4th August 2009
|
#1 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Thread Starter | here's my secret for super loud and transparent mixes
the main problem with mixing down a track usually is, that even the best limiter makes your sound muddy at some point, and using no limiter, your basses can distort very easily.
so what i do is put my limiter on a new bus and route all tracks except the snare and some high content only instruments to that bus.
i suggest the stillwell eventhorizon-plus or the oxford limiter for this bus.
theres no limiter on the master channel. the snare might technically clip but most of the track will sound really loud and smooth. you wont hear any clipping.
the reason i don't route the snare to the limiter is, that the snare suffers the most from limiting. other high content only instruments like cymbals or synths don't clip notably so you can remain their dynamics by not limiting them either.
if you're going to try this technique, feel free to report about your results.
| 
|  | |
4th August 2009
|
#2 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Beverly Kills |
I'll tell you the real answer to your question, the secret is to hire a Mastering Engineer and to never, ever put a limiter on the master bus!
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#3 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 337
 | Quote:
Originally Posted by proop  the main problem with mixing down a track usually is, that even the best limiter makes your sound muddy at some point, and using no limiter, your basses can distort very easily.
so what i do is put my limiter on a new bus and route all tracks except the snare and some high content only instruments to that bus.
i suggest the stillwell eventhorizon-plus or the oxford limiter for this bus.
theres no limiter on the master channel. the snare might technically clip but most of the track will sound really loud and smooth. you wont hear any clipping.
the reason i don't route the snare to the limiter is, that the snare suffers the most from limiting. other high content only instruments like cymbals or synths don't clip notably so you can remain their dynamics by not limiting them.
if you're going to try this technique, feel free to report about your results. | This sounds like you are trying to master your mix while you are mixing to get the hottest levels. If you are going for a very squashed sound and don't intend on having your mixed mastered professionally, then ok sub and limit all your tracks (i would not do it personally) 192k - Pro HD 192k Audio Recording | 
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#4 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Thread Starter |
yes, it's basically mastering. i didn't use the term mastering, because for that, you would have to be a mastering engineer.
i'm a producer who does all his mastering and mixing. i do a lot of mastering and mixing for my clients too, but i don't consider myself an engineer. just a producer who's been mixing and mastering his own songs for almost 10 years. Quote:
Originally Posted by chrislago I'll tell you the real answer to your question, the secret is to hire a Mastering Engineer and to never, ever put a limiter on the master bus! | just sharing my personal experience. my suggestion in this post was to use no limiter on the master bus.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#5 | | 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended.
Joined: May 2009 Location: SJCap
Posts: 1,148
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop yes, it's basically mastering. i didn't use the term mastering, because for that, you would have to be a mastering engineer.
i'm a producer who does all his mastering and mixing. i do a lot of mastering and mixing for my clients too, but i don't consider myself an engineer. just a producer who's been mixing and mastering his own songs for almost 10 years. | No it's not mastering.
And it's not a bad idea actually. This use of limiters in a mix can be a powerful way to add excitement...but as anything... you need to do it just right. The problem with a blanket statement is that it only works when you use it properly....but I think this suggestion is a good exercise
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#6 | | 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended.
Joined: May 2009 Location: SJCap
Posts: 1,148
| Quote:
Originally Posted by chrislago I'll tell you the real answer to your question, the secret is to hire a Mastering Engineer and to never, ever put a limiter on the master bus! | This is a very interesting view from someone who isn't a mastering engineer yet masters his own stuff.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#7 | | Gear addict
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 451
| Quote:
Originally Posted by glissando This is a very interesting view from someone who isn't a mastering engineer yet masters his own stuff. | Even more so considering the OP didn't "ask" a question.  | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#8 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jan 2008 Location: The City Of Brotherly Love And Sisterly Affection
Posts: 8,264
|
Loud...maybe.
Transparent...no.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Slum-a-ville, Mass
Posts: 6,459
|
Gimme a 33609 on the drum buss and I'll give you a loud-as-**** mix with only a few dB of VERY transparent limiting on the mix buss.
