If you are mixing guitar with orchestral strings, they both share quite a bit of frequencies. Strings are wide and bright and so are the guitars. Putting them together can cause some chaos. Aside from simply panning them, you may want to cut into one of them, either lowpass the strings (commonly done) or the low pass the guitars, based on what you want to focus on during that part of the song. You can also create separation by making one of the two elements drier (or wetter). Pick shorter reverbs on things with rhythmic or syncopated patterns, for example spiccato strings or rhythm guitars so the long tails and delays dont add up and bust your mix in busy parts. Pick longer rear reverb on legato notes so it creates a depth difference when played in contrast with shorter notes. Avoid using one large reverb on the whole track, use a combination of two or more reverbs mixed in with different amounts of wetness and dryness. Cleaning up orchestral mixes really comes down to tackling the reverb and depth of the instruments. You are embarking on a challenging road, guitars and orchestra. They are always fun to mix!
I have experimented with them before and one of the tracks where I used Orchestra, Synths and Guitars is Solaris. Though this was a long time ago and had I known the stuff that I know now, I would have made a few changes myself. . I have a few challenges with cloudiness. One way I tackled it was by controlling the verb tails.
That really makes a lot of sense. And yeah I can definitely say orchestra and guitars are fun to mix, but very hard and challenging. The legato strings do have longer verb, but the spiccato strings may also use the same reverb. Iāll change that. The strings are lowpassed, but iāll make it a bit higher up in the frequency range. Itās so cool to get feedback from someone who composed a film score, thanks a ton!
Hey and welcome!
I only listened to the only link I found on your SoundCloud page, so I couldnāt compare to other mixes.
I found the mix really spot on and arrangement is really great with some movements here and there, really great to me.
I read previous comments pointing out drums being too loud, I would agree with this. They sound a bit out of the song, on top of it.
Another little thing is about guitars: they sound muffled and behind everything else and for that genre, they should cut thru while playing rhythm with kick drum and bass guitar as one hit each time.
Tysm! I think I fixed the guitar flabbiness and muffledness tbh. It was tough trying to make room for both strings and guitars which take up the same frequency ranges, but I think I got the hang of it. Iāll repost the soundcloud link so you can take a listen
Ok, so to me, strings and guitars are in the area (not muddy but not so much hi end) while lead vocal is upfront (and has more hi end).
Cool song by the way, very catchy!
. I have a few challenges with cloudiness. One way I tackled it was by controlling the verb tails.
