MIX CHALLENGE - MC048 October 2018 - Winners announced

[intuition]

Here's my mix.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tyk7eevm8sjdn ... n.wav?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w1e1ktgpultma ... n.mp3?dl=0

Screenshot of mix session (in reaper): https://www.dropbox.com/s/j957f4elb0tti ... n.png?dl=0

Basic workflow was:
-mix the drums first
-set all basic EQ, panning, and levels in mono
-Make further EQ moves, guitar reamping, reverb decisions, and automation in stereo

No drum samples were used. I decided to try out the new SmartEQ2 for the first time on this mix. The idea was to use it to set basic starting EQ levels and then add additional EQ to taste as the mix required. I think it worked pretty well. My biggest challenges were the snare drum (it would have been useful to have had the bottom and top mics separated) and the weak crash cymbal hits, which I had to automate to even get them to be audible. I chose to mix the female vocals as backup vocals because they were sung too softly to be moved out front. As I was mixing I tried to let the female vocals take the lead at a few points but couldn't make it sound right so I ended up keeping them in the back for the whole song.

There are a few effects I added that I liked (and should be very obvious), but can be removed if the client would prefer.

As with most mixes it would sound a little better with parallel compression, parallel saturation, multiband compression, etc. on the 2-bus, but in trying to keep with the spirit of the competition I kept those off. The only master bus treatment is a little corrective EQ and light tape saturation.

[yoruhitp]

Hello. I will participate this time as well.

wav: http://colabo-share.s3-ap-northeast-1.a ... ruhitp.wav
mp3: http://colabo-share.s3-ap-northeast-1.a ... ruhitp.mp3

All parts are performing sound quality correction and equalization with SSL 4000E channel strips.

• Drums:
  • Overheads
    I use it as the basis of drum sound quality. I adjust it with EQ so that it mixes with on-mic in EQ. Also, I use a little compressor to emphasize the transient.
  • Kick
    sub kick emulation plug-in adds bass and uses a little compressor to emphasize transients. I am using it to add low frequency to Kick of Overheads.
  • Snare
    High frequency is emphasized by EQ for the purpose of emphasizing the sound of snappy. I am using a little compressor to emphasize the transient. I use it to add a transient to Snare of Overheads.
  • Hi-Hat
    I cut it below 160 Hz with HPF and boost a little with EQ from 6 Khz up. Also, I use a little compressor to emphasize the transient. I use it to add high notes to Overhead's High-hat.
  • Room-st
    It is arranging sound quality with equalizing almost same as Overheads. Reverb is added about 2 seconds through the reverb plug-in. I use it as the reverberation sound of the drums.
  • Tomborine
    It cuts 120 Hz or less with HPF and boosts a little from 5 Khz up with EQ. Also, I am erasing a bit of lingering finish with Gate. I sent it to the room-st bus and added a reverberation sound.

• Bass
  I use two of the same sound sources and mix it with different sound quality. One boosts the bass through the amp simulator and the cabinet simulator.
  The other is applying parallel compression with strong compression.

• Acoustic Guitars
  • AGuitarMic
    I cut off 60 Hz below the HPF and exaggerated the band (midrange) which the arpeggio playing method feels comfortably a little with EQ a little. Also, I use a little compressor to emphasize the transient.
  • AGuitar Solo
    I cut off 60 Hz below the HPF and exaggerated the band (mid to high range) where the picking performance feels comfortably a little with EQ a little. Also, I use a little compressor to emphasize the transient.
  I use plate reverb for Acoustic Guitar.

• EGuitar and EGuitar Finale
  I am carrying out equalizing which does not impair the atmosphere of the original MIX. I do not use effects. I am using volume automation according to the development of songs.

• MusicBox
  I boost a treble a little with EQ and I am using Phaser. Plate reverb is also added.

• Zebra Bell Piano
  HPF cuts below 60 Hz. In addition, the chorus effect is added by "Dimension-D".

• Akkordeon
  We are doing equalizing and mixing that does not destroy the atmosphere of the original MIX. Plate reverb is added.

• SusanVocHarm1 and SusanVocHarm2
  Boost a little in the high range, and reduce the volume difference with the compressor. Plate reverb is also added.

• SusanVocMain and Vocals
  I am carrying out equalizing which does not impair the atmosphere of the original MIX. I am using volume automation according to the development of songs.
  I added a single delay of 18.9 ms. Plate reverb is also added.

