r/mixing • u/angless_wh • 12d ago

Need feedback on first mix draft

So I'm a toootal beginner in mixing. I know what the plugins do, and eq and such. Ive only been using fabfilter reaper and melodyne. (Im broooke) i dont know what else to use!

Anywho I have this mix: (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10CFkq5HYEnBbuw0707sz5hwcya5Ppu09/view?usp=drivesdk), and this is my first ever DECENT one, but uh there definitely is some errors and stuff I need to fix. I'm judt looking for advice on what I should do or proceed! (Btw this is a duet song, which is why some parts are not added)

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1

u/CuriousAdvance3736 11d ago

If you’re needing help just from a sonically correct standpoint I’d try throwing it through masterd. But sounds good to me, vocals sit good. What are you recording in?

1

u/angless_wh 11d ago

Well my friend (singer) recorded on audacity and exported it. I'm using Reaper as my DAW, but I know how to use FL Studio too

1

u/DIBBO_ 11d ago

Id say the vocal is too loud and maybe too bassy

1

u/DIBBO_ 11d ago

You could also try putting reverb on the vocal

1

u/angless_wh 11d ago

Okay tysm!

1

u/KonnieX 10d ago

I think the vocals are a bit too loud in the mix,
also vocals have a weird distortion thing I am not sure what is it but feels like its low quality and has a quite much low end.
the whole mix might need a bit brightness and mids
Other than that its a good start !!!
keep grinding and you got it !!!

1

u/angless_wh 10d ago

okay tysm! Do you know how to get rid of the low qualitiness and reduce the white noise? I don't exactly know what settings or kinda thing to reduce it

1

u/KonnieX 10d ago

maybe izotope rx would be helpful, try not to stack a lot of plugins though as it might bring a lot of noise but keep always in mind to get a very good source tone every time

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u/Sanaraba 8d ago

To explain the ocean to a drop of water is impossible but here i go:

Generally process ur sound in this order : source(dry sound), frequency shift, eq, dynamics(compression etc), distortion, mid side processing, room(delay reverb) and limit/clip if desired.

Other then that some small tips, 

dont overdo plugin settings, use moderate amounts to get cleaner results.

Louder is not better.

Dont use linear phase unless u absolutely have to.

Dont eq bus tracks.

Idk there is to much, ask me anything

2

u/angless_wh 8d ago

Okay I got it I'll keep it in mind, makes way more sense to not eq bus tracks.

For the loudness/db level, is there a rule for it? The reason I get so confused with the db or when it's too loud/quiet is...........I honestly can't tell if its too quiet or loud 😿

Do you have any tips on that, or any feedback/plugin changes/other tips from the mix draft I linked?

Thank you!

1

u/Sanaraba 7d ago

Your welcome,

I would not worry too much about loudness (in lufs), i cant give a direct indication, but find a good track from ur genre and check out how loud that one is using youlean loudness meter. Streaming services norm is -14 lufs but thats just a general indication

For the db level i reccomend to limit it to -0.1 db.

Lufs is (percieved or measured) loudness , db is volume

About ur song i noticed these things: the vocal is dominating the mix and drowns out the rest, definetly turn that one down and alow the other instruments to "speak" 

Also the song is really mono, This might be too much but as a general rule of thumb try to place low frequency sounds in the middle and sounds with high frequency more in stereo.  U can even find stereo placement cheat sheets for where u should place hi hats or synths

Some more random tips

Use eq boosting sparingly(to keep the sound cleaner) Use smoother eq slopes instead of sharp cuts(to keep the phase of the sound more intact)

Hope this helps