I'm perfectly happy using the stock limiter on the master. Just don't push into it. Color limiter is definitely not something i'd recommend or want on a master. Great for smashing individual sounds though. Blue Cat free gain suite plugin bundle has a plugin that allows you to link channels together in groups and adjust gain on them all together. Now that's a useful tool for quicker mix gainstaging.
I use a utility tool in every channel to turn volume down. The faders stay mostly on 0dB and get only minor movements in a later stage. Due to the logarithmic scale of the faders, you will have more control on upper parts of the fader, one of the reasons I do it this way.
Logarithmic faders are a thing that most people totally miss out, glad you put it out here since a lot of people loose control easily by going below -24 for no reason 😅. I also use utility tool, especially since I have it set by default with dB starting points. On the other hand tho, it’s cool to have utility tool working only for volume automations and faders for final leveling.
@@Zdrewe i was told only to lower volume at the source, so for instance the volume of the sample or synth or whatever itself. apparently this is the correct way to gain stage.
Great video brother, when i saw you doing all these tricks it just brought a smile to my face because I’ve been using this method of mixing for years now and it never fails, still managed to find useful tips in here, keep it up bro 👏🏽
Hahah for me it was literally the opposite. For years I was spending time on training ears, figuring out the patterns and trials and errors. Not to say that was bad but I would save so much time back then 😂 appreciate you watching 🙏🙏
@@Zdrewe I wasted years and then my Ableton trainer told me relative volume is King - and Queen, and everything. However - it sounds like you feel sound selection is even more important. Would love to know why in a 'next' video.
Man I just had to come back to leave a comment to say THANK YOU SO MUCH. I pulled off all my plugins on and old mix and reset my levels as you have described here bewteen the ceratin ranges provided on the level meter.... listen man THANK YOU from the bottom of my soul. This is going to make things so much easier from now on. I pray from this day forward that my mixes stay consistent now. The part about using the same drums is absolute gold. I've been making music for years. My most succesful instrumental was used in a song with now over 18million views and the lady is damn near famous in Jamaica because of it. The mix I sent them was terrible but still it was successful. I can bet my life on it that now with these tips I can do it again but much easier this time. A major thing for me was that after the song got so big I was overthinking my mixes way too much.... not anymore, Thank you Zdrewe. Thank you. Heres the beat I was talking about - ruclips.net/video/CB0kae8TwOE/видео.html
First of all, congrats on that placement! The instrumental sounds fine to me tho 😉. What I can say, it means a world to me that you decided to try this one and enjoyed the outcome 🙏. I know many say that you shouldn’t stick to specific numbers or ranges but I’m glad you got my point of having guides and then adding your own flavor to it
I usually have my kick and snare sitting at 6db, mids about 20 and bass around 15 up to 25 db depending on a song. Other elements will depend on my mood but never louder than a 12 db. I like to use tons of compression , mb compression and limiting on my master chain so in the end it sounds pretty decent. Being using this method and master chain that I discovered for myself for a few years now and still very happy about results. Never disappoints.
If you had your mix levels right you would not need a limiter or clipper. Maybe a maximiser but adding a compressor before that. Yes but a clipper/limiter is only needed because you haven't got your mix right.
Appreciate you stayed till the end! As I said, it’s far more important than basically any mixing advice yet it’s also hard to give general advice for that. Gonna niche down for a specific genre (probably dancefloor dnb) for this one since the range to operate for sound selection is way way wider than just a couple of dB like in mixing 😅
@@Zdrewe This is the art of music making, training and honing ones taste. That is a hard thing to discuss and teach. But like you said, diving into a specific track will help a ton in that regard! Thank you for the compact and to-the-point video. Even though I work in a very different genre, I will check out the dnb for sure!
I did a quick video on using Hornet VU meter for gain staging so you always have headroom as well as some major advantages once you start processing sounds.
@@Zdrewe I use channel strips and it's nice having everything starting at the same input level whether it's a super loloud sample or a mic recording that needs a boost.
I always leave -3 to -4 headroom after a mix very similar to how this is done. It's plenty. Round about -15 Lufs which I boost to -9 in my master chain
i use a reference (mastered) and turn it down by -12dbfs. i also anker my kick around -12db so i have enough room for my master. no need to put a limiter an my master channel
If you start with your kick at -12db you will land at the end at about -6db... perfekt for mastering. Yes...i also use the limiter to produce right into it. But don't forget to turn it off when you render it out for mstering....i mean when you dont master right away in the same project. But that is something i never do. Most important...HAVE FUN !!! ❤️☮️☯️❤️☮️☯️❤️
This video literally perfectly sums up a dialog I had with my student today on my discord server. - How you do make your mix/master sound so gooood etc etc ? - I do not and I "don't mix". It already sounds good right away - HUH?! You nuts or what ? - Nah bro, I'm just lazy. I do as little as needed. 90% of stuff is either already in the template (buses and master mid 200hz side rest + limiter), used correctly to fit, or set its volume to 'correct range' on the bus. Then limiter and viola -10 lufs easy and clean. - *shocked pikachu face* PS. I use both DAWS fluently and this is perfectly applicable in FL Studio for anyone wondering. Just mind that db range scale is set a little bit different on the fader so go by values not visual. -6 on drumbus, -9/12 bassbus, -12/18 leads rest to taste and you gucci
Glad you like it man! 🙏 not much, 0.5 to 0 dB but honestly it’s just for the purpose of having an image how master may sound. I rarely use TGP limiter as my final one - usually I apply my standard processing after it and then a final limiter or clipper-limiter combo
Thank you for watching 🙏 the level parameter should be there by default (at least always was for me) try changing the size of mixer window if you don’t see it
Damn, tbh I was never into making ambient music but only from listening some pieces a couple of times I can say - you can try to set up some starting points like I showed in this video, but I think ambient is even more about your own creative decisions than any other genre
I treat fader as a final stop to control the volume of each element of my mix. Utility plugin is responsible for gain - which means the input of volume fader. That’s where the difference is 😉
I wouldn't use the Mixer gain sliders to set project levels. Use a Utility instead. That way, you can automate levels in arrangement view using the channel faders, and know that all faders at 0dB is your max permitted volume.
