R
Ranulf
New member
I've found that that 3D feel of a mix (placement on a virtual stage) is achieved by using different effects and specifically differing amounts of say reverb to distance instruments "vertically" as you say. If you listen to most well done mixes you might brgin to notice certain rules of thumb. The bass frequencies are usually up front(many drums bass etc.) while the higher frequencies are almost literally "higher" in the mix. You want to make sure things don't get muddled also so eq is important to help keep instruments and vocals distinct. But given the miracle of stereo its not too difficult to have instruments placed at differing intervals in the spectrum. Let me give you a quick n' easy example: Use a room-type reverb and apply 20% say, to the Kick and toms, a little more to the snare and even more to the cymbals while keeping them all panned directly to center. Put the bass over using a similar amount of reverb and adjusting it until you have it where you think it sounds good- 25% rev panned also to center, lets say. Apply even more reverb to keys vocals etc. With pan and stereo effects on the higher freq. you can really make things sound "big".