Wow your mix before the mix bus almost sounds mastered already. Impressive!

This is a great lesson to people new to mixing. There are no “rules” when it comes to mixing. You do things “against the grain” as you put it, and it still sounds amazing.

I like how well you explain things and how it can apply to any mix.

Great tips - honestly, A/B'ing these mix bus plugins really challenge my ear to notice what you're altering, but that's a good thing! I'm learning what to listen for. It also sheds light on how your mixes in particular come to life. Thanks Jordan!

Great video, Jordan! I used to overprocess my mix buss, but nowadays have a similar approach to you. I'll automate EQ or stereo imagers at the chorus depending on if it fits the song from time to time, but I'm with you on less is more OR making sure to have a purpose for whatever more is. Cheers, man!

man your mixes sound so incredible. I would gladly take lessons!

That snare sounds so good. Man.

Loving the logical approach you take

Wow your mixes sound amazing!

Great point about boosting 60Hz on a mix bus EQ and it bringing up everything else with it.

Nice tip - I’ve done both these moves individually but not together! Gonna try this!

I've gotta say, when I first started mixing a couple years ago, I started this way, then I discovered top-down, thought it made so much sense, did it for a while, but eventually circled back and concluded the same thing said in this video. It makes global moves on individual tracks that don't necessarily need those moves. It resulted in that exact same problem of "overall lofi-ness, overall haze" or mud, or thinness, you name it. I find it very hard to justify global moves across 20-60 (or even 100) tracks. I think the further you go into the realm of mix bus processing, the more you're actually just mastering, which I'd advise against if you're in the process of mixing. All that being said, my most recent successful mixes, I do a bit of mix bus eq, but for the same reasons given here: quick check against reference tracks has me realizing I landed too dark or whatever. So I NUDGE the mix toward the reference (rather than how I used to shove the mix that way). My two cents? Mixing means work with these tracks while you have access to these tracks. Why would you disadvantage yourself and act like the mastering engineer who only has access to the bounced stereo file? MOST (not all) mix bus processing, I now strive to avoid and consider it more of a failure if I have to resort to it. May not be true for everyone, but it proved true for me after months of frustration.

Great content as always! I’ll try a 2 plugin master bus on my next mix.

Wow. Great to see your approach. Amazing how much of a difference such a small amount of processing makes and amazing to hear the state tour mix is in before any mix bus processing. I went from doing it this way (very badly) a few years ago to a more top down approach which is getting me close to the results I want, more for the fact that my skills and knowledge are much better now than the fact that I’m using a top down approach. However, what you described as “out of focus” “blanket over an otherwise good mix” is exactly the hurdle I’m trying to get past at the moment. I often finding myself doing too much/un-effective mix bus processing and reducing it towards the end of a mix. Maybe it’s time to try limiting the amount of mix bus processing I allow myself! Thanks & great video as always.

@JacobraRecords

5 жыл бұрын

Just try cutting EQ out of the mixbus chain. You'll get much less phase distortion as compared to EQing tracks individually. Reach for a compressor or saturation that has different tonality characteristics instead.

Thank You Sir. Great Video

Thank you. You're VERY good at your craft.

My mix bus has been only 2 or 3 plug ins for a while now. So nice.

@BlackenedNL

5 жыл бұрын

Same, sometimes 3 when needed. I really like the 33609 plugin for some compression, the Pro-L2 limiter and the ATR-102! Sounds great everytime

Great video and philosophy on the mix. I agree with bottoms up approach as well and only add SSL Bus Comp, like yourself, but just 2 more. C6 multiband next to tame some unwanted frequencies (instead of EQ) and lastly the Kramer tape to smooth out harshness of top end that digital tends to be for me.

You have *serious* good ears. Are you planning a third Mix Vault with new content? Learned a lot from your first and I'd love another. Keep up the good work. And thanks for your guidance.

