I like to add a low volume third harmonic to my sub, it thickens the curve so the speaker is out and in longer than it’s at the zero crossing. It gives your sub more power and audibility without any distorted consequences. I mainly use Ableton’s operator, but using a basic oscilloscope will show you what’s happening in your mix. Every time you double a frequency the power is halved, so the low end is the main influence over your final waveform. Wide round curves are the goal, any square shapes are usually too distorted. That’s the basics, but this is art. Break the rules if you want, it might sound good in context
Hi Art1fact dude! Hope your having a jolly Solstice/Christmas time, just to comment on your idea of keeping the sounds as pure as, if that is the right way to express it, it does seem a sensible way to do things, to keep the essence of the sounds as much as and only use effects to enhance the 'natural' sound. I'm quite new to this and as a fundamental idea this way does simplify the process. Of course people do things differently, but I feel that there is a left brain tendency to over complicate things and become to fond of what you think is right. Habit or dogma or just plain misappropriation through a entrenched belief, if you get me. I will be employing your approach in my learning as it does make sense, a bit like the sculpture is already in the stone, you just have to chip away a bit! Anyway dude, thanks for your videos and have a great new year.....! ❤
I normally use sidechaining for creating extra grooves in loops, or even pads. For sub / bass I start the bass midi note(s) slightly after the kick drum(s), you can't really hear it being delayed, saves using a plugin. Or you could draw in volume envelopes, for repetitive, one shot sounds, which essentially do the same thing as a compressor / sidechaining. Adding a 3rd harmonic at lower volume also helps thicken the sub, as someone else mentioned.
Regarding using pure sine waves for the sub - if you dont add extra harmonics how do you get the sub to translate on speakers that don't produce sub frequencies? Is it not something you're concerned with? Or is your mid bass enough to make the low end sound reasonably full on those speakers?
What level does your kick hit on the Span analyser? You said your sub hits -36dB to -30dB, but you didn't mention what level your kick hits in Span. It would be interesting to see what you're aiming for. Cheers
thanks for this video I've learnt a lot, I currently still use apple earphones to make music and mix/master do you think I need proper headphones? 😂 if so what ones are you wearing and what do you recommend? thank you
About the kick taking up the full spectrum - I’ve heard other people talking about keeping it full freq, but certain Bristol heads say the kick should be more felt than heard, leaving more room for the mid range stuff to shine through - I guess there are no hard and fast rules but what do you think about that?
Compression artifacts introduce additional peaks, transparent clipping is a lot more effective at shaving off peaks which allow you to slam the final mix into a limiter without much difference in audible dynamics
Any chance for a full video about volume levels? I got a bit lost about keeping my sub around 32-36 and then Kick as high as possible? but does it mean all other elements should be low as well and I aim to build my track at around 32 (as in, you mentioned the sub and kick would be the highest things)? any tips are welcomed thank you!
Hi mate, I’ve just finished (or thought I finished) mixing a track and my span is showing it’s quite quiet but all the levels are really high and it sounds loud, what can I do?
gold video. i'ma watch it again tomorrow less stoned, cheers mate
15:58 yeah once I discovered clipping + ducking i never used a compressor again (half joke, i do use them when they are the right tool for the job)
I like to add a low volume third harmonic to my sub, it thickens the curve so the speaker is out and in longer than it’s at the zero crossing. It gives your sub more power and audibility without any distorted consequences.
I mainly use Ableton’s operator, but using a basic oscilloscope will show you what’s happening in your mix. Every time you double a frequency the power is halved, so the low end is the main influence over your final waveform. Wide round curves are the goal, any square shapes are usually too distorted.
That’s the basics, but this is art. Break the rules if you want, it might sound good in context
Great feedback for everyone thank you sir 🔥
Dude, i was annoyed at first, but u kinda funny. Keep up the good work!
