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Other music and off-topic => Studios, Sounds, Vocals and Tech-Talk => Topic started by: j.fco.morales on April 21, 2016, 08:14:22 PM

Title: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: j.fco.morales on April 21, 2016, 08:14:22 PM
http://www.popjustice.com/playlists/mixed-by-serban-ghenea/

Popjustice did a playlist with songs mixed by Serban.
Interesting one.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: J_A24 on April 22, 2016, 09:03:45 PM
Nice find, thanks. By the way, did you guys read what wikipedia had to say about deleting Serban's page? It's rage inducing lol.

Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: j.fco.morales on April 22, 2016, 09:36:12 PM
Quote from: J_A24 on April 22, 2016, 09:03:45 PM
Nice find, thanks. By the way, did you guys read what wikipedia had to say about deleting Serban's page? It's rage inducing lol.

I haven't, tell us!
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: J_A24 on April 23, 2016, 08:56:01 PM
Quote"Several albums that he has worked on have won Grammys but from my reading of WP:NMUSIC this doesn't confer notability on the audio engineer"

"'Mixer' is far further down the food chain of a finished musical track, and in terms of the avril lavignes and lifehouses of the world, may be a very insignificant role not worthy of praise."

"I can understand if someone like Kevin Bacon has such a list detailing their entire career, but he's in a different league to subject, to such a degree that his filmography IS considered encyclopaedic."

"Comment: I would take out three things for starters – (1) the reference to the management company, which has no relevance to the article and is pure promotion (this definitely has to go); (2) all the references to various Billboard charts, as the chart positions of the records aren't relevant either, and don't prove one way or the other that Ghenea worked on those records (although I do not doubt that he did); (3) the Grammy Awards, because I think those go to the artist and not to the engineer/mixer of the record? So I'm not sure what is left after that that would make the article a keep. Richard3120 (talk) 22:02, 2 November 2015 (UTC)"

"My view, as the editor who has had severe issues with this article over an extended period is: DELETE. Some of the projects/music he worked on may be notable, but I'm not entirely sure what he does in his capacity as a 'mixer' (it seems to me to be one of those vague industry terms that doesn't particularly describe the extent of the person's involvement). It raises concerns about where the line is drawn.....studio hands who predominantly make tea and get a thanks on the sleeve?"


Basically "I dont know what a mixing engineer is, so I deleted his page".

And they have a bunch of misplaced credits on songs, so why don't they just delete everyone to be safe. lol
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: j.fco.morales on April 24, 2016, 07:57:38 PM
Basically:

(https://scontent-grt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11947640_769148606527851_3046212948260478035_n.jpg?oh=0acd8de408c5827162f575715682cb74&oe=577789BB)
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: B Steady on May 25, 2016, 12:06:39 PM
Quote from: j.fco.morales on April 24, 2016, 07:57:38 PM
Basically:

(https://scontent-grt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11947640_769148606527851_3046212948260478035_n.jpg?oh=0acd8de408c5827162f575715682cb74&oe=577789BB)

brillant
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: j.fco.morales on March 24, 2021, 07:36:09 PM
Found this on Gearslutz, it's a Q&A with John Hanes, who once was Serban's assistant engineer and a great mixer in his own:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/q-a-with-engineer-john-hanes/

About his mixing, I think it's about what the artists/producers want. Because like John said on the Q&A, you can hire anyone you want but YOU CHOOSE Serban.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 04, 2021, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: getawaydriver on March 24, 2021, 01:23:21 AM
Is it just me or have Serban's mixes been kind of off lately? His levels are usually superb, but I've noticed a lot of distortion in his recent output and he adds that same piercing, ear-splitting high-shelf to every lead vocal. The Ava Max mixes in particular are so overblown, "Kings & Queens" is distorting all over the place. His mixes from the early '10s are so much tighter and the vocal sound he was doing around that time was literal perfection; those classic crunchy, popping consonants and the way the vocals sit so perfectly in the mix, everything sounds so clean. I don't know, I understand he's pretty much the biggest mixer in the world right now and he probably has to do an absurd amount of mixes with very little time so that might have something to do with it. Could also be the sound producers want has just changed. But overall, his mixes just feel a lot more "loose", if that makes sense.

Funnily enough, I've actually been enjoying his son Alex's mixes a bit more than his own lately. Looks like he's following in Serban's footsteps! https://www.instagram.com/alexghenea/?hl=en

Holy shit, I didn't know his son was a hot shot mixing engineer too 😁

Well, I can definitely hear what you're taking about. The mixes ten years ago sound less hyped than the mixes now. I think he uses more saturation nowadays to make the mixes pop and sometimes it's just too much.

Nevertheless, his mixes are spot on 99% of the time.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Dagge on July 04, 2021, 09:05:22 PM
Quote from: Helluvafella on July 04, 2021, 02:37:58 PM
Holy shit, I didn't know his son was a hot shot mixing engineer too 😁

Well, I can definitely hear what you're taking about. The mixes ten years ago sound less hyped than the mixes now. I think he uses more saturation nowadays to make the mixes pop and sometimes it's just too much.