That’s just a workflow of choice thing. I do the opposite - faders for adjusting levels and utility to automate, ride gain or control the signal before hitting fader
@@Zdrewe Agree, but I personally find it easier to use Utility, because you set the gain per channel once, and once Arrangement view automation is applied, the channel faders move in Session and Arrangement views, giving an easier-to-visualise representation of channel volumes, for me... Generally, when working in Session view, I use the channel faders to set the volume per track, then when the various track parts are done in Session view, I add a Utility to each track with the Utility Gain matching the channel fader, and set the channel faders to 0dB. Works well, for me. Main point here tho is to use Utility as a central part of setting levels. Volume Automation in Arrangement view and max Gain per channel are two different things...
if your mix is good, you just have to send everything to a bus and lower the volume, or you can also put a utility at the start of the chain on the master bus ! in 32 bit float, you dont have problem
Not using volume automation works for techno but rock/industrial/metal takes some automating. What youre doing is still useful in a final mox and or masteting. Upward compression is alot easier when ypu turn down ypur loudest stuff of course. That 3db of headroom can go a long way if used wisely. Like with sidechaining and some panning. I was taught to use a reference track and Ive had some good,some bad results with that but overall it has improved my mixes and I dont have to spend as much time tweaking a mix befkre beginning to polish it before mastering. If you intend to get anal and want a perfect mix,invest in some good expensive ass headphones and do it right. Learn ypur analogue to digital and digital to analogue converter in your sounds card and interface. Ive never mixed on a computer based setup that sounded where the bounce sounded exactly the same as how I mixed it. Once you learn which freqs to turn up or turn down to compensate for the bounce to disk. Can save ypu alot of time. Meters are alot more accurate or get yourself a VU meter plug in and actually watch your meters. If you were mixing on a huge pro console in a srudio,youd be watching those analogue VU meters so why not in the DAW? I used to just go by ear then I would be frstated something was loudef than It sounded while mixing. Most headphines attenuate lows so while youre mixing it sounds nice and big but then you try it out in the car or whatever and the lows are too quiet...hopefully people have learned that concept by now lol. Im about to try out a Waves plug in called Submarine soon..it is supposed to create harmonics 2 octaves below and 1 octave below the set frequency...and the vjdeo promoting it says its not necessarily for the lpws you can hear but more foe the lows you feel. So im hoping it helps me get that "thick" pro sound when bounced. Thanks foe the video!
I have a tiny question to ask, why don't use stock limiter but using Color Limiter instead? Basically I'd like to use Kilohearts limiter on the master and stock limiter on the subtrack. I am really curious about that. (just curious)?
At least for me, stock limiter performs bad on a whole track so I would not use it for the “mixing into limiter” technique. Speaking of limiting sub track or single instruments it does it’s job of controlling dynamics completely fine, so no worries about that
Yeah, rules don’t really exist and as long as it sounds good, who cares. But mixing from the start with a limiter on is a huge trap. It’s honestly exactly the opposite of what you mentioned. Mixing with a limiter will lead you to miss on proper level balancing. A limiter will lower your kick if it’s too loud. It will compress your mix. You could end up with a squashed mix and you won’t know what’s the reason for it. You might need your kick louder in the mix but because your limiter is already struggling, making the kick louder ends up sounding even worse. It’s way healthier to add your limiter towards later stages after you already got everything right and leveled.
I get your point and surprise surprise - I agree… at least partially. Mixing into limiter can be as dangerous as not mixing into anything. I believe that all the tips I mentioned would be used with people’s own taste and awareness. Sure thing you can get tricked by the limiter but it’s also a great tool to judge how your mix will sound in later stages plus if it’s too triggered by the kick, just make it lower and blend in other elements. At the end of the day, you gonna use the limiter anyway and if your leveling is bad, it’s gonna sound trash no matter if you mixed into it or used it at the end.
Sry Bro.The best practice before you start the mixer is to place the Utility tool in each channel first. When you reach your level you can make corrections later in the mixer.
I talked about it with someone here in the comments. It all comes down to your workflow honestly. Sure, utility is better - more control than logarithmic faders in mixer. Actually the last tip on setting up template with starting points relies heavily on putting default utility tool on core elements and then mixing to taste with faders.
How about videos for the Zero Nerd Factor people also. Something that points out the bass and kick and then wait for it to be absorbed. Specially the Mixing Mastering Giants.🎉
@Zdrewe - If you mean 'composition' or 'song-writing' when you say song selection - wow I agree. If you mean something else, apologies. If someone can't write and arrange a piece of music, I often question whether they should even do music - even as a hobby LOL. Take care.
