Mix lacking brightness

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Kasey

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I use what i would (and so would most people) consider to be fairly bright mics; AT4040, Pro 37's, etc. However, unless I'm cranking the highs over 6dB on everything, none of my mixes seem to have as much high end as albums i listen to (even generally dark sounding ones). I'm not sure what im doing wrong. is it my preamps? i'm using the preamps from my yamaha MG mixer. Also, my monitors (M-Audio BX5a's) are relatively bright, but im comparing my mixes to other mixes on the same monitors. Is it just the fact that the albums have been mastered that they have more high end??
someone please help me out?
 
I wouldn't worry about boosting the high end on your mix. What does matter it that the signal is there to begin with. And that the "mix" of high end energy is mixed well relative to all the tracks.
When mastering, they'll probably add some general, wide-bandwidth, low gain EQ to increase, or tame some frequencies. Also when mastering, the compression will help even out the spectrum a bit. Any mastering engineer will either hear a loss of 6dB in the high end, and/ or they will check the frequencies on an RTA to be sure there isn't any large dips or humps in the spectrum.
But keep in mind there is only so much mastering can do, you must mix it well to begin with. Boosting frequencies can be touchy.
Also it depends on what is in the mix, a full-band w/ drum kit, synth, elec guitar, singer will be very broadband.
So unless you have no high frequencies, you should be OK. Just be sure you're working with audio better than 44.1kHz, 16-bit. Anything lower than that you will loose high frequencies that can never be regained.
 
if you want the mix to be bright you need to capture it that way during tracking. I think a lot of albums are brighter than normal...there's only one way to acheive that.
 
(A) Definitely try some sweeter preamps if you can.

(B) Make sure your levels are "normal" - not "hot" - especially with budget preamps. 0dBVU (which is where you should have the "meat" of the signal) is going to be around -18dBFS. Pushing the preamps past that point, one of the first things to go is that almost intangible "air" that you're missing now. Then try mixing using those same levels just for kicks. Try that first and see if it doesn't help...
 
An aural exciter has just done some wonders for my brightness levels (it sounds brighter rather than more treble)
 
Kasey, let me ask you one question:

Are you soloing each instrument and fine tuning the eq, so that each instrument sounds great by itself?
 
Massive Master said:
(A) Definitely try some sweeter preamps if you can.

(B) Make sure your levels are "normal" - not "hot" - especially with budget preamps. 0dBVU (which is where you should have the "meat" of the signal) is going to be around -18dBFS. Pushing the preamps past that point, one of the first things to go is that almost intangible "air" that you're missing now. Then try mixing using those same levels just for kicks. Try that first and see if it doesn't help...
Click to expand...

cha-ching!

thoes are not dark mics either. so it's gotta be
A: source
B: what john said
 
i know i'm resurecting this. but what would be considered some sweeter preamps i could find for fairly cheap?
 
mackie onyx or xdr. the onyx rack unit is a great addition to any studio. :)
 
Ultra-cheap and decent - M-Audio DMP3, Rane MS1b.

Cheap and solid - FMR's RNP (dual channel), Grace Design's 101 (single channel).
 
My stab :D
So how about giving a sample of the mix so we can actually hear whats going on? Why guess from your desciption?

In any case,(just to be sure&assuming your using a DAW)) are you HP'sing the instruments that don;t need the low end? (all but Bass& kick). How about while tracking.
What measures are your taking to rid the mix of mud? Sometimes cutting the mud is more important than boosting the HF. What measures are you taking to clear the frequency for each instrument during mix time with ll tracks up(not solo)?

T
 
i cut everything below 80Hz and usually everything below 100Hz unless its a bass instrument. heres a link to some of my mixes: Tree Heart Orchestra

they really dont show the problem a whole lot though because i boosted the highs on them a bunch.. my problem is that i dont think i should have to do that in the first place.
I'm looking at getting an RNP, that sounds like a good option. I've never heard the grace 101 but from peoples descriptions of it i dont think i'd like it. any other suggestions?

thank you.
 
still not very bright most of the time. im pretty sure its my preamps.
 
funny that you mention it. i'm using a 100ft long snake most of the time. but everyone has told me that wouldnt effect it right? i have to use it, i have a 'control room' and then the mics in other rooms, just like any other studio, so surely thats not it?
 
I bet it's not your preamp or mic. maybe your mic technique can be better...

My recommendation... spend some time learning to mix and using EQ and compression. as Harvey stated, make each instrument the best it can be, within the context... that means boosting and cutting. learning where is the deal.

I don't recall what music type you're recording, but learning how to EQ while mixing is it. 99 of 100 times a commercial CD is brighter than what was tracked.
 
I had a listen, and it's pretty obvious to me that you need to work on your room accoustics and mic technique / placement, big-time.

Rather than me telling you exactly what you need to do, I think you'll get more benefit out of sifting around and finding the answers yourself. Feel free to PM me if you ever have any specific areas you'd like help on, and I'd be happy to help point you in the right direction.

.
 
BBe Sonic Maximizer

BBe Sonic Maximizer. i have the plug in for my daw, the rack unit for my bass amp, and the pedal for my guitar in my band. amzing. sounds like active eqs, it really make a difference, so easy to use (two knobs!) and is very affordable. look into that, it has brightened my studio and live sound as well as my life.
Flame
 
i used to have a bbe and i sold it. the longer i had it the more i hated it.
 
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