Mix Analysis 7

Rock The Boat - Aaliyah

Produced/Mixed by Eric Seats  & Rapture Stewart, a production duo known as Key Beats. They have worked with Pati Labelle and Montel Jordan.

Recorded at Manhattan Center Studio.

0:00-0:40 - ambient ocean waves fade in. no panning.

:40 - About 10 degrees left a spacey synth is heard. At the same spot, right, a mimicking higher pitched synth is heard. A reverberated snap hits center.

:50 - an electric guitar stab hits center, low in volume

:51 bass comes in, bright and punchy. centered.

1:01  - Vocals come in. They are set low in the mix compared to everything else.

As the verse goes on, the panning begins to change for some instruments. The snap stays left but definitely sounds like it goes further away then comes back closer from time to time.

1:25 - the synths keep us hypnotized. The electric guitar occasionally throws stabs in that are centered and slightly offset right. The placement of where they are set in the mix does not collide with anything, it literally grabs your ears overtime and then is gone as soon as you want more.

1:30 - vocals have a whisper tone to them, they are very soft and have a light echo on them.

1:42 - Chorus. synths come up a bit in volume. Bass and claps come down. In terms of panning, everything is same.

1:52 - synth is lower now. bass in control of instruments.

2:02 - clap leading the way for the beat. bass is wing man. Panning consistent.

2:15 - nice echo on voice to fill time. echo was panned far left but actual vocals are centered. Whisper sort of echo trails off into the left ear. This used a lot on this verse

2:44 - Chorus. Synth comes back in to lead. Bass is lowered, clap not as reverberated. Vocals still centered.

3:05 - Bass leads verse again. Claps gain reverb

3:20 - Nice layering of main vocals and background/harmonizing vocals.

3:42 - Song begins to fade out

Very hypnotic mix. Favorite element of this song is definitely the electric guitar stabs. Their placement in the mix really grabs your attention when the come in They come in center but never still they spotlight, instead offer the perfect compliment to lead synth. Bass is also very nice on this song, nice full sound. The reverb on the clap is a nice touch. The vocals are set low, purposely letting the beat take you away as the lyrics deliver their spell. Mix is not very wide but contains a lot of movement.