Hi Art1fact dude! Hope your having a jolly Solstice/Christmas time, just to comment on your idea of keeping the sounds as pure as, if that is the right way to express it, it does seem a sensible way to do things, to keep the essence of the sounds as much as and only use effects to enhance the 'natural' sound. I'm quite new to this and as a fundamental idea this way does simplify the process. Of course people do things differently, but I feel that there is a left brain tendency to over complicate things and become to fond of what you think is right. Habit or dogma or just plain misappropriation through a entrenched belief, if you get me. I will be employing your approach in my learning as it does make sense, a bit like the sculpture is already in the stone, you just have to chip away a bit! Anyway dude, thanks for your videos and have a great new year.....! ❤
Great way to explain things with the stone sculpture analogy, Merry Christmas to you too! 🎉
LFOtool double sidechain is naughty, will be applying this to my already sidechained groups :D
Thank you.
Anytime G
I normally use sidechaining for creating extra grooves in loops, or even pads. For sub / bass I start the bass midi note(s) slightly after the kick drum(s), you can't really hear it being delayed, saves using a plugin. Or you could draw in volume envelopes, for repetitive, one shot sounds, which essentially do the same thing as a compressor / sidechaining.
Adding a 3rd harmonic at lower volume also helps thicken the sub, as someone else mentioned.
looking forward for that tutorial about a deep dive in compressors Master G!
Another awesome video, thanks and don't stop giving us your secrets!
Sound advice as ever! Great to be reminded of these foundational mixing tips
Ah Bigups Dom! Great to hear from you fam 😀
Wicked video dude
Appreciate you fam
I downloaded ‘Span’ off the back of this tutorial dude. I’ll be in touch in the New Year for some mentoring if that’s cool?
Kind regards man.
@RichGreen-ok9oy sure thing brother email me info@art1factmusic.com
Really enjoyed this one sir, great tips and the DR looks awesome ☀️☀️☀️ more balcony for us jealous G’s please
glad you liked it Mark! more balcony ideas coming up soon! :)
The double side chain trick, thanks
Great tips, thank you!
Shout out to you Alex!
Little tip...
Turn up the smooth on the lfo tool or you will get clicks 🏆
Regarding using pure sine waves for the sub - if you dont add extra harmonics how do you get the sub to translate on speakers that don't produce sub frequencies? Is it not something you're concerned with? Or is your mid bass enough to make the low end sound reasonably full on those speakers?
how dare u make such accusations about our compressor knowledge 😂🤣 Great video geez the span tips and how to level the kick into it really helped :) 🤟
great to hear from you my G
What level does your kick hit on the Span analyser? You said your sub hits -36dB to -30dB, but you didn't mention what level your kick hits in Span. It would be interesting to see what you're aiming for. Cheers
great idea for a video there - will record that answer
thanks for this video I've learnt a lot, I currently still use apple earphones to make music and mix/master do you think I need proper headphones? 😂 if so what ones are you wearing and what do you recommend? thank you
Bigups my G. 🔥🔥🔥
About the kick taking up the full spectrum - I’ve heard other people talking about keeping it full freq, but certain Bristol heads say the kick should be more felt than heard, leaving more room for the mid range stuff to shine through - I guess there are no hard and fast rules but what do you think about that?
Il answer in a vid if I remember! :)
honestly my mixes improved so much when I avoided using bus compression and saturated them instead
Let’s go fam 😀😀
Compression artifacts introduce additional peaks, transparent clipping is a lot more effective at shaving off peaks which allow you to slam the final mix into a limiter without much difference in audible dynamics
Any chance for a full video about volume levels? I got a bit lost about keeping my sub around 32-36 and then Kick as high as possible? but does it mean all other elements should be low as well and I aim to build my track at around 32 (as in, you mentioned the sub and kick would be the highest things)? any tips are welcomed thank you!
Great question I will try 🙏
Hi mate, I’ve just finished (or thought I finished) mixing a track and my span is showing it’s quite quiet but all the levels are really high and it sounds loud, what can I do?
Lol Great intro
It’s a lot less cringeworthy when you’re talking into a sock 🧦
I promised it’s washed!
Off of
Hahahah😉