Nevertheless, his mixes are spot on 99% of the time.

By being from 'his' part of the World (SE Europe) I can confirm that Romanians have above average sense of musicality. I don't know if it is old Roman gene influence or else but there are quite a few composers and producers from there with very nice melodies and rich arrangements, even done by not famous ones. Most famous of them may be Michael Cretu of Sandra and Enigma projects. I am quite sure that Serban in a way inherited those qualities, and added western musical education on top. That may be his edge.

It would be interesting to hear the result of Romanian and Swedish composers/producers collaboration. I am quite sure it would be pleasant to the ear.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 04, 2021, 11:17:28 PM
It's very interesting how many songs from Romania have become international smash hits. Dragostea Din Tei, Mr. Saxobeat, Stereo Love, Sun is up .. there must be something in the water :)

Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: AlexanderLaBrea on July 05, 2021, 05:28:13 PM
4 hit songs in like 10-15 years? :) Isn't it more interesting that 4 of the biggest female pop stars in later years are of Albanian descent? Rita Ora, Dua Lipa, Ava Max, Bebe Rexha. Or that like at least 8 of the biggest DJ's in the world are from the Netherlands.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 05, 2021, 05:34:08 PM
Quote from: AlexanderLaBrea on July 05, 2021, 05:28:13 PM
4 hit songs in like 10-15 years? :) Isn't it more interesting that 4 of the biggest female pop stars in later years are of Albanian descent? Rita Ora, Dua Lipa, Ava Max, Bebe Rexha. Or that like at least 8 of the biggest DJ's in the world are from the Netherlands.

This is indeed like an eastern Europeans invasion 😂 how do you explain that Alexander?
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: j.fco.morales on July 05, 2021, 08:11:56 PM
I mean, explanation? 4 people in the world.

And call that a trend? Nah.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 05, 2021, 10:44:57 PM
Quote from: j.fco.morales on July 05, 2021, 08:11:56 PM
I mean, explanation? 4 people in the world.

And call that a trend? Nah.

I think it's pretty extraordinary considering the success of those singers.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 06, 2021, 12:04:31 AM
Quote from: getawaydriver on July 05, 2021, 11:41:35 PM
Yeah, judging by what his engineer John Hanes has said, I think it's mainly his mix bus he runs all his mixes through. Makes everything really bright and dense sounding, which works for a lot of mixes, but makes others sound really harsh. I don't think he's paying as much attention to distortion and clarity these days as he used to... it's all about ultra-bright and ultra-loud mixes right now, which, if done right, can still have those qualities and sound great. But sometimes can come off as sounding really grating and jarring.

Nevertheless I still use his mixes as reference.  I like how he always nails the vocals and the drums are  always sound super punchy with nice transients.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: j.fco.morales on July 06, 2021, 04:37:46 AM
I'm a big fan of Jaycen Joshua -he was mentored by Dave Pensado-, Josh Gudwin and I LOVE Tchad Blake.

But I'm really into early 2000's mixing style: Steve Hodge, Dana Jon Chapelle, Tony Maserati.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 06, 2021, 10:22:37 AM
Besides Serban,

I dig Mark ,,Spike" Stent. Super balanced, punchy mixes, very British sounding low end.
Manny Marroquin, biggest low end in the game and very polished sounding.
Joe Zook, his mixes always sound very musical and tasteful.

When it comes to rock I dig Bob Clearmountain. I especially dig all his Bryan adams records. Super tasteful mixes.
Randy Staub is amazing as well, CLA and his brother Tom of course.

Phil Tan has really good mixes as well, although I haven't heard anything substantial from him in a couple of years.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Snipes3000 on July 06, 2021, 12:51:55 PM
Serban did a mix for Weezer I'm Your Daddy (Dr Luke production) but it didn't make the cut. For those interesting in Serban, compare the Serban mix to the one that got released. They're both on youtube and you'll really notice difference in style between those mixes. P.s. I love how he mixed the La Roux album.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 06, 2021, 03:45:25 PM
Quote from: Snipes3000 on July 06, 2021, 12:51:55 PM
Serban did a mix for Weezer I'm Your Daddy (Dr Luke production) but it didn't make the cut. For those interesting in Serban, compare the Serban mix to the one that got released. They're both on youtube and you'll really notice difference in style between those mixes. P.s. I love how he mixed the La Roux album.

Yeah, I know that one. I definitely prefer the Serban mix.
I think it was a stylistic decision of the band.

I still believe Max somehow also ,,made" Serban's career because he entrusted him with every single song and no one else. That is huge for a mixing engineer. The first song Serban mixed for Max was Britney's ,,Overprotected". Since then every Max song has Serban as mix engineer. There's even a video on YouTube of max listening to Serbans mix of ,,Overprotected" and clearly loving it.