Gimme a 1/2" ATR deck to mix to and that'll seal the deal.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#10 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Thread Starter | | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#11 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by phillysoulman Loud...maybe.
Transparent...no. | agreed, but it's enough transparency for certain hip hop styles i think  | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#12 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Slum-a-ville, Mass
Posts: 6,459
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop | Those mixes are all pretty "edgy" sounding (not necessarily in a bad way, mind you, just an observation), IMO; the top end is pretty harsh, especially those snares/claps/backbeat thingies, and other similarly top-endy bits. And the bottom end, while very pleasing and big, is a bit distorted. If that's the result of the technique you're detailing here, I'm not so sure I'd describe it as "transparent".
It's odd that the instruments you're NOT sending to the limiter come out sounding so crunchy. What other buss processing do you do? And what's your mastering approach?
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#13 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by bgrotto It's odd that the instruments you're NOT sending to the limiter come out sounding so crunchy. What other buss processing do you do? And what's your mastering approach? |
i don't apply much to the master channel. maybe some eq and some compression. yes, some of the mixes indeed distort, certainly because i still pushed the fader beyond the limit . sometimes i like a little bit of distortion, because it adds some kind of energy to me
those mixes were kind of on the loudness tip. here are some other beats that are smoother on the low end: http://proop.pr.funpic.de/071409-.mp3 http://proop.pr.funpic.de/122708.mp3 http://proop.pr.funpic.de/11.mp3 http://proop.pr.funpic.de/Its_Most_Real.mp3
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2008 Location: 'da Pitts, PA
Posts: 2,937
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop the main problem with mixing down a track usually is, that even the best limiter makes your sound muddy at some point, and using no limiter, your basses can distort very easily.
so what i do is put my limiter on a new bus and route all tracks except the snare and some high content only instruments to that bus.
i suggest the stillwell eventhorizon-plus or the oxford limiter for this bus.
theres no limiter on the master channel. the snare might technically clip but most of the track will sound really loud and smooth. you wont hear any clipping.
the reason i don't route the snare to the limiter is, that the snare suffers the most from limiting. other high content only instruments like cymbals or synths don't clip notably so you can remain their dynamics by not limiting them either.
if you're going to try this technique, feel free to report about your results. | That actually sounds like a pretty good idea. I may try that out and post back my findings.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by patsilva Anyone Swap Digi 003 tubes? Is this even possible ? Anyone out there do it and if so what kind of results you get ? | www.wordofmoufrecordings.com | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#15 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Slum-a-ville, Mass
Posts: 6,459
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop yes, some of the mixes indeed distort, certainly because i still pushed the fader beyond the limit . sometimes i like a little bit of distortion, because it adds some kind of energy to me | I dig it, and I definitely feel what you're getting at.  | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#16 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2008 Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,331
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop |
The High end starts to hurt my ears but other than that good beats!
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#17 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 221
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop just sharing my personal experience. my suggestion in this post was to use no limiter on the master bus. | Thanks proop!
And to everyone if you find something that works by all means please share it!
Remember their are no rules until someone screws up. | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#18 | | Gear addict
Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 474
| Quote:
Originally Posted by phillysoulman Loud...maybe.
Transparent...no. | | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#19 | | Gear addict
Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 474
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop | Compared to a lot of what's on the market today, your mixes certainly compete. The highs are a bit fatiguing to me, but I'm listening in headphones. All in all, I'd have to say that you methods definitely seems to work for YOU!  PWG
__________________
Ideas are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny. - Carl Schurz
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#20 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Thread Starter |
i'm glad if some people can profit from my contribution. it's desirable that music sounds better, not necessarily louder though. too much good music is destroyed by over the top levels. so you should always ask yourself if your song is still enjoyable, which i admittedly fail at sometimes | |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#21 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Berlin
Posts: 336
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop | Waw, that's what you call transparent ? Sorry, no rude, but your track's sound's bad man.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#22 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 666
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop the main problem with mixing down a track usually is, that even the best limiter makes your sound muddy at some point, and using no limiter, your basses can distort very easily.
