Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Discuss upcoming, current, and previous song fights.
User avatar
BBABM
Goldman
Posts: 666
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:34 pm
Instruments: Guitar, Voice, drums
Recording Method: Session, fruity loops
Submitting as: Bad Boys at Bat Mitzvahs, Fitzroy
Location: Charlottesville, Va

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by BBABM »

Billy's Little Trip wrote:
BBABM wrote: Billy And The Psychotics: the wacky high guitar riff is not my favorite, but i am loving the 90's alternative vibe. sounds like a Poe song.
Funny, Idiot King mentioned Poe too. After hearing this I went and listened. I don't care for them, lol. Well, it's alright I guess. By high guitar riff, do you mean the intro guitar that I run through the song, or the chorus? Either way, thanks bad boy. Lovin' yours too.
I meant the intro that gets run through. It's not bad, or poorly played, I just think it could be better. The Poe song I had especially in mind was "Angry Johnny" ... If that helps...
hillbilly

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by hillbilly »

JB-- sorry dude
HeuristicsInc
Ibárruri
Posts: 5350
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:14 pm
Instruments: Synths
Recording Method: Windows computer, Acid, Synths etc.
Submitting as: Heuristics Inc. (duh) + collabs
Pronouns: he/him
Location: Maryland USA
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by HeuristicsInc »

j$ wrote: Pillar of Paprika – Weak vocals too loud in the mix? Right back at ya, sir :) Intriguing, a little bit fragmented but that I find interesting. The 90s indie guitar chord progression sits oddly but appealingly on the electro. I love the squiggling synth. I wish that was louder. In fact I wish the whole song was louder. On my crappy laptop the mix doesn’t sound great. Maybe on headphones it would be stronger. That solo is by far and away the best thing in the song. A wall of spazz in yr face.
i have the tendency to bury vocals in the mix too much, especially when they're mine. in this case, they belong to tik, so i made them louder... so you'd lower the vox, up the squigglesynth, what else would you do?

...and thanks, on the solo :)
-bill
152612141617123326211316121416172329292119162316331829382412351416132117152332252921
http://heuristicsinc.com
Liner Notes
SF Lyric Ideas
User avatar
the idiot king
Attlee
Posts: 416
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 1:28 pm
Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Keys, Programming, Drums, Percussion
Recording Method: Logic Pro 11, Arturia Audiofuse 16Rig
Submitting as: The Idiot Kings
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Peabody, MA USA
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by the idiot king »

HeuristicsInc wrote: i have the tendency to bury vocals in the mix too much, especially when they're mine. in this case, they belong to tik, so i made them louder... so you'd lower the vox, up the squigglesynth, what else would you do?

...and thanks, on the solo :)
-bill

it's a good rule of thumb to always turn my voice down a bit. when i'm on, it acts as a texture. when i'm off, it's hidden.

:)
“It’s amazing how quickly we get used to weirdness when it’s our own weirdness.”
-Scott Meyer
The Difference Engine | Passive Witnesses | Ochmoneks
j$
Ibárruri
Posts: 5374
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:33 am
Instruments: Bass, keyboards, singin', guitar
Submitting as: Johnny Cashpoint
Location: London, Engerllaaannnddd
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by j$ »

bill wrote:what else would you do?
So listening now on headphones, and my initial impressions are - bass is a lead instrument, could do with standing out a bit more, not louder neccessarily but fatter perhaps, by which I think I mean - not as clean?

Squiggle synth definitely up, that's a song in itself, and wall of scariness solo could get away with almost drowning the rest out for its time in the sun ...

maybe some subtractive EQ on the guitar to give the other instruments more room, without turning it down (which I don't think you'd want to do) -

the drums are mixed to the right volume, but again, they're a little dry or clean against the rest of the mix.

I guess what I'm hearing is a mild NIN-ing of the track, to make you want to get up and dance against your will. It's close already but a bit of tweaking and bingo!

The rest I can think to suggest is just personal taste, and you've seen where that's got me over the years :) Also mix related comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, as i know next to nothing. Is this normalised / mastered? An ozone preset would probably take care of most of my concerns with a single button press. It just cries out (to me) for a bit more oomf.

And of course a list of what I would do differently doesn't include all the things I like about the song!
User avatar
the idiot king
Attlee
Posts: 416
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 1:28 pm
Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Keys, Programming, Drums, Percussion
Recording Method: Logic Pro 11, Arturia Audiofuse 16Rig
Submitting as: The Idiot Kings
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Peabody, MA USA
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by the idiot king »

j$ wrote:I guess what I'm hearing is a mild NIN-ing of the track, to make you want to get up and dance against your will.
bill, we need to make this happen.
“It’s amazing how quickly we get used to weirdness when it’s our own weirdness.”
-Scott Meyer
The Difference Engine | Passive Witnesses | Ochmoneks
HeuristicsInc
Ibárruri
Posts: 5350
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:14 pm
Instruments: Synths
Recording Method: Windows computer, Acid, Synths etc.
Submitting as: Heuristics Inc. (duh) + collabs
Pronouns: he/him
Location: Maryland USA
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by HeuristicsInc »

yes, agree, except i've already got ozone on it (modified 4 band master, i think). is there some other recommended preset to start with?
-bill
152612141617123326211316121416172329292119162316331829382412351416132117152332252921
http://heuristicsinc.com
Liner Notes
SF Lyric Ideas
j$
Ibárruri
Posts: 5374
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:33 am
Instruments: Bass, keyboards, singin', guitar
Submitting as: Johnny Cashpoint
Location: London, Engerllaaannnddd
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by j$ »

from memory - you could try "drum&bass & breaks w/ boost, de-mud and stereo imaging", "electro & dance master - EQ and Exciter", "Electronica Master - widening and exciter" or maybe if you're feeling perky, one of the hip hop masters, because it will bring edge to the drums ... trial and error 'til you find the one you like the sound of, I guess, and then tweak from there.

j$
HeuristicsInc
Ibárruri
Posts: 5350
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:14 pm
Instruments: Synths
Recording Method: Windows computer, Acid, Synths etc.
Submitting as: Heuristics Inc. (duh) + collabs
Pronouns: he/him
Location: Maryland USA
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by HeuristicsInc »

eh? i don't have those presets... maybe i'm back a few versions or something.
-bill
152612141617123326211316121416172329292119162316331829382412351416132117152332252921
http://heuristicsinc.com
Liner Notes
SF Lyric Ideas
j$
Ibárruri
Posts: 5374
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:33 am
Instruments: Bass, keyboards, singin', guitar
Submitting as: Johnny Cashpoint
Location: London, Engerllaaannnddd
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by j$ »

I'm on 5, which version you using?
HeuristicsInc
Ibárruri
Posts: 5350
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:14 pm
Instruments: Synths
Recording Method: Windows computer, Acid, Synths etc.
Submitting as: Heuristics Inc. (duh) + collabs
Pronouns: he/him
Location: Maryland USA
Contact:

Re: Push it to the top of the threads (reviews)

Post by HeuristicsInc »

hmm, i bet i have 4... that sounds familiar, ozone 4.
-bill
152612141617123326211316121416172329292119162316331829382412351416132117152332252921
http://heuristicsinc.com
Liner Notes
SF Lyric Ideas
Post Reply