I actually said “sound selection” and I was referring to the ability of choosing right pallet and instruments to put together. Speaking of composition and arrangement, I have another video about it on my channel. Everyone is allowed to do music, even if they can’t compose a masterpiece every single time
I agree yet partially. Sure it will help to set your kick to the “right” level but once you start to bring up other elements you will overload the limiter with -6 ceiling much quicker. That will result in wrong balance
@@akira20ish "fine-tuning the rest" is the entire process, especially when you add processing to your groups/busses. in that case, working from the top down with a single limiter will leave you with many surprising artefacts.
Mixing should never be based purely on numbers. It should be based on how it sounds or how it makes you feel. And you should always make correct decisions along the way so you do have enough headroom. If you have everything loud af, there wont be any headroom left
Mixing by Peak levels is a bit useless. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you mix using samples (mainly), which are already compressored (the Peaks have been tamed) etc. but we are talking in the general case. You should prepare your tracks to level before mixing - that is why it is called pre-mix - a good preparation is half the job done. This includes: • taming Peaks (especially on percussive sounds such as kick, snare, toms, blast, percs.) • clipping\saturating (incl. de-clipping of too loud recorded sources) as part of taming the Peaks and get to the "meat" (VU\RMS) of the sound which is actually the perceived loudness of the track\sample • once done prepare your samples\tracks to a RMS (or VU) at about -18dB (do not be punctual - it is just a common reference with enough 'headroom') • with all that preparation your pre-mixed tracks should Peak maximum at around -9 to -6dB Then the actual Mixing happens: space (reverbs, delays), other FX, additional saturation and compressoring if needed and automation!!!
It’s so annoying to keep moving faders from unity to a level that doesn’t clip. I keep my default template at-6db to avoid the exercise you’re going through.
I agree, using utility is great for more detailed volume control since it pre drives the fader input. With a right work there’s literally no way to clip while using faders, that’s what I showed in this vid
Also you're not really factoring in that what you've made is Mainroom/Dancefloor DnB. For a subgenre like Deep Minimal DnB. you'll need to mix lower again due to the way that wavelength, frequency and perceived loudness work in tandem. This video was super interesting though, and I'll be sure to try this out.
Sure thing! I should’ve stress this more that those values and adjustments are just great starting points. At the end of the day it’s all about feeling it and obviously using reference tracks to stay competitive yet compatible with a sound and loudness listeners are used to.
I'll click all of the things if needed, but I'm stoked for future stuff either way 😂 Your stuff is great because it's concise and you have a great flow when on a topic. Editing is superb also 👌
Just mix hitting 0, it’s digital buddy, you can just put -6dbs on the after before exporting with utility and you are ready to go. Digital domain doesn’t care about gain staging bs, that’s for live sound and recording in the analog domain
True, it’s all digital nowadays. On the other hand we have some amazing analog emulations which truly sound different depending on how you drive them. And yes, I know that input knob on them for a reason 😂. The point of having “brackets”, ranges and headroom I mentioned in this video is that I saw so many people struggling to get their levels right while mixing to 0 and wondering what to do when mix bus or mastering processors make the signal worse. Sure thing, if you know your stuff you won’t get into trouble while mixing to 0 or even +2 if you’re brave enough.
Following the heart is a privilege reserved for people who actually understand what they are doing. Once you get an understanding of proper procedure you'll know which "rules" to break to achieve what you're going for.
If you're balance feels right then just put an utility and lower gain on your master channel before your limiter (assuming you want to use one). There's no point in mixing with a limiter on, also there's no point in gain staging in your mix since all modern daws have 70db of virtual headroom. You shouldn't make your mix fit your mastering process. Make your mix right then process your master as needed. Just use gain utility when you need a lower input, if you don't, then just don't waste your time with this.
…yet if someone has a problem with balancing, mixing into a limiter will give a solid idea about conflicting levels (by providing distortion on kick and bass relationship for example). And yes, I agree on digital age mixing and using utility to taim mixbuss before mastering. I learned this leveling method back when I was working in a studio and struggled to get the right balance. It helps a lot to get the idea about levels but as I said in the video and in some comments already - if you have a good taste of balance let your intuition lead you to what sounds good even when you’re not using limiter first or setting up starting points. Thanks for your insight 🙏
Happy to hear that 🙏 I’m aware about skipping some nuances and details that may trigger some audio bros here and there but at the end of the day it’s really hard to have ultimate solution for everyone. Hope that it brings you on the right track!
See what you did there my friend 😎 sure if you’re experienced enough to sound design from scratch then it’s better to go for it but one of a great ways to get good at it is to work on sound selection first
@@Zdrewe I agree - I was being cheeky. I use all my own samples but some are sampled from my analog drum machines - some of which have limited sound design potential (ex. tr-606). There's no right or wrong way, you can DJ finished tracks, or more flexible, DJ from stems, then more flexible than that is to compose tracks out of loops, and then all the way past using sample packs is synthesizing/field recording all sounds. But it doesn't stop there because then you can design your own soft synths / or hardware synths, etc. At any level you are relying on the people below and there's no true bottom.