so what i do is put my limiter on a new bus and route all tracks except the snare and some high content only instruments to that bus.
i suggest the stillwell eventhorizon-plus or the oxford limiter for this bus.
theres no limiter on the master channel. the snare might technically clip but most of the track will sound really loud and smooth. you wont hear any clipping.
the reason i don't route the snare to the limiter is, that the snare suffers the most from limiting. other high content only instruments like cymbals or synths don't clip notably so you can remain their dynamics by not limiting them either.
if you're going to try this technique, feel free to report about your results. | I do something similar!
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#23 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2009 Location: BC
Posts: 923
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop the main problem with mixing down a track usually is, that even the best limiter makes your sound muddy at some point, and using no limiter, your basses can distort very easily.
so what i do is put my limiter on a new bus and route all tracks except the snare and some high content only instruments to that bus.
i suggest the stillwell eventhorizon-plus or the oxford limiter for this bus.
theres no limiter on the master channel. the snare might technically clip but most of the track will sound really loud and smooth. you wont hear any clipping.
the reason i don't route the snare to the limiter is, that the snare suffers the most from limiting. other high content only instruments like cymbals or synths don't clip notably so you can remain their dynamics by not limiting them either.
if you're going to try this technique, feel free to report about your results. | Really??
This is fact I take it, at least that is how you communicate it.
The main problem....hmm you sound like an expert. Muddy?? Interesting. I have only heard this muddy problem when people limit their stuff far far too much. Of course with you being an expert and all this isn't the problem.
Snare clipping? And this is okay?
Why are you suffering all this clipping, and what is with the muddiness from limiting?
I have never had these problems you talk of and for me, I just refuse to deal with clipping anything and never use a limiter on any bus.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#24 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2009 Location: BC
Posts: 923
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop |
Whoops just saw this post.
Thanks! If those are the results your method achieve I will make sure to avoid it. For each their own. Besides the weird timing, lack of cohesion, nasty snare sound and overall rough highs, it all sounds half decent.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#25 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra
Posts: 846
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop | well i'll be... your croup beats!
I know that style when i here it.
I loved some of the beats on your mixtape
Idid a similar thing when mixing the other night. I believe i comped some other highs though. i only left the snare which didnt seem to get the sound i wanted when i compressed it.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#26 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,221
|
oh... people still want loud?
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#27 | | 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,096
| Quote:
Originally Posted by proop | what? well unless there's some new weird timing style in hiphop i missed, these tracks all sound TOTALY all over the place!!, the timing is completely knackered like it's being played back from a broken pc sequencer - it sounds like a mixture of various odd swings none of which fit together. seriously. are the mp3 files busted somehow?
are you guys SERIOUSLY saying those track timings sound ok to you? i cant possibly beleive it.
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#28 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
|
yeah I couldn't follow the timing either. Is it Seggae?
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#29 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orlando |
What kind of setting do you use on the Oxford Limiter for this?
| |
| | |
4th August 2009
|
#30 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,522
|
Thats a great idea!, the only downside i see is that your levels will definitely be altered, so probably you'll have to do that in a early stage of the mix. But thats a good idea, keeping the transients on percusive instruments and squashing the rest.. its still squashing but it may have a nice result!. Thanks for the tip!
I like it when ppl think outside the box, instead of using the same typical "mix magazine" replies like "hire a good mastering engineer", "the importance is in the room", "always cut, never boost". Not saying those things are not true but come on ppl its just boring to hear that over and over again, sometimes from ppl that dont even have a clue of what they are saying.
Anyway, in adittion to your idea, i may add that instead of using it in the mix the way you described, maybe you could export your mix in stems and do the same thing on mastering.
Cheers!
| |
| | | |
New Reply 
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
