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Lack of power in sounds !
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Conny
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
224
Posts :
149
Posted : Jun 24, 2007 17:44
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Hi i wonder why my mixes lack power, is it important to have as high volume as possible in the mixer ? Or should i use distortion or compression to my sounds to make the instruments appear stronger ? |
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Boobytrip
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
988
Posted : Jun 24, 2007 23:29
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It depends on what you mean with power, but if you want to hear each element in your track it's a good idea to start with a good arrangement, with little instruments fighting for attention in the same frequency range and/or at the same time. Using a spectral analyzer can help you with learing where sounds are in the frequency spectrum. Choosing the sounds and tweaking them to perfection before applying any effects also often leads to better results. When mixing down your track would say that it's a good idea to start by separating elements and avoiding masking by using panning and eq first and then maybe use compression or gentle distortion, unless distortion is an integral part of your sounds of course. Instuments that don't need low end often benefit from some high-pass filtering to cut off the lows that are interfering with your kick, bass and other low-end dwellers. Also pay extra attention to the frequency range between approximately 150 and 400 Hz, because a lot of instruments contain information there and adding up their signals can make the mix sound muddy. Looking at the final wave file and scanning it for large unwanted peaks can help you locate instruments that need some peak limiting or compression as well. Also compare your track with well-produced commercial tracks to hear if your sound balance is okay, pay speacial attention to the balance of highs and lows and look out for unwanted peaks or dips in the frequency spectrum, again using your ears and a spectral analyzer.
Hope this helps.
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Elad
Tsabeat/Sattel Battle
Started Topics :
158
Posts :
5306
Posted : Jun 25, 2007 03:27
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you ask a question and answer yourself mate.. 
yes - sometimes simple compression / distortion / reverb will make sound to apear as bigger then the "room" they take in the mix , therefor stronger mix achived 
for the so beloved ultra-mega-over limiting most of us use today , the frequency seperation is getting more important..
but dont run after the loudest mix , make it peak at -5 db up to -1db , then proffesional mastering should make the loudness and the rest of the magic , or fast limiting for home use is great mostly if not overdone. www.sattelbattle.com
http://yoavweinberg.weebly.com/ |
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Patient 957
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
23
Posted : Jun 25, 2007 05:53
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http://www.recordingeq.com/Subscribe/tip/tascam.htm
This gives a nice breakdown of where many different instruments sit within the spectrum and which ranges you should scan and tweak in order to bring fuller sounds to the overall mix.
Hope this helps!
Jim |
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