Means a world man! Can I be honest? Your words about my music mean even more. I was too busy and burned out to release something last year so I’ll make sure to release this one as quick as possible (at least this one 😂)
Honestly, you haven't discovered America😄, this is normal volume staging (not gain staging), there are many such tutorials, btw a tip from Patrick Starx and this is a hack, before such volume metering i suggest checking the volume level of each track in the VU meter so that they oscillates around 0 dbVU 😉.
If I need to be honest Patrick, the VU meter “hack” isn’t the groundbreaking thing as well. It comes from analog era way before you and I were into making music (not sure about your age tho). At any point in this video I said it’s a new discovery. I just like to make tutorials and by making them for 3 years online I’ve learned that there are many people who seek for basic knowledge, need a quick reminder or literally enjoy another point of view or simply just a way of talking about specific topics 😉
it's 32 bit float, WTF, there's no clipping on groups or individual channels, it's only clipping on master if there is no utility or limiter applied. u all getting it gdamn wrong, stil..
Hope that’s your subjective option based on experience, not an opinion influenced by Reddit audio community or Pro Tools warriors. Since 2010 I worked on beatmaking, session recording and mixing in FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One and Live. It’s easy to do all the things you’ve mentioned in every DAW. All comes down to personal preference 😉
@@Zdrewe HI. Yes mate, it s my personal experience. I love ableton, it s an incredible software , different from everything else. It doesn t track instruments well, it s heavy and buggy for that. I track in Reaper, king of performance. Live is awesome for unleashing creativity, or playing live electronic music. It s not exactly a DAW, is it? Take care mate :)
Ahhhh so you’re bringing Reaper to the table. Well, now I talk based on opinions I heard but you’re right - the performance is way better. Although it’s not impossible to track or record in Live 😉. Thanks for sharing your opinion man, love discussions like this one, not the mean comments with no background I’m used to from IG 😂
@@Zdrewe Heheh. My pleasure. I use both since day one they came out :)...I know my shit to be honest. Of course it s possible to track in ableton, it s just not its best territory, that s all. One thing for mastering and mixing I never liked in ableton is how it uses levels. There is something under the hood it does, it s not natural, it adds a lot of vitamins to it, LoL. I suppose it s the way it works, but that ableton master channel is something special and unusual :) Take care mate :)
![ТРЕШ ОБЗОР фильма ФАНТОМЫ [Нечто+Мгла+Сайлент Хилл]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bag353a7NbM/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm perfectly happy using the stock limiter on the master. Just don't push into it. Color limiter is definitely not something i'd recommend or want on a master. Great for smashing individual sounds though. Blue Cat free gain suite plugin bundle has a plugin that allows you to link channels together in groups and adjust gain on them all together. Now that's a useful tool for quicker mix gainstaging.
I use a utility tool in every channel to turn volume down. The faders stay mostly on 0dB and get only minor movements in a later stage. Due to the logarithmic scale of the faders, you will have more control on upper parts of the fader, one of the reasons I do it this way.
Logarithmic faders are a thing that most people totally miss out, glad you put it out here since a lot of people loose control easily by going below -24 for no reason 😅. I also use utility tool, especially since I have it set by default with dB starting points. On the other hand tho, it’s cool to have utility tool working only for volume automations and faders for final leveling.
@@Zdrewe That´s right. Thanks for your video.
This is the correct way of doing it 👍
I use utility as a gain stage and rms the avatage peak to fader level
@@Zdrewe i was told only to lower volume at the source, so for instance the volume of the sample or synth or whatever itself. apparently this is the correct way to gain stage.
Thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome 😎
Great video Zdrewe!!!
Means a world 🙏🙏
Great video brother, when i saw you doing all these tricks it just brought a smile to my face because I’ve been using this method of mixing for years now and it never fails, still managed to find useful tips in here, keep it up bro 👏🏽
Hahah for me it was literally the opposite. For years I was spending time on training ears, figuring out the patterns and trials and errors. Not to say that was bad but I would save so much time back then 😂 appreciate you watching 🙏🙏
@@Zdrewe I wasted years and then my Ableton trainer told me relative volume is King - and Queen, and everything.
However - it sounds like you feel sound selection is even more important. Would love to know why in a 'next' video.
Thanks for Sharing!
Man I just had to come back to leave a comment to say THANK YOU SO MUCH. I pulled off all my plugins on and old mix and reset my levels as you have described here bewteen the ceratin ranges provided on the level meter.... listen man THANK YOU from the bottom of my soul. This is going to make things so much easier from now on. I pray from this day forward that my mixes stay consistent now. The part about using the same drums is absolute gold. I've been making music for years. My most succesful instrumental was used in a song with now over 18million views and the lady is damn near famous in Jamaica because of it. The mix I sent them was terrible but still it was successful. I can bet my life on it that now with these tips I can do it again but much easier this time. A major thing for me was that after the song got so big I was overthinking my mixes way too much.... not anymore, Thank you Zdrewe. Thank you.
Heres the beat I was talking about - ruclips.net/video/CB0kae8TwOE/видео.html
First of all, congrats on that placement! The instrumental sounds fine to me tho 😉. What I can say, it means a world to me that you decided to try this one and enjoyed the outcome 🙏. I know many say that you shouldn’t stick to specific numbers or ranges but I’m glad you got my point of having guides and then adding your own flavor to it
@@Zdrewe 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Hey there! This info is so empowering! Thanks so much for your awesome content!
