Mixing a 4 and 2 guitar track parts

Discussion in 'Mixing and Mastering' started by venndi, Dec 5, 2015.

  1. venndi

    venndi Ultrasonic

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    Helo!

    For exemple, when I use in some parts of my song, 4 guitar track(100% L, 100% R, 60% L, 60% R), then after for some parts I use only 2 track(left and right), then this the guitar part sound so weaker/quiter...what should I do, that the two guitar part be the same in loudness/"brutality"/strenght? What is the best way for this(if you understand my problem :))?
     
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  3. BigEmptySky

    BigEmptySky Member

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    If I understand what you are saying, that when you drop the 2 60% guitar parts your total remaining guitar parts (100% L + 100% R) sound weaker that would be normal from my experience.

    Without knowing what your overall goal for this song is I can only guess at where you are trying to get to. First I would ask you what is your overall "vision" for your song? What are you trying to do/accomplish? What are you going for?

    If you want the two 100% L + R to be the same volume (or near the same) use some automation to bring them closer to center during the time the other 2 drop out. That would add some creativity to your song and bring up the volume whilst the other 2 are out of the mix. I would try bringing the 2 100% L + R into 60-70% L + R range (or other ranges try it out).

    When you drop the 60% L + R are you planning on adding some other instrumentation? Vocals?

    Do you really want to have all the guitar parts be at, or close to the same volume? Personally, I think it's more creative to have some variance between the different guitar parts when I use 2 or more.
     
  4. MrLyannMusic

    MrLyannMusic Audiosexual

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    they even sounds better, at least for me.

    and for Venndi, a tip for you, when working, mute the 60% panned guitars, mix that part well, like the 100% panned is all you've got, now add the other guitars (60% panned) to the mix and make them like a bonus, not a primary sound in the mix, they have a presence but when they go we don't feel like something is messing... they add something to the mix when they are present, they wont affect the mix when they're gone... hope you got me
     
  5. venndi

    venndi Ultrasonic

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    No, sorry, I'll explain in more detail.
    So, there is 2 part in song, its a cover song actually. In first part is 4 guitar track(100% L, 100% R, 60% L, 60% R), in the second part is only two (100% R, 100% L). Now, when from first part(4 guitar track) going to 2nd part of song (2 guitar rack), then the second part is somehow weaker, I know, that when use 4 guitar track on the same riff, then the sound is fuller etc. Now by me it's drastically weaker...
    Here is the song, what I'm trying to record:

    From the beginning, there is 4 guitar track(I think all 4 is panned 100% L,R,L,R), when comes to the part, where is only 2 guitar, at 1:38, then the sound is just like with 4 guitar, powerful, nothing changed tonally. As I said, by me, it's sounds weaker, not so fully as with 4 guitar track. I mean if you use 4 track, it's will be always fuller than the 2 track version...but, in this song, it's somehow you don't notice, that actually 2 guitar track is "disappear", nothing changed tonally, by me, it's like a different song, so much is the difference between the 4 guitar parts and the 2 guitar parts. I don't know it's is more clearer or not...I try my best :)
     
  6. Ash

    Ash Rock Star

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    Hi, I am not sure, but that is what I understand about your issue.
    In the intro, you have 2 gtrs 100% L/R, rhythm I suppose ? and the other 2 panned 60% L/R doing the harmonized melody. Am I right ? Then, in the 2nd part from 1:38s it remains only 2gtrs. But on your cover, they sound weaker than original. Am I still right?
    In the original here, it seems to me that there's more than 2 gtrs. Maybe even more than 4 overdubbed.
    Usually, in this kind of prod, there are often more guitar than it seems.

    Why don't you simply keep 4 gtr tracks, 2xR100%/L60% and 2xR60%/L100% or (2xR100%/R60% and 2xL100%/L60%), to maintain the fullness. In fact, dubbed your tracks to compensate the lack of power.

    This my humble suggestions, I am not sound engineer. Maybe I'm totally wrong.:dunno:

    :cheers: :bow:
     
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