SAMIAM Mixing SUCKA 4 LUV....

[Umlaaat]

Originally Posted by computa

grow up lil homie. I go back to Bad Boy BIG Ready to Die as an intern. I saw the whole album being made and mixed. That insight set me on my path. Been working on all levels ever since.

But for the cat who has never even seen an engineer work in a full mix room, i'm sure there was something taken from that video- even if it's motivation. The original poster obviously got something from it.

i agree with this.

And folks understand that the vid is NOT DIRECTED TO PEOPLE ON GS... Its probably for the masses.. meaning people who don't know what api does, looks like... have probably only seen pieces like avalon in the background of some interview with rapper x, etc..

And compared to most, sam IS humble.. i've seen/met/dealt with WAY bigger assholes and they dont even have a quarter track record that he has.

[parkay909]

Originally Posted by Jake Gilla

Hmmm... Kind of a gear porn video more than anything else. I dont really get into the whole showing off thing though, Sam kinda seems like a chode. I'm almost feel bad for his assistant, I couldn't work with a guy like that if he never turns it off.

Commenting on the quality of the mix on a youtube video is kind of lame though.

The first real gig I ever had was as Sam's assistant and I learned so much from him. He was a very big help in getting my career off the ground and he taught me a lot. I would always jump at any opportunity I could to be his assistant because he is a great guy and can make even the longest gigs fun.

Save the hatin for Facebook.

[parkay909]

And he took the picture I use for my profile (with my new phone at the time).

I never thought I would see someone I know geting hated on in GS. Just like being in a college frat again...

[MYAMS]

Originally Posted by parkay909

And he took the picture I use for my profile (with my new phone at the time).

I never thought I would see someone I know geting hated on in GS. Just like being in a college frat again...

Yeah I think some of you here are being overly critical. SAMIAM seems like hes probably a chill and laid back guy. He was just trying to look cool on camra lol. Do you think he really goes around saying, "its ya boy SAMIAM"? I wonder where he got that one from lol...

And Im sure this video wasn't intended for other professionals, it was probably just a promotion for him. I didn't learn anything from it as I am sure no one else did, I thought it was kind of entertaining it made me laugh.

[Heezzi]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

Read my response.
I NEVER mentioned any ONE person...none.
It was a blanket statement...no more..no less.

I said that just in case.. Lol.

[backbuss]

there are those of you out there that know me, and those that dont..... i made that video because up and coming engineers kept asking me to do blogs and videos.... its for information only.... and yes it was done on a "flip video" camera cost about $150.... and yes i know the quality of the audio seems rought, but it is not meant to sound "cd" quality..... thats why you go out and buy the CD when it comes out.....

Big shout outs to Denny Lavish, Matty Rich, TOMMY GEE, Ken Lewis, Steve Dickey and all those that "like" what i'm doing..... i appreciate you all and to those i didnt name...

and those that think im a "chode" well thats just like your opinion man....

my video was designed to show people how "I" do things, that doesn't mean you have to do it this way.... i use outboard gear.... so what.... i use software gear,... so what..... so your gonna get mad at me for showing off my mix rig, thats kool, there are a ton of people that love that video and cant wait to see my next one.....

the Danity Kane and Day 26 albums sound great to me, everyone did there part.... i was at the Circle House busting my ass working on these albums, and so did Ben and Reed and Charles and James, and a ton of other engineers, so STOP HATING AND GET TO WORK........

i will continue to post videos, and im sure you will continue to watch and love or watch and hate..... i cant help people hit me up all the time and wanna know how i do things.......

theres no EGO here homey.......PURE MUSIC .......

but anyways homey

"every job i take, is a chance for me to show off"

so in conclusion i like the constructive criticism, it makes me a stronger engineer, so keep it coming.... and to those who like what i do ...THANK YOU, i will continue to press on......

thanx

-Samiam-

[backbuss]

Parkay909 i see you, i know who you are and thanks,...... it was great working with you.... keep up the good work, you still in cali?

