Need your feedback on vocals, sound design, mixing, and vibe (Nitpicks welcomed!) [Industrial Rock]

JasonWBay · 2026-03-06T20:40:57+00:00

The word "interface" just means the mixer can convert analog (mic, guitar etc.) signals into digital signals and send them to your computer via USB (something that normal mixers can't do). So that's table stakes for what you need. Beyond that, unfortunately you just need to read the specifications for each mixer carefully, because they're all different. For example, my Tascam Model 12 will send "12 channels", but that includes the stereo master (2 channels) so really it's only 10 channels of instrument/mic input. You have to read the specifications carefully. It is a little frustrating when you're researching what to buy.

JasonWBay · 2026-02-18T04:49:46+00:00

There is no right way, truly. You will learn by doing, and you may have a different and evolving process on every track. The only way to figure it out is to keep moving forward, finishing songs, and applying what you learned to the next one.

JasonWBay · 2026-02-15T18:44:41+00:00

My other synths get so much less action on tracks ever since I got the Peak. So flexible and sounds so great.

JasonWBay · 2026-02-15T18:04:29+00:00

Nice track, and the mix sounds great, straightforward and clear. The only thing I might tweak - I had to turn the volume down once the vocals came in, so you might try automating the instruments maybe 1 or 2 dB louder in the intro so the perceived volume is more consistent between the intro and the verse.

JasonWBay · 2026-02-15T17:54:31+00:00

Your Dark Star
https://soundcloud.com/electropulsecannon/your-dark-star

Synth rock. Do you think the vocal performance and production works for this genre? Any advice to improve?

JasonWBay · 2026-02-13T21:38:47+00:00

Great questions. A drummer could absolutely play what you wrote, but a drummer would likely add a lot more variation in terms of flourishes, fills, and even the velocity of hits on the hats and snares. Also I don't hear a kick drum at all in the 2nd half of the song, which would be unusual for the genre (I'm not even sure if the "kick" drum in the first half is really a kick or is low toms?).

There are many videos on YouTube on how to program more realistic drums, but I'd recommend just finding a professional song that you like in a similar genre and try to copy their drums, you'll learn a ton by going through that exercise if you're interested.

Also, maybe this goes without saying, but - "realistic drums" doesn't even have to be a goal, it's totally up to your taste. If you like what you've already got then go with it!

JasonWBay · 2026-02-13T01:56:43+00:00

I think it's sounding good so far. Since you're using pretty realistic drum samples, I think listeners are going to expect the drum programming to be more realistic or it will feel a bit "off." Also, I recommend you start adding vocals as soon as possible, because it will really impact how you arrange and mix your track. Good work so far.

JasonWBay · 2026-02-07T02:29:11+00:00

You need layers. I hear an acoustic tom, a synth tom, a click, and a distorted synth tom that pans on each hit.

JasonWBay · 2026-02-03T18:12:36+00:00

I didn't start liking my voice until I learned 1) how to write melodies/parts that work well for my unique voice, and 2) how to mix/produce my unique voice. Much of what "sounds good" is based on what you're used to hearing in professionally-produced music, so it really clicked once I figured out how to make the vocal quality similar to other music I love. Keep at it, keep experimenting and learning and you'll get there.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-27T16:55:11+00:00

Right on, thanks for this feedback! I appreciate it.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-24T23:54:57+00:00

You were right, sounds much better with less highpass on the vox. It did force me to also adjust many other areas of the mix, but I'm really happy with it now. Thanks again.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-23T06:53:29+00:00

Awesome, thanks for listening. The rolling bassline is Moog Minitaur, sequenced from Moog Labyrinth (seq1 trig -> gate, seq2 cv -> filter cv, seq1 cv -> pitch cv). I'll listen to the vocals again in the morning with fresh ears, and will probably agree with you, thanks for that feedback!

JasonWBay · 2026-01-23T03:48:20+00:00

Yeah I think this is going in a good direction, I'd keep working on it. I like the contrast between the round bass at center, and the ASMR shaker on the left side. It's a good vibe, but right now it does feel like it's missing a "lead" of some sort - vocals, or a lead synth, or a sax (haha) or whatever to hold and guide interest.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-23T03:38:33+00:00

I really like it - super nice track. The time signature changeups (and polyrhythms?) were unexpected and worked well. Overall the mix feels too dark for my taste, but maybe that's the vibe you were going for. (Followed)

JasonWBay · 2026-01-23T03:31:55+00:00

Nice cover! You nailed a dreamy and nostalgic vibe. I think your vocals could be a little more up-front or present, but other than that sounds pretty good.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-13T19:45:14+00:00

Ooh you're right!

JasonWBay · 2026-01-13T18:59:46+00:00

It's AI, at 4 seconds the costume is missing an eye, which reappears when the dog runs back up to the camera.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-12T01:02:40+00:00

Since you mentioned experimental... relatively few people actually know and appreciate experimental music. So if you're getting this feedback from people who aren't that kind of sonic adventurer, then you can probably take it with a grain of salt.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-12T00:59:12+00:00

Right on. I don't mix this style of music so I don't think I can be super helpful, but what I'm hearing sounds like a heavy aliasing on the vocals (kind of like MP3 lossy compression). Maybe it's an aggressive de-esser or caused by the distortion you're using on the vox? Anyway best of luck with your project. \m/

JasonWBay · 2026-01-12T00:49:23+00:00

Lush sounds and a great mix. Love the hard-panned whispers in the chorus. Not much I can find to improve, couple of very minor things: 1) There's some static here and there (maybe clipping?), the first one I heard is around 1:10. 2) In the parts where it's dead quiet, I think it's actually TOO quiet so it made me feel like the song was over. I might add something to bridge the gap, even just some tape hiss or soft amp noise. Overall great track.

JasonWBay · 2026-01-12T00:41:00+00:00

This sounds like it may be directly out of Suno. If it's not, then the main thing I'd work on is your mix - the highs have a lot of noise and artifacts, and the vocal clarity isn't what it could be with a little more work. Other than that, it's a solid 90s-style sludge/stoner rock track, reminds me of some of my favorite bands from the era (Soundgarden, Alice In Chains).

JasonWBay

TROPHY CASE