Mixing parts 1, 2…and many

The mixing process for me is the most fun, yet most challenging. It is very hard not to begin to almost re-write the track as each small adjustment culminates by a magnitude. Thankfully with version control a few hours of experimenting with automation, effects and other creative touches don’t ruin the original. With the shaker I definitely went down a rabbit hole of trying too hard to fix a simple problem. Lucky I could go back to a version I had pre obsessive effects manipulation!

Listening to my track agains the 2 professionaly mixed and mastered reference tracks is at times a little disheartening. they both sound very full, loud and warm without the harshness I feel I have in my track at the moment.

More work is needed.

Chambord. “Wonderland.” 2022. Track 1 on Wonderland. Kindisch, https://wearechambord.bandcamp.com/track/chambord-wonderland

Solar Kings. “A Kings Strut.” 2022. Track 1 on Saraswati. DowntempoLove, https://downtempolove.bandcamp.com/track/a-king-strut.

After siting with this rough mix for a week and listening to my reference tracks, there is a lot of work still to be done. The energy is very centred and the shakers are still very harsh. The keys are lost in the mix as well as the baseline. I feel it needs some more movement and width. While I happy with the vocal being very present and centred, I think it is a little too harsh or forward and could use some sweetening up.

On this second session mix I have got the shakers with more width and interest, yet hopefully not as repetitive. The keys and bass line are in better balance and the mix sounds a lot more full. The vocals are still pretty forward and are actually starting to sound shrill to me at times. I feel the break down, second keys part and the last section of the vocals could do with some movement. Everything sounds quite centred and a bit flat compared to my reference tracks.