Mix progression and critique?

[Abrod]

Hi everyone!

I posted an EP here when I was 15- https://vigormortis.bandcamp.com/album/launch-codes

And another when I was 16-
https://vigormortis.bandcamp.com/album/cities

Now I'm 17 and I've been getting really serious about mixing and production, trying to absorb as much information as possible.
[SC]https://soundcloud.com/abrod97/metal-test-mix[/SC]
I haven't had many sources for advice so I thought I'd throw this up here. I realize this is pretty sloppy and could use some nudging here and there but I just really wanted to get advice on the mix. If anything jumps out from the mix job please let me know!

Recorded using a Pod HD into Cubase and EZ drummer mostly mixed in the DAW.

 

[col]

Drums are a bit dry and that makes them disjointed from the rest of the instruments. Maybe raise the room mic in the mix or add a small amount of a drum room impulse verb on the drum bus or overheads.

 

[Abrod]

I toyed around with the room and verb and it's starting to fill out, thanks for the tip!

 

[cwhitey2]

Your lead tone is nice.

Your rhythm at the end seemed too loud IMO

 

[asleepinthestarsmusic]

I love the writing and performance on this. Tones are nice.

mild critique things: The drums in the beginning are too loud in volume. As another poster mentioned, the guitars in the end part are too loud.

I think there is something going on with the compression you have on the overheads. Try changing the threshold or increasing the release. To me it sounds like the cymbals are artificially dampening

 

[Abrod]

Here's an updated mix, any noticeable improvements?

[SC]https://soundcloud.com/abrod97/metal-mix-test-2[/SC]

 

[asleepinthestarsmusic]

Here's an updated mix, any noticeable improvements?

[SC]https://soundcloud.com/abrod97/metal-mix-test-2[/SC]

Sadly I think this one sounds worse than the original. Did you change any of the mastering? it sounds quieter, more smashed, and less dynamic

 

[Abrod]

[SC]https://soundcloud.com/abrod97/metal-mix-test-3[/SC]

Eased up on my settings, hopefully this undid the damage? Sounds better than the second at least to my ears. I did change the mastering and made a bunch of tweaks- most of which I reversed.

 

[thevisi0nary]

Which ez drum expansion are you using?

 

[thevisi0nary]

Reason im asking is cause i like your drum sound, when i use superior drummer everything tends to sound washy especially the cymbals. Which pack and which samples do you use for those? How do you go about mixing and leveling your drums? Any info is helpful. Song sounds sick.

 

[Abrod]

Thanks man! I'm using Metal Machine from EZ drummer 2 and working off of the original mix (not the basic setting) and using multi out into the DAW. The default shells and cymbals off the kit are good as is imo. It's all mostly in the EQ and compression but I make use of the Kramer tape on the shells and an envelope to add sustain to the snare. When I want to eliminate washiness I find myself including more of the room mics and not messing with the impact of the cymbals- then EQing, compressing and adding reverb around the kit where/if appropriate. Those are the basics of the sound I guess, I wouldn't say I'm a great of a source for drum mixing tips as I still have so much left to learn.