Midnight at the Oasis - The Brand New Heavies - SJL Drums 2-19-2025 . . .
Every new song demands hours of work as the changes in 'key' requires all the drums to be re-tuned and new levels/dynamics set - but I am getting better at understanding it all . . .
@6thplanet said:
Nice track! Playing sounds good. My critique would be the top end is a little dull. Needs a little high shelf boost for some air/sparkle.
Thanks! Eric,
The drum track alone or the whole mix needs more top end/sparkle?
What is your reference playback system? (headphones - make/model)
(I am cautious about changing my mixes created on a reference system to satisfy another systems Freq Response).
I can emulate the following headphones with the SSA VSX Referencing system:
(Red/Blue lines = Compensated/Averaged, Grey = Raw, Black or Dashed = Harman flat bass target)
Sennheiser HD 650
Audeze LCD-5
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Audio-Technica ATH-M50
Headphones on Hand for comparison:
Sony MDR-V6
Sony MDR-7506
How about all of you who listen to these mixes chiming-in and telling us what Headphone make/model you use for critical listening, please?
No headphones.
EQ for drums
This track I listened on the BT speakers my bathroom, which I know well. I then listened on my phone to confirm. Obviously personal preference, but also comparing to everything else I listen to.
I applied Eric's suggested high shelf to bring some sparkle to the kit/cymbals and it really opened up the room/space between my ears. 😂
Well, of course that changed everything so I had to adjust the snare mix, fatten the toms, move the vocals left of center and lots of other nuances that presented themselves and here we have mix 2.
Hope you enjoy - Big thanks to 6th Planet for the useful feedback.
OK, I think I have my drum dynamic ranges set suitably and this rendition of the ^ original artist's groove is presented as a learning experience in mixing.
@Billet said:
I listen on Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones with a Bellari HA543 amp, sounds great to me...
Hey Billet - thanks for the useful feedback - your set-up sounds like a sweet combo - those headphones are really close to ideal FR and a near match for the VSX linear response setting in my mixing efforts.
I may have to get a pair of those ^ guys to add to my [growing] collection.
It was pointed out to me that I had quite few timing errors in my last drumming take on this tune by "a bass player" - so, now at take # 14, I got it all figured out - hope you enjoy -- Southbound Again - Dire Straits - SJL Drums tonight:
Comments
More learning using YES:
(The drumming on this take is all me alone - I used that AI software to remove the original drummer's work).
Is this one I should keep trying to learn to play my version of-or should I just move-on and do something else?
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p4f3wpculgb6bm31n8ft9/Long-Distance-YES-SD3-SJL-Drums-2-9-2025_Test.T1.M1-Snippet.mp3?rlkey=grbph3rbuhv74741icz7w8c7q&dl=0
This one is for my sister, Treva Lee Wood - (She died as a result of an auto accident last month) . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nug9cosh3w1v9lehgqoug/Seagull-BadCo-Treva-Requiem-SJL-Drums-2-13-2025.T1.M1.mp3?rlkey=n8yycdyi6zrfs1jyc6rjstwrs&dl=0
Rest in peace my little sister . . .
PTL, guys.
Steve.
So sorry.
Sorry to hear that, Steve.
Thanks you guys ^ . . .
Using fresh ears, I went back and remixed this ^ track.
Please enjoy . . . I am very tempted to try and sing along to this one for some reason . . . (sweet emotion . . .).
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mjfeyk67567vnegckg4uf/Seagul-BadCo-Treva-Reqium-SJL-Drums-2-13-2025.T1.M2.mp3?rlkey=1vrlskc6k7le2u3npuk7p083f&dl=0
This one tonight from Little Feat - (All the drumming is mine alone) . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ozi25kx5r6s2nmild4eu0/Spanish-Moon-Little-Feat-SJL-Drums-2-17-2025.T2.M1.mp3?rlkey=t2xlj4qh64co4lg8y6mvd9wk8&dl=0
[I must be on a good trajectory with my mixes because I am getting ZERO complaints, critcisms nor suggestions/feedback of late].
