Prog Ballad (something a lil different)

[Ermz]

So it's the first time I've done anything like this. It's a fairly unique track, with a chapman stick instead of regular bass. Very much inspired by King Crimson.

I know there are some issues with the low end, and those mostly correspond with me wondering how to process the stick. It features as a lead instrument, so it has to hold down the bass bed on the track, whilst still coming into the forefront and being audible amongst the guitars.

It's been a really interesting track to mix... and the artist seems very happy so far. He'll likely get it professionally mastered, which will hopefully go some way to overcome my completely untreated monitoring environment.

Anyhow, see what you think.

http://www.upload.celtiaproductions.co.uk/uploads/recalibrate_ermix3_lessbass4.mp3

 

[kaomao]

Great stuff Moon!
that's some great atmosphere going mate, I like it a lot.
Oh well I think the low end is good!
Nothing to complain anyway

 

[Daunt]

Nice and wide sound! I like it a lot! The low end sounds fine to me.

 

[Nebulous]

Nice.
It works for the track. I'd say the biggest things that stick out are that the kick sounds fugly on it's own, but it fits the rest of the mix well. I do see what you mean about the lowend. It's slightly unbalanced, but I can see what you're trying to do with it. I'd say there are too many sub frequencies in the Stick, but I'm sure that if you lowered them it would sound empty.

Congrats on having your stuff get a pro mastering. I'm sure that will open up some more doors for you and give you a greater understanding of where you can take your mixes.

 

[Ermz]

Thanks guys.

I'll likely come back to this mix in a few days, with some fresher ears and try to tighten up that low-end a little bit.

Agreed about the kick being fugly on its own Dan! I actually had to blend an ever-minute amount of sample even for that amount of consistency. It was originally one of those 'guy jerking off into handkerchief' kick sounds.

 

[CJWall]

sounds awesome dude.

i'm listening in headphones, but the low-end sounds nice and fat to me.

i'd maybe chop some sub-frequencies out of the stick if you haven't already, but not a whole lot.

very cool music.

 

[Nebulous]

It was originally one of those 'guy jerking off into handkerchief' kick sounds.

I hear ya there.

sounds awesome dude.

i'm listening in headphones, but the low-end sounds nice and fat to me.

Almost too fat.

 

[Ermz]

Thanks CJ, means alot coming from you bro.

I'm still in unfamiliar waters when it comes to this sort of thing. It was hard to get the low-end sitting right... because in some parts there's too little and in others it totally just blows away all the reference material. Hard to keep it clamped down.

I think what I might do is fatten up the subs of the kick a little... take the overall kick volume down a bit, or at least clamp down harder with the comp. Clamp on the stick harder with the comp and see if I can get it sitting more evenly.

It's a bit hard, given this untreated monitoring environment... I've always had trouble hearing bass here.

 

[Black neon bob]

I think the low end sounds nice.. it's not bothering me at all..

Overall this sounds great dude! everything sounds wide and rich, really nice atmosphere to it thanks to the instruments and mix just sounding... umh, rich is the right word for me.

Got some more info on this track? how it was recorded? what gear?

Lovin that snare, sounds great... nice attack yet very natural as well.

Keep us updated when everything is done on the track.. would love to hear the final result.

 

[Jaymz]

Sounds perfect

 

[Ermz]

Thanks guys!

Even though I wasn't referencing to it... the vibe of this track was really inspired by Opeth. In particular the song 'Isolation Years' and the Damnation material and the general spaciousness and vibe of that. Obviously though this track has a more tech-twist to it.

@Neon Bob: I'm not sure about the actual gear to be honest. I just know that the drums were recorded in some guy's house (amazing isn't it?.. they're all natural, apart from a miniscule sample blend in the kick). The bass is a chapman stick played by the bassist of Black Majesty. The drums I have no idea about. The guitar was likely Steve's Soundworks Custom guitar. http://www.steveturner.com.au/pics2/soundworks1_c.jpg

Anyhow I've revised the mix to a point where I think it's sounding a tad warmer and more solid. Have a listen if you want.. probably wont hear too much of a difference, so it's all good:

http://users.tpg.com.au/afiteam//recalibrate_ermix3_lessbass5.mp3

 

[RyanUsesThis]

How did you record the Bass stick? direct? ... if so what'd you use to get sound you have? Sounds great.

 

[Ermz]

This wasn't actually recorded by me, Ryan. So I'm quite in the dark as to what was used. I was simply a mixing engineer in this endeavor. I was quite amazed at how the stick sounded though too, and yes it does seem to be very much DI'd.

 

[RyanUsesThis]

gotcha.. well.. if you find out.. let us know! Cheers.

 

[deathtotaliban]

thsi sounds really great, I really dig the track. The only thing that could sound better is the drum OH's seem to be lacking something, idk maybe some drive or something. otherwise I dig the rest of the kit and the guitars are really great. cool bass tone. nice job, really good mix

Jordan