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Category: Mixing

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What no one tells you about mixing in mono

what no one tells you about mixing in mono

Mixing in mono is a technique often overlooked by many in the music production world. While it may sound like a simple process of converting your stereo mix into a mono one, it’s much more than that. Mixing in mono can be a game-changer for achieving a well-balanced and professional sound in your music. When mixing in mono it’s not just about the translation of your mix on a mono device. It’s more about to achieve a clean mix in general. When you switch to mono on your monitoring chain you can instantly find the spots where frequencies of different instruments are overlapping and canceling each other out. Let’s dive into why it matters and how it can transform your mixing skills.

Watch “What no one tells you about mixing in mono” on YouTube:

what no one tells you about mixing in mono
what no one tells you about mixing in mono

1. Beyond Mono Playback Devices

The first misconception about mixing in mono is that it’s only about ensuring your music sounds good on mono playback devices. While this is an essential aspect, the benefits of mixing in mono extend far beyond this. It helps you identify and resolve issues related to frequency overlap, phase cancellation, and muddiness, which ultimately improve the mix’s quality regardless of the playback system.

2. Uncovering Frequency Overlaps

One of the significant advantages of mixing in mono is its ability to reveal frequency conflicts that are often masked in stereo listening. In stereo, the spatial separation can hide the fact that different elements of your mix may be competing for the same frequency range. Mixing in mono forces you to confront these issues head-on, leading to a cleaner and more defined sound.

3. Cleaning Up Your Mix

Mixing in mono compels you to pay closer attention to individual tracks and their sonic characteristics. You’ll find yourself making precise EQ adjustments and addressing issues like excessive reverb or delayed signals that can be more pronounced in mono. This meticulous approach leads to a cleaner mix with each element having its own space in the frequency spectrum.

4. Improved Separation Between Elements

The ultimate goal of mixing in mono is to achieve a high level of separation between each element in your mix. As you address frequency conflicts and clean up your mix, instruments and vocals can be heard distinctly, creating a sense of clarity and transparency. This separation is crucial for every element to shine and contribute to the overall sonic picture.

5. Better Mix Translation

Mixing in mono also enhances the translation of your mix across various playback systems. Since mono compatibility is ensured, you can be confident that your mix will sound good on mono devices while still maintaining its quality on stereo systems. This is essential for reaching a broader audience and ensuring your music sounds great everywhere.

By the way:

In this blog article we are talking about switching to mono in your monitoring chain. It’s often useful to use different filters in your monitoring chain. This way you can not only switch to mono, you can also simulate different listening devices such as small speakers, cars oder bluetooth speakers. A great tool to simulate different listening environments is Sonarworks ID Reference. Next to that it is a great tool to calibrate your monitors or headphones. If you would like to find out more, hit the following link:

US: Sonarworks ID Reference

EU: Sonarworks ID Reference

To read more about calibrating your monitors with a corrective EQ click here to find our dedicated blog article.

Conclusion

In the world of audio production, the importance of mixing in mono cannot be overstated. It’s not just about making your music suitable for mono playback devices; it’s a powerful technique for addressing frequency conflicts, cleaning up your mix, and achieving a remarkable separation between elements. By integrating mixing in mono into your workflow, you can elevate the quality of your music productions and create mixes that truly stand out in the crowded music industry. Don’t let this valuable technique remain a secret any longer—start mixing in mono today and unlock its full potential.

SLS Compression Cheat Sheet
SLS Compression Cheat Sheet

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SLS General EQing Cheat Sheet
https://youtu.be/p8WQ5HKcrog
What no one tells you about mixing in mono

Recent Articles:

  • From Novice to Pro: Navigating the World of Home Recording for Audio Engineers
    Embarking on the journey of home recording brings both excitement and a wealth of opportunities. This comprehensive guide takes you from the very basics to mastering advanced techniques. Whether you’re a novice eager to learn or a seasoned engineer seeking to refine your skills, our aim is to empower you with knowledge and tools that propel you toward success in the world of home recording.
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Easy way to record electric guitars

Easy way to record electric guitars

There is an easy way to record electric guitars these days. Yes, you can record the signal from your electric guitar directly to your audio interface and you don’t necessarily need to set up an amp with a cabinet and a lot of mics to get good sounding guitar recordings. All you need is some additional processing in the box to make your recordings sound really good. In the following article we are going to dive a little deeper into this.

