Great video and mix. It's often hard to evaluate the very subtle changes some plugins can be used for when they're being used on a bad mix, or a drum kit... hearing them on a great sounding mix is most helpful. Thanks!
This definitely works wonders✅ Get the static mix and balance first. Then setup the mix buss with the plugins, then move on to sub group processing, and then individual tracks. Gets that professional sound💥
Good stuff as usual! just a suggestion. when you bypass plugins on and off. try not to do it right after a song change (ex: verses to chorus, or bridge) because its hard to tell the difference of the processing. using loops of same 3-4 seconds is the best because or brain can process it. else its too random
Hi Joe, here's a mix tip for you and it can be used in conjunction with the Brainworx digital V3. Get the TBproaudio ISOL8 free plugin. Stick it on your mixbus as the final Insert. Basically this plugin allows you to mute or solo individual frequency bands of your mix. I find that muting the low mids and then unmuting them you can hear where the mud is happening and that's where you can then alter it the mud in the Mid side of the Brainworx V3
Nice tip. You can also use Studio One's stock Multiband Dynamics to solo individual frequency bands, or another multiband comp like Waves C4 or Fabfilter Pro-MB.
Nice job Joe!! Thx fr the insight. This is a great chain. Salute to Beast Scheps! One of the take homes is the #1 rule . I saw it in one of Andrews videos before too I believe. no matter what the chain is: mix into the master chain so u know how it’s gonna sound. even if u bounce out final mix n open it as a master file which is standard, it’s wise to mix into it before so u know what it’s gonna sound like generally when done And …….I really want that Oxford limiter now 😀
you use the mix buss and then send it to master with the mixbuss track on or you send your mix with the mixbuss and then you master it? I have this question because it seems like there is very little headroom after the mixbus
Andrew has updated his template. As of 2021 he no longer uses the 33609 or the Fairchild. He added TVerb as a mastering reverb to glue the mix, and he switched to Elevate for his limiter. If anyone knows his settings for Elevate, please share! :)
This is great! Thanks for this tutorial. Now I have a question: Most people are OK with using compressors and some analog hardware simulators on the mix buss, but using EQ is generally not encouraged (to mix the song through it), as normally it would seem like you're trying to boost or cut some frequencies that you should boost or cut on the individual tracks. So what exactly are you trying to achieve with an EQ in the mix buss? (I understand the usage of a stereo widener though, it's just the eq shelves that I don't exactly see the benefit to mix the song through it)
Since you're mixing through it, the Pultec EQ on the mix buss reduces the need to boost high and low frequencies on each channel individually. The mix just starts off sounding more "finished," for lack of a better word. Also, the Pultec has such broad, gentle shelves that the EQ sounds natural. I agree with not encouraging any drastic EQ moves on the mix buss.
Joe, Love this… I want to give this a try on a mix but I don’t have any slate plugins. Any alternatives you could think of for the slate lift and neve emulation plugins on the mix rack? Waves, plug-in alliance, UAD, Fabfilter?
You could use any EQ for the lift, but Pro-Q3 does parallel EQ. TDR Nova is free and can also do it. The VCC could be replaced with the Waves NLS on the Nevo setting for Neve summing.
Unless you need to bounce a version for clients before it goes to mastering. Then you def want to bring it up so that the non-musical people who make decisions (labels, managers, etc) don’t think your “mix is weak” when it’s just not mastered yet. But the version you send to a ME, take all that off cuz they are always going to do a better job making it louder ;)
@@GreenLightSound @Green Light Sound try the demos and their free plugins. I was all in on UAD for years until I got into Acustica. Heavy on the cpu but hardware will catch up.
@@GreenLightSound I'd really love to see some videos of you using Acustica plg-ins as well. They are fantastic, and I'm sure you could explain them well!
Hello: Thank-you for sharing these tips and techniques. I think that your examples would be MUCH more effective and informative if you played the same musical section when A/Bing the processing. Thank-you.
@@GreenLightSound is this a good idea to do all this stuff during the mixing phase ? isn't it better to leave these stuffs to the mastering engineer ? its seems like mixing through this type of mix buss is complicating unnecessarily the mixing stuff, since these work will be done by the mastering engineer. ??
@@JUNIDRYVES Depends how much experience you have in mixing. If you are a newbie..then dont add stuff to the mix bus. Leave it to an mastering expert. But engineers who know what they are doing, can apply EQ and Compression. As long as the mix is not clipping or overly compressed, mastering engineers will be fine with this approach.
