The Official Mixing Thread

[ItWasWritten]

Matter of fact ...You need proper gain stage before something gets mastered, and for that you would have had to mix the track properly....

Just get the isotope and use a preset for now lol....just check with other commercial songs and make sure its just as loud as theirs......

 

[mortuus est]

Mac or Windows?

windows

 

[doublenegative]

@TheMaster did u show us your mastering chain?

 

[Tom Foolery]

 

[ItWasWritten]

@TheMaster did u show us your mastering chain?

Well I suppose I can...

This is what I use, You dont have to use all of this but you need atleast a compressor a few eq's and a limiter...


It goes SSL Bus Compressor from Waves (Secret Weapon!!!!!)

To

Dmg Audio Equilibrium

To

Trident A Range Eq from Softube

To

Izotope Multiband Compressor

to

Izotope Maximizer

to Slate Virtual Tape Machine

to Fab Filter Pro L Limiter

So this is my default chain, I have it set as a template... Some times I use all of it sometimes just some of it but I always use the compressor and the eq and the limiter....its really all about what the track demands I suppose.

 

[ibrokemyneck]

this is dope. always trying to learn more about this! I'll check out that fab filter limiter... need more experienece with the limiter in general

 

[1/2OfDaBruinz]

Well I suppose I can...

This is what I use, You dont have to use all of this but you need atleast a compressor a few eq's and a limiter...


It goes SSL Bus Compressor from Waves (Secret Weapon!!!!!)

To

Dmg Audio Equilibrium

To

Trident A Range Eq from Softube

To

Izotope Multiband Compressor

to

Izotope Maximizer

to Slate Virtual Tape Machine

to Fab Filter Pro L Limiter

So this is my default chain, I have it set as a template... Some times I use all of it sometimes just some of it but I always use the compressor and the eq and the limiter....its really all about what the track demands I suppose.

Can you further breakdown what you use each component in the chain for? This thread is a godsend. It's very informative. I initially viewed advanced mixing and mastering as something that's a little out of my league, because the jargon and technical aspect was overwhelming, but I've received a lot of tips and resources in this thread to give me confidence that I can engineer. I understand that it will still take years to master or become an expert, but that's perfectly fine with me. I'm currently reading the mixing concepts PDF you posted. Also, I managed to find Ozone Isotope 5 and Fab Filter, so I have that i my arsenal now

Also, I have a few other questions:

You stated earlier to mix everything together. Are there any exceptions to that rule?

From a little research, I'v learned that, in general, the sample or main melody should be in the center, the baseline should be in the center, the hats and cymbals should be on opposite side of each other, and the crash should move from left to right ore vice versa. From this diagram, it looks like the snare should be slight right or left, am I correct? Also, do you have anything to add to this? I know it's just a general guideline, but I'm just trying to get some core principles down.

What's the difference between stereo separation and panning? When should I use one over the other, or do I use them both?

I'm a little confused on when to put a compressor, eq, etc.. on a individual or master track. I really don't know what should be put on each instrument, and what should be put only on the master track.

Any rules or tips on mixing via headphones vs studio monitors. I have a decent set of monitors, but I can always hear the panning a little better on headphones. Do people generally use both, or just one?

For the record, I make sample based hip hop beats, so these questions are for beats only, without vocals.

 

[Myrical Lyfe]

Glad to see people learning from this thread.

 

[ItWasWritten]

Can you further breakdown what you use each component in the chain for? This thread is a godsend. It's very informative. I initially viewed advanced mixing and mastering as something that's a little out of my league, because the jargon and technical aspect was overwhelming, but I've received a lot of tips and resources in this thread to give me confidence that I can engineer. I understand that it will still take years to master or become an expert, but that's perfectly fine with me. I'm currently reading the mixing concepts PDF you posted. Also, I managed to find Ozone Isotope 5 and Fab Filter, so I have that i my arsenal now

Also, I have a few other questions:

You stated earlier to mix everything together. Are there any exceptions to that rule?

From a little research, I'v learned that, in general, the sample or main melody should be in the center, the baseline should be in the center, the hats and cymbals should be on opposite side of each other, and the crash should move from left to right ore vice versa. From this diagram, it looks like the snare should be slight right or left, am I correct? Also, do you have anything to add to this? I know it's just a general guideline, but I'm just trying to get some core principles down.

What's the difference between stereo separation and panning? When should I use one over the other, or do I use them both?

I'm a little confused on when to put a compressor, eq, etc.. on a individual or master track. I really don't know what should be put on each instrument, and what should be put only on the master track.

Any rules or tips on mixing via headphones vs studio monitors. I have a decent set of monitors, but I can always hear the panning a little better on headphones. Do people generally use both, or just one?