Have you guys heard the mixing engineer dispute between Max Martin and Bon Jovi for ,,It's my life"? Bon Jovi wanted Bob clearmountain to mix the song, Max wanted Serban to mix the song. Max told the band that he was going to remove his and Rami's credits from the song if Serban wasn't going to get the gig. In the end, Bob Clearmountain mixed the song and somehow they removed Rami's name from the credits but kept Max'. Pretty weird 😂

Quote from: Snipes3000 on July 06, 2021, 12:51:55 PMP.s. I love how he mixed the La Roux album.

The mixing on that record is amazing! I hate the mastering though. Every song sounds smashed to oblivion with audible distortion. It's almost hard to listen to it on really good speakers. Such a waste of otherwise amazing mixes.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Snipes3000 on July 07, 2021, 01:48:46 PM
Ilbert came to Maratone around 2005 and I think that he was primarily involved with Max as a sound engineer and most if not all of his involvements were in guitar driven songs.

Serban's sound doesn't fit to the character of rock as well as the sound of other engineers. That's likely why his I'm Your Daddy mix was not chosen.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 08, 2021, 04:53:51 PM
Quote from: AlexanderLaBrea on July 05, 2021, 05:28:13 PM
4 hit songs in like 10-15 years? :) Isn't it more interesting that 4 of the biggest female pop stars in later years are of Albanian descent? Rita Ora, Dua Lipa, Ava Max, Bebe Rexha. Or that like at least 8 of the biggest DJ's in the world are from the Netherlands.

I saw this picture the other day and it reminded me of your DJ from the Netherlands post :)
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Snipes3000 on July 08, 2021, 05:55:10 PM
I wanted to write you guys about it but then decided to link you guys the documentary. A quick find only resulted in the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbszqGw11Gg This is about the history of dutch dance music and it is very telling to why dutch dj's are as good as they are. I am dutch myself. When you grow up, you see those dj's and believe that the way into music is through dance music (although that is wrong thinking, but was right from roughly 2010-2015 as dance trends set foot into pop music back then, giving people like ali payami and oscar holter opportunitie to work with max).
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 08, 2021, 08:14:24 PM
Quote from: Snipes3000 on July 08, 2021, 05:55:10 PM
I wanted to write you guys about it but then decided to link you guys the documentary. A quick find only resulted in the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbszqGw11Gg This is about the history of dutch dance music and it is very telling to why dutch dj's are as good as they are. I am dutch myself. When you grow up, you see those dj's and believe that the way into music is through dance music (although that is wrong thinking, but was right from roughly 2010-2015 as dance trends set foot into pop music back then, giving people like ali payami and oscar holter opportunitie to work with max).

Thanks for sharing. The trailer looks very interesting. Gotta check it out somewhere
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Snipes3000 on July 08, 2021, 10:24:29 PM
If you have tried your best to find it and it didn't work out, let me know and I'll do my best to provide it for you.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 08, 2021, 10:36:57 PM
Awesome. Thank you. Will do! Since you're from the Netherlands, how do you explain the tremendous gain in popularity of dance music in 2010-2015 all over the world? I mean, guys like Nicky Romero, Tiesto, Afrojack have been around for a much longer time than 2010 but there was something very weird going on in those years. Almost every pop song had the typical ,,four on the floor" beat. Max was doing dubstep influenced tracks for Britney and the world discovered Avicii and Martin Garrix.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Snipes3000 on July 09, 2021, 12:38:10 AM
My starting point is, and I quote Dr Luke: "Music moves in cycles, you know". I could write a whole essay on how the music cycle works but I won't right now. The rise of dance music in the US pop music cycle was very much intertwined with the rise of internet videos, which often had edm music in the background.

A similar pattern occured with the rise of MTV intertwined with Michael Jackson's music, Napstar and the internet, and American Idols. The last few music cycles were inspired by technological changes in the behaviour of consuments.

What might be the next technological thing which changes the music? It was suggested in 2018 by Guy Zapoleon that it could be Alexa (smart speakers), which selects the songs for you according to your mood: "alexa, play sad songs". Basically, streaming services like spotify do something similar and it might be true after all, the zapoleon prediction. At the same time, another development that has happened is "social media stories" where you select your background music and, of course, in a similar fashion tiktok. But to me it's one of the hardest thing of the question of how the music cycle will move: what will be the thing that determines the next thing? It could be something which we don't even know yet that it exists. For example, raising the idea of downloading music from the internet for free back in 1994... people would say you are crazy. David Guetta speculated on Dutch tv that post lockdown would have an impact on music development, in particular stimulated by an excessive need of young people to unite at music festivals.
Title: Re: Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Post by: Helluvafella on July 09, 2021, 08:34:42 AM
I think David Guetta is right in that regard. Especially young people are fed up with sitting at home and isolating so festivals definitely will be big.

Tik Tok is definitely sculpting the music business right now, as well as playlists as you said. Therefore it is very important for artists to build a brand people can recognize. If an artists song is in a big playlist, it could rank up millions of plays, still people don't care who the artist is. That's where brands come in.

I think it's really hard to predict the future. I think mashups could somehow become more of a thing. I see more people doing mashup of two popular songs and people dig it. For me, I totally dislike that idea of combing two already existing song, but kids seem to dig it.