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Just thought you would like to hear my first piece using BiaB 2010. Despite some of the quirkiness in "Drag and Drop" (guess it takes getting used to), I put this session together featuring Accoustic Bass Solo (Jazz SW140), Tenor Sax (Jazz SW140), and Piano (Jazz SW140) except the tempo was set to 182. This piece was engineered in Sonar HS 6. Enjoy: Movin' On A Monday: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=8659145&q=hi
RichR
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IMHO the sax is way too far out front. Either bring the backing track up and/or bring the sax leads down.
Other than that this is a great piece of music.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Nice work, Rich  Is that you playing the lead sax or was it pieced together using Realtracks? However it was done, I really like it. My only suggestion would be to lift the backing a little. On my system, there were a number of times when the lead overshadowed the accompaniment. I know what it's like trying to mix a final product. That's the thing that I have most trouble with. Thanks for posting this, it was a pleasure to listen to. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Thanks for the comments Noel and MarioD. I took your suggestions and remixed with the leads down a bit and the background up. I appreciate the extra "ears". It is difficult to make final mixes that are really good. That's why the recording studio engineers get the big bucks! :-)
Oh, and BTW, the solos are all RealTracks solos. I just pieced the sax from 3 separate generated solos to get the one I liked.
RichR
Last edited by RichRayer; 01/23/10 07:37 PM.
RichR
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One easy trick to mixing is to listen at the lowest level. If all you hear is sax, that's a good clue. If you can hear all the instruments, it will be balanced when turned up.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Yes, always try to mix at low "conversational" levels, levels of volume that you can easily talk over.
*All sounds good when loud.
*Ears fatigue faster and the dreaded Ear Fatigue is to be avoided at all times.
*When the levels are low in the control room, little flaws in the mix will seem to "jump out" at you, whereas higher levels can easily mask that.
--Mac
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Thanks for the helpful comments Mac and Matt. I have reMixed the piece and I guess from your comments the Soloists still stand out too much in the mix. I always thought the soloists should stand out front in the mix but I guess it is still too much. I appreciate the help and will try some of your suggestions.
RichR
RichR
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Rich, I don't know when you made the change, but I thought there was too much sax in what I heard. Note that I listened long before commenting though; I was replying to your comment about it being difficult making mixes. Mixing is an art that takes skill and experience, but you can get close more quickly with the technique I described.
You're not wrong about soloists, though; I have this argument with some vocalists I work with, who would almost be content if all you could hear was the singer.
"It's nice, but it needs more me."
"That's better, but it still needs more me."
Etc.
So mixing also requires the skill of diplomacy. You're lucky, your sax soloist can't complain!
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Quote:
Rich, I don't know when you made the change, but I thought there was too much sax in what I heard. Note that I listened long before commenting though; I was replying to your comment about it being difficult making mixes. Mixing is an art that takes skill and experience, but you can get close more quickly with the technique I described.
You're not wrong about soloists, though; I have this argument with some vocalists I work with, who would almost be content if all you could hear was the singer.
"It's nice, but it needs more me."
"That's better, but it still needs more me."
Etc.
So mixing also requires the skill of diplomacy. You're lucky, your sax soloist can't complain!
Investigate the use of a good Optical Compressor plugin on the vocal track.
--Mac
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Thanks for the advice Matt and Mac. I have worked with soloists much the way you described. They definitely have their own ideas on mixing. I realize that I have gotten into some bad habits in my mixes and this little piece is giving a chance to get back to basics and more technique. The advice you have given to me has helped me to realize what and how others listen and percieve a new piece. I thank you for that.
I have remixed yet one more time. I tried the suggestions you have given and I hope the mix is a little more dynamically (is that the right spelling? hmmm) balanced.
Thanks again,
RichR
RichR
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All RT's you say, that means there are Bass-Rt-Soloist? Sure enough I went to my BIAB and there they are. What next, drums solos??  You put it all together very nicely. Good job. Dan
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Quote:
What next, drums solos??
Well, there are RealDrums "TradeFours" available. I like them.
--Mac
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Jazzmandan,
Mac already said what I was going to and that is there are trade 4 drum solos which are kind of cool.
Thanks for the comments on the music. I actually pushed the bass solo it is for swing and 140 bpm but I didn't hear any bad effects by kicking it up to 182. No one else has commented on hearing any either in the bass or the sax and piano for that matter.
Thanks again
RichR
RichR
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Hi Rich, pretty good work, although after all the comments posted before me, I would ad to that, that on the bass solo part, I would go the other way with the volume levels, in other words, I would lower the level on the backing tracks so the bass would stand out a little more. By nature the sax usually tend to be louder, so if you keep your backing tracks at the same level you might overcome the level of the bass solo. This is all based on what my own ears "tell me", I'm not a recording or mixing expert by any means.
Keep up the good work.
Mike B.
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Thanks for the comments cubanpete. They are appreciated. As a matter of fact, I have re-engineered the piece and have the drum part playing only brushes and with less activity. As well, I thinned out the piano backup. Maybe the balance will be improved now. At least I hear it as being better. For anyone who wants to hear the piece, instead of scrolling back to the beginning of this post, here is the link again: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=8659145&q=hiThanks for all the comments! They are appreciated.
RichR
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Much improved!
I'm good with the sax, drums and piano. I'm not hearing enough bass, though.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Matt,
Thanks for the comments. Question! Are you referring to when the Bass is soloing, when it is part of the group, or both? I'm just curious as to your perception is.
RichR
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Rich, I only listened to the first twenty seconds, so I assume that means "part of the group".
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Yes, now it sounds a lot better.
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Okay, I got what you mean Matt. Thanks!
And cubanpete, thanks for the second listen. I have one more fix I plan and that is with the entire bass line. I appreciate your comments!
RichR
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