Recording electric guitars traditionally involves miking up amplifiers and cabinets to capture the desired tone. However, this process can be cumbersome, especially for home studios with limited space or those seeking a more streamlined workflow. Fortunately, there is an easy way to record electric guitars – using amp simulations and impulse responses.

Choosing the Right Amp Simulation and Impulse Response

Amp simulations replicate the sound of real amplifiers and can be inserted directly into your recording software. Impulse responses (IRs), on the other hand, capture the unique sonic characteristics of guitar cabinets and rooms, allowing you to add realistic ambience to your recordings. Begin by selecting an amp simulation and IRs that complement your musical style. Many software plugins offer a wide range of options, from classic tube amps to modern high-gain stacks.

Setting Up Your DAW

After installing your chosen amp simulation and IR plugins, it’s time to set up your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Create a new audio track and insert the amp simulation plugin. This virtual amp will serve as your primary tone-shaping tool. Then, add another track and insert the IR plugin. This track will blend the direct guitar signal with the sonic characteristics of a cabinet and room.

Direct Signal Recording

Connect your electric guitar directly to your audio interface using a high-quality instrument cable. This direct signal eliminates the need for microphones and physical amplifiers. Adjust the input gain on your interface to ensure a clean and distortion-free signal. With amp simulations, you have the freedom to experiment with various amp models, tweak settings, and find the perfect tone for your track.

Adding Realism with Impulse Responses

To enhance the realism of your recorded guitar sound, insert the IR plugin on the corresponding track. Impulse responses can emulate the acoustics of different spaces, from tight studios to vast concert halls. Blend the direct signal and the IR-processed signal to achieve a balanced and three-dimensional guitar sound. Adjust the mix until you’re satisfied with the sonic character and spatial depth.

Fine-Tuning and Mixing

Once you’ve dialed in the desired tone using the amp simulation and impulse response, it’s time to fine-tune your mix. Apply any necessary equalization, compression, and effects to shape the guitar’s place in the overall mix. Since you’re working with direct signals and virtual processing, you have the flexibility to make adjustments without being locked into a specific room or microphone placement.

Using Plugins

There is a huge amount of plugin you can choose from and especially for beginners it’s quite difficult to figure out where to start. First of all most DAW’s these days are equipped with a lot of professional sounding plugins. You can go through them first and find plugins you could work with and start to learn to to use them properly.

The next stop could be the huge library from waves.com. They have tons of really good plugins with all kind of effects even the pro’s in the audio world use a lot. Hit the following link to take a look at the waves library:

Go to waves.com

Try to develop your own sound

It helps a lot trying to copy vocal effects from established productions. This gives you a great feeling on how dial in specific effects. But as soon as you feel comfortable with vocal effects you should start to experiment with them. go beyond the borders and try stuff that is actually ‘wrong’ from a technical perspective but sound good. Trust your ears: when it sounds good – it is good. If you would like to dive deeper into creating your own signature sound our free signature sound cheat sheet could be a good help.

Download you free copy of our signature sound cheat sheet here

Conclusion

Recording electric guitars with just a direct signal into your interface and utilizing amp simulations and impulse responses is an easy and efficient method to achieve professional-quality results. By sidestepping the need for physical amplifiers and cabinets, you can focus on crafting the perfect tone and mix, all within the confines of your digital workspace. Embrace this modern approach, and you’ll be well on your way to creating outstanding guitar tracks that stand out in any production.

Recent Articles:

  • From Novice to Pro: Navigating the World of Home Recording for Audio Engineers
    Embarking on the journey of home recording brings both excitement and a wealth of opportunities. This comprehensive guide takes you from the very basics to mastering advanced techniques. Whether you’re a novice eager to learn or a seasoned engineer seeking to refine your skills, our aim is to empower you with knowledge and tools that propel you toward success in the world of home recording.
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How to make vocals interesting through adding effects like reverbs and delays

How to make vocals interesting
https://youtu.be/n1EE6Eiuq6o
This is about how to make vocals interesting

How to make vocals interesting

The most obvious way to make vocals interesting is adding some kind of atmosphere through effects like reverbs and delays. Both effects can have a huge impact and influences the overall sound of the vocals. Further you can add more specific effects to widen vocals in the stereo panorama or add some kind of autotune / pitch correction effects. In the following article we are going to dive a little deeper into this.

