OT: mix question for Lucious

[SteveB]

Dear Lucious,

When you're mixing songs, do you have any other artists CD's that you keep around for reference? If so, which ones?

I'm working on a mix right now, and I need to clear my head and listen to something that's done well.

 

[Psychicpet]

Aja

although, the drums on Alice In Chains "Jar of Flies" CD are amazing and worth a refrence but then again, I'm no Bruce Dickenson and when I put my pants on I don't make Gold records

 

[SteveB]

Pete,

Thanks for that. When I was a younger person, running sound for live bands on the weekends, we used to test potential PA purchases (cabs etc.) by playing Genesis "Dance on a Volcano" from A trick of the Tale.

The spectrum is pretty well represented in that one!

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

Lately, I always use VonRay for PA reference. Very nicely produced.

Mixing tracks comes down to what sound good to you thru the speakers you are listening through. General rule of thumb is if you can get a great mix through some Yamaha NS10's, it'll sound great out of any speaker.

 

[SteveB]

Siggy,

Thanks. I'm using a pair of Samson ReSolv 80a's, and they have been very good for making mixes that translate well on other systems. They've got a tunable midrange, which is kinda unique in that price range.

Do you have any favorite discs for mix reference? Years ago we used to use Peter Gabriel's "So" and also a Yes album.. though I can't remember which one.

 

[pauldogx]

Steve----my guess is that Luke doesn't do alot of mixing-----I know Simon is into it but if you are the artist--its hard to do the engineering too-----and besides---Luke has access to some heavy hitters---so why do it yourself??!!! But seriously----you need to pick a couple of cds you know inside and out---have listened to a million times(and especially on headphones) so you know everything thats on there. I dont go by a cd thats "supposed to be the ONE" for comparitive listening-----it just has to be something you know intimately. And then you have to listen to them critically in your current monitoring setup and get familiar with how they sound there. Once you establish that baseline you can then compare your mixes to them. One tip is to mix quietly----I usually mix at a very moderate volume and then crank it up for awhile to see if things are kosher----mixing quietly takes some of the room out of the equation. My current mxing area sucks acoustically---so I have been using a free plug-in called Inspector--which is a spectral analysis plug that visually represents your mix and thats helped alot since I cant really trust my current set up to translate. As far as CDs---I try to use sveral different styles. I use in no particular order:

Dave Wekl--Multipicity(Jazz)
Storyville--Dog Years(great guitar sounds)
Daniel Lanois---Beauty of Wynonna
Beach Boys--Pet Sounds

 

[Jay]

Hey Steve,

For me (a mixer wannabe, and I still wannabe), it depends on the music I'm writing. Metallica's Black album really does it for me when I'm in a hard rock/metal mood, but I'll listen/watch the Eagles Farewell DVD for something smoother and with vox harmonies. Sisters of Mercy's Vision Thing, to me, is another stellar production that I strive for. But hey, the cool things about mixing are: 1) the job's never, ever done; 2) if it's original music, no one knows the difference!

 

[Jay]

One tip is to mix quietly----I usually mix at a very moderate volume and then crank it up for awhile to see if things are kosher----mixing quietly takes some of the room out of the equation.

Me too!! Spares the wife and the dogs from howling! Heh.

 

[SteveB]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll have to check out some of these discs you're using.

Luke did mention he was mixing the most recent Toto album in this post, so that's why I thought I'd ask him. (Although I guess it doesn't necessarily mean that he [personally] was mixing it..)

 

[pauldogx]

Steve----yeah TOTO did the production work on their new album and I think most of it was recorded in Simon Phillips studio---he seems to the bands "technical boffin" as they say across the pond!!

 

[tristan]

how do we make babys ?

okat, I quit ->

 

[Wick3d.]

how do we make babys ?

Before trying to make one, I think you should try to spell the word correctly

 

[Lucious]

Cats,
It is all a matter of taste really. as far as FULL spectrum references we use Donald Fagens the Nightfly ( lots of people do) as it has all frequencies covered. Most rock record have WAY too much compression and its a wall of harmonic distortion. It sounds good but it lies to you sonically. generally put whatever you like on YOUR speakers and then compare what you have done. The ttruth shall lie there.
I know my way around the studio well but Simion has a gift for it and loves doin it so why not? I have worked with the best of the best so i have learned the tricks along the way. The key is get it on TAPR the way you want it to sound ( or pro tools whatever..) and generally yopu should be happy. Mic pre's and mics and how you record things ( phasing etc) ALL are key elements. If it sounds like **** comin out of the sourse then its gonna sound even worse on tape. hahaha
Hope this helps.
Off to LA again toady. i always hate to leave the desert!
have a good one guys and I will check in tommorow
Lucious

 

[SteveB]

Thanks for chiming in, Lucious!

I figured you've seen the inside of a studio a few times in your career...

 

[tristan]

Cats,
as far as FULL spectrum references we use Donald Fagens the Nightfly

AHHHH...Maxine ! I was a baby ( is it correct ?)

I have two big references in mix, but I don't use it for my music, I let the guy doing his job, he's better than me on this...

they are

back on the block
kingdom of desire ( best drums sound ever recorderd & mixed to me...)

lucious, do you have a home studio to work your compositions or do you work them with the band....?

 

[pauldogx]

As always Lucious---thanx for the replies and the tips!!!!!!!!!! If you go to Lucious's site you can find a list of the about 4 million sessions he has done so far!

 

[Eilif]

Some of Jeff's best work. Real kick ass stuff! I just love the opening to Gypsy Train.

Try listening to Wings Of Time alone in the dark.

kingdom of desire ( best drums sound ever recorderd & mixed to me...)

 

[philiprst]

I have struggled with mixing over the years and I have the highest respect for those people who know how to do it well. Honestly, I think it is more of an art than a science and it takes a lot of experience to get it right. I was helped a great deal by spending time with a semi-pro engineer and just watching and listening, but I am still pretty hopeless. One more thing: don't forget the importance of mastering. Mastering will never fix a bad mix but it can certainly ruin a good one

 

[SteveB]

philiprst,

I'm actually not too bad at mixing. I spent many years running live sound for bands with a guy who has a great ear for mixing. He also ran a recording studio for several years, so I learned a bit from him there as well.

I certainly have a lot more to learn, though.. but I'm getting a better each time I mix something.

Mastering intimidates me for some reason. I have books on the subject, and I understand what to do, I just don't trust myself to do it well.

The particular mix I'm working on will be mastered by someone else, though, so I'm off the hook!