Hey everyone, Dami here from Mixing Like a Pro! Today, we're diving deep into the often-overlooked but crucial aspect of mixing: mix bus processing. We'll be using the track "Two or Four" by New Track City to demonstrate how to elevate your mixes to a professional level.
The Foundation: Routing and Approach
In Pro Tools, we've got all the individual tracks – vocals, drums, bass, effects, and music – neatly routed to their respective buses. From there, everything converges onto the mix bus. My workflow prioritizes mix bus processing right from the start.
The Mix Bus Arsenal
My mix bus typically features:
Console Emulation: The Slate VMS is my go-to for adding that analog warmth and character.
EQ: To surgically shape the sound, remove unwanted frequencies, and enhance the overall tonal balance.
Compression: To glue the mix together and add that final touch of polish.
Tape Emulation (Sometimes): For added warmth and saturation.
The Goal: Correction and Enhancement
The aim is to identify and correct any sonic issues, like muddiness, while simultaneously enhancing the track's overall quality. This involves:
Cleaning up the low end: Removing rumble and unwanted low-mid buildup.
Controlling harsh frequencies: Taming any excessive high-end presence.
Adding air and width: Boosting the high frequencies for a brighter, more spacious sound.
The Process: Step-by-Step Breakdown
Let's break down the specific plugins and their settings used on "Two or Four":
EQ (First Plugin):
A high-pass filter around 30Hz to eliminate rumble.
Cuts of around 2dB at 166Hz and 2.6dB at 227Hz to reduce muddiness, particularly in the snare.
A subtle cut of 0.5dB around 4.7kHz to tame harshness.
A low pass filter to roll off some high end.
EQ (Second Plugin):
A cut around 2kHz to address a problematic frequency, again, largely affecting the snare.
The goal is to listen to the entire mix and fix frequencies that are built up too much, not just randomly cutting frequencies.
EQ (Enhancement):
A 1dB boost at 78Hz for added low-end warmth.
A nearly 3dB boost at 18kHz to add air and brightness.
This demonstrates the idea of cutting problem frequencies, then boosting for enhancement.
Saturator X (IK Multimedia):
Tape emulation to add warmth and glue the mix together.
Oversampling is used for higher quality processing.
Novatron (Kush):
A compressor with a slow attack and fast release, applying subtle compression (around 1dB).
Adds weight and glue to the mix.
The Result: Radio-Ready Sound
By carefully applying these techniques, we achieved a wide, full, and polished mix. The EQ adjustments cleaned up the muddiness, the saturation added warmth, and the compressor glued everything together.
Key Takeaways
Mix bus processing is crucial for achieving a professional sound.
Listen carefully and make adjustments based on the specific needs of the track.
Don't be afraid to experiment with EQ and compression.
Sometimes cutting frequencies can improve the overall brightness of a mix.
Consider using analog emulations plugins to add warmth and character.
I hope this breakdown was helpful! Remember, mixing is an art, so trust your ears and find what works best for you. See you in the next video!
For your audio mastering needs you can visit CMastering, to get your songs mastered professionally.
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