Light Up The Sky by Shape

[chris_shape_drummer]

Genre

Rock

Instruments

Superior Drummer, Ultimate Heavy Drums, Neural DSP Nolly X, Neural DSP Parallax X, STL Tones Tonehub, Kontakt, Falcon, ANA

Effects

FabFilter, Slate Digital, Trackspacer

Special techniques

Top down mixing

Released when

July 2025

Another one we just released recently, all done entirely in Studio One. We don't live around each other so doing a full music video has been quite complicated, a lyric video is what managed at the moment. This track was pretty dense in some spots and I had a hard time making sure each instrument had it's own space. Used trackspacer in several spots to dynamically duck things when needed.

Here's a link to the Spotify track as well. Feedback appreciated!

 

[Craig Anderton]

I like it very much The balance and imaging are spot-on...a tiny bit wider throughout than I'd choose for my material, but it fits totally for the grandness you're baking into the mix. I especially like the way the band kicks into overdrive at 2:00, then pulls back again at 2:30. Made me want to keep listening...that's the point, right? At 3:09 I wondered if that was going to be how it ended, but then you stepped on the accelerator again at 3:25. Tension, release, dynamics. So many bands seem to have forgotten about that.

The only thing I'd change (which you're probably expecting if you've seen some of my other comments here!) is I wanted the vocals mixed higher in the beginning. I can see why you did what you did, then the vocals had more impact when you hit the 2:00 mark. If was mastering this, I'd ask for two versions, one with the vocals as is and another with the vocals at +1 dB. I'd splice the +1 dB version up to about 2 minutes. I just have a thing about vocals because it's a direct line to the human presenting the song. I find it easy to connect with vocals.

For the future, consider using width as another way to increase the dynamics. Narrower in some spots, then full stereo spread for the big moments.

I would listen to this again. In fact I did . (Side comment...I've never heard an AI-generated song I would listen to again.) If you were playing in the area, I'd get a ticket to see what you sounded like live. Good stuff!!

 

[chris_shape_drummer]

I like it very much The balance and imaging are spot-on...a tiny bit wider throughout than I'd choose for my material, but it fits totally for the grandness you're baking into the mix. I especially like the way the band kicks into overdrive at 2:00, then pulls back again at 2:30. Made me want to keep listening...that's the point, right? At 3:09 I wondered if that was going to be how it ended, but then you stepped on the accelerator again at 3:25. Tension, release, dynamics. So many bands seem to have forgotten about that.

The only thing I'd change (which you're probably expecting if you've seen some of my other comments here!) is I wanted the vocals mixed higher in the beginning. I can see why you did what you did, then the vocals had more impact when you hit the 2:00 mark. If was mastering this, I'd ask for two versions, one with the vocals as is and another with the vocals at +1 dB. I'd splice the +1 dB version up to about 2 minutes. I just have a thing about vocals because it's a direct line to the human presenting the song. I find it easy to connect with vocals.

For the future, consider using width as another way to increase the dynamics. Narrower in some spots, then full stereo spread for the big moments.

I would listen to this again. In fact I did . (Side comment...I've never heard an AI-generated song I would listen to again.) If you were playing in the area, I'd get a ticket to see what you sounded like live. Good stuff!!

Thank you for the feedback and kind words! I will definitely try these stereo imaging concepts. I always worry messing with wideners, but small moves like you mentioned are all you need.

Just one thing though, this song isn't AI generated, i can post a video showing the studio one session with all the tracking

 

[Craig Anderton]

Oh, I knew it wasn't AI generated! I was making a snarky aside about AI music

 

[chris_shape_drummer]

Ok thank you for clarifying

There's so much AI content out now and it's getting a bit crazy for real musicians to get through all the noise!

 

[chris_shape_drummer]

Also, when you have a chance, I'd love your feedback on the other 2 songs i posted in here as well!

 

[JBMusic]

I very much enjoyed listening to this. I would never have even questioned if this is AI generated or not. This is too good to be AI generated. Loved your choice of instruments and arrangement and mixing. Small nit would be to boost the lead vocal track just a bit. Amazing!

Congrats on a great tune!
John B

 

[chris_shape_drummer]

I very much enjoyed listening to this. I would never have even questioned if this is AI generated or not. This is too good to be AI generated. Loved your choice of instruments and arrangement and mixing. Small nit would be to boost the lead vocal track just a bit. Amazing!

Congrats on a great tune!
John B

Thank you, much appreciated!

 

[Craig Anderton]

Small nit would be to boost the lead vocal track just a bit

Consensus! When the only critique is people want more of something, that's a good sign.