OK so I've taken on board some of the suggestions/comments from here and other web sites and I'd like some input on this first song that I have mixed (this is the first song I have mixed ever, and the first I have mixed in my newly built studio in the garage out the back of my house).

Note: I'm not really looking for comments on the quality of the song, more the mix.

http://home.connexus.net.au/~skynyrd/makebelieve.mp3

There's a few things I am aware of:

- The bass was clipping a little too much when I recorded it - hence I'm "guessing" it may have lost a little bottom end here. As a result I double tracked it and panned it to opposite sides.

- The vocals were processed with a compressor/limiter after we recorded them (not before) - I think this is the reason why they still seem to be kinda "in and out" a bit (or this could just be my shit singing which is a good possibility).

- The overhead mic I used was a piece of crap and it shows.

- The Hi Hats sound like arse.

- The guitars are a little too loud (I think this is a result of doing too many pub gigs next to my amplifier).

Any further help/criticisms on where I can change for the better is most appreciated!

Just got back from a gig, so not sure how accurate my hears are tonight.

The bass sounds pretty direct. And it dominates the mix, namely it buries the drums. Not sure if that's what your going for or not. The hats cut through, but I can't hear the kick or toms for most of the song. Yes, the vocals are a little quiet in some spots.

Tell your drummer to leave those hats open and slam them! Honestly that's my biggest complaint with the track. The rest of the stuff gives the song it's lo-fi vibe, but there's nothing redeeming about those brittle little hat taps.

Thanks, I agree.

I've got another song coming along which incorporates some better hats, and also some other things I've learned. I'll post it when I'm done.

Hi Skatingbasser, I have created a new mix (different song) with some better hats, and louder toms, I appreciate your comments

http://home.connexus.net.au/~skynyrd/theone.mp3

I'd be interested in some comments on how I can improve it. Again I'm not really looking for arrangement of the song, more what I can do to make it sound better.

This song in particular I'm looking for a big sound, one where you really want to keep turning up your stereo so that you can feel the music, rather than just hear it. Yeah that's pretty vague but I can't explain it any other way.

Thanks in advance.

I listened to your second mix. It's cool. The only thing strange to me is the difference between the drum sound and the guitar sound. The guitar is really clean and the drums a little rougher. Not sure why, it makes me feel it wasn't recorded live but tracked using maybe some sort of software DI thing. Maybe I'm wrong it just sounds this way to me. Anyhoo, sounds good. Also if you like it and you think it sounds good don't worry what other people think. it's music man not math homework.

Wow, It only took a year for null get some critical feedback on that last mix. Intern's Corner, where the action isn't.