Folk Tune: Mixing & Mastering

Here's a little taste of the work done at Burro Music Mixing concerning a fine folk tune called, The Hermit, by my father R.L. Hurt (see full explanation, listen and download freely below):

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Folk tune recorded in small room with prominent noise floor issues (i.e. hiss). Before and after versions display the difference between the unmixed (1st example), the mixed version (2nd example) and the final mastered version (3rd example). Download the lossless files for the most accurate comparison as Soundcloud streams at a lower quality.

• Notice the greatly improved sound stage or stereo image from the unmixed version to the mixed version; more width and depth.
• The vocal clarity and tonal quality have been improved as they are the central focus of the tune.
• The overall clarity and quality of the recording was improved by reducing the hissing heard in the unmixed version.
• The mastered version is optimized for playback on a variety of sources with a more cohesive, pleasing and louder sound. 
• NOTE: Please listen with high-quality speakers or headphones for best results; i.e. avoid laptop speakers or cheap earbuds:

"Lumi" by Vladislav Delay

At bottom of this jittery, off balance gem - muffled and mangled through divers synthetic filters - lies a dense weight of sorrow beckoning the affected listener to drink deeply again and again by one Vladislav Delay:

"Windshield Smasher" by Black Moth Super Rainbow

Open wide for a spoonful of bizarre, slightly-grotesque, grubby-yet-fetching, animated, breezy cultic fun by one Black Moth Super Rainbow:

"Spiral" by Wye Oak

Hypnotic tune with a subtle darkness that nods and perhaps grins in the direction of Phil Collins, with a zesty dash of the Police and finally tied up nicely with grosgrain ribbon by the soulful, low murmur of Annie Lennox by one Wye Oak:

"Zaharia Fărâmăs Protokoll in sechs Teilen" by Brannten Schnure

Atmospheric and extremely hypnotic, this sound conglomeration, meaning something akin to "protocol in six parts", meanders through corridors of creaking imaginings and then drones aplenty with mesmerizing melancholy memories by one Brannten Schnure. All credit to the relentless No Fear of Pop for the tip:

"Darkside A1" by Darkside

Honestly, I forget how I learned of this duo, but Nicolas Jaar doesn't really need much of an introduction. To the crux, this joint starts with a nod to Pink Floyd atmosphere and proceeds to simmer and burn with a fierce, downtrodden groove by one Darkside:

"King Night" by Salem

I would like to draw your attention to a track in the spirit (or phantasm if you will) of All Hallows' Eve found via stellar little blog Mu-sique. Sinister and almost despondent drama reigns supreme here with giant distorted synth leads and the ubiquitous stylings of the 808 chopping through soaring ghost-choir vocals like the cleaver dividing bone from marrow. All of this and more brought to you by Salem:

Principle Participant Release

Ruminate on this choice, decidedly groove-centric release which is both primal and cerebral in its approach. May I present to you the pleasures of "Principles", a particularly danceable publication by Principal Participant:

"Pale Ravine" Full-Length by Deaf Center

This is a work that demands to be ingested in its entirety (no hook-laden singles here my friend). Please prepare your psyche for a sometimes claustrophobic cloud of weighty, nightmarish audio that oozes and trickles forth a dense, brooding miasma by one Deaf Center:

"Worms" by Datassette

The electrically driven endless chain conveyor within the heart of the assembly line has begun to churn and chisel out a strangely soulful yet entirely mechanical refrain while feeding its contents into the final assembly stage. Said assembly stage numbly joins the rarefied groove with ringing vulcanized exclamations whilst continuing with its tireless work. Mechanics brought to you by Datassette:

"I Swim (Bare)" by StaG

We're featuring the opening track here, which glides in upon the listener like a voluminous ground fog, but you will not want to miss the album as a whole. Past the opener, you will venture into the meat of the sublime atmosphere, melody and stellar pop from StaG:

"Children Playing with Lego" by Ochre

Another impeccable concoction ripe with thick synth melody, sub-bass and a heavy air of gravity and solemnity that silently and beautifully points toward the dirge. Please do yourself a favor and listen via some decent monitors to fully appreciate the clarity of the mix and meaty tones of the instruments, which by the way, underscores the possibilities for a tune whose mix has been carefully crafted. Brought to you by Ochre:

"Euphorics 101" (Trip Into Mutant Bass Mix) by Lifecycle

In the never ending search for atmospheric nourishment I give you this bleak, haunting, acidic joint with a recurring motif that conjures an innocent elderly woman calling her lost feline in the darkness to no avail; while the audience senses some horrible, impending menace looming over the entire scene by one Lifecycle:

"Gravels (I and II)" by Valentin Stip

Copious empty warehouse reverb on a lonesome bass kick? Yes. Sprinklings of slide guitar and conga grooves with generous Rhodes chording atop percolating, almost ominous atmosphere? Also yes, with an incomprehensible vocal loop to boot. In fact there are all types of things happening in this moody, morphing concoction from Valentin Stip via Ritmico:

"Nightfall on Family Mountain" by Minikon

Isn't it about time you were soothed and assuaged rather than harangued and harassed, worn down by the sandstorm-like barrage of nagging responsibilities and numbing routine? Yes, it is time to soak in the lo-fi, comforting, pseudo-symphonic pop glory of "Nightfall on Family Mountain" by one, Minikon. Thanks to Avant-Avant as always:

Nightfall on Family Mountain by Minikon