Glad it was helpful! 😎
I usually have my kick and snare sitting at 6db, mids about 20 and bass around 15 up to 25 db depending on a song. Other elements will depend on my mood but never louder than a 12 db.
I like to use tons of compression , mb compression and limiting on my master chain so in the end it sounds pretty decent. Being using this method and master chain that I discovered for myself for a few years now and still very happy about results. Never disappoints.
This was very educational, thank you.
Thank you for watching 🙏
Dope Video - Interesting to see your method. Will give it a go. Cheers 🙌
Glad you like it and thanks for watching 🙏 hope it will save you time on mixing 😎
subscribed today , great how you teach !!!
Truly appreciate it! 🙏 there’s only more cool vids to come 😉
thanks@@Zdrewe
very good!!
Glad you think so! 🙏
If you had your mix levels right you would not need a limiter or clipper. Maybe a maximiser but adding a compressor before that. Yes but a clipper/limiter is only needed because you haven't got your mix right.
That last point about sound selection, which is basically song arrangement, is really important.
Appreciate you stayed till the end! As I said, it’s far more important than basically any mixing advice yet it’s also hard to give general advice for that. Gonna niche down for a specific genre (probably dancefloor dnb) for this one since the range to operate for sound selection is way way wider than just a couple of dB like in mixing 😅
@@Zdrewe This is the art of music making, training and honing ones taste. That is a hard thing to discuss and teach. But like you said, diving into a specific track will help a ton in that regard! Thank you for the compact and to-the-point video. Even though I work in a very different genre, I will check out the dnb for sure!
Respect mate great upload, and now have subscribed 🎉❤
Means a world 🙏 will keep them coming 🫡
I did a quick video on using Hornet VU meter for gain staging so you always have headroom as well as some major advantages once you start processing sounds.
Ahh the good old VU meter method 🫡
@@Zdrewe I use channel strips and it's nice having everything starting at the same input level whether it's a super loloud sample or a mic recording that needs a boost.
wow that plug is powerfull!
I always leave -3 to -4 headroom after a mix very similar to how this is done. It's plenty. Round about -15 Lufs which I boost to -9 in my master chain
i use a reference (mastered) and turn it down by -12dbfs. i also anker my kick around -12db so i have enough room for my master. no need to put a limiter an my master channel
Would love a video on Fletcher Munson Curve!
If you start with your kick at -12db you will land at the end at about -6db... perfekt for mastering. Yes...i also use the limiter to produce right into it. But don't forget to turn it off when you render it out for mstering....i mean when you dont master right away in the same project. But that is something i never do. Most important...HAVE FUN !!! ❤️☮️☯️❤️☮️☯️❤️
I would add a high pass filter for most things as well.
For leveling I usually just turn my kick down a whole lot, volume on my interface open and then bring everything by ear.
This video literally perfectly sums up a dialog I had with my student today on my discord server.
- How you do make your mix/master sound so gooood etc etc ?
- I do not and I "don't mix". It already sounds good right away
- HUH?! You nuts or what ?
- Nah bro, I'm just lazy. I do as little as needed. 90% of stuff is either already in the template (buses and master mid 200hz side rest + limiter), used correctly to fit, or set its volume to 'correct range' on the bus. Then limiter and viola -10 lufs easy and clean.
- *shocked pikachu face*
PS. I use both DAWS fluently and this is perfectly applicable in FL Studio for anyone wondering. Just mind that db range scale is set a little bit different on the fader so go by values not visual. -6 on drumbus, -9/12 bassbus, -12/18 leads rest to taste and you gucci
Halko halko ale prosiłbym bez przekleństw bo jutuby zamkno
@@Zdrewe O siemanko, niespodzianka widzę :D Sorki mój błąd patrzyłem na tekst i tłumaczyłem i przepisałem z automatu. Już poprawiłem !
Thanks for the content, mate. How much headroom are you left with after applying god particle on the master?
Glad you like it man! 🙏 not much, 0.5 to 0 dB but honestly it’s just for the purpose of having an image how master may sound. I rarely use TGP limiter as my final one - usually I apply my standard processing after it and then a final limiter or clipper-limiter combo
I think i love you!!!
Now that’s a serious statement 😅🙏
@@Zdrewe 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@RaymondCohnMusic plus you know how relationships with producers look 😂😂
Still waiting for sound selection tips from the master here.
First time seeing this dude video.
Before I saw his face on IG ads. And now my brain just 404.😂
Haha yeh well, things and tips have changed a bit 😅
great video! thank you!
how can I show retangle fader level parameter in the mixing panel ?
Thank you for watching 🙏 the level parameter should be there by default (at least always was for me) try changing the size of mixer window if you don’t see it
thanks for your reply!@@Zdrewe
at what point do you pan tracks? it seems you're mixing while all channels are centered?
Is it better to mix off of the average volume level of each sound rather than the peak? Since RMS is what our ears perceive as how loud the sound is.
Any idea on how one should approach ambient music like this?
Damn, tbh I was never into making ambient music but only from listening some pieces a couple of times I can say - you can try to set up some starting points like I showed in this video, but I think ambient is even more about your own creative decisions than any other genre
@@Zdrewe I think so. Thanks anyway.
Are Volume and Gain two different things? Does the fader effect the sound differently then a utility gain pluggin? Thanks mates
I treat fader as a final stop to control the volume of each element of my mix. Utility plugin is responsible for gain - which means the input of volume fader. That’s where the difference is 😉
I wouldn't use the Mixer gain sliders to set project levels. Use a Utility instead.
