SAMIAM Mixing SUCKA 4 LUV....

[Umlaaat]

Originally Posted by backbuss

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.....
-samiam-

how many copies of the lead vox do you use? lets say you're only given one take of the lead vox.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by backbuss

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-

now we 'know about those api on lead vocal'

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by Barznbeats1

This is turning into a "classic" thread. Thank you both SAMIAM and Ken Lewis. I'm trying to spend more time in Atl to be around guys like you. I live in Jacksonville fl where the music scene is almost non-existent. However I will be doing production on an album under a major label/distrubutor soon and would love to book you guys for the mixing.

Hope to bump into you guys soon!

thanx B ..... anytime, lemme know when your ready.....

-samiam-

[Exmun]

I never saw Sam's video as showboating. I saw it as a guy who is excited about being in the studio... who worked long and hard to make it to that league... and finally he's doing what he dreamed about... and he can't help but share it with guys on the way up... showing them that there is a difference in having high quality gear in a great room, with a lot of assistance, resources, and great pay. THAT'S what I say.

And to be honest, I can't disagree with him. Guys like him who hone their skills and get the right hookup and make the most of their opportunity should be regarded as the standard. And I ain't mad at him. Do you Sam. MANY are impressed and happily envious of you.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by Exmun

I never saw Sam's video as showboating. I saw it as a guy who is excited about being in the studio... who worked long and hard to make it to that league... and finally he's doing what he dreamed about... and he can't help but share it with guys on the way up... showing them that there is a difference in having high quality gear in a great room, with a lot of assistance, resources, and great pay. THAT'S what I say.

And to be honest, I can't disagree with him. Guys like him who hone their skills and get the right hookup and make the most of their opportunity should be regarded as the standard. And I ain't mad at him. Do you Sam. MANY are impressed and happily envious of you.

thanks Exmun.....

see this was really the response i thought i would get..... i put it out there cuz people wanna know.....

.... this is how i work...... doesnt meant everyone has to follow my way.....

also there is a thread with a link of a podcast i did...... lemme know what you think of it..... i like your feedback..... its nice to know your appreciated......

keep up the good work holmes.....

-samiam-

[scorpio01169]

Originally Posted by backbuss

thanks Exmun.....

see this was really the response i thought i would get..... i put it out there cuz people wanna know.....

.... this is how i work...... doesnt meant everyone has to follow my way.....

also there is a thread with a link of a podcast i did...... lemme know what you think of it..... i like your feedback..... its nice to know your appreciated......

keep up the good work holmes.....

-samiam-

hey backbuss...i enjoyed the video, and it was posted in the right forum.....hence GEARSLUTZ!!!!!!

What i don't understand is, in hip hop and rap game swagger and talking about how much money you got and what bling you got is the norm, but when a guy gets on video and proves what he's got, he's arrogant. its on music videos all day long on tv and we know these guys dont own alota what they say they do.....but here's a guy that put out a studio bling video and he's ripped a new a**h*le.
Phillysoulsman I don't know you, but that did come off as a classic hater move.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by scorpio01169

hey backbuss...i enjoyed the video, and it was posted in the right forum.....hence GEARSLUTZ!!!!!!

What i don't understand is, in hip hop and rap game swagger and talking about how much money you got and what bling you got is the norm, but when a guy gets on video and proves what he's got, he's arrogant. its on music videos all day long on tv and we know these guys dont own alota what they say they do.....but here's a guy that put out a studio bling video and he's ripped a new a**h*le.
Phillysoulsman I don't know you, but that did come off as a classic hater move.

good lookin out Scorpio....!!!!!.....

this is such a true statement.........

the funny thing is i work in the hip hop rap r&b pop industry and i see it all day long...... and we are the people that make these guys rich..... hahahhahaha..... i take pride in my work and approach every song with intentions to put my foot right through it......

so yeah im ballin' in "gear"..... i like to use every piece available........why???...... because i can..... if i dont own it i rent it...........

whats going on in your world Scorpio??????

