Melb_shredder]

Ok... after a hefty back and forth with the band.. I made some minor changes.. but to me this is finished, regardless... Anyone want to weigh in and tell me if I'm nuts thinking this is DONE AND DUSTED??
OP UPDATED WITH FINAL MIX