-samiam-

[Umlaaat]

right on sam.. i had ur back a few posts up...

anyways, fvck all that shit.. can we talk shop for a minute?

When you start a mix, how do you approach it?
What do you do to drums to give it width and depth (side and most importantly FRONT /BACK - harder to do)?
--for this, i've been using short verbs, short delays set to auxes (I use Logic as well.. hardcore for years now) and will add via send pots.. have recently been multing them and delaying/fowarding by roughtly 15ms.. this seems to work but when collapsed to mono, shrinks at times.

What do you do to LEAD VOX...? to get that sound, the depth.. what verbs/delays settings do you generally use?

And BKGD VOX... how do you approach that.. how much melodyne/autotune do you use for that, what do you do for width,etc...

i know i'm bombarding you with q's, but i like ur work and u seem like a good dude.

[parkay909]

close guess but no cigar for my man

heres an other hint...

NIIIIIIICCCEEEE!!!!

and

Go Hokies!!

[backbuss]

thanks Umlaaat.....

the approach i have is to start with Vocals mainly hooks, and get the blend and mix goin on the hook and then bring up the most important inst....i.e. piano, guitar, or drums if its an uptempo.... i pan my bgvs all over, but never 100 LorR.... like 70, 70, 40, 40 on the root 80,80, 30, 30 and so on .... just to let every track have its own place, the S1 and PS22 is a good way to give width.....

kiks and claps or snares i like to have multiple of if its one kik in pro tools its 2 kiks on the SSL.... and i do different things to each giving you the booom, mid, and punch/attack.... dont compress your kiks too much as it will make your mix duck.....

lead vocals i use API 500 series eq's and Neve 1073,1081,1066 Chandler limited LTD 1's>>>>>to CL1-B or Manley vari-mu or La-2a or TLA 100, Chandler LTD 2's.....

the Rbass and Maxxbass plugs are great for kiks and 808's

reverbs and delays i use via aux sends on the desk to Lexicon 480L and 2290
Trueverb is a great plug and my favorite plug for delay is none other than the digirack extra long delay....

my mixes are hybrid.... mostly SSL and outboard but i use i decent amount of plugs on my sessions too......

hope i help you out.....

keep it coming.....

-samiam-

[Denny Lavish]

Originally Posted by backbuss

there are those of you out there that know me, and those that dont..... i made that video because up and coming engineers kept asking me to do blogs and videos.... its for information only.... and yes it was done on a "flip video" camera cost about $150.... and yes i know the quality of the audio seems rought, but it is not meant to sound "cd" quality..... thats why you go out and buy the CD when it comes out.....

Big shout outs to Denny Lavish, Matty Rich, TOMMY GEE, Ken Lewis, Steve Dickey and all those that "like" what i'm doing..... i appreciate you all and to those i didnt name...

and those that think im a "chode" well thats just like your opinion man....

my video was designed to show people how "I" do things, that doesn't mean you have to do it this way.... i use outboard gear.... so what.... i use software gear,... so what..... so your gonna get mad at me for showing off my mix rig, thats kool, there are a ton of people that love that video and cant wait to see my next one.....

the Danity Kane and Day 26 albums sound great to me, everyone did there part.... i was at the Circle House busting my ass working on these albums, and so did Ben and Reed and Charles and James, and a ton of other engineers, so STOP HATING AND GET TO WORK........

i will continue to post videos, and im sure you will continue to watch and love or watch and hate..... i cant help people hit me up all the time and wanna know how i do things.......

theres no EGO here homey.......PURE MUSIC .......

but anyways homey

"every job i take, is a chance for me to show off"

so in conclusion i like the constructive criticism, it makes me a stronger engineer, so keep it coming.... and to those who like what i do ...THANK YOU, i will continue to press on......

thanx

-Samiam-

Good to see you homes.

I say we make Sam guest moderator for a month!!!!!!
How about it Tony?????
He's gotta lot of knowledge and experience to share. This post aside I know there are alot of peeps here who would like to see it. Hell, even some of the cats that made questionable comments would probably like to see it.