@@JUNIDRYVES The mastering engineer primarily applies quality limiting, multiband compression (in most instances), and comprehensive EQ. What mastering primarily aims to do is make songs prepared for all forms of media, and to make things quite a bit louder/clearer without breaking limits that are applied to most platforms. Mixing is where creativity lies in. Mastering is a whole lot more technical, though it still requires an incredible ear and a lot of time. You can apply all kinds of shit to your master bus when mixing. Don't let anyone tell you other wise - it's just that it might not necessarily achieve what you're after. If you want a LOT of glue and a very organic sound, this kind of mixing production is great. It *might* sound more modern to keep things a little bit separate, though that is entirely up to the mixer. The only thing you need to worry about as a mixer is not having a mix so screwed up that the mastering engineer can't salvage anything from it.
That was the difference coming from reasons to studio 1 you have to learn how to manipulate sound with analog plugins. Reasons was my first daw so recording mixing and mastering everything sounded analog and good. Then I started using studio one with its stock plugins witch are good but my sound changed. Then I learn how to manipulate sound and color it with plugins I already had. Like you have to mimic the SSL don't have a UAD but you have all the plugins they use in there preamps. Basically you have to learn how to color your sound with these analog plugins they really work. On my studio 1 mixer channels I use a Renaissance EQ then preamp through a 1073 then run it through a SSL then compress it through a 660 Fairchild run then add reverb with a plate or room reverb. Then on my master bus I would use a master bus or a 1073 then a 660 Fairchild then a stereo imager and maximizer. But that's the thing you learn coming from reasons how to manipulate analog sound that you lost using another daw.
Nice video. I have a question about the oxford limiter in the chain. Would you still use this to create a stereo track and then send for mastering ? I just caught part of the answer reading below. You said you do not use the limiter. So you by pass the oxford all together. You have a very nice sound. One last thing is I thought there a was a different order of the plug in chain from when I originally heard about this?
Dear Joe.. Wonderful content as always.. Could you kindly clarify 2 things please.. 1. Why use the BX Digital EQ for sides & the bass tilt while using a pultec? Can't we only use the BX Digital for stereo enhancement only ? And if we intend to use the BX Digital at the Mastering stage is it still okay to use it at mixing stage like this ? 2. Any alternative for the Neve 33609 ? Many thanks & please keep up these wonderfull stuff rolling out !! God Bless.... 🎉🎉🎉
I think of the Pultec as just a broad, smiley-face EQ move for the whole mix, where the bx digital's side shelves really just add to the stereo enhancement. You can certainly still use the bx digital when mastering if you use it in the mix. There are many alternatives to the 33609. I usually use an SSL-style buss compressor. The bx Townhouse is great, and many other companies make SSL emulations. Slate's VBC is also a great collection for mix buss compression.
@@GreenLightSound Thanks loads for taking time to reply Joe.. got a crystal clear picture of your take on this and am glad you recommended the Bx Townhouse which i always lean towards to for bus compression... Many thanks again & stay blessed... 🎉🎉🎉🎉👍
Fantastic! I've been transcribing hours of Schep interviews to pull it all together, but you've already done it. This was SUPER helpful. Many thanks to you sir. Subscribed. ✌️ One question: It seems he's using his Omni Channel these days a lot. Most likely, on the individual tracks before the Buss? Any thoughts on this? Have you used it?
Thanks, and happy to help! He does use Omni Channel a lot, and its almost exclusively on individual tracks. I use it too - it's probably the best plugin from Waves. Great flexibility.
Thank you very much for the video, I think it helps a lot to understand what Andrew Scheps does. However what you recommend to replace Slate processors? I tried to replicate the same principle with Tapedesk from Overloud but I don’t know if it is the right tool. All the others plugins I’m using already. Thank you again! Best regards and stay safe from Portugal
Waves NLS is similar to VCC, as are Statson and Britson from Sonimus. Tapedesk might get you a similar effect. You could just leave the Custom Series Lift out, or use another parallel EQ like Clariphonic from Kush.
@@djgoncalix8184 It's tough because Fatso is so unique, but Sknote Disto, Kush UBK-1, or Soundtoys Devil-Loc plus a tape sim might be able to achieve a similar effect.
Really useful video, thanks for this! Just wanted to ask, I saw in an interview Andrew said that he tends to default to some mix widening on the master bus, any idea which plug-in and the kinda settings he tends to rock for that? No worries if not! Cheers!
