[LAU] Mix feedback on a new track?

[Len Ovens]

On Sun, 5 Oct 2014, James Harkins wrote:

> On October 5, 2014 12:06:02 AM Len Ovens <len at ovenwerks.net> wrote:
>> I do not know if this is good or bad, but, from a drummers POV, I would 
>> like to see some variation in the HH sound. For example on the beat where 
>> the HH and snare hit, a slightly open HH sound would be nice with a little 
>> bit of ring to it.
>
> That's a fair comment, and something that's relatively easy to do with SC's 
> generative-music powers. I was going for a more mechanical sound in the drums 
> (it's a sampled 80s drum kit, calling old drum machines to mind), but it may 
> be more listener-friendly to spice up this element.

Nothing wrong with mechanical drums, I did think the HH sounded mostly 
like a noise burst, but that part did not bother me. In the end where the 
snare is used on it's own it was obvious in it's sound as well, but the 
snare did not register as standiing out. It may be interesting to try a 
phaser or flanger against the HH, thouigh be careful it doesnt end up 
sounding clock like (tik tok). Maybe just a bit of high roll off.

I want to be careful suggesting something that changes the intended feel, 
but I think you would want the drums to support the melody rather than the 
other way around.

When I first started mixing live sound, I tended to mix for an overall 
blend. It turned out this was wrong. What I needed to do was put the focus 
instrument (generally vocal in what I was doing) higher than everything 
else. This is not static through a song as there may be times another 
instrument is featured, with drums perhaps even for only a single beat.

--
Len Ovens
www.ovenwerks.net