Sounds great! I'm just wondering do you still use AVID Heat?

Agree with what you said here. Actually, I use MAAG EQ2 instead of pultec-style, but will not use this type of eq by default.

I feel the same with the mix buss, less is more here. But can you explain more about half way of the mix , thanks

Great video, I would like to ask you what do you think about EZ MIX 2? There are many pressets with effects like Compressor, EQs, and stuff like that. Thank you in advance for your opinion ;)

Sounding great, subscribed!

@hardcoremusicstudio

5 жыл бұрын

thanks, welcome!

Great stuff Thank you

I like to use a little bit of saturation in the mixbus (I use Klanghelm IVGI2, drive at 2-3, relaxed mode, hf response) before the limiter, I think it helps to glue everything and also taming the digital, harshest frequencies.

@DreErdna

5 жыл бұрын

Emiliano Mele hey, I use that same plug in. Could you explain what the ASYM knob means and also what’s the difference between relaxed and non relaxed? Thanks

@heavymetalmixer91

5 жыл бұрын

1) ASYM knob is a peak compression knob: 1 means smashing the peaks and maximum means no compression at all. 2) Relaxed is the sound of the first IVGI and it sounds darker.

Hey Jordan! I have 2 questions. Has your mix template changed over the last few years ? And do you use Aux Tracks along with VCA tracks?

At what level do you think it's "ideal" for a mix to be mastered?

excellent video...great info...subbed

Hi, i would like to know, are you supposed to export the individual final buses of the mix to send it to master? for example: "final bass, final guitars, final voices, etc..." In that case, are you supposed to export the mix bus also? Sorry if this sounds a little confusing, im still learning haha. Thanks!

Have you noticed the slate fgx gives innacurate rms outputs, about 3db too low?

I always found my best mixes has the least amount of Mix Bus processing! Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Also always thoigh pushing the SSL comp to 6-8db of compression always sounded bad, but I wondered if I was doing something wrong since everyone loves that comp. I always end up using it subtly at 2-3db of comp just like you!

@JimijaymesProductions

5 жыл бұрын

Pushing much more then 3db on any mix bus compressor generally sounds bad especially an SSL comp, Id maybe only do that on drums for effect.

For me, the one album I consider to have the absolute greatest production would have to be Judas Priest's Defenders of the Faith. While there may not be a lot of separation regarding the instrumentation, everything is blended so perfectly, the entire release sounds coherent and focused. A lot of production today has every element hitting in a different space and frequency, and it just sounds like everything is fighting for attention, which is confusing for the listener.

The CLA compressor sounded best to me. But, it was different song as well. Interesting thing about CLA's plug-in is that the EQ is AFTER the compressor. That is according to CLA in the Waves hour-long session he did. And that is always how he sets up his mix bus; compressor into Pultec EQ with a 3db boost at 60 and a 3db boost on the high end (I forget exactly but 8-10K.)

Now that's pro advice!

The best mix process for me is correcting all the elements and then sweetening ths buses, I tend to use a mix bus compressor just to mix into but then I fix all the problems I hear and then each bus is just adding flavour maybe like a parallel comp on the drum bus maybe some EQ, some light compression on backing vox, sometimes a nice broad EQ can help on the mix bus at the end just to tailor the overal tone without changing EQ on every channel.

@HollerAtcherBoi

Жыл бұрын

Background vocals love heavy compression. Just sayin

I love both the ssl and have used the slate since its come out. Its my favortie limiter. I use some of ozones plugins but I prefer the slate limiter over ozones.

@RickK1988

3 жыл бұрын

Say "Over o-zones" 5 times really fast.

Hey, Jordan. Do you take those two off before you send it for mastering? I'm curious because I have to master my own stuff.

i use reaper and i find with the fgx no matter what my levels are feeding into my mixbus the meters in the fgx are off the charts same with the vcc channels in vmr

Just like you I go for individual tracks first and the only plugin I always use in the mix buss is Airwindows NotJustAnotherDither (incredible dither). I'd only put another plugin there if I think I need to, usually at the end of the mix.

