Midnight Sun
ProtoDrive
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Posted : Sep 26, 2013 02:42
My best mixing tip (in case of trance music) is starting mixing with the kick at -12dB.
ProtoDrive https://soundcloud.com/protodrive
frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Sep 26, 2013 03:43
if you think about the sounds right, half the work is done: where you place them in terms of frequency (everything from note played to filter action...), stereo image and movement is key for a great song and mix. the important thing is - I think - that you learn how to think about your arrangement by mixing, and you learn about mixing by doing mastering, if that even makes any sense! information flows backwards, I guess. the balance also comes from the choice of sounds, so, if you need to cut a sound to much, if you need to make it sound a lot different with EQ to be able to place it in the mix, it's probably not the best sound to use! cheerios
Grevinsky
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 13, 2014 23:49
Ill rebump this thread with some good tips.
This one is simple but very usefull.
Using return channels to enrichen sounds and enhance frequency´s and color to sounds.
Example.
For the main climax on the tune i want my lead to stand out and have extra power and cut through bit better.
I create a return channel, with lets say a compressor, a distortion unit and a eq and boost the properties i want.
Its a nice way to add some crunch/freq/power or whatever since you can put whatever you want on the returns. Easy to control amount and you dont squash the whole sound.
Another tip:
Identify whats going on in the different parts in the mix and in the parts, have in mind the different freq spectra of the sounds you use and how they will interfere with eachother. Having same amount of low freq on a sound the whole track might not be a good idea if you later on have ex a lead which is heavy in te lows. Therefore EQ Automation can be very useful to get a fat and rich mix.
And dont forget to use your stereofield
.
http://soundcloud.com/mechanical_species
PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 14, 2014 02:40
not really a tips bu can be usefull..when you high pass a sound like a bassline.. the phase shift ,change in waveform can make all your dynamic processing behave and sound differently..compressor, saturator...can be usefull to check if it sound better to hp post these processor.. it can sound more natural .
E-KL!PSE
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 14, 2014 04:23
Most important "trick" to learn is workflow.
Getting things done quickly creates less creative blocks and brick walls.
One of the most important things I do in every session is to have every channel setup this way.
> Gain or Trim Plugin
> Parametric EQ
> Compressor
I set the gain plugin so that the peaks hit around -18dB FS (Full Scale). This is similar to how analogue consoles are running levels when hitting 0 dB on a VU Meter.
This creates a ton of headroom so much that you don't even need to consider worrying about clipping the master.
The EQ and Compressors are turned off until they are actually used but just gives that immediacy so you can work quickly when your in the flow.
TimeTraveller
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 14, 2014 10:42
if you have a desc or a nice controler to move eqs and channels etc you could try this method. Mix without looking on the screen. Even better : mix blind.
https://soundcloud.com/shivagarden
wirakocha
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 15, 2014 22:57
the art of mixing you need three kind of reverbs
one short and shine
second medium (chamber)
third large it could be a sidechain verb
fourth a echo i use sound toys space echo
fifth a pp delay
i was learning some concepts from this video tutorial
-=Mandari=-
Mandari
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Posted : Nov 16, 2014 14:29
i second the blind mix.... with fresh ears. i.e. at least a day off.
second the reverb thingy too, its a great way to add presence an shine to your mix, n bringing things together. i´d apply a stereo tool too n spread dfferently on each.
depending, busy mixes benefit heavily of gain or fader rides!
routingwithin
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 18, 2014 11:34
Stereo plays a huge role when mixing your instruments. If we look at the K&B- both requires mid and sometimes high frequencies for it to be audible.
When the leads come in it usually interferes with the mids of the k&b making it less prominent.
For me.. K&B is the bloodflow, running right in the middle of the mix. Every other element is panned, even if its just like 5-10 L&R. This ensures the main elements to keep shining through till the end.
With Leads I usually duplicate it, make minor changes to each one- and pan one 100%L, the other 100%R to give a wider sound- while the K&B holds everything together.
Try keeping every element complimentary to the Kick. This ensures the solidness of the track, with everything creating one movement together.
I agree with the different types of reverbs like wirakocha said, giving more virtual space for all.
cheers
" We are together in this matter you and I, closer to death, yes, closer than i'd like. How do you feel? - There can be no division in our actions, or everything is lost. What affects you affects me. "
frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 18, 2014 12:22
^if you double every lead like that, you'll have a hugely wide sound - and that's not always necessary nor good.
you've mentioned panning: panning automation, even within a synth, with an lfo controlling panning, can help place some sound inside a mix, out of conflict with others...
I think what you say above has to be balanced with an idea of contrast: the mix should breath, be more contained (to the sides) on some parts and more open/wide on others. a lead on the centre can hold the attention of the listener while some other sounds are exciting and enhancing this more to the sides.
Then, as for the different kind of reverbs... Just make sure it sounds consistent all across. Cheers
PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Nov 18, 2014 12:36
about reverbs i would say don't use send , almost never use send...each sound will benefit from special reverb tweaking (except maybe the sounds that don't matter much...) ...if u use send you will never have the best verb tweaks for each sound..reverb need to be tweaked depending the source to get best sound this can make a big difference in your mix..now that cpu use is less of a issue .reverb send are quite limiting to build a virtual space unless u use many of them then it s the same as not using them
frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 18, 2014 15:20
^I actually don't quite agree with this... I think that if you take the time to define a good space with accurate reverb settings, then a global sense of space is easily achieved with the use of an auxiliary channel with a full wet reverb on it. while, imo, the use of different reverb settings for each sound will produce an inconsistent picture.
mixing is about making things share a same space, making things sound good together. as with a band, playing in some concert hall. every single element is placed within this space, so part of the cohesion comes from there.
not saying that it's wrong to use a dedicated reverb for a snare or something. but, an auxiliary channel with a reverb and the send/return approach is good, 'cause in all rooms some things reverberate more then others, so this element of control along with thought out settings for this space, can help inject a touch of liveliness and cohesion to the mix.
frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 18, 2014 15:32
but of course you can have different settings relative to the same space. you can make a sound seem incredibly close or far away, just by changing the reverb settings.
so one way to go would be: you can have more then one auxiliary channel in there. and many, many people do! but when doing so, be sure that this different settings seem to speak of the same space or at least that there's harmony between the different settings - since no one's going to throw a can to you claiming that they've spotted a 5m difference in the reverberation of two sounds in a mix... But remember, even though our ears can't pin point this kind of stuff to this degree of certainty, cohesion and harmony are things one can easily recognise in a mix.
Or... Who says one mix should be like some simulator? Who says the rules of physics can't be broken? Again, counter balance this idea with the notion of contrast. If everything is flying everywhere all the time, then no single thing is going to pick much attention, while if everything is on some space then suddenly something bursts out of it, now that's a real treat, right?
Cheers
routingwithin
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Nov 18, 2014 16:32
I wouldn't say every lead 100%L&R. Play it by ear, the sound usually fits somewhere,, where its most comfortable and flowing with the mix.
don't really like panning automation, it can cause the stereo to sound out of focus, depending on the speed of the automation. Slower would be better.
On the reverbs.. it's really up to the producer- what works,, works. However I do agree that sends is the way I would go, like FH said about the global sense. It also links to the old saying: keep it simple..
A few reverb sends would be enough to achieve an acceptable effect, having different sends amount also gives enough variety.
Individual reverb would be used when u want to automate parameters, cause u don't want to go changing the sends- thats linked to the rest of the track..
" We are together in this matter you and I, closer to death, yes, closer than i'd like. How do you feel? - There can be no division in our actions, or everything is lost. What affects you affects me. "
