"Down On Me" Jeremih and 50 Cent - Mix Session Video

[SChavez963]

Wow thanks Ken, I'm a producer and engineer from Houston. Always grateful to see engineers that give back.

[beat you down]

Originally Posted by Ken Lewis

...ITs actually really rewarding to hear how simple everything thought this beat was because it was not at all simple to mix

ken, as the beat seems to come across as "simple"... would you say all tracks were necessary?

i mean, sonically... would it been a different song if it really was a "simple" (few tracks) beat?

i'm asking this because i'm experimenting with subtle stuff versus obvious stuff, running into separation vs masking issues.

thanks.

[Ken Lewis]

Originally Posted by beat you down

ken, as the beat seems to come across as "simple"... would you say all tracks were necessary?

i mean, sonically... would it been a different song if it really was a "simple" (few tracks) beat?

i'm asking this because i'm experimenting with subtle stuff versus obvious stuff, running into separation vs masking issues.

thanks.

i dont think it would have felt like the same song at all. The fact that it feels simple is due to how smoothly each section transitions into the next. Whatever the combination of elements that made this a hit (the mix being only one link in that long chain) i wouldnt change a thing. this song was on the singles charts for an unheard of 7 months!!!

[e-are]

Yeah Ken, the track seems pretty simple. Looking at the video, there is a lot more going then it seemed, to me. I have always loved the song. actually heard it so much on the radio, back when I was listening to the radio, so much I didn't need to buy it. You did a great job on the mix and the fact that it wasn't mastered says a lot about your skillz bruh!!!!

[SmokinAces]

Freaking Awesome!!! Thanks for doing this Ken!

[Ken Lewis]

Originally Posted by SmokinAces

Freaking Awesome!!! Thanks for doing this Ken!

Wait til you see Episode 2. The few people who have seen it said it was way better than Episode 1, which lets face it, only studio geeks like us would enjoy watching in the first place

[Solar]

Always inspiring & in great gratitude Mr Ken. You prove here everytime I read you that not only you are one of my Favorite Mix engineer but also a great human who understood that when life has given you & keep on bringing you knowledge, sharing & giving back is Key.

Greatness +1

[atlpd3147]

Ken you mentioned that 50 cut some more vocals in your room. Did you use a gobo or any type of seperation to track his vocals in that room?

[e-are]

This might help
Pro Vocal Recording Master Class with Ken Lewis

[mikeg09]

Ken man I have a question,
I listend to Down On Me last night and noticed that both Jeremih and 50's vocals had really nice low end without sounding muddy. Is this proper tracking, eq, compression, or a mixture of all of them?

It sounds so good!
What should I focus on the most? I tracked this new song im working on really well and it seems like there was less that I had to do in the mix for the vocals. But then again my tube and solid state equipment added some nice magic!

[JoRillo]

Originally Posted by mikeg09

Ken man I have a question,
I listend to Down On Me last night and noticed that both Jeremih and 50's vocals had really nice low end without sounding muddy. Is this proper tracking, eq, compression, or a mixture of all of them?

Probably this.

Originally Posted by Ken Lewis

I'm using maxxbass on 50 Cent's vocal to give it some roundness on the bottom end. could have done something similar with a Pultec, i just like the way Maxxbass sounds for this kind of stuff. a little less like EQ and a little more like warmth. I will use Aphex Big Bottom for the same thing sometimes.

[Ken Lewis]

Originally Posted by mikeg09

Ken man I have a question,
I listend to Down On Me last night and noticed that both Jeremih and 50's vocals had really nice low end without sounding muddy. Is this proper tracking, eq, compression, or a mixture of all of them?

It sounds so good!
What should I focus on the most? I tracked this new song im working on really well and it seems like there was less that I had to do in the mix for the vocals. But then again my tube and solid state equipment added some nice magic!

you gotta wait for episode 2

but the link e-are posted to my "Pro Vocal Recording Master Class" will show you exactly how i set everything up and recorded.

[Miss Angelica]

this was so helpful

i hope you put up a tutorial of how you would mix a hip hop beat (before given to an artist), what basic fx you should use, levels, etc..i would pay for something like that.

[Stackx]

hey ken you think you can let us know when the 2nd n 3rd video's drop. if you happen to know when they do i don't want to miss em.

[mikeg09]

Originally Posted by Ken Lewis

you gotta wait for episode 2

but the link e-are posted to my "Pro Vocal Recording Master Class" will show you exactly how i set everything up and recorded.

Sweet! Cant wait!

Looks like im going to have to start investing for your other videos if they are like this

[MIDIchlorian]

Almost 100 tracks,I never would have guessed.

[Ken Lewis]

Originally Posted by MIDIchlorian

Almost 100 tracks,I never would have guessed.

109 Tracks

[jikky]

Great video! Look forward to the next parts!

[mikeg09]

Originally Posted by Stackx

hey ken you think you can let us know when the 2nd n 3rd video's drop. if you happen to know when they do i don't want to miss em.

As long as you keep checking back on this thread, you wont miss it lol. Ken will release the other videos when he feels its time be patient

[mikeg09]

But really Ken, when are you going to put out the next video? Lol Jk

[InBeats]

Thank you, Mr Lewis... Dope video
God bless you for sharing

[Elogical4now]

Good Job Ken !!!

[fooloof]

Much appreciated, Ken!

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by Ken Lewis

working with the Trackmasters. I've probably only engineered two dozen sessions for them over the years and most were in the mid 90's.

The most memorable was a session for Kid Capri and The Lox featuring Foxy Brown, when DMX stopped by and among many other things, did a full on hand stand on the Neve console. Then...... Fell over full onto the Neve console and proceeded to lay there. There's alot more to the story, but i will save it for my memoirs which i will never write. its one of my all time favorite studio stories.

The Trackmasters "sound" can IMHO largely be attributed to the brilliant mix work of Tony Maserati, and more importantly, their production of course.

I think D was in that session. She always tells me about the handstand, and the dogs.


EDIT: I just realized that was a totally useless comment in this thread. So yeah, really great video - I like that the IDEAS are present, not just the motions. I especially appreciate the sorting out of the high end, using compression rather than eq to create symbiotic relationship between the hats - one giving the attack the other giving the sustain. No reason the same concept can't be applied to any other frequency realm as well.

[Guy Gabriel]

A great and helpful video Ken, can't wait for part 2 and 3.
And best of luck with your site and courses.

[turbo46]

Thank you Ken

[beat you down]

ken, request for another premium video tutorial...

indepth kick and bass!

[Ken Lewis]

Originally Posted by beat you down

ken, request for another premium video tutorial...

indepth kick and bass!

well dayum, i went REALLY in depth with my "Kick Drum Compression and EQ Comprehensive" Lesson. i guess maybe you are looking for a lesson that covers more of how to make those two work well together?

I am currently putting together a "Creating and Mixing" dubstep course. as well as some ear training programs that are going to be like nothing anyone has ever done. More soon!! -Ken

[TripleXbeatz]

Its truly amazing that you find the time to be so awesome with such consistency Ken!

From the mixes, to GS to PS to ASO... UdaMAN!

[TYPHY]

this song makes me want to buy some percussion loops packs.
i've never used them and it really sets this song off nicely.