@HollerAtcherBoi

Жыл бұрын

What does that do for your sound? I have that plugin but can’t hear it doing anything. Admittedly, I’m nit clear on its purpose to begin with. Thanks

I'm surprised hearing that most people have a really heavy use of plugins on their mix bus. I've always been much more like you, focusing heavily on the individual instrument tracks with very minimal mix bus plugins.

Waves SSL Bundle all the way ! \m/

The CLAST finalizer is a game changer.

I have definitely been guilty of over processing my mix bus in the past, but what really changed that was getting better at tracking. All of a sudden, when I flipped on my go to processing, I felt the individual instruments impact and clarity kind of collapse on itself. It kind of ruined my hard work of getting the sounds right at the source. It was a jaw dropping experience for sure! Now I just mix into a bit of compression and go from there.

@l3eatalphal3eatalpha

11 ай бұрын

Totally agree when you do the whole process. It is only so many times you re-eq/process something you tracked before you change how/what you capture. Also as you progress you reduce the amount of externally tracked mixes you do that require first-aid techniques. And I avoid people who have stems that they then describe as wanting to sound like something else. Dear lord.

@adamwasthefirstman

11 ай бұрын

@l3eatalphal3eatalpha Ha! Been there!

Hey what was that second song? Really Dug that riff. This is something i learned on my last mix. It was too dark, so i boosted quite a lot on the top end and it completely nullified the punch. Scrapped it, did it over with constant referencing, with only ssl comp and subtle saturation on the bus, and bam, much better

@e_makes_music_

4 жыл бұрын

MrFrumbie The song is called Signals by Aterra Tale.

I'm curious. I use reaper and it has like a master fader and I was shown to do some moderate things to help push volume such as putting a limiter on the master fader. is that kind of the same thing and should I consider just removing it? I've noticed that I lose a tone of volume in my mixes when I do.

@brandonelmore1174

4 жыл бұрын

You can do it that way or just create a 2nd master or mix buss. Depends what you are trying to achieve I guess For basic stuff, you can use the master fader . Some prefer to mix to a mix buss then to master fader. I generally use small moves across the individual tracks or buss tracks, and have a comp , and tape sat on the master fader

How many plugins does Ozone 8 count as? :)

@IsaakWolf

4 жыл бұрын

The whole thing and not individual. It counts as many as you add. Bruh how many plugins does slate digital virtual mix rack count as? My CPU thinks it's too much

@Dylanklinemusic

2 жыл бұрын

Ozone is legit. I’d say it’s “one” :) lol

Another thing: I personally was disappointed with the CLA plugin. It was fun at first, but eventually just found it was sucking out energy, clouding things up a little, deadening it. Maybe I pushed it too far at the time?

Some please clarify mix busses to me. You route all the tracks to a mix bus, throw whatever plug ins on it. Then export all that audio and start mastering? Is mix bus processing not similar to mastering twice?

@metallicafan3124

3 жыл бұрын

it's similar in that you're editing the mix as a whole, but the mix bus is more about containment and flavor whereas mastering changes the overall tone of the song.

Do you bounce off your mix with those two plugins on?

@hardcoremusicstudio

5 жыл бұрын

Yup

What i dont understand is how to know beforehand which tracks need to be bused. If i send everything on the mix buss, how do i send some groups of individual tracks to the drum bus for example. In ableton live you cant do that., You have to do the drums buss first and then send that to the mix bus. But what if you decide later that two tracks that have been sent to a drum bus need to be sent in another bus too? You cant. Another problem is when you change the track volumes in the mixer, doesnt that affect the input of the compressor in the mix bus? thanks in advance

@brandonlamb8

4 жыл бұрын

matenorth sall why don’t you just change the routing from the mix bus to the drum bus? It isn’t set in stone once you create the tracks. Just reroute to the drum bus and then the drum bus to mix bus. I’ve never used ableton, but I would be shocked if you couldn’t do that

Jordan, after you apply the SSL compression and then fg-x it to -10rms - do you send it off for mastering at that point!? Or do you take the fg-x gain off and then send it off for mastering? Thanks!