In the world of music production, audio engineers are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, orchestrating the magic that transforms a raw vocal recording into an enthralling sonic masterpiece. Through the careful integration of effects like delays, reverbs, and autotune, these professionals add depth, dimension, and character to vocals that capture listeners’ hearts. Discover now how to make vocals interesting. In this article, we’ll dive into the techniques employed by audio engineers to craft captivating vocal performances that resonate with audiences.

Short overview on possible vocal effects

  1. Delays and Echoes

Delays are an essential tool in an audio engineer’s arsenal, allowing them to manipulate the perception of time within a track. By introducing controlled delays and echoes, engineers create a sense of space and dimension around the vocals. Short delays add subtle thickness to the sound, while longer delays create a spacious, dreamy atmosphere. The careful adjustment of delay time, feedback, and wet/dry mix ensures that the effect complements the song’s mood and tempo.

  1. Reverbs

Reverb is the secret ingredient that breathes life into vocals, simulating the natural acoustics of different environments. From a tight, intimate room to a vast cathedral, reverb choices influence the emotional impact of a song. Audio engineers tweak parameters like decay time, pre-delay, and diffusion to strike the right balance between a singer’s presence and the sense of immersion. The art lies in choosing the appropriate reverb type and tailoring its characteristics to fit the vocal’s context in the mix.

  1. Pitch-Perfecting: Autotune

Autotune, often both praised and criticized, is a tool that audio engineers employ to fine-tune vocal pitch. Beyond correcting off-key notes, skilled engineers use autotune creatively, intentionally introducing subtle pitch modulation for an artistic effect. This lends a natural, human touch to the performance, enhancing its emotional resonance without compromising authenticity.

  1. Compression

Compression is the secret sauce that ensures a vocal track sits perfectly in the mix. It smoothens out volume discrepancies, enhancing vocal consistency and intelligibility. By adjusting parameters such as attack, release, ratio, and threshold, audio engineers sculpt the dynamics of the vocal performance, allowing it to cut through the arrangement while maintaining a natural and dynamic feel.

  1. Chorus and Flanger

Chorus and flanger effects are like the painters’ brushes of audio engineering. These modulation effects add dimension and texture to vocals, creating a sense of movement that captivates listeners’ attention. Chorus spreads the vocal sound, emulating multiple voices, while flanger imparts a distinct sweeping sensation. Skillful manipulation of these effects contributes to a richer, more immersive vocal texture.

Using Plugins

There is a huge amount of plugin you can choose from and especially for beginners it’s quite difficult to figure out where to start. First of all most DAW’s these days are equipped with a lot of professional sounding plugins. You can go through them first and find plugins you could work with and start to learn to to use them properly.

The next stop could be the huge library from waves.com. They have tons of really good plugins with all kind of effects even the pro’s in the audio world use a lot. Hit the following link to take a look at the waves library:

Go to waves.com

Try to develop your own sound

It helps a lot trying to copy vocal effects from established productions. This gives you a great feeling on how dial in specific effects. But as soon as you feel comfortable with vocal effects you should start to experiment with them. go beyond the borders and try stuff that is actually ‘wrong’ from a technical perspective but sound good. Trust your ears: when it sounds good – it is good. If you would like to dive deeper into creating your own signature sound our free signature sound cheat sheet could be a good help.

Download you free copy of our signature sound cheat sheet here

Conclusion

In the intricate world of music production, audio engineers are the architects of emotion, sculpting vocals into captivating sonic landscapes through the use of delays, reverbs, autotune, and an array of other effects. Their craft isn’t just about technical mastery—it’s a blend of creativity, artistry, and technical know-how that transforms a simple vocal recording into an unforgettable auditory experience. So, the next time you find yourself lost in the spellbinding magic of a song, remember the audio engineers who worked tirelessly to make those vocals come alive in ways you can feel.

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Mastering the Art of Mixing: A Guide to Achieving a Balanced Mix

In the world of music production, achieving a balanced mix is the holy grail. A balanced mix ensures that every instrument, vocal, and sound effect shines through harmoniously, creating a professional-grade sonic experience. In this guide, we’ll delve into the most common question asked by budding audio engineers and producers: “How do I achieve a balanced mix?” Let’s explore the key techniques and insights that will empower you to take your mixing skills to the next level.

1. EQ Mastery: Carving Out Space

Equalization (EQ) is your secret weapon for creating a balanced mix. By strategically adjusting frequencies, you can give each element its own sonic space. Tackle frequency clashes head-on by cutting or boosting specific bands to create clarity and separation.

Plugin Recommendation: When it’s about surgical EQing our go to EQ Plugin is the Fabfilter Pro Q3. It’s not the cheapest one but it’s absolutely versatile. It allows mid-side eqing, dynamic filters and even matching different sound sources what makes it a great plugin for comparing your track with a reference.

Find the Fabfilter Pro Q3 here

A free alternative to this plugin is the TDR Nova. A little less options but for free.

2. Panning: Sculpting the Stereo Field

Panning is like painting with sound. It involves placing instruments across the stereo spectrum to give the mix depth and width. Experiment with panning to allow each instrument to breathe and find its place within the sonic landscape. When you’re not that experienced with mixing try to stick with the L-C-R panning method at the beginning. L-C-R means Left-Center-Right, you place elements either 100% left, 100% right or in the center and not in between.

When talking about “Achieving a Balanced Mix Techniques” it’s another very important step, to check your mixes in mono. In stereo you can place elements physically apart from each other but when you collapse the whole mix to mono you learn the spaces you need to carve out with EQ’s. When elements that are separated left and right are stacked on top of each other when collapsed to mono you can hear where they are fighting each other and in what frequency ranges you need to makes some more space. You’ll wonder what a difference it makes when switching back to stereo again.

3. The Art of Compression

Compression is all about controlling dynamics. By applying the right amount of compression to individual tracks, you can even out volume levels and bring out subtle nuances. This is crucial for maintaining a consistent and balanced mix. Our ears are used to heavy compressed mixes these days but compressing too much makes it hard to listen to a complete song it makes it unnatural and your ears will get tired of it. On the other hand compression is a really versatile tool not just about dynamics but also about depth for example or coloration and saturation. Experiment with different compressor settings. Don’t be afraid of compressing too much. You have to make these mistakes to really find out what too much compression means. The earlier you learn that the better for your next mixes.

4. Adding Depth with Reverb and Effects

Reverb, delay, and other effects add a sense of space and depth to your mix. Properly applying these effects can create a cohesive environment where each element fits seamlessly, contributing to the overall balance.

5. Striking the Perfect Volume Balance

Balancing volume levels is a core element of mixing. Ensure that no instrument overwhelms the others. A balanced mix allows listeners to appreciate each component without strain.

6. Tackling Frequency Clashes

Frequency clashes occur when multiple elements compete for the same sonic space. Use techniques like EQ and panning to address these clashes and allow each instrument to be heard clearly.

7. Leveraging Reference Tracks

Reference tracks are your compass in the mixing process. Compare your mix to professionally mixed tracks in a similar genre to ensure that your balance is on point across various playback systems.

8. The Science of Monitor Calibration

Accurate monitoring is essential. Calibrate your studio monitors to ensure that what you’re hearing accurately represents your mix, helping you make informed decisions.

9. Crafting Arrangements for Mixing

Consider how your arrangement impacts the mix. Thoughtful arrangement decisions set the stage for a balanced mix. Leave room for each element to shine without overcrowding the sonic landscape.

10. Dynamic Automation

Automation breathes life into your mix. Use it to adjust parameters over time, adding movement and dynamics to your track while maintaining the delicate balance you’ve crafted.

11. Mastering vs. Mixing: Knowing the Difference

Understand the distinction between mixing and mastering. While mixing focuses on individual track balance, mastering polishes the overall mix for a final, professional sound.

Conclusion:

The quest for a balanced mix is both an art and a science. As you master the techniques mentioned in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to achieve the perfect equilibrium between all elements of your production. Remember that practice makes perfect, and with dedication, your mixing skills will continue to evolve, producing remarkable, balanced mixes that captivate listeners and stand the test of time. The next step would be to create your unique signature sound. Click here to download our Free Signature Sound Cheat Sheet to find out how to develop your own individual sound.

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From Novice to Pro: Navigating the World of Home Recording for Audio Engineers

Embarking on a journey in home recording is an exciting endeavor that opens up a world of possibilities for audio engineers of all skill levels from novice to pro. Whether you’re taking your first steps or looking to elevate your expertise, this guide will serve as your compass through the intricate landscape of home recording. With clear and straightforward insights, we’ll navigate through essential concepts, gear recommendations, and practical techniques to help you transition from a novice to pro audio engineer.

The Foundation: Understanding Home Recording Basics

Before diving into the technical intricacies, let’s establish a solid foundation. Explore the purpose of home recording, the significance of capturing high-quality audio, and how it fits into the broader world of audio engineering.

Essential Gear for Your Home Recording Studio

Creating a functional home recording studio doesn’t require a multitude of equipment. Discover the key essentials that form the core of your setup. From microphones and headphones to audio interfaces and digital audio workstations (DAWs), we’ll guide you through smart gear choices that align with your goals.

When it comes to DAWs there is no good or bad anymore. It’s just about personal preferences and needs. When there is an audible difference between modern DAWs it does not play a significant role in the whole process. There are some kind of genre related industry standards. Or it’s more about engineers who are working with a lot of physical recorded stuff tend to use another DAW than engineers who do a lot of electronic / digital production.

Talking for myself: I’m a cubase user since my first hour. As a teenager I made a couple recordings during the guitar lessons. Starting out with an analog 8-track tape recorder we started with a very early cubase version. This happend during the 90’s. Since then I stuck to cubase for a comfort reason.

You can start with a cubase version like this (click here) and upgrade with your needs. Or you could try reaper. It’s a very good DAW and because of it’s an open source project it’s available at a cheap description model: Try reaper here.

Demystifying Acoustics and Room Treatment

Understanding acoustics is pivotal to achieving pristine sound recordings. Delve into the basics of sound waves, reflections, and resonances. Learn how to optimize your recording environment with simple and cost-effective room treatment solutions. Room treatment is important for multiple reasons but at the same time not too important at all. It’s almost more important to really know your room and it’s sonic behaviors. It really helps to listen to music a lot at the place you want to mix music. What also helps a lot is to measure your room. Take a look at the measurements and try to listen for the result when you just listen to music.

Recording Techniques for Every Situation

Recording different instruments and vocals demands versatile techniques. Explore step-by-step guides for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, electric guitars, and more. Gain the confidence to tackle any recording scenario and capture the essence of each performance.

Elevating Your Mix: Introduction to Mixing and Editing

Step into the world of mixing and editing with a beginner-friendly approach. Uncover the art of EQ adjustments, dynamic processing, and panning. Learn to edit audio clips, remove imperfections, and create seamless transitions. There are really a lot of possibilities in the modern world of audio production. It’s a big advantage of the digital age but can also be big disadvantage at the same time. Having too many possibilities can actually lead to lack of creativity. Limiting your digital toolbox helps to make creative decisions. It’s the same about timing and pitch editing. These days we can easily make vocals technically perfect, but technically perfect doesn’t sound natural and does not transport emotions very well. It might be necessary to edit vocals pitch and timing wise but making them perfect can be contra productive. Same when it’s about drums. Slightly off timing might give the whole performance some kind of a human touch every ow and then. It’s about finding the right amount that fits the song you’re working on.

The Art of Polishing: Mastering Your Recordings

Mastering adds the final touch to your recordings, ensuring they sound consistent and professional across different platforms. Explore the basics of mastering, from maximizing loudness to finalizing the track order for an album or EP release.

Troubleshooting and Optimizing Your Home Recordings

As you progress, challenges may arise. Learn to troubleshoot common issues like background noise, phase problems, and clipping. Discover optimization techniques to streamline your workflow and enhance your productivity. Keep in mind that’s not all about right’s and wrong’s or technical do’s and don’ts. It’s still art, we are producing music. Trust your ears, train your ears and develop your own style. Learn about the industry standards but see them as a kind of frame you can really be creative within. Download our Free Signature Sound Cheat Sheet here to learn more about some steps that might help you creating your own individual style.


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Creating Studio-Quality Sound at Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Audio Engineers

The dream of achieving studio-quality sound right from the comfort of your home is now a reality for audio engineers. With advancements in technology and a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, creating impeccable recordings in your bedroom studio has never been more attainable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through a step-by-step journey to help you craft studio-grade soundscapes that rival professional recording studios.

The Fundamentals of Sound Quality

Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s essential to understand the core principles of sound quality. Explore concepts like frequency, amplitude, and dynamic range. Learn how these elements interact to shape the sonic character of your recordings. You don’t necessarily have to study audio engineering at an dedicated school. You can also learn the basic yourself due to YouTube tutorials for example. But you need any kind of system and some basic fundamentals about sound processing, sonic behaviors and such to really understand what you are actually doing.

Building a Budget-Friendly Home Recording Setup

Creating a high-quality home recording setup doesn’t necessarily require breaking the bank. Discover cost-effective alternatives for microphones, audio interfaces, and other essential equipment. Uncover strategies to make the most of your budget while still achieving exceptional results.

