Overnight Lows
 

keithl, The number one thing is to start with the best vocal performance. I direct the vocalists alot, always keeping mixing in mind. Make sure he/she is always clear and portraying something(and if the part is supossed to be in key, make sure it is). If something doesnt feel quite right, its probably not!..so thats what takes most of my time.

Preparing for vocal mixing...
before starting with the vocals make sure NOTHING is in its way. I almost never have anything panned center besides vocals (usually 50% to the sides is the closest I get, this really brings clarity, unless I want to muddy things up on porpuse)

So those are the things that you rarely hear in mixing magazines etc.
Remmember, the things around the vocalist are very important for the perseption of the vocal quality.

Now mixing...
Getting the right compressor setting is very important. I usually play around 10ms attack, the fastest release possible, 3:25 ratio, and compressing around 3 to 6db the most.

Always use a high pass filter at around 200hz to make the sound tighter, and maybe boost around 3k for more pressence.

Send the vox to a slap back delay, settings: right channel 40ms, Left channel 50ms, and use it very low in the back just to give it some wideness. (the settings really depend on the song). Then use a medium delay at quarter note tempo to give some space. Really quiet, my rule is to bring up the delay till I hear it clear then bring it down about 10dbs. And in the choruses I usually double the vocals and aplay the -10db rule. I send the double to the long delay and slap delay, this time I use more, so the choruses really feels big, and since most of my choruses have alot of guitars you dont even hear the delays. A cool trick is to use a high pass filter at 400hz on the delays to make them less muddy, and you can turn them up louder this way without noticing.

As you can see I love cutting those low freqs were not needed, so I cut everithing below 400hz to the harmonies to meke them sit better in the mix. and compress the harmonies alittle more. Double the harmonies in the choruses and pan then 50% left and right. I use some reverb and alot of delay on the harmonies because I like them think in the back, once again you dont notice the delay.

And this is my favorite trick: copy the vocal track onto a new one, and (bare with me) extemely compress it. Fastes attack and release, 100:00 ratio, about 18dbs compression, cut all the lows at around 600hz, and boost 10dbs at 10k, thats right! Then use that really low in the mix behind the lead and you can hear every single thing they say! it really bring emotion and sizzle witout hurting your ears.

Don't be afraid of turning the Lead up.

My usual tools for mixing vocals are Ren Comp, Ren EQ, and digirack delays.
And one final thing. Dont make the snare drum, and rythm guitars too pressent, since it will make the impression the vocals arent clear.

Sorry if this is too long, but those are the things that I usually do. And I'm probably forgetting something

Let me know when you finish mixing your CD. Happy mixing!
heres the song again:
http://www.overnightlows.com/music/thebreaks.mp3
Joz

Collaboration
 

Thanks to Roy Howell for adding a truly sensitive electric guitar track and his unique sound to this simple pop song. Hope we can work together again...

Crown & Anchor

Re: Collaboration
 

that was great!

joz

Re: Collaboration
 

Thanks for detailing out your process, Joz...I will definitely experiment with the techniques you posted!

Jack Rabbit....very nice song. Simple and to the point

Roy, I just listened to a bunch of your tunes...you have a real cool guitar tone and style.

Re: Collaboration
 

Joz

Again .... Thanks for detailing out your process for her vocals. Very helpful. Excellent job!

I was wondering what mic did you use for vocals? You might of mention it but i may have over looked it.


-Bob

Re: Solo CD
 

Sorry, I renaimed the files and forgot to update the links. They should be working now

Re: Overnight Lows
 

Nice description Joz. Some of the techniques I use as well. Learned a few more too.

Thanks! Will try them on the next band that I get in... Hopefully not a screamer band like I have now!

Vetry cool details though...

- Doc

Re: Solo CD
 

The mastering jobs aren't exactly 'pouring in' at the moment. So I figured I'd pop my head into this area for a little refresher. Hadn't been here in a while...good stuff all around:


Joz,

Excellent production. In light of all the positive comments, there isn't much I can add. Shoot me an e-mail when you get the opportunity. I think the lead vocals could come down a smidge on this particular track, but this is largely personal preference. Sounds great!

Jack Rabbit,

Great introspective tune. A few suggestions on the mix: try a little less or maybe a different reverb on the vocals, then bring 'em up a smidgen...my ears seem to be losing focus on the lyrics and move it more into the realm of background music as it stands. Maybe boost the drums a little too. I really dig the tasteful simplicity in the production. (Nice playing too Roy.)

Madcow,

Interesting...It can be quite difficult to get a polished sound out of pure metal/hardcore groups. I think the mastering could use a little work though. The bottom end of the guitars is great and not muddy at all. Most of the stuff I hear in this style coming out of LE studios is way off in that regard. Well done.

Superpenguin,

Very cool eclectic stuff going on here! I particularly like "Scattered Dreams". You're combining instruments and styles in ways most people wouldn't dare attempt. Way to break the mold; keep it up. (On a sidenote: I always have softspot for didge...my collection of didge's has been growing for years...I need a better way to store them.)

Super Seven,

I like the compositions. My only suggestion would be to try experimenting with dialing in different sounds for that DI. The melody/lead tends to get lost inside the arpeggiations on 'angel in ice'. (Am I right in thinking that's the DI sound from a thin-bodied "studio acoustic" type guitar?)

phanatik,

Great underlying loop based production on 'Day all Day'. I love the retro vibe in the beat. I think a R&B vocal collab (maybe female...maybe like a second opinion or the girlfriend's view kind of thing for dramatic affect) in the form of choruses on top of this thing would really help to make a bridge b/w the old school rnb loops and the hip hop foreground. I love it man.

To everyone, keep up the great work!

Cheers,
Chris

Re: Overnight Lows
 

Joz,
man that song is sooooo good! Awesome job. Ive had that song on repeat 2 days straight, i cant remember doing that since Appetite for Destruction came out in the 80's. You mentioned the drums were hard to get sounding right cause of the room you were using, the only thing im missing is a real fat punchy kick drum in the chorus, have you tried sound replacer or something similar?
anyways, i downloaded all the songs from your site, all sounds really good mate. Thanks a lot for all the info too on the recording process, really helpful.
All the best with it.

Re: Overnight Lows
 

Ahhhh... Ruben's "In LUUUVVVVVVVV! "

too funny....

been drinking tonight! sorry.. Good stuff! by all....

- Doc