@kylegrossi8175

3 жыл бұрын

i would bet the FG-X is taken off prior to sending out for Master.

@krizzleeeqwe

3 жыл бұрын

@@kylegrossi8175 yes it’s taken off

I use the same on my mixbus.

Mix bus is the master track in Reaper? Or a parent "folder" containing all the tracks?

@Vicente_Moreno

5 жыл бұрын

Master track, or whatever contains all the tracks.

Pretty cool approach! guitars sound digital thought.

I have a EQ Comp and Limiter. Is right? 😮

Ohh I love The Afterimage

I've been trying to up my editing game lately, as I've primarily focused on mixing for the past few years. It seems to me that I have to edit every single track throughout the entire song I am currently working on-the drummer speeds up and slows down and, consequently, the rest of the instruments do too. For that "pro" and "polished" sound that people want these days, it seems like it will take forever just to complete the editing process. Do you all find this to be true? I started using Studio One Prime (Because FL studio is seriously lacking in the editing department) and it's waaaay faster than FL, but it's still taking me hours just to edit. Thanks :)

@hardcoremusicstudio

5 жыл бұрын

You've gotta edit your drums first and then track everything else tightly to that. Trying to edit everything together afterwards is a disaster, just like you're saying!

@JustinNathanielAdams

5 жыл бұрын

I was afraid of that. I guess that's partly why you like being in charge of the recording process as well :) Thanks for the reply! Also, what would you do if you weren't in charge of the recording part of the process and they didn't want to re-record-just spend an enormous amount of time on editing?

@paveldaniels

5 жыл бұрын

unfortunately yes. In regards to your previous question, if im tracking drums for a few days, ill get them exported after 1st day and send it to my editing guy, who will get the job done same day. Then when it comes to tracking guitars/bass, my drums are ready to go. When tracking guitars/bass, try to get as tight take as possible right off the bat, do your crossfades and your editing is pretty much done!

Should use a bus instead of the master fader because the master fader inserts are post fader and your dynamics will change if say you do a fade out. Great chain though FGX for the win !!!

@ElMoShApPiNeSs

4 жыл бұрын

You can always just automate a trim plugin.

What a talented vocalist.. which layer of Hell did that thing escape from?

Anybody knows the name of the song in 10:12? I love the intro.

@e_makes_music_

4 жыл бұрын

The song is called Signals by Aterra Tale.

@rmv2333

4 жыл бұрын

@@e_makes_music_ Thanks a bunch!

@e_makes_music_

4 жыл бұрын

No problem at all! If you get the chance, give the album a listen, it’s a solid release IMO. Mind Inside is the title of the record!

what song/band is this? Shazam isn't giving me any results.

Is this the AFTERIMAGE Band ?

so I just want to understand, you said here that we might want to suck out 300hz but in a recent video you said you stopped scooping low mids at all..essentially i'm assuming that you mean in case we do need to suck out 300hz?

@hardcoremusicstudio

5 жыл бұрын

I said to suck out 300hz in this video? Where? 🤔🤔

@vadsmixinglab11

5 жыл бұрын

@@hardcoremusicstudio @ 2:35 for about 5 seconds...looking forward to get explanation from the master himself (:

@hardcoremusicstudio

5 жыл бұрын

Ah gotcha. Drums are the big one. I usually don’t suck out that area on anything else... but cut a ton of mids and low mids on drums.

This mix then gets mastered?