-samiam-

[rickrock305]

, just saw ole Miles Walker in the vid. he still toting the Glock?

[frank lyon]

Originally Posted by computa

I go back to Bad Boy BIG Ready to Die as an intern. I saw the whole album being made and mixed.

please pm me sir.

[frank lyon]

Great thread!


Thanks guys!

[scorpio01169]

Originally Posted by backbuss

good lookin out Scorpio....!!!!!.....

this is such a true statement.........

the funny thing is i work in the hip hop rap r&b pop industry and i see it all day long...... and we are the people that make these guys rich..... hahahhahaha..... i take pride in my work and approach every song with intentions to put my foot right through it......

so yeah im ballin' in "gear"..... i like to use every piece available........why???...... because i can..... if i dont own it i rent it...........

whats going on in your world Scorpio??????

-samiam-

trying to be at your level someday. for real. i have a 56 channel mackie set up and would love one day to work on a SSL. so flaunt it if you got it.

[EKG Productions]

Originally Posted by rickrock305

, just saw ole Miles Walker in the vid. he still toting the Glock?

Miles Walker toting a Glock... LOL guess I better watch how I talk to him for now on lol! Miles along with Sam are two of best engineers I've had the chance to be around. Sam is also responsible for my longest session to date when I was an intern at Silent Sound I think me him and Kory Aron did 20hrs stright flanked by 18hr days all week. I remember seeing Sam running around the studio with that camera wondering wtf he was doing. Now I see. Awesome job. Sam is very open about his techniques and very humble. His excitement about the art of engineering is very genuine and pure.
Sam; Thanks for the tips on ssl master buss compression covering up the meter helped out big time. My in the box mixes are comming out better also since following your advice about not looking at the screene when making adjustments. Thanks again.

[backbuss]

word !!!

[tonymission]

i remember the first time i mixed (got paid!) working in a real studio on a major label project and god damn i was excited... i took a couple "secret" phone pics, sent some to my mom, called a couple hoes ... lol

****in sam man that dude is livin the dream ... if was doin all the shit he's doin id be even more excited than he is.

has anyone ever stopped to think that, "wow, we actually get paid to do this?!"

i was homeless with nothing to my name except about 6k in equipment that i refused to sell so i could keep making music wherever i ended up ...

now they wanna pay me for it?!

damn right he's stoked!

ryst -- i saw you working in the a-room over at noc's today (good to cya btw!) ... life could be worse for us homie

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by tonymission

i remember the first time i mixed (got paid!) working in a real studio on a major label project and god damn i was excited... i took a couple "secret" phone pics, sent some to my mom, called a couple hoes ... lol

****in sam man that dude is livin the dream ... if was doin all the shit he's doin id be even more excited than he is.

has anyone ever stopped to think that, "wow, we actually get paid to do this?!"

i was homeless with nothing to my name except about 6k in equipment that i refused to sell so i could keep making music wherever i ended up ...

now they wanna pay me for it?!

damn right he's stoked!

ryst -- i saw you working in the a-room over at noc's today (good to cya btw!) ... life could be worse for us homie

thats right dude..... i am living the dream..... this is what i have always wanted to do, my enthusiasm was down cuz i get no f****in sleep.....

if anyone doesnt know B.Cox works EVERYDAY !!!!!!! that means i work everyday....

i wake up in the morning and put my pants on one leg at a time like everybody else, just so happens once i get them on i make Platinum Records.....

i get paid to listen to music......

this isnt a job....

this is fun, i would do this even if i didnt get paid for it......

-samiam-

[scorpio01169]

hey backbuss, what does one have to do to get the privilege to sit in on a session with you or someone like you. i'm not trying to shamelessly plug my name into "who i worked with" but just to get some pointers and watch and learn.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by scorpio01169

hey backbuss, what does one have to do to get the privilege to sit in on a session with you or someone like you. i'm not trying to shamelessly plug my name into "who i worked with" but just to get some pointers and watch and learn.

where you at Scorpio?