Thanks to you guys who have offered past suggestions - couldn't have gotten this far without it.
Remix of Spanish Moon ^ . . .
Got rid of the muddiness and overpowering [loud] portions of my drums - made the the drums sound more organic/part of the original recording.
Lots of variables (especially in the dynamic range of each drum) to deal with so I'll not bore you with the hours spent . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8nqxzq5bwxt5ygemk90bk/Spanish-Moon-Little-Feat-SJL-Drums-2-17-2025.T2.M2.mp3?rlkey=8b8i1z67p82g0atk6xksqlgs6&dl=0
Midnight at the Oasis - The Brand New Heavies - SJL Drums 2-19-2025 . . .
Every new song demands hours of work as the changes in 'key' requires all the drums to be re-tuned and new levels/dynamics set - but I am getting better at understanding it all . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fwydgt0fl8k70p30yue8i/Midnight-Oasis-Brand-New-Heavies-SJL-Drums-2-19-2025.T8.M1.mp3?rlkey=abup25oowatbyknbrfguw2r1p&dl=0
(all the drums are mine alone thanks to that AI track separation stuff - just gotta' keep going/stay happy/motivated . . .).
Shape of my Heart - Sting - SJL Drums 2-25-2025.T5.RAW . . .
Utilizing Sting's work to practice self control in the face of extreme exuberance. (Trying not to thrash at the drums like a child . . .). 😉
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tc1le638vx2bjb02pkrmc/Shape-of-my-Heart-Sting-SJL-Drums-2-25-2025.T5.RAW.mp3?rlkey=pu8rnd1ivend46kj9i56ug2a5&dl=0
https://x.com/heidistea/status/891838857213300737?s=46&t=UxUwFO-wJhLN1_WtH2nx7Q
Nice track! Playing sounds good. My critique would be the top end is a little dull. Needs a little high shelf boost for some air/sparkle.
Thanks! Eric,
(I am cautious about changing my mixes created on a reference system to satisfy another systems Freq Response).
I can emulate the following headphones with the SSA VSX Referencing system:
(Red/Blue lines = Compensated/Averaged, Grey = Raw, Black or Dashed = Harman flat bass target)
Sennheiser HD 650
Audeze LCD-5
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Audio-Technica ATH-M50
Headphones on Hand for comparison:
Sony MDR-V6
Sony MDR-7506
How about all of you who listen to these mixes chiming-in and telling us what Headphone make/model you use for critical listening, please?
References:
https://crinacle.com/2020/04/08/graphs-101-how-to-read-headphone-measurements/
https://crinacle.com/graphs/headphones/
https://ffc.squig.link/?share=Harman_2018_Target,MDR-7506
Best!
No headphones.
EQ for drums
This track I listened on the BT speakers my bathroom, which I know well. I then listened on my phone to confirm. Obviously personal preference, but also comparing to everything else I listen to.
I applied Eric's suggested high shelf to bring some sparkle to the kit/cymbals and it really opened up the room/space between my ears. 😂
Well, of course that changed everything so I had to adjust the snare mix, fatten the toms, move the vocals left of center and lots of other nuances that presented themselves and here we have mix 2.
Hope you enjoy - Big thanks to 6th Planet for the useful feedback.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/oxo0wro9f8p3ne8fgff6s/Shape-of-my-Heart-Sting-SJL-Drums-2-25-2025.T5.M2.mp3?rlkey=emb1xftxmhjejk5xrn2wtf9rc&dl=0
Another one while I am into it . . .
Sweet Inspiration - Derek Trucks Band - SJL Drums 2-27-2025.T8.M2 . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jp89k04g0mfsgolb51rbi/Sweet-Inspiration-Derek-Trucks-Band-SJL-Drums-12-14-2024-T8.M2.mp3?rlkey=4bedv5t2aaj0tdtp8xjz4zou0&dl=0
There is a message in there somewhere . . .
Waiting Around - Boombox - SJL Drums 3-4-2025.T7.M2 . . .