Anyone want to second that ?!?!?


Lavish

[backbuss]

my bad Gweedo..... i shoulda known...... nice to see ya on here.... congrats on the marriage ......

-samiam-

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by M.j.O.r.

for us folks down in digi 00 land, cause we dont understand

i dont know why you posted that..... you work on a desk every day, does that mean you never use it...

-samiam-

[themaestro]

Originally Posted by backbuss

thanks Umlaaat.....

the approach i have is to start with Vocals mainly hooks, and get the blend and mix goin on the hook and then bring up the most important inst....i.e. piano, guitar, or drums if its an uptempo.... i pan my bgvs all over, but never 100 LorR.... like 70, 70, 40, 40 on the root 80,80, 30, 30 and so on .... just to let every track have its own place, the S1 and PS22 is a good way to give width.....

kiks and claps or snares i like to have multiple of if its one kik in pro tools its 2 kiks on the SSL.... and i do different things to each giving you the booom, mid, and punch/attack.... dont compress your kiks too much as it will make your mix duck.....

lead vocals i use API 500 series eq's and Neve 1073,1081,1066 Chandler limited LTD 1's>>>>>to CL1-B or Manley vari-mu or La-2a or TLA 100, Chandler LTD 2's.....

the Rbass and Maxxbass plugs are great for kiks and 808's

reverbs and delays i use via aux sends on the desk to Lexicon 480L and 2290
Trueverb is a great plug and my favorite plug for delay is none other than the digirack extra long delay....

my mixes are hybrid.... mostly SSL and outboard but i use i decent amount of plugs on my sessions too......

hope i help you out.....

keep it coming.....

-samiam-

wow! i think its time to get my pen and paper out...this is the kind of stuff that made me come to GS in the first place...havent seen much of it in the hip hop forum...good to see a big time engineer not afraid to share some knowledge

[MYAMS]

Originally Posted by Denny Lavish

Good to see you homes.

I say we make Sam guest moderator for a month!!!!!!
How about it Tony?????
He's gotta lot of knowledge and experience to share. This post aside I know there are alot of peeps here who would like to see it. Hell, even some of the cats that made questionable comments would probably like to see it.

Anyone want to second that ?!?!?


Lavish

Easily I second that, good to have you on board SAMIAM! I wish Polow da Don came on and shut down on the dudes here hating on using apple loops for love in this club. Can we ask you about b. cox and what type of gear and production techniques he uses? I love the sound of "Before I Meet You" off of Usher's album you guys did a great job with that- flippin it while mantaining what you guys are known for. Do you make all his drums, or trick out ones he gets from outside sources?

[Jake Gilla]

Edit: Allright who cares anyway.

Sam, I think you came off like an ass on that video. If thats your perogative do what you do.

I'd have less respect for you if you gave a damn what any of us said anyways.

Peace and good luck with all current and future projects.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by MYAMS

Easily I second that, good to have you on board SAMIAM! I wish Polow da Don came on and shut down on the dudes here hating on using apple loops for love in this club. Can we ask you about b. cox and what type of gear and production techniques he uses? I love the sound of "Before I Meet You" off of Usher's album you guys did a great job with that- flippin it while mantaining what you guys are known for. Do you make all his drums, or trick out ones he gets from outside sources?

Bryan flips thru vinyl, samples kiks here snares there..... we have alot of CD librarys..... lots of softsynths..... i make kits for him from time to time, we have so much now.... so we rarely use the same sounds.... i have to admit i was a little uneasy when i heard love in the club ..... it seemed to easy..... using apple loops, but it did go #1 and was a hit... cant fault him for finding the loop first.... isnt that hip hop, just now instead of a crate of vinyl its folders in librarys on a harddrive..... same difference really..... i have read alot of threads about this and really its just "sampling in 2008" you know how many times i have worked on a record with a sample and then before it comes out someone else comes out with a different song but same sample..... it happens...... the race is, who can find it first...... tricky did it with "Umbrella" the drums on that record is an apple loop, but yet again that shit was jammin.....

im glad you like "before i met you" i think its a great song... really showcases his vocal talent, and johnta wrote the shit out of that record...... i really like the ambientness of it.... the spacyness.... (im making up words)

Bryan uses everything.... analog synths >>> digital synths>>>>>drum machines>>>>> computers>>>>>>DAW's>>>>>everything

-samiam-

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by Jake Gilla

I'm sure you learned alot from Sam, and he's probably a great guy in person. From what I can tell, he must be good at what he does and people must be able to get along with him. So my question to you is, why is he acting like such a jack ass on camera?

