If I've made a "constructive criticism", then I feel obligated to offer a constructive fix. Problem is, I've got problems of my own with mixing. I know a few "fixes", but they can be arrived at in various ways. Nobody needs them all. Which one (or a couple) work for you depends on your genre (and it's expectations), your own taste and preference, and the taste and preference of the one giving counsel--as well as your skills and "equipment", both hard and soft. All I can do is tell you what I heard and in the broadest terms possible what might work better.

I've been clicking "play" on sites like this for most of more than 20 years. Only once in thousands of listens have I wanted what I heard to suck. What I offer in advice (take it or leave it) is determined by what I hear. I know within a few bars "where" the person I'm listening to is in terms of talent and sound. I try to respond accordingly (and sometimes fail).

I'm new here and just beginning to learn who the "players" are. Still, I don't know them well enough to know their own goals with music. I'm not even sure about my own. So I don't know if it is someone who wants to improve over time, or someone who wants to work this particular mix to the highest level possible, or even if it's someone who doesn't care that much about the mix if what they've done gets across what they want to "showcase". I'm OK either way, for their sake. I don't have time, however, to run comparison listens for subjective takes on mixing decisions.

There are only a few mixing "squicks" for me. 1. Constant or momentary over-compression. 2. Heavily muddied EQ balancing. 3. Levels of vocals (if any)--either too loud or too soft. 4. Overall master levels (too loud or too soft). That's pretty much it.

If someone has done a decent job with those, then I'm happy enough. If they have done a good job with all or most of these with the occasional "problem", then I figure they know at least as much as I do about what they are doing and don't require anything more than a passing comment. If someone demonstrates little or no competence (or care) on any or all those things, then I'm not the one to teach them in a song review. I'm just a guy on the internet.

Clearly there are those among us who are artful and masterful at mixing. Seems to me, however, on this forum that they are also making their own music...in addition to living their own lives. You mentioned time-restraints.

Maybe in addition to seeking comment and or advise on a mix, you might also mention what your own goals are with the song. People will either play along or they won't. Who can blame them?

Last edited by Tangmo; 10/20/18 09:17 PM.
BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground