Dream Theater Finishes Smoking Barbecue!! - Album in Food Warmer!

[SeRoX]

Considering the last albums he is quite right. Unfortunately.

[Kocak]

A question for the more experienced in such things: how long does the mixing stage usually take? Or is it totally random?

Depends on a lot of things. Number of songs, how dense the songs are (track wise) how much time went into pre-production, how good the performances were, how bad JP wants to make the drums sound, figuring exactly how low to keep JM in the mix, etc. Also depends on how many hours a day/days a week they dedicate to it.

Obviously JP is a guitar god and an extraordinary musician, but when it comes to mixing, he's a mere mortal and he needs to leave it to real professionals. Bands with 1/100 of DT's budget sound better than post-MP DT albums.

[Sebastián Pratesi]

A question for the more experienced in such things: how long does the mixing stage usually take? Or is it totally random?

I've been following DT's album cycles since 2007. Judging by the liner notes in the booklets, and their posts on social media, the mixing+mastering stage usually lasts a month or 2.

For example:
The self-titled album's recording was wrapped up in late May 2013.
(source: https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/photos/a.133462500039104/566817716703578)
The mixing wrapped up in late June.
(https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/photos/a.133462500039104/581543768564306/?type=3)

As someone mentioned before, it depends on the project and the artist, of course. In DT's case, though, the mixing is usually done in around 30 days.

[Max Kuehnau]

DT12 post production happened in exactly the same time frame. It might be faster this time around because Petruccinator said that they get a reference mix from James Meslin and then they only have to tweak certain things IIRC. (might have been James who said it though)

[lucasembarbosa]

DT12 post production happened in exactly the same time frame. It might be faster this time around because Petruccinator said that they get a reference mix from James Meslin and then they only have to tweak certain things IIRC. (might have been James who said it though)

It's not that simple. And if they manage to hire another name to mix it, it might take a few more time.

[mikeyd23]

DT12 post production happened in exactly the same time frame. It might be faster this time around because Petruccinator said that they get a reference mix from James Meslin and then they only have to tweak certain things IIRC. (might have been James who said it though)

It's not that simple. And if they manage to hire another name to mix it, it might take a few more time.

True, but the thing that usually really draws out the mixing process is when band members get involved and go back and forth on mixes. It seems that since MP left, JP is really the only one, as the producer, that is involved with the mixer. Even with MP and JP co-produced albums though, DT typically mix and master records pretty efficiently.

[Adami]

If anything, we should hope they spend more time mixing this one. Mixing quickly doesn't usually result in a better product, especially a DT album where it's much more complicated than getting some decent levels.

[mikeyd23]

If anything, we should hope they spend more time mixing this one. Mixing quickly doesn't usually result in a better product, especially a DT album where it's much more complicated than getting some decent levels.

Yup, I'd tend to agree. Maybe they need a little more of that back and forth.

[lucasembarbosa]

If anything, we should hope they spend more time mixing this one. Mixing quickly doesn't usually result in a better product, especially a DT album where it's much more complicated than getting some decent levels.

Yup, I'd tend to agree. Maybe they need a little more of that back and forth.

Just to make a point here, as someone who's been inside a studio for some time, sometimes the "more of that back and forth" doesn't necessarily translates into a better mixing. Just a little more caring and attention to some details in post-production and it's enough.

[mikeyd23]

If anything, we should hope they spend more time mixing this one. Mixing quickly doesn't usually result in a better product, especially a DT album where it's much more complicated than getting some decent levels.

Yup, I'd tend to agree. Maybe they need a little more of that back and forth.

Just to make a point here, as someone who's been inside a studio for some time, sometimes the "more of that back and forth" doesn't necessarily translates into a better mixing. Just a little more caring and attention to some details in post-production and it's enough.

For sure, more back and forth doesn't automatically mean anything. Might be a better end result, might not.

[Adami]

If anything, we should hope they spend more time mixing this one. Mixing quickly doesn't usually result in a better product, especially a DT album where it's much more complicated than getting some decent levels.

Yup, I'd tend to agree. Maybe they need a little more of that back and forth.

Just to make a point here, as someone who's been inside a studio for some time, sometimes the "more of that back and forth" doesn't necessarily translates into a better mixing. Just a little more caring and attention to some details in post-production and it's enough.