For the record, I make sample based hip hop beats, so these questions are for beats only, without vocals.

Ok...

Regarding my chain.


I use the stereo buss compressor to glue the mix together, people call it the magic button, once you pop this sh1t on you get a radio ready type of sound...its hard to explain... now...that plugin is modeled after hardware and from time to time Ill use a ssl 9000 console. I would say the plugin is about maybe 70% there. Good enough. I've yet to try out the Steven slate compressor it may be better.


Next the dmg eq I use for taking away things or as we say cutting frequencies, its usually very subtle though but I like how that eq sounds, its probably my favorite, but i use it to cut mostly, maybe add a little bumps here and there sometimes.

The next eq Is what i use to enhance or add frequencies, I love how this sh1t sounds....its fire!!!! You will learn that different eq's have different sounds to them, some of them sound better on some instruments then others...you will learn to pick favorites over time.

The Multi band compressor....ok so what this does is compresses certain frequencies, to be honest with you when I use this I do the same thing every time. its just a preset I created that just opens up the mix....I really haven't wrapped my head around this tool so I try not to do anything to fukk up my mix...

The maximizer sometimes i use sometimes I don't it basically adds some punch to the transients...

The tape machine plugin is probably my top 3 plugin of all time, u slap this sh1t on and it adds some warmth and harmonics....sh1t is fire son...

The limiter is to make it loud, I like the fab filter limiter because its pretty transparent while also adding some sweetener ...


That is the chain.


You should mix in the way that makes you comfortable, but generally you want all the tracks playing unless you are trying to fix something u here that's pretty odd.... it doesn't mater how a sound sounds by itself it matters how everything sounds as a whole.

I have a PYT multitrack of Michael Jackson sessions somewhere, this might help u understand.


In regards to instrument placement:

The bass and Kick drum are usually panned center, as well as the snare and lead vocal.

as far as a drum set you usually try and pan things the way a drum set is set up hi hat to the left toms rigt..more right for the other tom, and even more right for the last tom. So the diagram is pretty on point.

All other instruments can be where you want them to be generally, its really up to you.

 

[Propaganda]

Can you further breakdown what you use each component in the chain for? This thread is a godsend. It's very informative. I initially viewed advanced mixing and mastering as something that's a little out of my league, because the jargon and technical aspect was overwhelming, but I've received a lot of tips and resources in this thread to give me confidence that I can engineer. I understand that it will still take years to master or become an expert, but that's perfectly fine with me. I'm currently reading the mixing concepts PDF you posted. Also, I managed to find Ozone Isotope 5 and Fab Filter, so I have that i my arsenal now

Also, I have a few other questions:

You stated earlier to mix everything together. Are there any exceptions to that rule?

From a little research, I'v learned that, in general, the sample or main melody should be in the center, the baseline should be in the center, the hats and cymbals should be on opposite side of each other, and the crash should move from left to right ore vice versa. From this diagram, it looks like the snare should be slight right or left, am I correct? Also, do you have anything to add to this? I know it's just a general guideline, but I'm just trying to get some core principles down.

What's the difference between stereo separation and panning? When should I use one over the other, or do I use them both?

I'm a little confused on when to put a compressor, eq, etc.. on a individual or master track. I really don't know what should be put on each instrument, and what should be put only on the master track.

Any rules or tips on mixing via headphones vs studio monitors. I have a decent set of monitors, but I can always hear the panning a little better on headphones. Do people generally use both, or just one?

For the record, I make sample based hip hop beats, so these questions are for beats only, without vocals.

panning is pretty straightforward, you can turn the knobs and figure that out yourself. stereo separation is a way to widen stuff...it kind of pushes things out to the side. like, imagine the position of your speakers, the more stereo separation you apply, the more they'll move from in front of you to beside you in a semi-circle. there's a fine-line though. you can make things sound really fukking weird and have phase problems and shyt if you go overboard with it, especially if you put it on your master.

you'd put a basic compressor on something to smooth out the dynamics of the sound and make the volume more even. a simple example would be if you had a string sample that's soft and quiet in one part but big and loud in another and you want it to play at a more consistent level, you'd use compression. eq...that's really up to taste. there's no rule of thumb for it, really. my general advice would be cut shytty/clashing frequencies (ie. an annoying click on the high-end of a kick drum...or cutting the kick a bit at like 150hz cuz that's where your bassline has most of it's power) and also high-pass everything that isn't bottom-end shyt like bass/kicks/low synths/etc. i mean, do it on even hi-hats and cymbals and stuff, things you wouldn't think of having those low frequencies...cuz they do have a little bit and they all add up, which will make things sound muddy.

and keep in mind, you don't HAVE to put a compressor or an eq or whatever else on a sound. i mean, you can try it of course but if it's not helping, then don't do X, Y, or Z because you think you should, do it because it makes the shyt sound better...cuz when you're mixing, that's really what matters.