Our recommendations when it comes to audio interfaces is the Steinberg series. One of it’s benefits is that it has Digital Sound Processors (DSP’s) build in. This helps you at recording because the Interface DSP’s handele Plugins without latency. The size of the interface you need depends on what you are about to do it with it. How many mics you’d like to record simultaneously or how many outboard gear you’d like to run later on. Just a little side-note: plan bigger than you might think you need. We all grow and with that our needs get bigger. Click here to learn more about the Steinberg Interfaces.

Recording Techniques for Crystal-Clear Audio

Effective recording techniques are at the heart of capturing pristine audio. Delve into microphone placement techniques for various instruments and vocal recordings. Understand the significance of proper gain staging and how it affects the clarity of your recordings.

Mixing and Mastering Like a Pro

Take your recordings to the next level by mastering the art of mixing and mastering. Explore techniques for EQ, compression, panning, and more to create a balanced and immersive mix. Learn the intricacies of mastering to ensure your tracks sound polished and consistent across different playback systems.

But keep in mind: producing music is an art form. It’s not only about technicalities or right and wrong. It’s about music. Try to develop your own signature sound. Click here to learn how to develop your own signature sound.

Troubleshooting Common Sound Issues

Even the most skilled audio engineers encounter challenges along the way. This section will help you troubleshoot common sound issues such as background noise, phase cancellation, and unwanted resonances. Equip yourself with problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and achieve top-notch recordings.

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Mastering the Art of Home Recording: Essential Tips for Audio Engineers

Recording Acoustic Guitar

In the dynamic world of audio engineering, the ability to create professional-quality recordings from the comfort of your own home has become more accessible than ever. Whether you’re an aspiring audio engineer or a seasoned pro, mastering the art of home recording is a valuable skill that can take your musical creations to new heights. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into essential tips and techniques that will empower you to achieve outstanding results right from your bedroom studio.

Setting Up Your Home Studio for Success

When it comes to home recording, the right setup can make all the difference. Start by designating a dedicated space for your studio, ensuring minimal external noise and distractions. Invest in ergonomic furniture and acoustic treatment to create an environment conducive to creativity and precision.

Choosing the Right Microphones and Monitors

Selecting the appropriate microphones and monitors is key to capturing and reproducing high-quality audio. Research different microphone types and polar patterns to match your recording needs. Additionally, invest in reliable studio monitors that provide accurate sound representation, aiding in precise mixing and editing.

Talking about Monitors: at our studio we trust our Yamaha HS 5, these are great monitors for smaller rooms. As soon as you learned to know them by simply listening to music you know at your mixing place, they will help you very well identifying problems or making your mix translate to other listening situations.

Yamaha HS 5 Studio Monitors

Click here to grab your studio monitors at musicstore

Understanding Acoustics and Soundproofing

Acoustic treatment plays a pivotal role in achieving professional sound quality. Learn about sound reflection, absorption, and diffusion to optimize your room’s acoustics. Implement soundproofing techniques to prevent unwanted noise from entering or leaving your studio, ensuring clean recordings.

Mastering Mixing and Editing Techniques

Home recording isn’t just about capturing audio; it’s about shaping and refining it during the mixing and editing stages. Dive into the world of EQ, compression, and reverb to balance and enhance your recordings. Explore editing tools to remove imperfections and create polished tracks.

By the way: if you are interested in learning more about mixing techniques, next to our blog, you can find some in depth tutorials at our YouTube Channel

Leveraging Virtual Instruments and Plugins

Maximize your creative potential by integrating virtual instruments and plugins into your recordings. These tools offer a wide array of sounds and effects that can elevate your productions. Learn how to use virtual instruments to compose music and enhance your tracks with versatile plugins.

As I started out I was overwhelmed about all that offers you can find online about plugins and such. I could not decide which ones I need, how much money to spend on them etc. For you to help: you can start with waves plugins. They have a huge amount of professional plugins for absolutely fair prices. Click here to check out some waves plugins.

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How to find a good starting point for the vocal volume

After we went through some point to find a good bass volume in the previous blog article / video, we are heading over to find a good starting point for the vocal volume right now.

Hit the following link just in case you missed the previous blog post / video:

How to find a good starting point for the bass volume

Vocal Volume – where to start

First of all make sure your vocals are a little more consistent when it comes to dynamics. Even when we are in the static mix phase right now get rid of some unwanted frequencies in your vocal tracks and make sure the wanted frequencies are audible. After that compress your vocals a little do get some control about the dynamics. When your vocals are reasonably stable and not jumping up and down in volume too much, you can get over to the next step.

