Quick tip for fx *****s (begginer/amatuers)

Jonny_silva · 19th July 2011

Just thought id share something that helped me alot and still does (not saying im an expert or anything). But for those who worry about wether they are over using fx give this a try and see what happens.

Work on your song as normal, wether it be one part (drums/bass/vocals or whatever) or the full song until you think you have it sounding good. Then, leave it and switch off your pc or whatever and go out/go to bed/watch tv/have sex yada yadda.

Then go back to what you were working on, preferably 6 or more hours later and listen to it, at normal listening volume. Then begin turning off plugins you put in earlier, your now fresh ears will allow you to hear in much more clarity exactly what that plugin was doing to the sound and you will be able to make a judgement within about 10 seconds or less of A/B'ing it wether that particular plugin adds to the sound or actualy sounds horrible.

If your an fx ***** you will probably find yourself taking off at least 50% of what you previously put on the sound and realising half of what you done brought absolutely nothing to your sound. OF course you dont have to earse the plugin completely, just turn it off so its easily recallable if your in 2 minds about it.

As I said its mostly for new/less experienced guys who I would urge to try this!

opeth13 · 19th July 2011

I just want to add the following:

If the base/stock sound you are using doesn't sound good, no amount of processing or fx will save it. You may be able to make something dull sound better, but it's still going to be like polishing a turd. In the end, you're going to have a polished turd. I've read a few mixing books, and they all said this: start with a good sound.

19th July 2011	#1
Jonny_silva Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 159 Thread Starter	Quick tip for fx *s (begginer/amatuers) Just thought id share something that helped me alot and still does (not saying im an expert or anything). But for those who worry about wether they are over using fx give this a try and see what happens. Work on your song as normal, wether it be one part (drums/bass/vocals or whatever) or the full song until you think you have it sounding good. Then, leave it and switch off your pc or whatever and go out/go to bed/watch tv/have sex yada yadda. Then go back to what you were working on, preferably 6 or more hours later and listen to it, at normal listening volume. Then begin turning off plugins you put in earlier, your now fresh ears will allow you to hear in much more clarity exactly what that plugin was doing to the sound and you will be able to make a judgement within about 10 seconds or less of A/B'ing it wether that particular plugin adds to the sound or actualy sounds horrible. If your an fx ***** you will probably find yourself taking off at least 50% of what you previously put on the sound and realising half of what you done brought absolutely nothing to your sound. OF course you dont have to earse the plugin completely, just turn it off so its easily recallable if your in 2 minds about it. As I said its mostly for new/less experienced guys who I would urge to try this!

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19th July 2011	#2
opeth13 Gear nut Joined: Feb 2010 Location: viva Las Vegas! Posts: 93	I just want to add the following: If the base/stock sound you are using doesn't sound good, no amount of processing or fx will save it. You may be able to make something dull sound better, but it's still going to be like polishing a turd. In the end, you're going to have a polished turd. I've read a few mixing books, and they all said this: start with a good sound.