[scorpio01169]

Originally Posted by backbuss

where you at Scorpio?

i'm in San Antonio Texas.....but hell I'd travel

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by scorpio01169

i'm in San Antonio Texas.....but hell I'd travel

if your ever in the "A" we gotta get up !!!!!

-samiam-

[scorpio01169]

Originally Posted by backbuss

if your ever in the "A" we gotta get up !!!!!

-samiam-

talking to my wife now about taking a trip to the A.

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by DROPKICK

Now the lesson we all learned is if you dont have something nice to say dont say it at all!!! LOL

coulnt of said it better......

-samiam-

[scorpio01169]

on that note....there's one question i have about the video, i noticed that you were working on one fader. were you just fine tuning a vocal or do you pay that close attention to all tracks?

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by scorpio01169

on that note....there's one question i have about the video, i noticed that you were working on one fader. were you just fine tuning a vocal or do you pay that close attention to all tracks?

those faders i was working with were the group faders.... theres 8 of them and i have all 64 channels grouped to the 8 grp faders

group 1 = drums
group 2 = synths
group 3 = hook bgvs
group 4 = verse bgvs
group 5 = bridge bgvs
group 6 = lead vocal
group 7 = adlibs
group 8 = all channels

just the way i set the SSL up so i can be in the center of the speakers when i write my automation passes


thanks for asking

good question

-samiam-

[scorpio01169]

Originally Posted by backbuss

those faders i was working with were the group faders.... theres 8 of them and i have all 64 channels grouped to the 8 grp faders

group 1 = drums
group 2 = synths
group 3 = hook bgvs
group 4 = verse bgvs
group 5 = bridge bgvs
group 6 = lead vocal
group 7 = adlibs
group 8 = all channels

just the way i set the SSL up so i can be in the center of the speakers when i write my automation passes


thanks for asking

good question

-samiam-

sorry for bothering you with all these questions.....but when i'm recording rock bands i always when recording snare top and bottom i group them into a bus before tape.....( i dont work with a pc i work on stand alone HDR ) anyways...i just read an article where a top engineer says thats a no no, but it's always worked for me....how do you feel about it

[kriscain]

great thread
Sam, you explaining your mixing approach has inspired me. Thanks!

BUT....
im in the middle of upgrading my "rig" right now, so I'm powerless to act on my new found inspiration!

damn you samiam!

[backbuss]

Originally Posted by scorpio01169

sorry for bothering you with all these questions.....but when i'm recording rock bands i always when recording snare top and bottom i group them into a bus before tape.....( i dont work with a pc i work on stand alone HDR ) anyways...i just read an article where a top engineer says thats a no no, but it's always worked for me....how do you feel about it

i dont know the engineer you are speaking on but everyone works differently ... he may not like it done that way, but doesnt mean its wrong.....

if you feel good about your top and bottom blend then go for it....

remember there is no rules....

just dont F it up..... you know when its to much or not enough.... just listen..... when its right you'll know......

-samiam-

[Barznbeats1]

So when is the next vid gonna hit the www?

[Donovan]

OK this thread's awesome! After skimming through the 'thugs need hugs' posts and getting to the actual content I added a trick or two to my own mixing - Not to mention it's fun seeing people at the top interacting with each other.. This thread also covers how people at the bottom interact lol. Funny thing is I just told Sirocco I didn't have the patience to read forums, this thread proved that wrong! Keep up the good work guys.

[tonymission]

Originally Posted by backbuss

this isnt a job....

this is fun, i would do this even if i didnt get paid for it......

-samiam-

we havent met (i think) but i could sense all that about you from the video... then all of a sudden it pans to my boy dee who is mister allarounddopedood and it just made me sit back and think that we got it good and no matter where we at in the process, it's only gonna get better.

ATL is the place to be ... so close to all this, cant help but push....

i dont make music. i have an addiction. it's one that makes sitting in a warehouse non stop making beats sound more exciting than hittin the clubs and blowin money on chicks...

dee is fascinated with my round the clock nap schedule