You can call it hating. But I'm just throwing back that same negativity dude put out. In my opinion he's soiling the impression of a respectable position.

I don't get why a succesful recording engineer would feel the need to front like he's big shit when he could just be real with the people. I'm not trying to bash dudes talent, just his attitude.

sorry you feel that way..... but again you dont know me..... and for the record i never said i was big shit..... i take every session as my first... i put my all into my work and i was asked to share it, therefore i did.... and if i dont wanna use plugins and be in the box thats my thing..... "inside" the box is great. just not my thing.... people are just moving more and more away from analog gear and i was trying to stress that if it werent for analog gear you would have no digital plugins cuz there all modeled after the hardware....

thanks for thinking im a jack ass.... maybe one day we'll meet or work together and you will see that im not.....

-samiam-

[Jake Gilla]

Originally Posted by backbuss

sorry you feel that way..... but again you dont know me..... and for the record i never said i was big shit..... i take every session as my first... i put my all into my work and i was asked to share it, therefore i did.... and if i dont wanna use plugins and be in the box thats my thing..... "inside" the box is great. just not my thing.... people are just moving more and more away from analog gear and i was trying to stress that if it werent for analog gear you would have no digital plugins cuz there all modeled after the hardware....

thanks for thinking im a jack ass.... maybe one day we'll meet or work together and you will see that im not.....

-samiam-

Sam, check the edits right before you finished posting this. I was respsonding to your attitude and not your gear. It's easy to get caught in the internet hate and, overall my impression of your personality isnt relevant to this discussion. Just by your responses here you've all ready repealed my impression of you.

I apologize for coming at you crooked, and yeah if your ever in Northern Cali maybe I can make it up to you.

Peace and as I said Good Luck with your work.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by Jake Gilla

Sam, check the edits right before you finished posting this. I was respsonding to your attitude and not your gear. It's easy to get caught in the internet hate and, overall my impression of your personality isnt relevant to this discussion. Just by your responses here you've all ready repealed my impression of you.

I apologize for coming at you crooked, and yeah if your ever in Northern Cali maybe I can make it up to you.

Peace and as I said Good Luck with your work.

all good Jake..... video is always weird when the camera is on you, it was a session from my point of view.... what i use... in no way was i trying to knock anyone, i am a smart ass, witty kinda guy, i laugh more than i do anything..... this career for me is pure fun, not a job.....

music is the soundtrack to my life, and probably yours too....

lets make music not "war" (war=downtalking anyone in the industry)

if you dont like something kool.... u dont have to like everything, theres alot of shit i hate about people in the industry...

and when i say "you" i mean the "royal you" (quote: big lebowski)

anyways keep up the good work on your end too....

and constructive criticism is great it makes people better and stronger.....

[Umlaaat]

Originally Posted by backbuss

thanks Umlaaat.....

the approach i have is to start with Vocals mainly hooks, and get the blend and mix goin on the hook and then bring up the most important inst....i.e. piano, guitar, or drums if its an uptempo.... i pan my bgvs all over, but never 100 LorR.... like 70, 70, 40, 40 on the root 80,80, 30, 30 and so on .... just to let every track have its own place, the S1 and PS22 is a good way to give width.....

kiks and claps or snares i like to have multiple of if its one kik in pro tools its 2 kiks on the SSL.... and i do different things to each giving you the booom, mid, and punch/attack.... dont compress your kiks too much as it will make your mix duck.....

lead vocals i use API 500 series eq's and Neve 1073,1081,1066 Chandler limited LTD 1's>>>>>to CL1-B or Manley vari-mu or La-2a or TLA 100, Chandler LTD 2's.....

the Rbass and Maxxbass plugs are great for kiks and 808's

reverbs and delays i use via aux sends on the desk to Lexicon 480L and 2290
Trueverb is a great plug and my favorite plug for delay is none other than the digirack extra long delay....

my mixes are hybrid.... mostly SSL and outboard but i use i decent amount of plugs on my sessions too......

hope i help you out.....

keep it coming.....