Most plugins react best to a -18dBFS RMS level, but you can usually compensate for that with input controls. My goal is usually just to leave at least 6dB of headroom after processing.
@@GreenLightSound Thank you! I was curious about the level heading into the mix buss because I assume it will affect those compressors differently depending on the level. Do you mean that it doesn't actually matter much, and to just pay attention to the final output level instead?
@@Sc0tther Since I mix through the processing, I just check on the compression every so often to make sure I'm not getting more than 4dB or so of gain reduction. Its usually more like 2dB. If I'm getting a lot more, the level coming in is too hot. That almost never happens because I gain stage before I start mixing.
@@GreenLightSound Right, that makes a lot of sense. I've only recently started experimenting with mix buss processing, so I wasn't sure if I needed to apply a different gain staging strategy for it. Thanks again for your help!
not to be pedantic, but the oxford enhance slider isn't anything like what the inflator does. the inflator adds harmonics with no changes to dynamics. enhance does the opposite.
Just as a person has a glass of whiskey or smokes a cigar they know it could possible harm them but does that tranquility they receive in that moment worth the risk ?!? I have a similar feeling when I do post bus processing...I have an analog chain just for my mix bus & equate the feeling I get almost to a guilty pleasure. I may be doing myself a disservice but in my case making a drink & sitting down for that last 10 percent of the mix is like a Christmas unwrapping & I finally get to have fun with my toys. A desert I’ve been savoring that I can only have after dinner !!! ( my songs only though not for clients ironically lol )
If you mix through the buss processing and don't add it after, there is no risk of messing up the mix with this. All of your mix decisions will be filtered through the buss processing.
Most analog mixing desks IRL have quite a bit of flavor that comes through them. Most of them have their own bus compressors that apply to everything that comes out to the speakers. I do agree that this is a little bit overkill, but if you just add some gain, maybe a tiny bit of compression, and extremely conservative EQ you can get a more organic mixing tone.
Ha! I've just done all the processing to my individual tracks and thought "hmm, what about the mix buss", first thing you said "don't do this after!" doh! Well I guess I've learned for the next song :((
You wouldn't normally mix vocals from the mix buss, but on each individual vocal track and a vocal buss. The mix buss processing affects the overall sound of the mix, but doesn't "mix" the individual elements. If you just mean you want to see how to mix vocals with VMR, I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for watching!
@@GreenLightSound Thanks for the reply. Yes Sir, I would like you mix vocals with VMR and also Vocal Parraell Bus Channel with VMR, I normally work with 2 Tracks instrumentals. Thank u
Thanks, I am a little confuse!? Is Mix Buss Processing the same thing as Mastering? (let's use your mix as an example) If you have everything just the way u have it in the mix, "all the tracks routed to the busses" "let's say u have a vocal bus too" would you then do another bus and make it like a pre-master track with all the busses going to it before the Master or just leave it like that and just proceed to the master channel and work the processing of the mastering in general. Hope I make sense please excuse my poor English. LOL
It's not the same thing as mastering. The mix buss is where all other tracks and busses end up, and the processing on the mix buss just helps you get the sound you're going for in the mix. Mastering is a separate process.
@@GreenLightSound Sorry for the delay on my reply Maestro! Thank you for your wisdom and for taking the time to share your wisdom and knowledge with us!! I would like to make you one More question. Would it be More convenient to export my mix bus track and then export out the mix down to a single wave file first, and bring it into a new work session to do the mastering? I think that way my mastering session doesn't have to carry the weight of all the mixing plugins, Is this correct? -Again thanks for sharing your wisdom, and please forgive my poor English. :)
That's the thing about presenting the tools/workflow of different mixers and producers - it really just captures a moment in time and is bound to change, especially with someone like Andrew Scheps who is constantly tinkering.
Not always. I often only use a limiter on the mix buss to catch any stray peaks, but Andrew uses it to boost some gain as well. It's still not at the level of a mastered track.
@@GreenLightSound Actually it's impossibile to really evaluate the impact of this chain when it's clearly making everything louder. That's what Scheps himself discovered when (a few years ago!) decided to test every single plugins paying attention to equal-loudnesss and discarded almost everything because the only thing he liked was the added gain. At this very moment I believe only Digital V3 and Pultec are still "holding" in his template. Even the Neve it's not there anymore (but he, sometimes, uses a... reverb for gluing things). Not to bash your video though. I like this chain, I mixed with something very similar for years, and I'm still using Sonnox Limiter for his "inflator" module.
I feel like the only thing that's too much is the added stereo wideness. Creeps around the edges a bit too far, I think. I also think that the Pultec needs to be applied more conservatively.
This is a very well presented tutorial. I really appreciate you taking the time to break down all of the processors. Thank you!
Thanks!
I added these on one of the mixes im doing right now and it literally finished it in 20 minutes. Thank you. you wizard
Happy to help!
Wow, this made a huge difference to my mix. Thanks a mil!
This channel is great. Always go straight to the point and very informative. Love it!
Thanks!
this is pure gold guys!
I'm a minute in, but I can already tell this is great!
Can't say I love what the Pultec is doing, but everything else sounded great. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for watching!
Great video and mix. It's often hard to evaluate the very subtle changes some plugins can be used for when they're being used on a bad mix, or a drum kit... hearing them on a great sounding mix is most helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
The beauty with Studio One is a that you have fantastic console emulations already built in to the master bus which is effectively the same thing. 😎
This definitely works wonders✅ Get the static mix and balance first. Then setup the mix buss with the plugins, then move on to sub group processing, and then individual tracks. Gets that professional sound💥
That's the exact order of processing I use.
Top down processing.
VERY HELPFUL THANK YOU
You're welcome!
@@GreenLightSound tried this mix buss processing on a mix last night. MANNNNN 😳🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
thank you boss. my mix improve a lot.
Glad to help!
Good tips! Thank you 🙏🏼
Great explanation. Nice song as well!
works really good
thats super clever
Excellent video, thank you!
Excellent! Thanks for sharing this
That was just perfect! Until then I was reluctant to put anything on the mix-bus but it just changed my mind thanks! Make a mastering video please!🤩
Muchas gracias por compartirlo !! saludos desde Ecuador
works for me,great stuff...bravo
Thanks! Would you do a tutorial on mixing that particular song? Sounds good!
I'll keep it in mind for an upcoming episode.
That mix is very good easy to listen without any harshness
You should really have it somewhere saying "Back when we were we" by Pete Mraz...
You're right - just added it to the description.
Great stuff
Really cool. Very helpful. Cheers.
Thanks mate!
Glad to see your using Studio One
I've used a bunch, but I settled on Studio One. It's a great tool.
That a pretty good mix. by the way.
Thanks.
Good stuff as usual! just a suggestion. when you bypass plugins on and off. try not to do it right after a song change (ex: verses to chorus, or bridge) because its hard to tell the difference of the processing. using loops of same 3-4 seconds is the best because or brain can process it. else its too random
Nice!
Hi Joe, here's a mix tip for you and it can be used in conjunction with the Brainworx digital V3. Get the TBproaudio ISOL8 free plugin. Stick it on your mixbus as the final Insert. Basically this plugin allows you to mute or solo individual frequency bands of your mix. I find that muting the low mids and then unmuting them you can hear where the mud is happening and that's where you can then alter it the mud in the Mid side of the Brainworx V3
Nice tip. You can also use Studio One's stock Multiband Dynamics to solo individual frequency bands, or another multiband comp like Waves C4 or Fabfilter Pro-MB.
Great vid. Love it. Thank u
Thanks for watching!
Nice job Joe!! Thx fr the insight. This is a great chain. Salute to Beast Scheps! One of the take homes is the #1 rule . I saw it in one of Andrews videos before too I believe. no matter what the chain is: mix into the master chain so u know how it’s gonna sound. even if u bounce out final mix n open it as a master file which is standard, it’s wise to mix into it before so u know what it’s gonna sound like generally when done
And …….I really want that Oxford limiter now 😀
you use the mix buss and then send it to master with the mixbuss track on or you send your mix with the mixbuss and then you master it? I have this question because it seems like there is very little headroom after the mixbus
I meant without on the first sentence
All this processing is left on when the mix is sent for mastering.
one thing about a great mix you must have a great arrangement and writing. no amount of plugins or gear can save the mix. you have that in this track
So true. But a great mix can elevate a great arrangement/performance.
Great video! what would you use to replace the oxford if you had to?
Andrew has updated his template. As of 2021 he no longer uses the 33609 or the Fairchild. He added TVerb as a mastering reverb to glue the mix, and he switched to Elevate for his limiter. If anyone knows his settings for Elevate, please share! :)
Nice tips. I know his workflow is constantly evolving.