Just a quick reminder: this is not about finally polishing your vocals, this is just about finding a good starting point. So don’t play around with that too much. Just make quick decisions that feel good to you.

Vocal fader down

Now turn down your vocal fader. After that bring down your monitoring volume that much, that you can barely hear the snare drum and the most important parts of the song so far.

Now you are ready to bring up the vocals again. Listen for the snare drum compared to the overall vocal level. You want to bring up the vocals so far that they are just about the same level like the snare drum. But even when your monitoring volume is that quiet your snare and the vocals should not compete each other. Both should be about the same level but the snare drum should not distract you from listening to the vocals.

If so, you can bring up the monitoring volume again to your normal level. Now your vocals should have a good place to be in the mix as your starting point. The vocals should be audible right in the mix, not on top and it should not compete with the snare or any other element.

And that’s it

If you have followed these steps from the blog posts / videos, you should now have a rough drum mix, a proper starting point for your bass and now also a good starting point for your vocal volume.

Important: check these balances all the time through further mixing. Every step you do next, might also affect these balances. For example when you add some saturation to your vocals it might make them a significant amount louder. Same thing when you compress your bass mix bus to make it even more consistent for example. It might bring up the bass volume.

But keep also in mind: these are just ideas for the starting point. When you have dialed in your vocal volume like I’ve explained above and it doesn’t feel right for you and that particular song because the vocals seems to be very quiet, go for it ant make them louder. Trust your ears and not what you someone else might tell you, even when it’s me 🙂

Vocal Volume YouTube Video

Bass Volume YouTube Video

Sheps Omni Channel 2 for vocal volume

In the video I’ve used the Sheps Omni Channel 2 Plugin for my goto channel strip plugin to quickly dial in an EQ and a Compressor for the vocals. If you want to try the Sheps Omni Channel, you can find it here at waves.com

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How to find a good starting point for the bass volume

How to find a good starting point for the bass volume

One of the most important parts of mixing is setting up a really good rough / static mix right at the beginning. But sometimes it’s not that easy to find the right balances. Especially the bass volume can be hard to place right.

Here is a simple method to find a good starting point for the bass. The trick is so et up the kick and the bass in a way that they add up together about 3db.

And here is how to to it:

Do the drums first

Start with the drums and do a quick rough mix just for the drums. Set up a dedicated drums mix bus and keep in mind to not exceed -14 db on the drums mix bus to leave enough head room for the actual mixing.

Double the bass

The next step is to double the bass track and set up another mix bus for both bass tracks. One of the bass tracks is just for the low end so you need to set up low pass / high cut filter at the frequency that is about the double frequency of the fundamental root note. Let’s say your fundamental root note is at about 49 hz, you need to set up the low pass / high cut filter at about 100 hz. You need to do the opposite thing at the other bass track for the high end.

Set up a low cut / high pass filter for the high bass track at 100 hz too. Choose steep flanks for both filters, something about 24db/octave.

splitting the bass onto to tracks. One for the low end and one for the high frequencies.
Use high pass / low cut and low pass / high cut filters to just let through the frequencies you need for each channel.

PreOut Channel

Set up another group bus for the drums mix and the bass mix together. On this PreOut mix bus you need a VU meter. In best cases a VU meter with an input volume knob.

Setting the bass volume

Now solo the kick drum and set up the VU meter on the preout bus that the kick is peaking at about -3db. After that bring in the bass, but with the fader on the bass mix bus all the way down. Now bring up the fader to a point that the VU meter where kick and bass together peak at about 0db.

After that remove the VU meter plugin from the preout bus so that you are at it’s original volume again.

Now you have a good starting point for your bass volume to move on

Now you’re bass should be at a good starting point to move on with the mixing process. It might not be the final level and for sure there are a couple steps more to go through, but now your bass is at a level where you can make good decisions for the rest of the mix.

Plugins I’ve used in the video

As VU Meter Plugin I have used the “CLA Mixdown” Plugin from waves. This Plugin has an input control. But any other VU meter plugin should also work for this. Even when it has no input control. In that case you can increase the pregain of the channel in cubase or use another gain plugin for other DAW’s.

In the video I’ve also used the MV2 compressor plugin from waves for the low end channel of the bass to get it more consistent.