That way, you can automate levels in arrangement view using the channel faders, and know that all faders at 0dB is your max permitted volume.
That’s just a workflow of choice thing. I do the opposite - faders for adjusting levels and utility to automate, ride gain or control the signal before hitting fader
@@Zdrewe Agree, but I personally find it easier to use Utility, because you set the gain per channel once, and once Arrangement view automation is applied, the channel faders move in Session and Arrangement views, giving an easier-to-visualise representation of channel volumes, for me...
Generally, when working in Session view, I use the channel faders to set the volume per track, then when the various track parts are done in Session view, I add a Utility to each track with the Utility Gain matching the channel fader, and set the channel faders to 0dB. Works well, for me.
Main point here tho is to use Utility as a central part of setting levels. Volume Automation in Arrangement view and max Gain per channel are two different things...
Couldn't find Creative Extensions in Abelton could you leave a link in the description?
Updated 😎
if your mix is good, you just have to send everything to a bus and lower the volume, or you can also put a utility at the start of the chain on the master bus ! in 32 bit float, you dont have problem
Not using volume automation works for techno but rock/industrial/metal takes some automating. What youre doing is still useful in a final mox and or masteting. Upward compression is alot easier when ypu turn down ypur loudest stuff of course. That 3db of headroom can go a long way if used wisely. Like with sidechaining and some panning. I was taught to use a reference track and Ive had some good,some bad results with that but overall it has improved my mixes and I dont have to spend as much time tweaking a mix befkre beginning to polish it before mastering. If you intend to get anal and want a perfect mix,invest in some good expensive ass headphones and do it right. Learn ypur analogue to digital and digital to analogue converter in your sounds card and interface. Ive never mixed on a computer based setup that sounded where the bounce sounded exactly the same as how I mixed it. Once you learn which freqs to turn up or turn down to compensate for the bounce to disk. Can save ypu alot of time. Meters are alot more accurate or get yourself a VU meter plug in and actually watch your meters. If you were mixing on a huge pro console in a srudio,youd be watching those analogue VU meters so why not in the DAW? I used to just go by ear then I would be frstated something was loudef than It sounded while mixing. Most headphines attenuate lows so while youre mixing it sounds nice and big but then you try it out in the car or whatever and the lows are too quiet...hopefully people have learned that concept by now lol. Im about to try out a Waves plug in called Submarine soon..it is supposed to create harmonics 2 octaves below and 1 octave below the set frequency...and the vjdeo promoting it says its not necessarily for the lpws you can hear but more foe the lows you feel. So im hoping it helps me get that "thick" pro sound when bounced. Thanks foe the video!
0:05 What is the name of this sound effect?
I have a tiny question to ask, why don't use stock limiter but using Color Limiter instead? Basically I'd like to use Kilohearts limiter on the master and stock limiter on the subtrack. I am really curious about that. (just curious)?
At least for me, stock limiter performs bad on a whole track so I would not use it for the “mixing into limiter” technique. Speaking of limiting sub track or single instruments it does it’s job of controlling dynamics completely fine, so no worries about that
@@Zdrewe I got that, thanks for replying so quickly! Really great tutorial!
Yeah, rules don’t really exist and as long as it sounds good, who cares. But mixing from the start with a limiter on is a huge trap. It’s honestly exactly the opposite of what you mentioned. Mixing with a limiter will lead you to miss on proper level balancing. A limiter will lower your kick if it’s too loud. It will compress your mix. You could end up with a squashed mix and you won’t know what’s the reason for it. You might need your kick louder in the mix but because your limiter is already struggling, making the kick louder ends up sounding even worse. It’s way healthier to add your limiter towards later stages after you already got everything right and leveled.
I get your point and surprise surprise - I agree… at least partially. Mixing into limiter can be as dangerous as not mixing into anything. I believe that all the tips I mentioned would be used with people’s own taste and awareness. Sure thing you can get tricked by the limiter but it’s also a great tool to judge how your mix will sound in later stages plus if it’s too triggered by the kick, just make it lower and blend in other elements. At the end of the day, you gonna use the limiter anyway and if your leveling is bad, it’s gonna sound trash no matter if you mixed into it or used it at the end.
Sry Bro.The best practice before you start the mixer is to place the Utility tool in each channel first. When you reach your level you can make corrections later in the mixer.
I talked about it with someone here in the comments. It all comes down to your workflow honestly. Sure, utility is better - more control than logarithmic faders in mixer. Actually the last tip on setting up template with starting points relies heavily on putting default utility tool on core elements and then mixing to taste with faders.
Brooo how are your Ableton meters in color like that? …Amazing video btw 💯
Thanks bro! I’m using Live 12 beta and they changed meters for a gradient ones
@@Zdrewewow, didn’t know that was a part of the upgrade. preciate you man!
What mic are you using for your voiceovers?
It’s sE Dynacaster. Slightly cheaper than SM7s or RODEs but I can highly recommend it 👌
How about videos for the Zero Nerd Factor people also. Something that points out the bass and kick and then wait for it to be absorbed. Specially the Mixing Mastering Giants.🎉
Shouldn’t you lower the actual material instead of the faders?