 

[1/2OfDaBruinz]

Ok...

Regarding my chain.


I use the stereo buss compressor to glue the mix together, people call it the magic button, once you pop this sh1t on you get a radio ready type of sound...its hard to explain... now...that plugin is modeled after hardware and from time to time Ill use a ssl 9000 console. I would say the plugin is about maybe 70% there. Good enough. I've yet to try out the Steven slate compressor it may be better.


Next the dmg eq I use for taking away things or as we say cutting frequencies, its usually very subtle though but I like how that eq sounds, its probably my favorite, but i use it to cut mostly, maybe add a little bumps here and there sometimes.

The next eq Is what i use to enhance or add frequencies, I love how this sh1t sounds....its fire!!!! You will learn that different eq's have different sounds to them, some of them sound better on some instruments then others...you will learn to pick favorites over time.

The Multi band compressor....ok so what this does is compresses certain frequencies, to be honest with you when I use this I do the same thing every time. its just a preset I created that just opens up the mix....I really haven't wrapped my head around this tool so I try not to do anything to fukk up my mix...

The maximizer sometimes i use sometimes I don't it basically adds some punch to the transients...

The tape machine plugin is probably my top 3 plugin of all time, u slap this sh1t on and it adds some warmth and harmonics....sh1t is fire son...

The limiter is to make it loud, I like the fab filter limiter because its pretty transparent while also adding some sweetener ...


That is the chain.


You should mix in the way that makes you comfortable, but generally you want all the tracks playing unless you are trying to fix something u here that's pretty odd.... it doesn't mater how a sound sounds by itself it matters how everything sounds as a whole.

I have a PYT multitrack of Michael Jackson sessions somewhere, this might help u understand.


In regards to instrument placement:

The bass and Kick drum are usually panned center, as well as the snare and lead vocal.

as far as a drum set you usually try and pan things the way a drum set is set up hi hat to the left toms rigt..more right for the other tom, and even more right for the last tom. So the diagram is pretty on point.

All other instruments can be where you want them to be generally, its really up to you.

Yeah, Everything about the Slate VTM has been good. I might have to cop, cause I can't seem to find it online.

 

[1/2OfDaBruinz]

panning is pretty straightforward, you can turn the knobs and figure that out yourself. stereo separation is a way to widen stuff...it kind of pushes things out to the side. like, imagine the position of your speakers, the more stereo separation you apply, the more they'll move from in front of you to beside you in a semi-circle. there's a fine-line though. you can make things sound really fukking weird and have phase problems and shyt if you go overboard with it, especially if you put it on your master.

you'd put a basic compressor on something to smooth out the dynamics of the sound and make the volume more even. a simple example would be if you had a string sample that's soft and quiet in one part but big and loud in another and you want it to play at a more consistent level, you'd use compression. eq...that's really up to taste. there's no rule of thumb for it, really. my general advice would be cut shytty/clashing frequencies (ie. an annoying click on the high-end of a kick drum...or cutting the kick a bit at like 150hz cuz that's where your bassline has most of it's power) and also high-pass everything that isn't bottom-end shyt like bass/kicks/low synths/etc. i mean, do it on even hi-hats and cymbals and stuff, things you wouldn't think of having those low frequencies...cuz they do have a little bit and they all add up, which will make things sound muddy.

and keep in mind, you don't HAVE to put a compressor or an eq or whatever else on a sound. i mean, you can try it of course but if it's not helping, then don't do X, Y, or Z because you think you should, do it because it makes the shyt sound better...cuz when you're mixing, that's really what matters.

So, to make sure I understand correctly, I should high pass everything except for bass, kicks, etc.. and work from there?

 

[ItWasWritten]

Yeah, Everything about the Slate VTM has been good. I might have to cop, cause I can't seem to find it online.

Yeah the slate plugins require an Ilok thats why you can't find it...

So, to make sure I understand correctly, I should high pass everything except for bass, kicks, etc.. and work from there?

Yeah, what you are doing is timing the unnecessary fat. 100hz is usually where i filter everything out.

A filter is most likely always going to be the first tool you use.

 

[1/2OfDaBruinz]

Yeah the slate plugins require an Ilok thats why you can't find it...


Yeah, what you are doing is timing the unnecessary fat. 100hz is usually where i filter everything out.

A filter is most likely always going to be the first tool you use.

Slate really messing with my pirating game. I just got back from Guitar Center too, I would have scooped it up. I got it now on the HPF. I'm about to put the Maschine down for a sec and focus solely on getting my mixing skills up for a while.

 

[Mr Rager]

In