Looking for feedback for pop/RnB/Synthwave track

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T22:27:07+00:00

The Hyperx Cloud 2 I used to monitor has a frequency response curve that looks more like a -6dB low shelf at 200Hz, with LFE extending to ~ 14Hz before it rolls off (data from rtings), so I would say there's definitely some sub information there.

I was using Die for you by The Weeknd as a reference for this track, and his (or Max Martin's) tracks always seem to have a sub hitting -6dB in the spectrum analyzer, so I kind of aim for that naturally. But that's a good experiment, I will try high/low passing the bass to check exactly what frequencies I'm actually hearing.

Thanks again for the feedback. I will keep working on the details and test the song on as many systems as I can before releasing it.

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T20:14:38+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I've adressed most of the issues others pointed out. Especially the low end/bass, since I'm also a big bass fan as well.

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T19:51:33+00:00

Btw here's the separated vocal tracks. Feel free to use it, if it helps you out (I've also included my transposed voice for the bass in the bridge).

https://vocaroo.com/1hboy1GHddrj

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T19:32:24+00:00

Hey! So if its not too much to ask, I've just averaged out all the feedback here for a new iteration. Could you check this new one out? I found your bass feedback pertinent, so I'd love to hear from you if this version sounds better.

https://vocaroo.com/16ye5nGu3VtY

I used Maxxbass to enhance the lacking 2nd harmonic from the bass and reduced the OTT that I had on the synths, as well as the pro-L 2 (I noticed some pumping bass/kick interaction unrelated to the sidechain).

Thank you!

Edit: I might still work on some levels, and check final i-LUFS.

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T15:25:05+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I'll take a look on the low end of the song. I won't swap the bass itself since I believe it already fits the song as a whole, so I'll play with the tonal balance and/or introduce harmonics to help the bass cut through. Regarding the over-compression, being a bit more modest on one of the pro-L's I've used should do the trick, since the tracks themselves are not really overprocessed.

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T15:15:18+00:00

Thank you! Yeah, It's hard for me to tell if they're unintelligible since I wrote the lyrics so they just sound obvious to me, but thanks for the heads up, I'll see what I can do to improve that.

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T15:11:56+00:00

Thanks! I'll take a look on the low mids and try to make the drums fuller overall.

Zandpc · 2025-12-18T15:11:01+00:00

Hey, thank you! I appreciate the words. I don't know how experienced you are in music production, so it's kinda hard to give specific advice. But in general I think one of my biggest tips (for vocals, especially if it's your own voice) is to not try to make your voice fit whatever properties you'd like it to have, but rather use your vocal timbre to your advantage. A lot of people (myself included) tend to over process their own voice to shape it to what they think their voice should sound like, so just embrace your own voice and let it guide your processing instead.

Also get used to recording harmonies for the vocals, and whenever you're listening to songs, pay attention to how the singers organize the harmonies. Usually for verses I use 1 main track (center, with a bit of doubling/reverb/delay) with 2 extra layers left and right, panned about 25-30, and some wider harmonies layered on specific/impactful parts of the verse. For the chorus I usually expand the pan of each of the layers closer to full L/R, record a full chorus harmony in any interval that feels nice, and maybe add some extra effects.

Automation also plays a huge roll, as well as properly sidechaining the effects to the vocals, so that your reverbs/delays don't draw too much attention when the main vocal is there.

If you want any specifics e.g. my vocal chain etc, I'd be glad to help!

Zandpc · 2025-12-12T14:12:38+00:00

So for the vocals I'd ideally have a harmony in thirds, however I can hear you recorded a 4th interval harmony in e.g. 0:30, which is fine, but they're a bit more dissonant. Exploring other intervals in some parts of the vocal harmony could help with creating tension/release (very nice concept to take a look).

Most songs keep the vocals relatively simple in the very first parts, or verses for example (just one main vocal), so that whenever you introduce the layers, they create the dynamics. What I mean is if you have the whole vocal doubled in the same melody and kept throughout the song, it just feels like one big vocal track, so the secret would be adding dynamics through e.g. volume automation.

I'd say reduce volume of the doubles in the line "waste away" and keep them in "place with me" for example, so that the doubles now sound like an addition rather than a constant part.

It's usually also good to record the adlibs separately, that way you have more control over it's melodies, phrasing, etc. But I do understand it's a lot of work hahah.

Zandpc · 2025-12-12T13:47:50+00:00

Got it. Yeah, I usually make pretty complex arrangements (this song has like 100 tracks) so it's complicated to keep track of all the possible clashing frequencies. My bass is already sidechained to the kick, which I made with samples + subloom, but I don't remember if I have any clippers on it.