You can find both plugins here (click here)

Other Gear from the video

DAW Controller
https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Behringer-X-Touch-USB/art-PAH0015337-000?ProgramUUID=PlMKAQMEnTMAAAGKWd9awRwd&campaign=affiliate/s-l-s

Cubase 12 Pro
https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Steinberg-Cubase-Pro-12-Retail-Boxed/art-PCM0017286-000?ProgramUUID=PlMKAQMEnTMAAAGKWd9awRwd&campaign=affiliate/s-l-s

Yamaha AG06
https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Yamaha-AG06-MK2-White/art-REC0016008-000?ProgramUUID=PlMKAQMEnTMAAAGKWd9awRwd&campaign=affiliate/s-l-s

UR44C
https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Steinberg-UR44C/art-PCM0015991-000?ProgramUUID=PlMKAQMEnTMAAAGKWd9awRwd&campaign=affiliate/s-l-s

Your own signature sound

You’re struggling to develop your own signature sound? Grab our free signature sound cheat sheet to help you with this.

Signature Sound Cheat Sheet

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Corrective Room EQ

Corrective Room EQ

Monitor / Room Frequency Response Measurement

In some cases it absolutely makes sense to use an additional corrective room EQ even you have a well treated room from the audio perspective. A room EQ might be easier to set up than a very good acoustic treatment for your room but it also has it´s disadvantages.

How a room EQ works

A room EQ is set as the last peace in your output chain directly before the monitors. What the room EQ is than doing is to adjust the frequencies so that the result is an almost flat response. A corrective room EQ can not replace a good acoustic treatment in your room, but it should be seen as a additional supplement in some cases. To make it all possible you have to measure your room before to give the room EQ the proper information it needs to adjust the frequencies. For example it needs to know if you have any kind of standing waves in your room, the EQ can than disable by lowering the output for the specific frequency range.

So you need a measuring microphone and a software to measure the frequency response of your room. The software I use is “Sonarworks SoundID reference”. This is an all in one solution, depending on the package it also includes a measuring microphone. It also contains the measuring software as well as the final room EQ you can run as a standalone solution on your device but also as a VST Plugin within your DAW.

Sonarworks SoundID reference

If you want to check out Sonarworks SoundID reference software hit one of the following links depending on your location:

link for the USD offer

link for the EUR offer

Room Measuring

After you have installed the software you have to connect the microphone to your interface. Simply follow the instructions from the software for the proper setup for your system.

Is everything set up correctly the measurement can begin. The software will now send a click sound through your monitors which is caught by the microphone to locate the position of the microphone. Once the position is located the software runs a frequency sweep through the monitors. Now the microphone can measure the room response of the frequency sweep at a specific position. This progress will be repeated for about 30 locations in your room. This will bring enough data to the software to finally set up the room EQ.

Measuring Results

The picture above is the result of my latest room measurement. As you can see it is everything else than flat. As I have expected the is some trouble going on in the low end, as well as a build up in the top end. And even the mid range has it´s ups and downs.

This pictures shows you the calibration the EQ does with the data from the measurement to achieve an almost flat frequency resonse.

And this is the result of the measurement and the final room EQ. It´s almost completely flat from about 100 Hz up to the top. Everything below 80 Hz can´t be flat in my case because of the monitors. They can´t reproduce a solid low end and I´m not using an additional subwoofer. Something that isn´t there can´t be fixed with a room EQ.

Disadvantages from a room EQ

You have always to check back the room EQ. Because it can bring some problems in. For example phase problems. The more an EQ has to change frequencies, the more it can lead to phase cancellations.

The next thing is a small latency between the right and the left monitor for example. Sometimes there can be false information within the measurement process and when the room EQ tries to fix latency or delay problems, which hasn´t been a real problem before, can lead to problems with the stereo image and the perceived stereo center.

For example: to place a vocal directly into the middle between two speakers it´s necessary to reproduce the same signal at the same time on both speakers. When the room EQ tries to fix a delay problem, and delays a signal, even when it´s just a couple milliseconds, it will loose the perceived stereo center and it feels like the vocals appear more on the left and the right side.

Conclusion: Corrective Room EQ

All in all it really can help a lot and can make a huge difference in some circumstances. A room EQ can help to improve your monitor situation in your room and it can also identify some problems. But it also is very important to know your room and your monitors and to check back with reference tracks for example. When you have bad monitors in an untreated room, the room EQ can not hep you that much. The most important thing is the room treatment, the next important thing are the monitors itself and than afterwards you can bring the room EQ into the game.