EP Song #1

21Fretter

Finished recording a song, minus vocals (no vocals written). My mixing skills are beginner and the track has not been mastered in any way (any free VST recommendations?). The volume is quite low (is that fixed through mastering or mixing?).

The song might be repetitive, I intend to write vocals, but my greatest issue in the past was being unable to complete songs because I never thought about vocals so I was constantly trying to think of new and exciting riffs but often hit songs are pretty simple/repetitive instrumentally e.g. like the Foo Fighters - No Way Back cover track I posted, pretty simple.

There is a slight Alter Bridge/F*cked Up influence (yes, that is an actual band)

Thoughts/ideas? Thanks

https://app.box.com/s/iqai7sfqtjlcg3za0n1v

DrGonzo

heya

Guitars are overpowering, I suggest that you take them down and bring up the drums - get the drums balanced within themselves first as well (snare is quite soft and toms are quite hard) and then bring up the guitars around them.
Cool rocking track tho!
guitar tone is quite nice tho like that.

Yes overall Loudness is much too soft, this is addressed in Mastering... hmm freeware im not so sure - what DAW did you use tho, there should be a maximiser / mastering limiter bundled in it

21Fretter

DrGonzo wrote:
Yes overall Loudness is much too soft, this is addressed in Mastering... hmm freeware im not so sure - what DAW did you use tho, there should be a maximiser / mastering limiter bundled in it

Recording/Mixing/alles in Reaper. Individual guitar tracks peak at -6db (but the parent guitar track, I apply an mass EQ and reverb, peaks at -30db, weird?) and everything else -30db.

21Fretter

https://app.box.com/s/podhywgpqf2epfemdo6z

Might be a bit bass heavy now, I'm not mixing on great speakers.

Simply remixed a bit, amazing how small changes can make a big difference (to my ears), just shows how much skill there is in mixing and how the right hands can make or break the sound.

DrGonzo

Indeed... Will have a listen a bit later on my monitors when i get home.

Mixerboy

Guitars are too loud or drums are too soft, except the ride cymbal, that's way too loud, also sounds like a lot of compression on the drums (are they addictive drums?)

AlanRatcliffe

Agree with the drums being over compressed - the cymbals are pumping. Rhythm guitars are still too loud. Maybe a little low end heavy, but I kind of like it that way.