Find your own settings
@@GreenLightSound green light could, you make another video on Andrew's new mix buss processing with the tverb and elevate limiter pls
such a good tutorial thx
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
Do you give one on one instruction over zoom?
This is great! Thanks for this tutorial.
Now I have a question: Most people are OK with using compressors and some analog hardware simulators on the mix buss, but using EQ is generally not encouraged (to mix the song through it), as normally it would seem like you're trying to boost or cut some frequencies that you should boost or cut on the individual tracks. So what exactly are you trying to achieve with an EQ in the mix buss? (I understand the usage of a stereo widener though, it's just the eq shelves that I don't exactly see the benefit to mix the song through it)
Since you're mixing through it, the Pultec EQ on the mix buss reduces the need to boost high and low frequencies on each channel individually. The mix just starts off sounding more "finished," for lack of a better word. Also, the Pultec has such broad, gentle shelves that the EQ sounds natural. I agree with not encouraging any drastic EQ moves on the mix buss.
@@GreenLightSound Thank you very much for your answer. I`m gonna try a Pultec EQ on my next mix to see how it goes. Stay safe!
I have all but the oxford limiter. Can anyone recommend another limiter instead or any one will do?
there's any plugin that sounds close to the Fairchild from UAD? i would love to know some alternatives with a similar harmonic enchancement
Joe, Love this… I want to give this a try on a mix but I don’t have any slate plugins. Any alternatives you could think of for the slate lift and neve emulation plugins on the mix rack? Waves, plug-in alliance, UAD, Fabfilter?
You could use any EQ for the lift, but Pro-Q3 does parallel EQ. TDR Nova is free and can also do it. The VCC could be replaced with the Waves NLS on the Nevo setting for Neve summing.
When your using a limiter on the master buss should you put it on 0 db or leave a -6db head room for mastering?
I leave 6dB headroom for mastering. The limiter is there just to catch any stray peaks, but I often don't have it on at all.
Unless you need to bounce a version for clients before it goes to mastering. Then you def want to bring it up so that the non-musical people who make decisions (labels, managers, etc) don’t think your “mix is weak” when it’s just not mastered yet. But the version you send to a ME, take all that off cuz they are always going to do a better job making it louder ;)
Would love your opinion on Acustica plug-ins like Pink 4 + Scarlett & Erin. Think they give demos of everything.
I've heard a lot if good things but never tried the Acustica stuff. I'll have to look into it.
@@GreenLightSound @Green Light Sound try the demos and their free plugins. I was all in on UAD for years until I got into Acustica. Heavy on the cpu but hardware will catch up.
@@GreenLightSound I'd really love to see some videos of you using Acustica plg-ins as well. They are fantastic, and I'm sure you could explain them well!
Very good mix! My question is: are you bounce the mix with the plug-ins engage in for mastering? Or that’s the master chain already? Thank you
The plugin chain is engaged for the mix and bounced/printed with them on. Then the track is sent for mastering, which us a separate process from this.
@@GreenLightSound awesome.! Thank you so much for the response. By the way more tutorials of mixing 🙌🏽🙏🏽
Hello Joe, I was wondering if one should use a Preamp on your mix buss (or) Stereo Buss ?
I don't, but you could certainly experiment with it if you like the sound!
I literally use this exact mix bus and the only thing I do differently is by using an Atr-102 as well.
What other compressors can be substituted for the 33609? I think I have every emulation but that. Lindell 254E? Vertigo VSC-2?
Both of those would be good alternatives.
« Nice snap with the Neve » 😅 the transients have just been taken out of the picture !
Hi! Question.. Question... the effects that have to be on the mix bus or on the main ?(master).

I put them on the mix buss
If I use ssl bus comp on drum bus for glue can I use it also on the mix bus?
And the Pultec is stereo or mono version.
Great video thanks
You can definitely also use it on the mix buss. It's a stereo Pultec.
@@GreenLightSound Thank you!
Brainworx EQ on the master, oh yes. Pensado is proud
Great info, but the star of the show is this song and the mix for sure
Thanks!
@@GreenLightSoundyou're very welcome my friend, I'd also like to listen to the final track
@@diegooliveirabenjamin look for Pete Mraz "Back When We Were We"
Hello: Thank-you for sharing these tips and techniques. I think that your examples would be MUCH more effective and informative if you played the same musical section when A/Bing the processing. Thank-you.
Is it final touch in the bus mix of all tracks routed or is it mastering? Looks like mastering
It's not mastering. The mix buss processing is set up before the mix is started, and all mix decisions are made through it.
@@GreenLightSound is this a good idea to do all this stuff during the mixing phase ? isn't it better to leave these stuffs to the mastering engineer ? its seems like mixing through this type of mix buss is complicating unnecessarily the mixing stuff, since these work will be done by the mastering engineer. ??
@@JUNIDRYVES Depends how much experience you have in mixing. If you are a newbie..then dont add stuff to the mix bus. Leave it to an mastering expert. But engineers who know what they are doing, can apply EQ and Compression. As long as the mix is not clipping or overly compressed, mastering engineers will be fine with this approach.
@@JUNIDRYVES The mastering engineer primarily applies quality limiting, multiband compression (in most instances), and comprehensive EQ. What mastering primarily aims to do is make songs prepared for all forms of media, and to make things quite a bit louder/clearer without breaking limits that are applied to most platforms.
Mixing is where creativity lies in. Mastering is a whole lot more technical, though it still requires an incredible ear and a lot of time. You can apply all kinds of shit to your master bus when mixing. Don't let anyone tell you other wise - it's just that it might not necessarily achieve what you're after. If you want a LOT of glue and a very organic sound, this kind of mixing production is great. It *might* sound more modern to keep things a little bit separate, though that is entirely up to the mixer.
The only thing you need to worry about as a mixer is not having a mix so screwed up that the mastering engineer can't salvage anything from it.
Yo is mix buzz and mastering same??? If not then what is the difference🤔🤔🤔🤔
In the slate digital cla course, steven slate himself refers to the virtual mixbus/console as the vcc so youre definetly not in the wrong there.
That was the difference coming from reasons to studio 1 you have to learn how to manipulate sound with analog plugins. Reasons was my first daw so recording mixing and mastering everything sounded analog and good.
Then I started using studio one with its stock plugins witch are good but my sound changed. Then I learn how to manipulate sound and color it with plugins I already had. Like you have to mimic the SSL don't have a UAD but you have all the plugins they use in there preamps. Basically you have to learn how to color your sound with these analog plugins they really work. On my studio 1 mixer channels I use a Renaissance EQ then preamp through a 1073 then run it through a SSL then compress it through a 660 Fairchild run then add reverb with a plate or room reverb. Then on my master bus I would use a master bus or a 1073 then a 660 Fairchild then a stereo imager and maximizer. But that's the thing you learn coming from reasons how to manipulate analog sound that you lost using another daw.
Nice video. I have a question about the oxford limiter in the chain. Would you still use this to create a stereo track and then send for mastering ? I just caught part of the answer reading below. You said you do not use the limiter. So you by pass the oxford all together. You have a very nice sound. One last thing is I thought there a was a different order of the plug in chain from when I originally heard about this?
Andrew Scheps used the Oxford Inflator before mastering. I'm sure there are many variations on this mix buss chain he's used over the years.
@@GreenLightSound Great video and thanks for the reply
I have a pretty dumb question, what are you sending to the mix bus? Is every single track or just the buses?
Tracks>busses>mix buss
@@GreenLightSound Thanks a lot just saw your playlist on mixing now I understand the process better, already subscribed too!
@@pepe7drum Thanks!
Dear Joe.. Wonderful content as always.. Could you kindly clarify 2 things please..
1. Why use the BX Digital EQ for sides & the bass tilt while using a pultec? Can't we only use the BX Digital for stereo enhancement only ? And if we intend to use the BX Digital at the Mastering stage is it still okay to use it at mixing stage like this ?
2. Any alternative for the Neve 33609 ?
Many thanks & please keep up these wonderfull stuff rolling out !! God Bless.... 🎉🎉🎉
I think of the Pultec as just a broad, smiley-face EQ move for the whole mix, where the bx digital's side shelves really just add to the stereo enhancement. You can certainly still use the bx digital when mastering if you use it in the mix.
There are many alternatives to the 33609. I usually use an SSL-style buss compressor. The bx Townhouse is great, and many other companies make SSL emulations. Slate's VBC is also a great collection for mix buss compression.