@Zdrewe - If you mean 'composition' or 'song-writing' when you say song selection - wow I agree. If you mean something else, apologies.
If someone can't write and arrange a piece of music, I often question whether they should even do music - even as a hobby LOL.
Take care.
I actually said “sound selection” and I was referring to the ability of choosing right pallet and instruments to put together. Speaking of composition and arrangement, I have another video about it on my channel.
Everyone is allowed to do music, even if they can’t compose a masterpiece every single time
i've already done a bunch of automation on the volume faders...
Then copy those automations to utility tool on each track
just make the ceiling in Ableton's stock limiter-6 makes it easier
I agree yet partially. Sure it will help to set your kick to the “right” level but once you start to bring up other elements you will overload the limiter with -6 ceiling much quicker. That will result in wrong balance
@@Zdrewe so turn off limiter fine tune the rest so no more clipping happens bam done
@@akira20ish "fine-tuning the rest" is the entire process, especially when you add processing to your groups/busses. in that case, working from the top down with a single limiter will leave you with many surprising artefacts.
@@sarkany888 or mix in a daw with way better plugins like Logic or Studio one
Mixing should never be based purely on numbers. It should be based on how it sounds or how it makes you feel. And you should always make correct decisions along the way so you do have enough headroom. If you have everything loud af, there wont be any headroom left
I agree and actually mentioned that at 4:22. Those numbers and ranges are just some great starting points for those who struggle with leveling
why shouldn't i use ableton's stock limiter?
Mixing by Peak levels is a bit useless. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you mix using samples (mainly), which are already compressored (the Peaks have been tamed) etc. but we are talking in the general case. You should prepare your tracks to level before mixing - that is why it is called pre-mix - a good preparation is half the job done. This includes:
• taming Peaks (especially on percussive sounds such as kick, snare, toms, blast, percs.)
• clipping\saturating (incl. de-clipping of too loud recorded sources) as part of taming the Peaks and get to the "meat" (VU\RMS) of the sound which is actually the perceived loudness of the track\sample
• once done prepare your samples\tracks to a RMS (or VU) at about -18dB (do not be punctual - it is just a common reference with enough 'headroom')
• with all that preparation your pre-mixed tracks should Peak maximum at around -9 to -6dB
Then the actual Mixing happens: space (reverbs, delays), other FX, additional saturation and compressoring if needed and automation!!!
you say "when you engage limiter" and then a plug in appears (the one with "90%" written on it" : what is this plug in ? thx a lot
It’s The God Particle, 90% is for the tone control but it has a built in limiter
@@Zdrewe such a short time to give an answer thank you so much !!!! Your video is great!!!
@@laurentsauvagnac no worries man, just woke up and checked the comments 😅 thanks a lot 🙏
It’s so annoying to keep moving faders from unity to a level that doesn’t clip. I keep my default template at-6db to avoid the exercise you’re going through.
I thought you should always have -6 of head room instead of -3
Don’t use track faders, it’ll still clip. Use the utility
I agree, using utility is great for more detailed volume control since it pre drives the fader input. With a right work there’s literally no way to clip while using faders, that’s what I showed in this vid
how do your meters look like that is this part ableton 12?
Forgot to mention it in description but yes, I work on Live 12 beta.
Also you're not really factoring in that what you've made is Mainroom/Dancefloor DnB. For a subgenre like Deep Minimal DnB. you'll need to mix lower again due to the way that wavelength, frequency and perceived loudness work in tandem. This video was super interesting though, and I'll be sure to try this out.
Sure thing! I should’ve stress this more that those values and adjustments are just great starting points. At the end of the day it’s all about feeling it and obviously using reference tracks to stay competitive yet compatible with a sound and loudness listeners are used to.
@@Zdrewe Definitely. Referencing is key. Do you use MetricAB? If not I highly recommend it.
@kidsonicofficial wanted to try it many times but since I have REFERENCE by Mastering The Mix, I don’t see a reason to switch 😅
I'll click all of the things if needed, but I'm stoked for future stuff either way 😂
Your stuff is great because it's concise and you have a great flow when on a topic.
Editing is superb also 👌
Glad to hear it’s concise after editing 20 minutes of gibberish and getting to carried away into 6 min video 😂 thanks a lot 🙏
So what is the purpose of color limiter?
It's better quality than the stock limiter from ableton and it has a saturation knob that sounds great!
Just mix hitting 0, it’s digital buddy, you can just put -6dbs on the after before exporting with utility and you are ready to go. Digital domain doesn’t care about gain staging bs, that’s for live sound and recording in the analog domain
True, it’s all digital nowadays. On the other hand we have some amazing analog emulations which truly sound different depending on how you drive them. And yes, I know that input knob on them for a reason 😂. The point of having “brackets”, ranges and headroom I mentioned in this video is that I saw so many people struggling to get their levels right while mixing to 0 and wondering what to do when mix bus or mastering processors make the signal worse. Sure thing, if you know your stuff you won’t get into trouble while mixing to 0 or even +2 if you’re brave enough.
Vintage style plugins - API 2500, Pultec etc etc are looking for -18Db before they start kicking in. Gain staging is useful.
No offense but I believe mixing is more about listening and following what your heart tells you
I agree, what’s more I’m taking about it at 4:22 😉
absolutely.
Following the heart is a privilege reserved for people who actually understand what they are doing. Once you get an understanding of proper procedure you'll know which "rules" to break to achieve what you're going for.
