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Originally Posted by squelch Hi Johny C, I think I'm gonna have to take you up on the offer, thanks man 
I'm getting better at keeping my mixes a little clearer now but I still find that I have a lot of mud in the low mids, I always seem to struggle to get a really nice relationship between the bass and kick. I've been doing this a long time now but I don't feel I'm anywhere near where I want to be.
It can get very frustrating at times. My mixes don't seem to gel well together, and when the odd one does I'm not really sure why or how it happened. 
To make it a bit easier for you, I'll ask a few specific questions:
How much (generally) of the sound is in the mastering, if I'm comparing a mix I'm working on to a commercial track (WAV) download from beatport, how close should I be aiming for?
I mix in Logic with a multiband or regular compressor on the 2-Bus from the start and I cant decide if I prefer it or not? What sort of chain would you normaly work with for 2bus?
I have quite a bit of hardware (I blame Gearslutz) and generally nice equipment, my studio is better than I am at this point in time.
I'm constantly listening to and analysing commercial tracks to try and improve mine but Its an uphill struggle! I love the music though so its all worth it...
I dream of the Gearslutz Electronic forum........! 
Peace
Dave |
Ok Dave,
first thing's first. Take the compressor off of your master fader. Only use compression if it adds a tonal quality you like. Let's remember that electronic music is sequenced and compression is used to raise and lower levels at a rapid pace. So think of it, why would you need a compressor on something that has good levels to begin with, IF you sequenced it that way? Next, USE YOUR FILTERS! I think of filters as the electronic musicians equivalent of an engineers EQ. Which they ARE EQs, to the extreme if you catch me. Anyway, use your filters to place that particular sound where you want it in the mix. Cut WHATEVER you don't need especially if you are making thicker music. Because whatever you cut out of one sound will most definitely be filled by another. Secondly, use your paning and levels wisely. Paning something can clear things up tramendously and it really gives the mix balance and definition. Next, use your reverb wisely. Of course us electronic musicians go ape shit for reverb. I don't like to go overboard with it though. Enough to make my mix sound full and set certain elements in the rear of the speakers. Finally, automation is key to what makes a good electronic music song come to life... give it character. When things are moving, filtering, panning, that's what mkaes the commmon listeners brain trigger and sub conciously say, hmm, I don't know how they did that, but things are changing, moving. I find using filter, panning, level, and even effect send automation to define you and your style. But use it tastefully, just like anyhting else.
It also all depends on how you like to work. Some people like to compose then mix like the standard way in a pro studio. I however mix while composing as I explained above. I find this way I spend the time up front and get my mix right from the get go. That was I find at mix-down, I don't need much effects, EQing or compression. I may add some things here and there to fill things out. Anyway, that is all subjective. I fount that as I became more and mroe experienced, making mixes sound good and pwerful became easier and easier. I knew how to get what I wanted with a certain sound and what to add where. I think that all comes with time and experience. Dave, if you would like I can take a listen to come mixes of yours and tell you where your going wrong or where to improve.