Participant: MikeyRR

Thank you for participating in the HOFA XMAS MIX CONTEST! We'd like to give you a short feedback to your contribution.

You can still optimize your mix in terms of depth and volume ratios. 

The vocals are very far in the back of the mix. The lead vocals, however, should rather be in the front. Adjust the reverb and increase the level of the vocals.

For the instruments, you can think more carefully about what functions they have in the mix. Supporting instruments should be placed more to the back than leading instruments. 

The bass drum has a very weak fundamental tone range. This takes away the power it needs in the mix. The bass drum also sounds a bit soft and should have more "bite". 

The snare, on the other hand, seems a bit too bright and resonant. Also make sure that you don't set the compression on the drums too hard. The sound should always stay natural. 

Try to set a more open sound for the guitars. They take on an important role in this song and should not sound too dull.

In the screenshot below you can compare the frequency response of your mix (white line) with our mix (orange line) in the analyser. The lower curve shows the average energy over time, while the upper curve shows peaks. The volume of both mixes needs to be adjusted. In order to match the level of both mixes, you should lower the level of our mix by 2,9 dB. This refers both to an optical adjustment in the analyser and to an adjustment of the track level. This adjustment is a fundamental requirement for an objective A/B comparison.

In the screenshot of the analyser you can see a quiet bass area in your mix. The reason for this is the weak bass drum. You can also provide a little more openness in the high mids.

Overall, you can still tweak a few aspects in your mix. The drums should provide a solid rhythmic base. Pay also attention to a meaningful and natural depth. Also, create a clear hierarchy in the mix by tweaking the ratios a bit. :)

HOFA-College offers a wide range of online courses on recording, mixing, mastering and producing music.
Mix analyses form an essential part of the education at HOFA-College, along with video tutorials, personal support, online campus & studio workshops. Experienced audio engineers listen to the mixes of the students and create individual and detailed, multi-page feedbacks about the strengths and weaknesses of each mix, with many helpful tips & tricks.
Learn more: hofa-college.com

Best regards from the HOFA team - enjoy your music!