Danny Boy/Londonderry Air - Arr by Steven Faile

[guitarsrsoawesome]

Yes I'm going to revisit the mix and address the boominess because it's important to me get a mix to translate on all playback systems. If you haven't already I highly recommend you check out therecordingrevolution.com a site run by Graham Cochrane. He has a ton of free content on youtube too. Look up his "5  minutes to a better mix" series for example. I wish that level of training was available when I started recording years ago.Also homestudiocorner.com by Joe Gilder. I have also paid for some of their training vids and have not had any regrets.

I have a simple setup pc> win 7> mboxpro3> cubase 7.5> Yamaha HS80Ms> AudioTechnica Ath40fs. Thanks for listening to the mixcloud tracks.It's a hodge podge of different mix attempts of things I record at home with mostly virtual instruments used for drums/keys/bass. The tracks with vocals came from another website called duelingmixes.com also highly recommended.

Thanks so much for the recommendations!  I went on the recording revolution site and learned so much!  I was so pleased that all the equipment I had bought was on his recommendation list...I think now, I may want to upgrade to pro tools though, but I'm a bit hesitant because after five years on garageband I just feel comfortable there, but I know it has a lot of limitations in comparison.  I see you're using mboxpro3 and cubase? Why did you choose those?  Anyway, really like Graham's stuff and his "keep it simple" approach.  Thanks again!

[GuitNGood]

Thanks so much Cindy! These kinds words def keep me motivated to keep recording. Hope to post more soon.

[GuitNGood]

[quote author=guitarsrsoawesome link=topic=5773.msg62611#msg62611

Thanks so much for the recommendations!  I went on the recording revolution site and learned so much!  I was so pleased that all the equipment I had bought was on his recommendation list...I think now, I may want to upgrade to pro tools though, but I'm a bit hesitant because after five years on garageband I just feel comfortable there, but I know it has a lot of limitations in comparison.  I see you're using mboxpro3 and cubase? Why did you choose those?  Anyway, really like Graham's stuff and his "keep it simple" approach.  Thanks again!
[/quote]

GB is limited to an extent but if you're happy stay with it. If not, there are so many options like Studio One, Cubase, Logic, Reaper is $60 for a full featured DAW that some swear by. Protools/avid are moving to a subscription based product (the first of its kind among the daw software manufacturers) that seems very expensive and not much of a roi for consumers. Read up on them all and decide.

Ive used Cubase for so long it's just home to me.

[TaylorMate]

To give you another option: this summer I became a student of Dave Maxey's http://www.homemusicstudio1.com/. I learned so much and he is such a sympathetic approachable guy. Maybe he is not as flashy as Graham Cochrane (whom I follow as well) but he is certainly as good.

[guitarsrsoawesome]

thanks, taylormate!  I'll check them out when I get the chance.  I've listened to your recordings as well and both you and GuitNGood are phenomenal and the recordings sound great.

And GuitNGood, thinking about the recording you did...i really don't think it was "boomy" the more I think about it...I just think a cedar top 514ce is extremely warm sounding compared to other Taylors and that really comes through on the recording.  Many folks wouldn't expect that tone from the Taylor and for me, that's what drew me to it.  Your recording truly communicates its warmth and your mad skills playing just makes it all the better.

BTW, learned something in Graham's email about mixing at a lower volume so the sound doesn't bounce of the walls. I have ALWAYS had the problem of thinking my mixes sounded great turned up but anemic at low to medium volumes because I was always mixing them at louder volumes so I could "hear", but from what he said your ears actually make adjustments and hear more bass and treble at loud volumes than what's really there.  That was amazing to know.  So that's something I'm going to start doing post haste!  Great tips!

[GuitNGood]

Guitarsrsoawesome - Great to hear these were helpful for you and thanks for the kind words.

http://www.cambridge-mt.com/MixingSecrets.htm

The biggest takeaway for me from Graham's instruction is that a lot of mixing is counterintuitive. Like mixing at low volumes, subtractive vs additive eq, mix in mono vs stereo.

However, the absolute best advice I could ever pass on is to treat your room properly if you haven't. Not to say quality work can't be achieved without it but a properly treated room can remove a lot of the guess work on your mix decisions when you can actually hear the music coming from your speakers vs how it sounds inside your room. Also you'll find your mixes translate better on other systems because you'll have better control over the total frequency range. Don't just settle on auralex thin foam pieces really learn about bass traps and the main reflection points and how to tame them. I highly recommend Mike Senior's book on home recording. He spends the 1st few chapters on speakers and room modes.
It's difficult info to understand at times but I think he explains as simply as can be done. I find myself
constantly returning to it as a reference also.
Senior's book and room treatment were game changers for me.

Taylormate - I've seen some of Dave's work I will revisit.

[GuitNGood]

Hi all - after some time away I remixed this (also referenced some of Tommy Emmanuel's recordings) and I think I've gotten a good template for my future mixes.

If anyone has time to listen again I would greatly appreciate feedback:
http://www.mixcloud.com/StevenSongs/danny-boy-londonderry-air-arr-steven-faile-mix-2/

This is the original (def a bit boomier and less high end detail)
http://www.mixcloud.com/StevenSongs/danny-boylondonderry-air-solo-gtr-arr/

[TaylorMate]

To my ears (and headphones) you did a GREAT remix. You impressed me the first time but this is even better. No boom anymore in my Shure SRH840. I would love to listen to it through my studio monirors (Adam F5's) but I have a  problem getting your recording (and others from internet) copied to my DAW. Anyway doesn't matter, I really enjoyed it this way!!

[Cindy]

Thanks so much Cindy! These kinds words def keep me motivated to keep recording. Hope to post more soon.

I really like this--am listening to it for a second time. Keep it up.

[guitarsrsoawesome]

I like both mixes! Ha!  Almost wish I could meld the two, because i love the warmth of the first one and also the sparkle of the second.  Really phenomenal.

BTW, if you have another job, just quit now and do this.

[GuitNGood]

Wow...thanks for your time and the kind words everyone! It's been a long road to get professional results in my home studio but comments like this make it worth the effort  I'm gathering more songs to make a collection of my arrangements in a similar fashion so I def will share more just not sure how soon. Hopefully release a cd or itunes. Any of you have experience at this?

[GuitNGood]

BTW, if you have another job, just quit now and do this.

Too kind.If I could figure out how to make ends meet I would deliver my resignation  on Monday