@hummarstraful

4 жыл бұрын

yes

when you explained the part 4:20 I felt like i'ts like tie the meat so it keeps the shape xd

you said you are friends with graham cochrane but like every video you make, completely contradicts what he says, he says ‘do little changes +-3db” you say “CRANK THIS SHIT TILL IT SOUNDS GOOD”, he says to work top down, he says to keep plugin input -18db, you say “nah, its allright as long as it doesn’t clip on the main output bass”, I wonder how you dont argue. also your advices actually helped, his not so much, though he has a lot of profound thing to say about overall attitude

I thought this Mix Bus processing was the final Master. I'm confused now. How should a Master be done?

@JesusArmasOficial

5 жыл бұрын

That´s the task for a mastering engineer. Regularly, we send them a mixdown which is just a WAV file from our whole mix and they´ll master it as a whole. In mastering, there are some things included like Limiting, EQ, Compression, Stereo Imaging, and Loudness which is now measured by LUFS. Not RMS. I suggest you to check on iZotope´s Mastering Video Series. You´re gonna dig those.

@cerebralcoma4850

3 жыл бұрын

You should add something to give the mastering guy a nice mild glued final mix, add something to low or boost......maybe the final mix is too hot, so will add gainer to low a bit, or maybe you want to add some final character to be used with when the mastering guy gets your final mix......the idea is to give enough headroom and/or not hyper compressed tracks.

@RodrigoCGiacon

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a bunch, guys.

EQ to reach that commercial brightness Compression to clamp down the snare Tape saturation to glue things together Limiter to further clamp down stray transients and reach the commercial loudness

@junkawakami3193

3 жыл бұрын

i never use the andy wallace settings on buscomp for Metal

Waves CLA is too plastic sounding bro... thanks for the tips... I use the UA NEVE bus comp and nothing else right now... might look at the Slate comp 🙏 x

I felt it less punchy with the cla

I just need Oxford Inflator on my mixbus lol

But, the key is in WHEN you apply the compression to the mix bus...

Goddammit the afterimage was a good band

Ozone 9 is making me lazy lol

you used 4.....

Great tips but honestly that song is wretched. Not my taste at all and couldn’t get the clarity you we’re talking about. The info was great however!

THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO Top-down mixing?? Is there anything more counter-productive?? Name something MORE counter-productive than that lmao

@tordurhansen333

5 жыл бұрын

Top-down isnt counterproductive, quite the opposite. It changed my workflow for the better and a few of my fave audio engineers do it.

@nickmadonna355

5 жыл бұрын

@@tordurhansen333 I was speaking from experience and I definitely appreciate the top-down mixing style, because I used to utilize it myself. I guess that I found it more effective to mix minimally from the bottom up. My mixes have never sounded better, but that's just me personally. To each their own!

@tordurhansen333

5 жыл бұрын

To each their own. It's just what works best for me, not everyones cup of tea

I totally agree with you on the top-down mix approach. Never really understood the logic behind it, maybe because there is none. It's quite obvious you do a lot of metal, but IMHO, a lot of tips you provide don't really apply to other genres, especially when you need subtlety and the song requires different moods and climates. Metal lends itself to simplification because essentially, all metal bands sound the same. It would be nice if you could broaden your scope a little and include forms of musical expression other than the unsufferable over-the-top screaming like demons from hell. If metal is your thing, fine, but it's just a tiny corner in the world of music. I feel that a more eclectic approach would benefit a lot more people. Having said that, I watched several of your videos, and there's always something you can take away, but I find it painful to sit through an entire session of hardcore metal. It's plain disturbing.

I don’t see how you can tell what anything sounds like with music like that 😂

This music is very angry do you think these guys talk this way around the dinner table?

Thats a tame mix for the style! too much bass freq cuts acumilating to a very weak mix. I get what you did but you tooK it too faR. compare it to a meshuggah master. your off the mark.

Its a shame that this is a rock genre channel....

Lol 1db. Gtfo. Crank the compression.

What an horrible track 😖