A
AlecBeretz
New member
So this is a general thread for the dilemma "Why does my mix just feel... dead? dull?"
I have had this problem recently, and have come up with some advice.
I would also like people to share their stories to help others with their carcass of a song.
Key points to avoid this problem:
-Never edit a bus or a master track if the problem can be fixed in an individual track
-Always test your song on multiple sound systems. Usually you just have too much bass and the rest of the track is quiet as a result.
-Understand perceived volume versus true volume.
The human ear picks up some frequencies better than others.
Mostly, this is the mid range to high mid range.
This means that if you scoop out the mid range from a guitar at 0db, it will seem quieter...
but the treble and bass have been unaffected, so the decible level of the instrument could still be at 0db.
A dead track comes from a number of instruments being mixed together that all sound even, but have true volumes much higher or lower than you perceive. Maybe a guitar washes over the drum set but the drums still seem louder. The guitar probably has too much bass EQ. Kill below 100 hz (usually).
To fix these problems, put an EQ on the end of your master track channel. Make sure you can see the wave pattern over the EQ (on Logic its called "analyze" I believe. Make the resolution as high as you can go, because it shows a more accurate wave form). Then, solo an instrument that seems to be having trouble. Look at what HZ ranges have the highest peaks. Try lowering it, giving it a flatter EQ. Then add the instrument back into the mix and adjust the volume. It SHOULD sit better, and make your mix feel more alive. I've found that 90% of the time, a mix is dead because the lower frequencies are all muddy and confused.
Please share, correct me if im wrong, ask questions, etc etc. I've been teaching myself mixing and recording and I like to know other peoples tricks.
Also, on a general note, I highly recommend any user of Logic to become extremely familiar with the simple tool of the "Adaptive Limiter."
It will save your life.
I have had this problem recently, and have come up with some advice.
I would also like people to share their stories to help others with their carcass of a song.
Key points to avoid this problem:
-Never edit a bus or a master track if the problem can be fixed in an individual track
-Always test your song on multiple sound systems. Usually you just have too much bass and the rest of the track is quiet as a result.
-Understand perceived volume versus true volume.
The human ear picks up some frequencies better than others.
Mostly, this is the mid range to high mid range.
This means that if you scoop out the mid range from a guitar at 0db, it will seem quieter...
but the treble and bass have been unaffected, so the decible level of the instrument could still be at 0db.
A dead track comes from a number of instruments being mixed together that all sound even, but have true volumes much higher or lower than you perceive. Maybe a guitar washes over the drum set but the drums still seem louder. The guitar probably has too much bass EQ. Kill below 100 hz (usually).
To fix these problems, put an EQ on the end of your master track channel. Make sure you can see the wave pattern over the EQ (on Logic its called "analyze" I believe. Make the resolution as high as you can go, because it shows a more accurate wave form). Then, solo an instrument that seems to be having trouble. Look at what HZ ranges have the highest peaks. Try lowering it, giving it a flatter EQ. Then add the instrument back into the mix and adjust the volume. It SHOULD sit better, and make your mix feel more alive. I've found that 90% of the time, a mix is dead because the lower frequencies are all muddy and confused.
Please share, correct me if im wrong, ask questions, etc etc. I've been teaching myself mixing and recording and I like to know other peoples tricks.
Also, on a general note, I highly recommend any user of Logic to become extremely familiar with the simple tool of the "Adaptive Limiter."
It will save your life.