Muddy Mixes!, Need help with mixing/mastering my songs. Options

[eLeCtRoFrEaK0036]

Hey, guys can you give me some tips on mixing and mastering my songs. My guitar tone is alright. It's a bit muddy in the mix, but I don't really know what to do. I'm not satisfied with my overall mix of the songs I do most of the time! Can you tell me what free plugins I can use or effects, and in which order if it makes a difference. I just need my songs to sound full, louder, and clear.
Thanks
IsiahDrew

Here's a song I'm working on with my current tone. Check it out and tell me what you think, these are the raw guitar tracks!
 _metalcore_song_rough_version.mp3 ( 11.31MB ) Number of downloads: 119


*If you have any suggestions please tell me, I really what to get good at making songs!

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[Saoirse O'Shea]

Mud is usually down in the low mid in the 100-450 Hz range. You may need to attenuate the low mid; you may also be able to clear some of it up by moving instruments in the stereo panorama a bit. Also, if you are using a lot of processing and/or have lots of tracks you will likely get a build up so also think about the production.

You shouldn't need any additional vsts - you should already have eqs and you can pan tracks using the mixer.

I have to say that most mixes have issues in this area - usually too much mud. A major part of the issue is inadequate/poor monitors and placement.

I also have to say that you need to get the recording and mixing as good as you can before you think about mastering. So concentrate on learning how to record and
mix.

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[eLeCtRoFrEaK0036]

I only used two tracks for the ryhtmn, they're panned 100% Left and Right. I don't really know much about frequencies so messing around with the EQ isn't going to help me, I think. I really don't have a clear understanding on where the bass, mids, and highs are.

For the equipment I use, I only use a zoom g1, shure sm-57, randall rx120rh and r412 cab, and the focusrite 2i2 audio interface, and reaper.
What effects are mainly used when mixing.. is it just compression and eq? I'm really new to this, so please bare with me.

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[Todd Simpson]

Here is a chart that will hopefully give you some insight in to EQ/sound in general. It helped me


I think you may be missing a bit of the point i"m trying to make on your mix/learning. What I"m saying is, this is your chance to learn more about EQ. Nobody is born knowing how to EQ a mix. You start moving the knobs around and it it helps you understand what they are doing. Imagine if you said "I don't know anything about guitar so I guess I just can't play". It's along that line with mixing/recording. Practice and experimentation are great ways to get your feet wet and learn. Once you mess with it, you'll actually develop questions. Then we can answer them

Quick and dirty on EQ
Bass (Kick drum, bass drum, toms, bass guitar)
Mid (guitar, vocals)
High (high hats, cymbals and give crispness to other instruments)

This is vastly generalized but the basics are a good place to start. If you are having MUDDY mix issues. Pull out some mud. Meaning, pull back the bass on the guitar and bass guitar a bit. Thats a good place to start. Dig in!


Todd

I only used two tracks for the ryhtmn, they're panned 100% Left and Right. I don't really know much about frequencies so messing around with the EQ isn't going to help me, I think. I really don't have a clear understanding on where the bass, mids, and highs are.

For the equipment I use, I only use a zoom g1, shure sm-57, randall rx120rh and r412 cab, and the focusrite 2i2 audio interface, and reaper.
What effects are mainly used when mixing.. is it just compression and eq? I'm really new to this, so please bare with me.

TONI: Great advice but you are asumming here that he knows what a "WIDE BELL" even is . As he mentioned, he knows pretty much zip on EQ so each term/lingo, is something he will need to either lookup, or get a link from us in the post for. Your info is SPOT ON of course. Its hard to remember sometimes what is and isn't "Lingo" when you use certain terms everyday. I run in to this in computer land all the time.

Sorry for repeating myself - mud is in the low mid in the 100-500 Hz range. You need to use an eq on a wide bell to reduce this. Try centering it at @350 Hz, set a wide bell, and attenuate.

In mixing the two main types of processors are EQ and compressors, they are not the only processors used though in mixing but they are arguably the most important. Mixing however is really about balance the various tracks and so you also need to learn how to pan and set levels appropriately and how to gainstage. These, along with EQ and compression, are essential for getting a good mix and I wouldn't worry about other types of processing until you can nail these. Personally I wouldn't even attempt to master a track if you do not know how EQ and compression works as a minimum. Take a look at my previous threads on how to use EQs and compressors, sorry but you'll have to search around on the board for them.

Great! Looks like you found some videos on EQ as well!!!

Thank, but I'm found someone who can help me... and a guy on Youtube aswell: https://www.youtube.com/user/recordingrevolution

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This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Nov 30 2012, 02:13 AM

[eLeCtRoFrEaK0036]

This is vastly generalized but the basics are a good place to start. If you are having MUDDY mix issues. Pull out some mud. Meaning, pull back the bass on the guitar and bass guitar a bit. Thats a good place to start. Dig in!

TONI: Great advice but you are asumming here that he knows what a "WIDE BELL" even is . As he mentioned, he knows pretty much zip on EQ so each term/lingo, is something he will need to either lookup, or get a link from us in the post for. Your info is SPOT ON of course. Its hard to remember sometimes what is and isn't "Lingo" when you use certain terms everyday. I run in to this in computer land all the time.

Thanks for the picture Todd. I have a few VST's for EQ-ing, but which one do you suggest for a basic user like me who's just getting started?

AND NO... I don't have a clue what a "wide bell" is, but I'll look it up. Like I said, "I'm super new to this and I don't know what I'm doing!"

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[Todd Simpson]

Nobody knows what they are doing at first so it's totally ok. We are here to help Depeending on your DAW, you may not even need a VST for EQ. Most have something built in. For example, REAPER!!!

If you are using reaper you are in luck. If not, go download it Here is a zip file that contains a REAPER Project. I've used one of the EQs built in to reaper to EQ a drum kit. You can turn it on and off to hear the difference. Click FX then un check the check box to turn the eq off. See if you can hear the difference.

Move the little dots around on the EQ when you have it up. Press play and keep moving them. See the impact that it has.

Let me know

[attachment=29715:EQ.zip]

CREDITS: This is DOKUGANS drum track for the DIVINUS MORTUS Project.

Todd

Thanks for the picture Todd. I have a few VST's for EQ-ing, but which one do you suggest for a basic user like me who's just getting started?

AND NO... I don't have a clue what a "wide bell" is, but I'll look it up. Like I said, "I'm super new to this and I don't know what I'm doing!"

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