I noticed that leveling cleans things up enough to where I only need light eq'ing. I used to try to eq everything and wonder why things sounded bad in the end. I go through some old files and I was doing all kinds of cutting and boosting of frequencies for no reason.
The Official Mixing Thread
- Thread starter Myrical Lyfe
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I noticed that leveling cleans things up enough to where I only need light eq'ing. I used to try to eq everything and wonder why things sounded bad in the end. I go through some old files and I was doing all kinds of cutting and boosting of frequencies for no reason.
When u say "leveling" u mean just adjusting the volume knobs?
Pretty much. I used to always feel like the high hats stood out too much so I'd cut the highs with eq. Now I set the levels and I don't need to cut them at all I just eq to remove any low end if sound has any.
Get the levels right and then you can better hear things and know what you need to eq
The pink noise technique is the goat starting point for this.
What's pink noise ?
It's noise with a spectral density that is inversely proportional to frequency. For mixing purpose you essentially creating a -3db per octave deficit across the frequency spectrum...which is beneficial for balancing because of how our ears work...
It's a good starting point but tends to be a bit bright for some genres...
I'll link some tutorials that show the technique and prob explain better than I do.
I think this is what alot of auto or a.i eq's are doing...
Or if not pink noise ...different spectral distributions or spectral averages across genres using machine learning...
But it's more likely something like pink noise...
Or if not pink noise ...different spectral distributions or spectral averages across genres using machine learning...
But it's more likely something like pink noise...
I use light compression since I don't really understand when to apply it. I mainly use it for drums.
I also use a saturator. I can't explain how it works I just know how to set it to make things sound better and add warmth
Thanks bro.....I'm just curious how everyone approaching mixing beatsI use light compression since I don't really understand when to apply it. I mainly use it for drums.
I also use a saturator. I can't explain how it works I just know how to set it to make things sound better and add warmth
What works for me is to simplify things. My process is basically:
1. Set the gain for all tracks
2. Filter (lows on high hats, highs in a sample that aren't needed)
3. FX
3. Set the levels
4. EQ (boost or cut to improve the overall sound on tracks if needed)
Once this is done I go to the master. I usually boost the kick, bass, and snare. Lastly I get the master volume up.
I'm not that confident in mixing so I'm not trying to act like I'm an engineer. Don't do too much and things end up sounding okay.
I got the stereo mix in...
Span with the stereo mastering setting at 4.5db and smoothing at 1 octave...
3 RMS metres split by frequency using patcher...
Just listening to shyt...
That was a JJ beat playing when I took that snapshot.
Span with the stereo mastering setting at 4.5db and smoothing at 1 octave...
3 RMS metres split by frequency using patcher...
Just listening to shyt...
That was a JJ beat playing when I took that snapshot.
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CollaredShirt
Collar John Adobe House Producer/Emcee
aight man...
so there's this right: 5-24-20 87 =].wav
and there's this:
what should i be hearing and conceptualizing to bridge the gap
my beat is kind of just raw out the box (maschine forever) with not a lot more than just sidechain compression with the drums and other elements, but... still...
i do tend to have a lot of components and like echo's n shyt, but. need a bit of guidance, would love some direction pointing.
so there's this right: 5-24-20 87 =].wav
and there's this:
what should i be hearing and conceptualizing to bridge the gap
my beat is kind of just raw out the box (maschine forever) with not a lot more than just sidechain compression with the drums and other elements, but... still...
i do tend to have a lot of components and like echo's n shyt, but. need a bit of guidance, would love some direction pointing.