Comments on: Relics

Relics

Lutoslawski — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:56:12 -0800

Just a pop song.

By: capricorn

capricorn — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:06:42 -0800

Great to hear more from you guys. Loving the chord progressions on this.

By: greenish

greenish — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 04:20:02 -0800

Yeah the song is a really interesting structure, the chords come unexpectedly which is always a nice surprise in a world of 2-5-1 blandness!

However I found the mix a little challenging to listen to - the reverb on the vocal is so much bigger than on the other instruments, it sounded a little incongruous, and the drums contrasted with it a little too much for my preference, especially as they have such a processed sound (not that this in itself is a problem, it's clearly part of the way you're approaching them for this track). Anyway the huge reverb on the vocal was a little dominating for me, and alongside the very busy piano part meant that the mix as a whole was sometimes kind of impenetrable.

Woo... too much rambling about mixing? Yes I think so. Apologies :)

By: Lutoslawski

Lutoslawski — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:09:55 -0800

Hey greenish, that's actually really helpful stuff about the mix. I know next to nothing about mixing and am just sort of trying to figure it out as I go.

So, if I took down the reverb on the vocal - any other tips on how to make it sound less impenetrable? I worry also that it isn't just the mixing - the piano part is really busy, and sometimes I think if I stripped it all down it would be better generally. I have a bunch of similar tracks and I'm trying to figure out how to mix them well. Thanks a lot!

By: greenish

greenish — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 05:19:17 -0800

I think the piano part is ace, but would be tempted to reduce the volume a bit during the verse sections, so that the vocal can come through. The volume is very static, and if you can imagine a pianist playing alongside a vocalist, they would naturally play more quietly when the vocalist was singing, although likely become louder during the chorus where things tend to reach a natural climax, as they do here (I mean the "why do I keep these..." parts)

Is it sequenced? If so you can easily automate it to imitate this. If it's not sequenced, why don't you re-play it with the drums and vocals in your headphones, so that you can play more sympathetically to the other parts?

I wouldn't necessarily simplify it, it's part of the song that it's so busy, just make sure it's not fighting for position with the vocal :)

By: Lutoslawski

Lutoslawski — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:45:07 -0800

Thanks again, greenish. It isn't sequenced. I can definitely replay it. Though one reason I've always been a bad accompanist is because I play way too loud over everyone.