@@GreenLightSound Thanks loads for taking time to reply Joe.. got a crystal clear picture of your take on this and am glad you recommended the Bx Townhouse which i always lean towards to for bus compression... Many thanks again & stay blessed... 🎉🎉🎉🎉👍
Don’t forget all the tubes and transformers in pultec circuit. It is not only eq.
good
Fantastic! I've been transcribing hours of Schep interviews to pull it all together, but you've already done it. This was SUPER helpful. Many thanks to you sir. Subscribed. ✌️
One question: It seems he's using his Omni Channel these days a lot. Most likely, on the individual tracks before the Buss? Any thoughts on this? Have you used it?
Thanks, and happy to help! He does use Omni Channel a lot, and its almost exclusively on individual tracks. I use it too - it's probably the best plugin from Waves. Great flexibility.
Thanks for so clear explanation Joe! love the tape emulation and the BAX EQ. Do you think are a go-to inserts?
Definitely. I have Slate VTM on my mix buss, and the BAX could easily be used in place of the Pultec.
I’m surprised there isn’t a tape emulation near the end of that chain. It sounds great. But if you asked me if one was in there, I would guess yes.
Thank you very much for the video, I think it helps a lot to understand what Andrew Scheps does. However what you recommend to replace Slate processors? I tried to replicate the same principle with Tapedesk from Overloud but I don’t know if it is the right tool. All the others plugins I’m using already. Thank you again! Best regards and stay safe from Portugal
Waves NLS is similar to VCC, as are Statson and Britson from Sonimus. Tapedesk might get you a similar effect. You could just leave the Custom Series Lift out, or use another parallel EQ like Clariphonic from Kush.
@@GreenLightSound thank you very much for your tips! Great work you had done with this video keep UP! Best regards and stay safe
By the way can you help me find a similar plugin for Fatso that A. Scheps uses in the Drum Crush? Thank you Best regards and stay safe
@@djgoncalix8184 It's tough because Fatso is so unique, but Sknote Disto, Kush UBK-1, or Soundtoys Devil-Loc plus a tape sim might be able to achieve a similar effect.
@@GreenLightSound fantastic thank you again very much!!
Really useful video, thanks for this! Just wanted to ask, I saw in an interview Andrew said that he tends to default to some mix widening on the master bus, any idea which plug-in and the kinda settings he tends to rock for that? No worries if not! Cheers!
He uses the bx_digital v3 from Brainworx, with the stereo widener around 120-140%. He used to set it at 140 but has since dialed it back a bit.
@@GreenLightSound that's very kind of you to share, thanks so much!!!
Are your instruments already mixed when you were showing us your mix bus processing?
Yes. I mix through the processing.
How loud should the mix be before it hits the mix buss processing?
Most plugins react best to a -18dBFS RMS level, but you can usually compensate for that with input controls. My goal is usually just to leave at least 6dB of headroom after processing.
@@GreenLightSound Thank you! I was curious about the level heading into the mix buss because I assume it will affect those compressors differently depending on the level. Do you mean that it doesn't actually matter much, and to just pay attention to the final output level instead?
@@Sc0tther Since I mix through the processing, I just check on the compression every so often to make sure I'm not getting more than 4dB or so of gain reduction. Its usually more like 2dB. If I'm getting a lot more, the level coming in is too hot. That almost never happens because I gain stage before I start mixing.
@@GreenLightSound Right, that makes a lot of sense. I've only recently started experimenting with mix buss processing, so I wasn't sure if I needed to apply a different gain staging strategy for it. Thanks again for your help!
not to be pedantic, but the oxford enhance slider isn't anything like what the inflator does. the inflator adds harmonics with no changes to dynamics. enhance does the opposite.
Just as a person has a glass of whiskey or smokes a cigar they know it could possible harm them but does that tranquility they receive in that moment worth the risk ?!? I have a similar feeling when I do post bus processing...I have an analog chain just for my mix bus & equate the feeling I get almost to a guilty pleasure. I may be doing myself a disservice but in my case making a drink & sitting down for that last 10 percent of the mix is like a Christmas unwrapping & I finally get to have fun with my toys. A desert I’ve been savoring that I can only have after dinner !!! ( my songs only though not for clients ironically lol )
If you mix through the buss processing and don't add it after, there is no risk of messing up the mix with this. All of your mix decisions will be filtered through the buss processing.
Most analog mixing desks IRL have quite a bit of flavor that comes through them. Most of them have their own bus compressors that apply to everything that comes out to the speakers. I do agree that this is a little bit overkill, but if you just add some gain, maybe a tiny bit of compression, and extremely conservative EQ you can get a more organic mixing tone.
