ordinari - departure [synthwave]
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 140 posts since 27 Jul, 2015
Here's my first finished track:
https://soundcloud.com/ordinari/departure_first_mix
The melodies and chords are a bit cheesy, but the focus was trying to get the sound right. Comments are welcomed (especially about the mixing)!
EDIT:
Here's the second mix, based on the feedback given in the comments:
https://soundcloud.com/ordinari/departure
https://soundcloud.com/ordinari/departure_first_mix
The melodies and chords are a bit cheesy, but the focus was trying to get the sound right. Comments are welcomed (especially about the mixing)!
EDIT:
Here's the second mix, based on the feedback given in the comments:
https://soundcloud.com/ordinari/departure
Last edited by drakmaniso on Wed Oct 05, 2016 11:27 am, edited 2 times in total.
- KVRAF
- 6304 posts since 18 Jul, 2008 from New York
Nice. It sounds like it could be on Alphaville's first album.
I think the drums are too quiet. The mix and instruments are heavy on mid-range frequencies.
Good first effort.
I think the drums are too quiet. The mix and instruments are heavy on mid-range frequencies.
Good first effort.
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 140 posts since 27 Jul, 2015
Thanks!Frantz wrote:Nice. It sounds like it could be on Alphaville's first album.
I noticed there was a problem with the frequency balance, but I thought it was a lack of highs. I'll try lowering the mids instead... (Though I'll wait a few day before working on a second mix: right now, I can't listen to those cheezy melodies anymore... )Frantz wrote:I think the drums are too quiet. The mix and instruments are heavy on mid-range frequencies.
As for the drums, I wanted a softer sound than modern EDM (there's still a bit of sidechaining on the bass, reverb and pads), but I may I have over reacted...
- KVRAF
- 7691 posts since 11 Jun, 2006
good synthpop. just needs some good low toned bowie vocals. i think its the 303-ish lead that contributes to most of the mid range energy Frantz noted. i agree with you though, that it could use a bit more sizzle in the 12khz+ freq's
HW SYNTHS [KORG T2EX - AKAI AX80 - YAMAHA SY77 - ENSONIQ VFX]
HW MODULES [OBi M1000 - ROLAND MKS-50 - ROLAND JV880 - KURZ 1000PX]
SW [CHARLATAN - OBXD - OXE - ELEKTRO - MICROTERA - M1 - SURGE - RMiV]
DAW [ENERGY XT2/1U RACK WINXP / MAUDIO 1010LT PCI]
HW MODULES [OBi M1000 - ROLAND MKS-50 - ROLAND JV880 - KURZ 1000PX]
SW [CHARLATAN - OBXD - OXE - ELEKTRO - MICROTERA - M1 - SURGE - RMiV]
DAW [ENERGY XT2/1U RACK WINXP / MAUDIO 1010LT PCI]
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 140 posts since 27 Jul, 2015
Thanks!layzer wrote:good synthpop. just needs some good low toned bowie vocals. i think its the 303-ish lead that contributes to most of the mid range energy Frantz noted. i agree with you though, that it could use a bit more sizzle in the 12khz+ freq's
There's definitely something unbalanced with the highs and mids, I should have used more references while mixing... I'll start by checking that acid lead!
- KVRAF
- 11481 posts since 13 Mar, 2009 from UK
Nice tune, and the synths sound good to me. I also thought the drums were a little quiet, and could possibly do with a some more HF content to liven them up a bit.
Good work
Good work
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 140 posts since 27 Jul, 2015
Thanks! I'll check what kind of equalization I have on the drums. It's also possible the drum machine I use (VProm) has a limited frequency range, since it emulates old hardware.
It's nice to see that all the feedback I get is similar (there's something lacking in the highs), that makes my task easier for the second mix!
It's nice to see that all the feedback I get is similar (there's something lacking in the highs), that makes my task easier for the second mix!
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 140 posts since 27 Jul, 2015
Here's the second mix:
https://soundcloud.com/ordinari/departure
The only change in the content is in one of the pads, some notes in the low mid were too close to the bass, I moved them one or two octaves up and this immediately improved the clarity.
The only other changes are in compression and EQ: I added a bit of sidechain on a few more parts to let the kick and snare pass through, removed a bit of "mud" around 300 Hz on some tracks, and boosted the highs by various amount almost everywhere. On the master bus I removed some harsh frequencies around 3k Hz, and slightly lowered the mids a bit more.
I might have overdone it though, on some listen I have the impression that the sound lacks body, but on the other hand I like the softness that wasn't there on my first attempt...
Anyway, thanks for all the feedback!
https://soundcloud.com/ordinari/departure
The only change in the content is in one of the pads, some notes in the low mid were too close to the bass, I moved them one or two octaves up and this immediately improved the clarity.
The only other changes are in compression and EQ: I added a bit of sidechain on a few more parts to let the kick and snare pass through, removed a bit of "mud" around 300 Hz on some tracks, and boosted the highs by various amount almost everywhere. On the master bus I removed some harsh frequencies around 3k Hz, and slightly lowered the mids a bit more.
I might have overdone it though, on some listen I have the impression that the sound lacks body, but on the other hand I like the softness that wasn't there on my first attempt...
Anyway, thanks for all the feedback!