[VasDim]

Hi all,
this is my attempt to mix:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/urff3kndmjj6m ... m.mp3?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vkd7zj30pj7e0 ... m.wav?dl=0

For all track are used:
- Waves Q10;
- Db ProComp.

AUX Effect;
- Waves TrueVerb;
- Waves SuperTap;

Good luck to all.
VasDim

[philk]

Hey!

Here is my mix.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7fltwc5nfhsh4 ... 2.mp3?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8i4dbwmgxvdlu ... 2.wav?dl=0

Worked with my Console 1, so every channel has basic filtering, eq, compression and saturation done by the SSL4000E channel. I used just few more plugins because I thought the track didn't need that much work at all.

I started with drums, the snare got an additional vintage verb and the bus has a fatso on it.
The bass has a Studer800 tape machine plugin on it and a multi band comp to tame some low frequency buildup at certain notes.
On the guitars I used vintage verb and a frequency echo. The acoustic guitars are compressed a little harder to keep them present.
I nearly didn't touch the keys, synth and accordion except for some verb.
The vocals got compression, a tape machine, deessing, verb and delay.
The sum bus got bus compression by a G comp, some inflation and stereo-widening.

Was fun to mix this one!

Good luck to everyone!

Cheers, Phil

[jeffssoloband]

Hello Mix Challenge,
Below please find my submission for MC048:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcvd35az316cv ... f.wav?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqanai8pqsfro ... f.mp3?dl=0

Since the client wanted a vintage sound, I tried to approach the mix in a way that would be reflective of his wish. Each track was individually EQ'd and high/low passed. Each track also got varying levels of compression. I wanted to have the limitations of an 8-track, as many did "back in the day," so I did the following (everything ITB on LPX/ no additional sounds or samples):
Track 1: Drums & Tamborine mix
Track 2: Bass
Track 3: Acoustic Guitar
Track 4: Acoustic Guitar Solo
Track 5: Electric Guitars mix
Track 6: Piano/ Accordion/ Bells/ Pad mix
Track 7: Lead Vocals
Track 8: BG Vocals mix

And then I mixed from there. Each of the 8 tracks were EQ's, compressed, various FX here and there (mostly reverb), and NLS Channel (Waves). The master buss got some J37 Tape (Waves) for overall saturation.

Please let me know if you have any questions/ comments/ concerns.

Thanks, and good luck to all.

Best Regards,
Jeffrey Wornhoff

[MJA Mix and Mast]

Hey Guys,

this is my first attempt at the mix challenge, which i found via a Facebook ad. I have been participating in other mixing competitions for 3 years now so thought i would give this one a crack as well.

Here is my entry for the competition:
Wav: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pQ3Ub3 ... sp=sharing
MP3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SiBxcI ... sp=sharing

I work in Logic 9 still so here is a screenshot of my session:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m_jG2X ... sp=sharing

I kept processing on this track pretty minimal as i do most of my mixes in order to preserve the recording of the original track, whilst still getting what i think is a nicely polished sound, so see what you think. My processing on the track is this, just ask if you're wondering anything else in depth regarding my setup or settings, shown on the screenshot, I'm more than happy to delve deeper:

Master: Ozone EQ, Stereo Widening
Mix Bus: SSL Comp

Drum Bus: SSL E channel, SSL Comp, JST Clip
Kick: Transient +, Q10, SSL E channel, L1
Snare: Transient +, Q10, SSL E channel, L1
HHs: Transient +, Q10
OHs: Q10, CLA76, L1
Rms: Q10, CLA76, L1
Drum Verb: Little Plate

Bass: Split into Sub and Top
Sub: C4, L1
Top: C4, Headcrusher, Q10, MV2

GTRs: Q10, L1, Hdelay, Little Plate

FX: Q10 and L1

Vox: Q1, CLA76, DeEsser, L1
Vox Verb: Little Plate
Vox Delay: Hdelay
Vox Atmos: Sidewidener, Hdelay, Rverb

Hope you guys like it and thank you for the opportunity to participate!

Thanks,
MJA Mixing and Mastering

[Digitaldruglord]

Hello everyone. I am new to this community and happy to have found this forum and excited to participate in future mix competitions.

