You load a compressor on your vocal. You pull the threshold down until the gain reduction meter starts moving. You try 4:1. Sounds okay. You try 2:1. Also okay? You spend 20 minutes nudging the attack and release and by the end you’re not sure if you’ve helped the track or just worn yourself out. … Read more
If you’re interested in music production and audio engineering, you’ve probably heard the term “knee.” A “knee” is a characteristic of a compressor that can have a significant impact on the sound of your audio. This feature is an integral part of the comprehensive audio compression series. See Related Resources below for the full guide and … Read more
You drop a compressor on a vocal, leave the ratio at the default 4:1, and tweak the threshold until the meter shows a few dB of gain reduction. The vocal sounds fine, but you have no idea why 4:1. Was that the right number? Should it have been 2:1? 8:1? You move on, secretly hoping … Read more
Drums play an essential role in modern music production, providing rhythm and energy to the tracks. Often, they are recorded separately so that the mixing process can be controlled and flexible. As a result, mixing drums can also seem daunting. It can be difficult to know where to begin when balancing and blending so many … Read more
In this post, you’ll find a set of sensible and actionable steps that you can take to get great-sounding tom drums.These include everything from applying EQ, compressing like a pro, adding reverb, separating the kick from the bass, and more.Let’s get started.How to Mix Tom Drums Step by Step Whether you’re working with electronic or … Read more
If you’re here, you may already have an idea of how powerful saturation can be for mixing drums. You may already know that it is a crucial part of achieving great-sounding mixes that can compete.In fact, you could almost say it’s necessary for the majority of successful records.The “magic of saturation” could be the missing … Read more
While mixing an electric guitar is not difficult, many of the more complex techniques can take some practice to master.When you are just starting out, there are some basic practices you can follow. If you follow these steps, you can avoid common mixing pitfalls and get started on your way to success.They’ll also provide a solid … Read more
Welcome to your rap vocal mixing learning journey!You’ll get the most out of this guide if your desire to learn how to mix rap vocals is exceeded only by your willingness to execute and test concepts.This guide is designed to describe all major aspects of vocal mixing on a rap track. These include mastering vocal EQ, … Read more
If you’re reading this, you’re already aware of how effective EQ can be in achieving the perfect tone on an electric guitar.The magic happens when you know exactly where to cut or boost without any guesswork. On the other hand, if you’re just guessing, then that’s like throwing darts blindfolded. The odds of hitting anything … Read more
You drop a compressor on the kick, set 4:1, attack as fast as it will go, and the kick gets quieter. Not louder. Not punchier. Just smaller. You bypass it. The kick comes back. You re-engage it and try slowing the attack. Now the transient pokes out, but the body of the kick disappears. Twenty … Read more