Yes, I was a studio engineer as well. Obviously there's no blanket formula for everyone. I was speaking for DT specifically, whose last 2/3 albums have had a lot of criticism regarding their production value and have all basically followed the exact same production formula.

[ToT-147]

the thing that usually really draws out the mixing process is when band members get involved and go back and forth on mixes. It seems that since MP left, JP is really the only one, as the producer, that is involved with the mixer. Even with MP and JP co-produced albums though, DT typically mix and master records pretty efficiently.

Is this something they have confirmed at some point?.. That only MP/JP or (now) only JP and no other band member were involved in the mix?.. Because getting involved and going back and forth on mixes is not only a thing that producers do, but also the rest of the band, like when in the David Prater's days (I&W, for instance) the whole band was there making suggestions or asking for little changes here and there (especially MP and KM according to Prater)..

[gzarruk]

IIRC, JP took Jordan with him for the ADTOE mixing sessions with Andy Wallace.

[mikeyd23]

the thing that usually really draws out the mixing process is when band members get involved and go back and forth on mixes. It seems that since MP left, JP is really the only one, as the producer, that is involved with the mixer. Even with MP and JP co-produced albums though, DT typically mix and master records pretty efficiently.

Is this something they have confirmed at some point?.. That only MP/JP or (now) only JP and no other band member were involved in the mix?.. Because getting involved and going back and forth on mixes is not only a thing that producers do, but also the rest of the band, like when in the David Prater's days (I&W, for instance) the whole band was there making suggestions or asking for little changes here and there (especially MP and KM according to Prater)..

Not confirmed by the band, just my guess as to how the process goes at this point in the band's career.

[fadetoblackdude7]

Would be cool if they were all there during the mixing this time to put their own input in, without getting in each other’s way, of course.

[ToT-147]

Would be cool if they were all there during the mixing this time to put their own input in, without getting in each other’s way, of course.

But maybe that's exactly how they been working all this time.. That's what I was asking.. Also, I see nothing wrong in one member suggesting something regarding the instrument's eq of another member.. That actually might happen a lot once all members (or at least more than one) are there in the mixing room..

[Zook]

Longest. 2 weeks. Ever.

[RMGadelha]

Longest. 2 weeks. Ever.

Yeah, it's all an elaborate troll by JP and they are still booking the studio time. 

[Evai]

There should be a rule against 'Time specific thread titles' 

[dparrott]

figuring exactly how low to keep JM in the mix, etc.

"OK, you see that bass level there? Bring it down."  - Lars Ulrich

[YtseJamittaja]

Another snippet, really proggy one, from the album!

https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheater/videos/1897086137050722/

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

Woah, that section sounds killer!

[Max Kuehnau]

Yeah I enjoy it quite a bit. Slightly ELP and Gentle Giant as well IMHO.

[Bertielee]

Another snippet, really proggy one, from the album!

https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheater/videos/1897086137050722/

Fine!

[cramx3]

That little part does sound pretty cool!  Everything has sounded like its got good potential to be great so far

[DragonAttack]

Another snippet, really proggy one, from the album!

https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheater/videos/1897086137050722/

Wonder if we'll get any sounds from Matty's tiny NOMAC on the next LP?

[Fritzinger]

I think this album will be pretty awesome... all conditions are great! Everyone involved in composition and texting, concentrating on a better drum sound, bringing back the metal in DTs music. And the band seems very relaxed all the time and they seem to have a lot of fun. I really can't wait for this one...

[MirrorMask]

I think it's a natural development after The Astonishing. After such a mammoth album with Petrucci wanting to take charge of basically everything, it was only logical that not only the other guys, but Petrucci himself would want a more relaxed and group approach.

After you've directed a 3 hours colossal a director may feel tempted to go for a 90 minutes comedy after all (kinda weird example but just to make the point).

[Pax]

the snippet sounds like ADTOE mixed with Haken

[mikeyd23]

Snippet sounds good, very proggy for sure.

[Architeuthis]

The landing drone would sound cool on some track in the album.  Mini nomac? Lol

[SeRoX]

The landing drone would sound cool on some track in the album.  Mini nomac? Lol

Please don't let Rudess read this.

[RMGadelha]

Yeeeees! More snippets! Keep 'em coming!

[JayOctavarium]

Is the Drone okay?

[RMGadelha]

I'm already liking MM's stuff on this album and I'm not really into drums! :0