Make sure you have a fresh Cocktail, it's kinda long.

Vocals are a scratch track, to give a real singer the idea of the arrangement.

Seriously though, I really need help with the mix.

Thanks for listening

http://iacmusic.com/songs.aspx?SongID=63086

I got Rhino hide....So let er' fly.

I'll never get better without constructive criticisms.

Alright, so here ya go. (all opinions so do not take harsh like)

I understand the name on the tune, but the whole washed out reverb thing has to go. I have not heard that much reverb since 1985. Way too much and really turns the song to a cheese name like "oh "Dreams" I must be spacey." Just being honest from a producer standpoint. Maybe try layering vocals. Do a whisper track and sing it twice. Pan it hard and then blend it in. Do harmony tracks that can attain that ambient space withouth having a high shrilly hall verb that washes out the whole thing.

DRUMS: Sound like a drum machine, but not tight enough to be. The snare cuts through, but the rest of the wash destroys any sounds that the drums hold. All that ambient crap throws it all to hell man. CUT THE VERB.....
Kick could use a little more UMPH but the snare does cut. Put a highpass on the overheads and cut everything below 1K to let the cymbals sizzle some. Light verb on the snare, and kit....

Guitars: DEAR GOD! CUT THE VERB! I feel like I am in a tube with it and cannot find a waay out as the highs are pinging me right in the head. Guitars could use some meat instead of 5 to 8K of boost.

Bass: Cannot hear it. Let the bass fill the guitar lows that it lows. The bass in the intro needs to be tightned up too. Sounds out of time. ELASTIC AUDIO that bitch to hell.

Vocals: KILL THE VERB and layer as described above. Ya wnat air, add 7 to 8K and boost it.

FX: bells are way to loud in the ear. Takes away from the mix. I would want to hear that so subtle you would wonder where it came from. Panning is kinda cheesy, but I know what you are going for.

VIBRATOS: Panned nice, but a smidge too loud.

All and all you need to rethink it some and get rid of the verb. All the keys and fx are really hot and whatever it is you used to limit the mix it dips in parts and you can hear it. Too much compression. There are a lot of dynamics that you can use with this mix, so use them. Let the listener want to turn the volume up instead of having it CRUSHED. Definitely some compression holds going on.

Again, just thoughts, but wanted to reply as nobody has.

Best,

Doc

Thanks Doc, I'm still a rookie so your input is greatly appreciated.
I'm going to try all of your suggestions in a remix.

I truly want to learn how to get the best mix possible.

I'm delighted with your response, now I have some direction

Thank you again for taking the time to help me.

Jeff

No prob man. It is a battle man I know. Just finished a 146 track mix. UGH! Hate that much crap.... But it sounds decent.

Just dial the parts in first, then add effects. Get levels and worry about the wash later. I tend to get a mix into the system and then listen for a day or two to figure out where I want to go with it. Depending on time that is.

Just take that reverb off man and let the mix talk some.

Cool deal.

Rolloff the lows on the guitars around 250 to 330 and then allow the bass to sit there for the low. You can even take the highs of the guitars too and then make room for more things.

I tend to start with the drums. Get them dialed in. Then the bass, the guitars. Vocals LAST! Then tweek with effects and mix jello stuff. NO right way, but use your ears.

Cool - good luck

Doc

Another thing that I am a HUGE fan of is getting a good solid mix and then cut vocals. If time allows that is, but it seems to allow a better emotional performance for the singer if the initial mix is solid.

Try it...

Doc