Nah u still have rules to follow try to export a premaster at + 6db and put a limiter on it and see what ur mastering engineer tells you 😂
@@acid4breakfast573 Simple solution, be your own mastering engineer.
baphometrix clip-to-zero is my way to go
If you're balance feels right then just put an utility and lower gain on your master channel before your limiter (assuming you want to use one).
There's no point in mixing with a limiter on, also there's no point in gain staging in your mix since all modern daws have 70db of virtual headroom. You shouldn't make your mix fit your mastering process. Make your mix right then process your master as needed. Just use gain utility when you need a lower input, if you don't, then just don't waste your time with this.
…yet if someone has a problem with balancing, mixing into a limiter will give a solid idea about conflicting levels (by providing distortion on kick and bass relationship for example). And yes, I agree on digital age mixing and using utility to taim mixbuss before mastering. I learned this leveling method back when I was working in a studio and struggled to get the right balance. It helps a lot to get the idea about levels but as I said in the video and in some comments already - if you have a good taste of balance let your intuition lead you to what sounds good even when you’re not using limiter first or setting up starting points. Thanks for your insight 🙏
Probably the best tutorial I've seen on this you made it so easy to understand.
Happy to hear that 🙏 I’m aware about skipping some nuances and details that may trigger some audio bros here and there but at the end of the day it’s really hard to have ultimate solution for everyone. Hope that it brings you on the right track!
Trust your ears:)
Sound selection? The term you're looking for is sound design >:)
See what you did there my friend 😎 sure if you’re experienced enough to sound design from scratch then it’s better to go for it but one of a great ways to get good at it is to work on sound selection first
@@Zdrewe I agree - I was being cheeky. I use all my own samples but some are sampled from my analog drum machines - some of which have limited sound design potential (ex. tr-606). There's no right or wrong way, you can DJ finished tracks, or more flexible, DJ from stems, then more flexible than that is to compose tracks out of loops, and then all the way past using sample packs is synthesizing/field recording all sounds. But it doesn't stop there because then you can design your own soft synths / or hardware synths, etc. At any level you are relying on the people below and there's no true bottom.
mix with your ears.
your music is fckin amazing and your tutorials are just as great! insta follow
Means a world man! Can I be honest? Your words about my music mean even more. I was too busy and burned out to release something last year so I’ll make sure to release this one as quick as possible (at least this one 😂)
Awesome video, I like this mixing and mastering tips because I suck at mixing.
No worries man, some people stress mixing and mastering too much 😅 I’ll definitely make more videos focused on that topic 😉
@@Zdrewe I subscribed ;)
Honestly, you haven't discovered America😄, this is normal volume staging (not gain staging), there are many such tutorials, btw a tip from Patrick Starx and this is a hack, before such volume metering i suggest checking the volume level of each track in the VU meter so that they oscillates around 0 dbVU 😉.
If I need to be honest Patrick, the VU meter “hack” isn’t the groundbreaking thing as well. It comes from analog era way before you and I were into making music (not sure about your age tho). At any point in this video I said it’s a new discovery. I just like to make tutorials and by making them for 3 years online I’ve learned that there are many people who seek for basic knowledge, need a quick reminder or literally enjoy another point of view or simply just a way of talking about specific topics 😉
it's 32 bit float, WTF, there's no clipping on groups or individual channels, it's only clipping on master if there is no utility or limiter applied.
u all getting it gdamn wrong, stil..
Tried subbing, cuz… you awesome! But got an error trying to sub… lame sauce
mixing with your eyes. no thanking you.
imagine having really nice things to say but you say them in a really cringe way
Still wrapping my head around the sense of this comment 🤷♂️
@@Zdrewe maybe it's not cringe enough for you
@@miguel5652 might be it, anyways thanks for engaging with the video 😉
@@Zdrewe no problem buddy
Nah man L
Ableton is great for making music, not mastering and mixing, neither recording guitars and other instruments
Hope that’s your subjective option based on experience, not an opinion influenced by Reddit audio community or Pro Tools warriors. Since 2010 I worked on beatmaking, session recording and mixing in FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One and Live. It’s easy to do all the things you’ve mentioned in every DAW. All comes down to personal preference 😉
@@Zdrewe HI. Yes mate, it s my personal experience. I love ableton, it s an incredible software , different from everything else. It doesn t track instruments well, it s heavy and buggy for that. I track in Reaper, king of performance. Live is awesome for unleashing creativity, or playing live electronic music. It s not exactly a DAW, is it? Take care mate :)
Ahhhh so you’re bringing Reaper to the table. Well, now I talk based on opinions I heard but you’re right - the performance is way better. Although it’s not impossible to track or record in Live 😉. Thanks for sharing your opinion man, love discussions like this one, not the mean comments with no background I’m used to from IG 😂
@@Zdrewe Heheh. My pleasure. I use both since day one they came out :)...I know my shit to be honest. Of course it s possible to track in ableton, it s just not its best territory, that s all. One thing for mastering and mixing I never liked in ableton is how it uses levels. There is something under the hood it does, it s not natural, it adds a lot of vitamins to it, LoL. I suppose it s the way it works, but that ableton master channel is something special and unusual :) Take care mate :)
hello@@gibson2623, so you track live guitars and drums and so on in Reaper? Do you also use Reaper for the mixing and mastering then? thanks