(EDIT: Probably done with it, LOL. https://www.skool.com/mastering/my-ftm-26-11-wicme-mix-feedback-wanted?p=038bf8f1 ) Hey guys, I probably should've posted this on Tuesday, but after having finished, I was in "recovery mode" and also quite busy the next days... So, this is still the same mix+master I entered the contest with; I worked less than 10 hours on it, including a 2h break and a lot of shorter ones. When checking my second master export, I got a "dentist drill tinnitus" and knew it was definitely time to finish. (Maybe listen now and then compare your thoughts to my own notes in the next paragraph?) So, I usually try to figure out myself in a clear-headed manner, why the finalist tracks were chosen instead of mine. This time I'm pretty sure the drums were the main problem. I hardly ever listen to hard Rock subgenres or Metal, especially on headphones, so, especially when I re-listened to my version today, I though "it might be caused by your remembering how you listened to Metal-like stuff on cheap earbuds in the youth". I was "satisfied enough" with the drum sound itself and didn't do much except for adding bx_SubSynth (Plugin Alliance) and Baby Audio Subculture on kicks and reducing the harshness of cymbals, having rather disregarded following the usual Foundation-First way strictly enough. Otherwise I can't remember doing anything to them except what I did to every group - using ADPTR Sculpt and adding some reverb. So, they indeed feel more like "earbud drum hits" instead of those carefully crafted "3D-depth" drum sounds I heard from other contestants. With the VOX I mostly battled with the annoying-sounding reverb on the plosives, both in the mix and the master. I got it to where I could tolerate them, but I often do concentrate on a small detail problem that many others would not notice, and could actually lose overview over bigger-scale problems, until someone more experienced leads my attention to them...

Hi everyone, I hope all of you are doing well and making lots of great music! We're getting close to finishing our new album, From Here To There, by Dean Rector and The Zone, and I'd love to get your feedback on our latest song. This version of 'Lost In A Dream' is still pre-master, but your thoughts on the song, mix, arrangement, or overall feel would be greatly appreciated. Your feedback helps us make the best possible decisions before the final release. Thanks for taking a listen!~ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B1XDjEw-Fxk7JcDUAG8uui2algtSc970/view?usp=sharing

It's finally ready and coming out January 1st 2027. I had hoped it would be sooner but the journey and the Universe have plans of it's own. I'm now working on 3 singles and and Ep thanks to this intensive. Thank you @Dave Churchville for giving me the great harmonica that helped shape this song into what is now. Thanks you to anyone who helped and thank you @Caleb Loveless @Damian Baca @Luke Despain for your mentorship. Ya'll enjoy! https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5a9hsk454km0q9i73t0l6/01-Jay-Morris-Lonley-Man-In-Mexico.mp3?rlkey=9z6m8sg87li673kjb0563z886&st=ue9h99dq&dl=0

I got to play this round. I did not have a lot of time today, but I squeezed it in. I had maybe about a four-hour window at the end of the day. Enjoy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18p9Rq_51naY1q0DS5wNWK2cZRtR4ihKs/view?usp=sharing I'm updating the post because I've been asked more than once which drum sample library I used in this mix. The drums in my mix are the same tracks from the folder. I didn't replace the kit or layer in additional samples. There were no overheads in the folder, and no drum room mics, so I created a space for the drums artificially with some reverb. I'm happy to share techniques if you want to know!

Another great FTM, and what an awesome track this was. Really enjoyed giving this a shot, and looking forward to hear what everyone comes up with. Here is mine, and appreciate any and all constructive critiique - we're here to learn! :)