steel guitar bias

Tony Williamson · Post by **Tony Williamson** » 25 Oct 2012 1:46 pm

I'm mixing my version of Borrowed Angel where I'm playing all the instruments and singing all the parts. I find it really hard to cut the steel down like on a normal song. I want to hear it! But I get advice from other musicians and they keep wanting to drop it down...down...down...I hate it...I record flat and add a tinge of cathedral reverb with a quick delay on my korg 3200.

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 29 Oct 2012 9:52 am

Is there a question in there somewhere?..... Or are you just informing us.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 31 Oct 2012 7:44 am

Buddy used to distribute business cards that said, "Turn the @#$%^ steel guitar up!" I agree.

Joe Gall · Post by **Joe Gall** » 4 Nov 2012 1:24 pm

It's your song, your mix, your call. Where's the problem? LOL

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 2 Jan 2013 12:11 pm

It's normal for any musician, (steel player, Guitarist, drummer, bassist etc.)to want to hear more of his instrument in the mix. I tend to mix the the steel way up too high. Whenever I play a studio gig, I am usually dis-appointed in the final mix. (The steel is often way in the background, and they sometimes take my part out on a verse or so to let keys or armpit guitar do the fills)

It really takes practice and a good set of ears to mix everything perfectly, and then it's all subjective anyway. Someone will always want to hear something louder or softer!

JMHO
Dom

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Jan 2013 3:47 pm

Honestly, I love the steel guitar up front and center, but that is because I AM a steel guitar player. For the average listener, that may not be the best strategy for a final mix. Try to make the mix the best for ALL listeners. The vocals are #1, the rhythm section is #2, and lead/fill instruments come in last. That is how I hear all of the top pro recordings.

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 2 Jan 2013 5:06 pm

Richard I would agree mostly except that the lead and fill instruments become #1 temporarily whenever the vocal phrase ends and it's time for the signature licks at the intro, solo and ending...
JMHO
Dom

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Jan 2013 7:32 pm

Yes Dom, but that is only very temporary, and mainly to another musician. The average listener wouldn't know the difference.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 3 Jan 2013 3:38 am

My friend, Jimmy Peppers, who did some Nashville major label producing including Mel Street's last Album (using Lloyd Green on steel) told me legendary producer Billy Sherill's way "turn the lead instrument up on the break".