About me:
I reside in Pennsylvania USA. I picked up mixing again 3 years ago after a long hiatus from mixing. Since I approach each song based on what I feel is the best sound strategy, I tweak the mix based on what I'd want the song to sound like rather than have any set technical procedures. I can answer any questions about my mix decisions on this song, other songs I would post here would likely be done with different decisions.

I use a hybrid setup of ProTools and hardware summing.

Here is my 24-bit 44.1 mix-only print for this competition: https://s3.amazonaws.com/digitaldruglor ... uglord.wav

Here is the MP3 print: https://s3.amazonaws.com/digitaldruglor ... uglord.mp3

Important Note about playing 24-bit files:
Please use a 64-bit player like Bitperfect https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bitperf ... 5700?mt=12 or Audirvana Plus to listen with bit-accurate playback. Without a 64-bit "audiophile" level player, the playback will not be representative of the full file data.

My approach:

I wanted to maintain a wide stereo field with a solid bass midsection. When I heard the reference mix for this song, I instantly got the feel of a "spatial" mix that would establish a "big" listening stage that allow instruments and vocals to harmonize.

The tambourine, I copied the first section to the second section since the parts are similar, but the first section dynamics are better in my opinion. On the background vocals, I used Waves "Doubler" plugin which does a great job at blending backgrounds on the sides neatly. For all EQ, I use Console 1.

I usually move on to the next mix and don't meditate on a mix just completed, but if I think of any more notes I can add, I will update my post, or of course, if I get any questions I can answer focused on that.

Here is a dropbox link to my mix result in Izotope's Total Balance Control analyzer (this tool only give you an analysis of your mix, doesn't eq anything): https://www.dropbox.com/s/m1l1c8g9e63ec ... 2.JPG?dl=0

Happy mixing all!

[bluesation]

Hello,

here my files for this challenge
mp3: Last Dance
wav : Last Dance

With some old Leonard Cohen songs in mind, I started my work on the mix.

A vintage vibe was requested. So I put on nearly every track a channel strip emulation. This did most of the work. Some tracks got a additional clean, modern EQ for fixing problems. As bus compressor i used a modern tube type compressor with a additional saturation stage.
For effects I used chorus, reverb and delay. All tracks go at least through 2 reverb AUX. Vox and guitars go through a delay too, one kind for guitars one for Vox .

[paulg]

Hi,

I am new to your beautiful community. The reason I came across this challenge and downloaded session was to test some of new plugins with fresh material. But then I've decided to share my take on this song. I might have changed/edited some things, but it was only to improve arrangement and emotional impact of whole performance (and beat artist's rough mix of course) . I will be happy to be disqualified due to those violations, but hey.. it's 2018 and mixing engineer must deliver the best and most competetive thing he can, even if it means getting into production stuff and deleting/altering one or two things. I will be happy to explain every decision or my workflow if anyone's interested.

MP3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EdmTpW ... sp=sharing
WAV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MFkPyc ... sp=sharing

Best regards,
paulg

[DavidBrkd]

Hi Folks,

Here's my Version of "Last Dance". It's a beautiful song and a very interesting challenge to mix.

WAV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ysqvofux866fm ... d.wav?dl=0

MP3: https://www.dropbox.com/s/588nzt1wpfaoz ... d.mp3?dl=0

I will add more information as soon as i can.

For the moment some pictures:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/660bon53pym5w ... 9.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4infb0tb9n1y9 ... 8.png?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ywrhvj2l2xv4i ... 0.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l9qclgio3dovf ... 7.jpg?dl=0



I tried to stay close to the spirit of the song. For me, that means to create a mix, that gives the audience the feel of actually listen to that piece as a song performed live. No useless effects. Just the piece and the listener.

For the mixing process i used an vintage analog mixing console (Audient ASP 8024) and some outboard gear like a Pro VLA Compressor (an imitation of the legendary LA-2A) for the drum group, the AKG ADR 68K reverb-modul on some instruments and vocals and the BSS Compressor/Deesser for the Vocal Bus. Then for every channel i used the EQS from the Console and for on the Master an SSL Bus Compressor.

In the box i used Universal Audio: LA2A for vocals, 1176 (black) for bass and Keys and OH/Room and the Puiqchild for the accordion. Then some API and Puigtec EQ Emulations to make it shiny.

Peace,

David

PS: Would love to hear your critics.