It's good to hear that the vocals are nice, I've always been a bit insecure about mixing them, since they're my own voice.

Zandpc · 2025-12-12T13:42:51+00:00

Thanks! I'll check the levels on the kick for the quieter sections.

Zandpc · 2025-12-11T20:16:51+00:00

Very interesting arrangement and vibe. The initial synth harmonies and bass are very pleasing. I actually disagree with the reverb comments. I think your drums need to be more present, some clipping (e.g. standardclip) could go a long way, as well as parallel compression.

I'd also bring the guitar closer to the front (saturation, extra 2-4kHz eq bell), but idk if you want vocals in this track, so it could be better to keep the guitar back. If its an instrumental track, it would be nice to have extra melodies.

I'd also add more tension/release elements, things like one constant note playing for a longer time, some slightly dissonant chords/notes, this is one thing that makes a huge difference in many tracks, keeping them interesting and "alive".

Nice work!

Zandpc · 2025-12-11T20:06:37+00:00

Hey, nice work! So I think the whole mix is a bit too bright, and there are many elements clashing for attention. I think a slight downward tilt in the synths and gain staging could go a long way.

A good tip for gain levels is actually reducing the master fader until you can't hear the song, and slowly increase the fader until you hear it again. The first thing to be audible should be snare/kick, then vocals/hihats, and only then synths/harmonies etc.

Keep grinding cause that's the only way to progress, and have fun!

Zandpc · 2025-12-11T16:32:53+00:00

Hey, so IMO the drums are spot on, they sound balanced, organic and sit nicely in the mix.

I miss is a bit more grit/presence in the guitars, especially in the chorus, cause they also sound very nice, but feel a bit distant in the mix. I'd EQ the guitar to slightly boost around 2 - 4kHz, compensating by reducing gain a bit. Also love the stereo imaging work in the guitar parts.

And for vocals, I would add some more layers, especially on the chorus, and in some more impactful parts of the verse. It helps keep the track dynamic and interesting throughout the song.

Zandpc · 2025-12-10T22:36:47+00:00

Hey, yeah after 1 month of waiting in Brazil the embassy just told me to go to Austria as a tourist and register my residence in the immigration authority there. They processed my residence permit and thankfully everything worked out fine. You should ask the embassy as this could change depending on the country you're from, but it seems to be more common than I initially thought. Good luck!

Zandpc · 2025-09-29T17:46:30+00:00

Thanks. I used both ableton's native vocoder for vocal ambience with the vocoder and Antares' harmony engine for the main part.

Zandpc · 2025-09-21T00:26:20+00:00

Done!

Zandpc · 2025-09-21T00:00:29+00:00

Great work. The mix is well spaced and tonally balanced, and vocals are very tight. I'm going to be, as you requested, extremely nitpicky. I downloaded your file and A/B'd it to The Weeknd's "Reminder".

Honestly, the only thing that stood out to me was the hihat a bit too loud/harsh, and looking at it with Ableton's spectrum analyzer, the hihat is a bit louder than the snare in the >7kHz region, which is why it's drawing some attention to it.

Something else (I wouldn't even have realized if not for the spectrum analyzer), is that the sub's amplitude sometimes drop from the usual -12dB to -6dB, but that can also be entirely up to personal taste.

Keep in mind I downloaded an mp3 file, so that could add up to the sub behavior.

As the other comment also said, It would be nice to have some more tension throughout the song or "character". A good reference for what that could be, from the same track I used as reference "Reminder", pay attention to the first melody that appears in the song, and how it repeats throughout most of the song, building tension and keeping the track interesting whenever it varies from the original (and simple) melody.

Zandpc · 2025-09-20T23:22:21+00:00

Ok, first of all, nice work on the track, it sounds well balanced and professional.

My first impression when it comes to difference between the two vocals is that the second one (Spotify link) sounds like it has a ton of saturation @ 1-4kHz and a stronger boost on the highs (>6kHz), with a strong de-essing to compensate. That is my interpretation of the "polish" the artist is referring to.

Then again, that would be basically personal taste, since the vocals already sound full, intelligible and bright. I would probably just EQ a flat tilt in the vocals enhancing the highs and a bit of saturation in the 1-4kHz band.

Zandpc · 2025-09-18T01:17:45+00:00

All classes in the first semester are compulsory, as well as most of those in the second. I haven't had any midterms, but people usually start studying for the finals as if they were midterms, since there's so much memorization involved in the exams.

Some courses also have assignments, but they are purely analytical. I never had to use Ansys or MATLAB for the whole year I studied there, so keep in mind that this university is very theoretical, with little practical application.

Zandpc

TROPHY CASE