Instead of the brain worx control, would an imager achieve similar results?
It could, as long as it was transparent and very subtle. Keep in mind the brainworx also has a shelf on the sides.
Ha! I've just done all the processing to my individual tracks and thought "hmm, what about the mix buss", first thing you said "don't do this after!" doh! Well I guess I've learned for the next song :((
Please can you mix just vocals with VMR on Mix a Bus thank you
You wouldn't normally mix vocals from the mix buss, but on each individual vocal track and a vocal buss. The mix buss processing affects the overall sound of the mix, but doesn't "mix" the individual elements. If you just mean you want to see how to mix vocals with VMR, I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for watching!
@@GreenLightSound Thanks for the reply. Yes Sir, I would like you mix vocals with VMR and also Vocal Parraell Bus Channel with VMR, I normally work with 2 Tracks instrumentals. Thank u
Thanks, I am a little confuse!? Is Mix Buss Processing the same thing as Mastering? (let's use your mix as an example) If you have everything
just the way u have it in the mix, "all the tracks routed to the busses" "let's say u have a vocal bus too" would you then do another bus and
make it like a pre-master track with all the busses going to it before the Master or just leave it like that and just proceed to the master channel and work the processing of the
mastering in general. Hope I make sense please excuse my poor English.
LOL
It's not the same thing as mastering. The mix buss is where all other tracks and busses end up, and the processing on the mix buss just helps you get the sound you're going for in the mix. Mastering is a separate process.
@@GreenLightSound Sorry for the delay on my reply Maestro! Thank you for your wisdom and for taking the time to share your wisdom and knowledge with us!! I would like to make you one More question.
Would it be More convenient to export my mix bus track and then export out the mix down to a single wave file first, and bring it into a new work session to do the mastering? I think that way my mastering session doesn't have to carry the weight of all the mixing plugins, Is this correct?
-Again thanks for sharing your wisdom, and please forgive my poor English. :)
@@abielcotto2392 That's exactly right. Export your stereo mix, then import it into another session for the mastering process.
I can’t really see what more a mastering engineer would do.
what kind of daw is that?
Studio One from Presonus.
science.
Scheps has taken out the compressor from his mix bus.
That's the thing about presenting the tools/workflow of different mixers and producers - it really just captures a moment in time and is bound to change, especially with someone like Andrew Scheps who is constantly tinkering.
What DAW is this??
Studio One
You forgot to add the magic( tape machine )
is a master process ???
No, it's always on the mix buss while mixing. Mastering is a separate process.
@@GreenLightSound but you put a limiter, and the gain of the mix increased, I understood that the gain was only increased in the master
Not always. I often only use a limiter on the mix buss to catch any stray peaks, but Andrew uses it to boost some gain as well. It's still not at the level of a mastered track.
Or "Top down mixing", it works well for some but not for me. I leave the finishing touch to the mastering engineer.
lol not a single waves plugin
it's his old approach, so it's... a-la...
His approach is constantly changing, but the basic principles still apply. It sounds good either way.
@@GreenLightSound Actually it's impossibile to really evaluate the impact of this chain when it's clearly making everything louder. That's what Scheps himself discovered when (a few years ago!) decided to test every single plugins paying attention to equal-loudnesss and discarded almost everything because the only thing he liked was the added gain. At this very moment I believe only Digital V3 and Pultec are still "holding" in his template. Even the Neve it's not there anymore (but he, sometimes, uses a... reverb for gluing things). Not to bash your video though. I like this chain, I mixed with something very similar for years, and I'm still using Sonnox Limiter for his "inflator" module.
louder is better, if you don't match the volume there is the risk to not be objective...
If you have decent ears, this doesn't matter.
Andrew Scheps doesn't really care about how a mix sounds in mono!! Those are his words!!
I've heard that too, but sounding good in mono and mono compatibility are two different things. I bet he cares about the latter.
overkill..if you have to to bring flowers, cookies, necklaces and an amazon gift card to your date ...you ain't got game or ....girth ;)
Really? Andrew Scheps has quite the mixing game.
I feel it's too much, liked bypass more than everything on.
I feel like the only thing that's too much is the added stereo wideness. Creeps around the edges a bit too far, I think. I also think that the Pultec needs to be applied more conservatively.
Or "Top down mixing", it works well for some but not for me. I leave the finishing touches to the mastering engineer.