OK, I think I have my drum dynamic ranges set suitably and this rendition of the ^ original artist's groove is presented as a learning experience in mixing.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vctk5omlnr8w90t/Waiting Around - Boombox - SJL Drums 3-4-2025.T7.M2.mp3?dl=0
Best listened-too in a loop . . . .
That ^ last one sucked a bit . . .
Lets try this one as a learning mix/drum retune - Ants Marching - Dave Matthews - SJL Drums 3-8-2025 . . .
[Turn it up a bit . . .]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gdbwpzy42dd5nwy/Ants Marching - DMB - SJL Drums 3-7-2025.T4.M2.mp3?dl=0
I listen on Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones with a Bellari HA543 amp, sounds great to me...
Hey Billet - thanks for the useful feedback - your set-up sounds like a sweet combo - those headphones are really close to ideal FR and a near match for the VSX linear response setting in my mixing efforts.
I may have to get a pair of those ^ guys to add to my [growing] collection.
I like them a lot, they are the 250 ohm version and definitely sound better with an amp. I picked them up at my local Guitar Center last fall...
I am so critical of my work that I don't post a lot of stuff but this one is better than the one I posted above (IMO):
Waiting Around - Boombox - SJL Drums 3-4-2025.T3.M1 . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhazo2jz6t77qlj/Waiting Around - Boombox - SJL Drums 3-4-2025.T3.M1.mp3?dl=0
Ants Marching - Dave Matthews - SJL Drums 3-8-2025 . . .Remix . .
(I brought the depth back - was a bit thin in that last rendition):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3uo96546vv5m7yf/Ants Marching - DMB - SJL Drums 3-7-2025.T4.M3.mp3?dl=0
Southbound Again - Dire Straits - SJL Drums 3-13-2025.T4.M1 . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/oo4h1enp8kr6fq54n31kn/Southbound-Again-Dire-Straits-SJL-Drums-3-13-2024.T4.M1.mp3?rlkey=c0crx3plyajd20dlm23n7jh2z&dl=0
[need to turn it up a bit past 50% for best balance]
REMIX - Southbound - Dire Straits - SJL Drums 3-13-2025.T4
OK, Tonight it was just learning more about mixing & mastering (Post production work) with fresh ears.
This mix is much better and well defined - made cymbals hang longer too . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rg5qx3n999k0pwlic8who/Southbound-Again-Dire-Straits-SJL-Drums-3-13-2024.T4.NO-ArchonM1.mp3?rlkey=50xo32zeeg5d2ghf6ni4dnmsk&dl=0
The 1st few bars at the intro are rough due to that AI stuff trying to figure things out - just have to live with it . . .
The overall tone of the drums sounds good. Kinda hard to listen to with all the timing issues.
??? Here -- Listen to this kit/groove practice for the next song effort while I go figure out what you are talking about [timing issue?] . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8l6gfbbl5wtfqs10md35s/St.-Augustine-in-Hell-Sting-SJL-Drums-3-15-2025.T1.M1.mp3?rlkey=umc8mkn5yu6zy5k2vdcnc5xz3&dl=0
Yup. Gotta go back and do that one tighter . . .
Never give-up, never succumb to negativity . . .
The mix can make all the difference . . . Mix2 of St. Augustine . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1fsgxib70079l7ixi9x95/St.-Augustine-in-Hell-Sting-SJL-Drums-3-15-2025.T1.M2.flac?rlkey=pxcp6aah146smp8xf1grqe51b&dl=0
It' s a FLAC file - better depth/detail than MP3 but three times as large.
It was pointed out to me that I had quite few timing errors in my last drumming take on this tune by "a bass player" - so, now at take # 14, I got it all figured out - hope you enjoy -- Southbound Again - Dire Straits - SJL Drums tonight:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dc0e7p6e2d8pl1oxmun6w/Southbound-Again-Dire-Straits-SJL-Drums-3-13-2024.T14.NO-ArchonM1.mp3?rlkey=aojmex8lyankkjvuu2san6yui&dl=0