-samiam-

yea man.. u tha ish...

see, folks... this is whats called giving back to the community. Pay it forward... Reading things like this makes me wanna help people out when i'm ahead in the game...

ok. so lets talk lead vocals.

if ur given a track to mix and the lead vox are recorded ok.. not stellar, but ok. What do you do with that?

How do you process it to give it that radio-in-ur-face sound...?

U have ONE lead vocal take to work with.

How much compression, how many mults, what outboard, what eq to acheive what specific effect...

What delay settings (if any) do you use, generally, for width (ie +/- 15ms)...?

Please DO NOT BE AFRAID to get as SPECIFIC as possible.... Like SETTINGS, or SETTINGS... or if you have any SETTINGS you may wanna share....regardless if its itb or otb..

[Ken Lewis]

SAM,
so good to see you here. you should def post more often on other threads here too. Its always super nice to have really experienced guys dropping knowledge, and i know i've picked up a ton of useful tips on this site from pro's and amateurs alike, so i contribute where i think its worth something. workin on anything good lately? I've got a few good projects in the pressure cooker, and i'm off to work on one of those right now! -Ken Lewis

[Umlaaat]

and i've been wondering this for a while now..


where the hell did cox come up with that riff for "ride for u"?

A LOT of his riffs sound the same.. from song to song, he takes a riff and maybe flips it a LITTLE bit and has writer x hook it up... voila, another song.

This is neither a good or bad thing, just kinda.... factual.

But the main riff in 'ride' is f-ing GORGEOUS. If he kept it simple without adding all those damn strings it would've been a classic.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by Umlaaat

yea man.. u tha ish...

see, folks... this is whats called giving back to the community. Pay it forward... Reading things like this makes me wanna help people out when i'm ahead in the game...

ok. so lets talk lead vocals.

if ur given a track to mix and the lead vox are recorded ok.. not stellar, but ok. What do you do with that?

How do you process it to give it that radio-in-ur-face sound...?

U have ONE lead vocal take to work with.

How much compression, how many mults, what outboard, what eq to acheive what specific effect...

What delay settings (if any) do you use, generally, for width (ie +/- 15ms)...?

Please DO NOT BE AFRAID to get as SPECIFIC as possible.... Like SETTINGS, or SETTINGS... or if you have any SETTINGS you may wanna share....regardless if its itb or otb..


thumb sup

see this is hard to answer cuz every song is different.....

but anyways...... 2290 for the delay set to 1/4 note and another set to 1/8 note i have them set up on an aux......

lexicon 480L for the reverb set on an aux......

lead vocal i use SSL EQ and compression along with inserting API and NEVE EQ's and TLA 100 or CL1-B on the compressor.... dont be afraid to use multiple eq's and compressors... just dont over do it..... thats how you add the "color" that you want to achieve.... you know that one eq is better on top end and the other is better on low end..... mix it up.....

all these effects have to be married to the song so add more or take away when needed...

i dont have any presets to share because i use the plugin default and tailor it to thst specific part...... if i ever create some presets i will share them.....

i like to set the lead vocal just slightly on top of the snare.... thats my rule of thumb, may not work for everybody.....

and use automation.....riding the vocals is what gives it the dynamics that makes the song grow.....

automate your kiks and snares and elements throughout the song..... give it charactor... instead of being like a 8 bar loop song......

drops are great... gives people a chance to be like "ooooooooohh" "yeeeeeeah"

-samiam-