How to create a BIGGER and WIDER mix?

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:12 pm

Hey yall,

Lately i'm getting comments from friends and other producers about my tunes sounding to " flat". I'm using things like compression, eq's, reverbs, delays, etc. And know my way around the usual effects. I do find i now can achieve nice mixdowns. But indeed when i listnen to other tunes they sound " bigger" and " wider" . I use panning but don't want to overdo it.

Yall have tips on making a mix bigger and wider? I'm thinking about learning more about stereo enhancers and exciters and start to aply them..?

Any tips would be more then welcome!!

Thanx

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:15 pm

like i said before bbe sonic maximizer on certain sounds noit whole mix

86. · Post by **86.** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:20 pm

i've been aiming for this myself.

but what deadly habit is saying is something I'll try. I use Nasty plug-ins, on the whole mix. Like the HF, LF, CS, etc....when I feel using on is more necessary.

5.1 surround helps too. but I'm trying to get stuff to bang-out.

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:20 pm

Deadly Habit wrote:like i said before bbe sonic maximizer on certain sounds noit whole mix

I alre4ady use that.. But just for my subs. Never thought about using it for other sounds! Nice tip, i will go into that.

This can't be the only trick though.. I thought it would be nice to start a thread specifically for this subject since i find it pretty interesting.

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:21 pm

get a rack, bout same cost as their plugin version
not the only solution but a quick fix

lowpass · Post by **lowpass** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:21 pm

Don't matter what you use, what matters is are you using it the right way?

tips for creating big/space

- use different reverbs for different parts, gives different spaces to different elements

- use eq effectively to help the elements fit together better

- compression over the whole mix will give you loud but squashed/flat sound use it sparingly on different parts

- raising the high end (10-20 khz) can sometimes give some things more "life" my mixes tended to be really dull but adding a touch of this in places can liven it up a bit

- panning as mentioned can help, keep key elements central (kick snare bass etc) but it's cool to have things like fx hard panned and have the hats a little panned out (don't overdo it)

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:24 pm

86 Position wrote:i've been aiming for this myself.

but what deadly habit is saying is something I'll try. I use Nasty plug-ins, on the whole mix. Like the HF, LF, CS, etc....when I feel using on is more necessary.

5.1 surround helps too. but I'm trying to get stuff to bang-out.

You have a link to them nasty plugins? Freeware or buy?
I hardly use ANYTHING on the main output though.

To do a 5.1 mix is a different ballgame to me. And i don't have a 5.1 monitor set, don't see alot of producer using them too.. So i don't think that's really the trick behind it. Altough it ofcourse will sound beigger that way.

serox · Post by **serox** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:25 pm

Freq Juggler wrote: I alre4ady use that.. But just for my subs. Never thought about using it for other sounds! Nice tip, i will go into that.

This can't be the only trick though.. I thought it would be nice to start a thread specifically for this subject since i find it pretty interesting.

Sub is meant to be mono so if this does stereo stuff to your sub I do not think that it is a good thing.

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:31 pm

Deadly Habit wrote:get a rack, bout same cost as their plugin version
not the only solution but a quick fix

Might get into that, looks nice. I didn't know they had a hardware version lol.

@Lowpass:

Thaxnx for the tips, using different reverbs is a good idea. I mainly stick to pretty much the same. I do use reverbs of synths internally though.

The eq part is something i've been focusing on the last few months. It really helped with achieving a nice clean mix. Still having the problem though..

I suddenly realised something when you mentioned compression on the whole mix. When i want to put a song on the net, i use a limiter, compression and eq on the final mixdown. Just for preview on for example myspace though.
Maybe it's because of that...? It does sound the same but harder.

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:32 pm

Serox wrote:
Freq Juggler wrote: I alre4ady use that.. But just for my subs. Never thought about using it for other sounds! Nice tip, i will go into that.

This can't be the only trick though.. I thought it would be nice to start a thread specifically for this subject since i find it pretty interesting.
Sub is meant to be mono so if this does stereo stuff to your sub I do not think that it is a good thing.

I have it on a mono channel. My subs sound good when using this. No problems with stereo " errors". Plus i don't always use it. BUT maybe it's something to watch for, never thought about that. I usually do check for the stereo/mono thing with effects etc. But never did with he bbe pugin.

paradigm_x · Post by **paradigm_x** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:34 pm

Freq Juggler wrote:
86 Position wrote:i've been aiming for this myself.

but what deadly habit is saying is something I'll try. I use Nasty plug-ins, on the whole mix. Like the HF, LF, CS, etc....when I feel using on is more necessary.

5.1 surround helps too. but I'm trying to get stuff to bang-out.

You have a link to them nasty plugins? Freeware or buy?
I hardly use ANYTHING on the main output though.

http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/

excellent freeware (pc only tho)

A touch of compression on the master can help gel stuff together.

Sorry deadly i hate that bbe thing

The UAD maximiser is similar (adds harmonics) but going off that a bit too.

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:35 pm

saturation
verb and stereo delay as well
hell listen to some old jazz like coltrane or miles davis and analyze whats going on in the mix
hat on right channel shaker on left channel same time
real ranned mixes done right
apply it to dubstep and edm just diff sounds

i can recommend hardware for days btw hehe

86. · Post by **86.** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:35 pm

Freq Juggler wrote:
86 Position wrote:i've been aiming for this myself.

but what deadly habit is saying is something I'll try. I use Nasty plug-ins, on the whole mix. Like the HF, LF, CS, etc....when I feel using one is more necessary.

5.1 surround helps too. but I'm trying to get stuff to bang-out.

You have a link to them nasty plugins? Freeware or buy?
I hardly use ANYTHING on the main output though.

To do a 5.1 mix is a different ballgame to me. And i don't have a 5.1 monitor set, don't see alot of producer using them too.. So i don't think that's really the trick behind it. Altough it ofcourse will sound beigger that way.

yeah it's better not on the whole mix to be honest. I generally don't but for some reason when I got these I started doing it...particular plug-ins though.

http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/downloads/

scroll to where it says Nasty series.

I only use these now...

i'm not any expert or anything....I just found something I like and use it. (especially cuz it's freeware)

edit:

but for panning I've been recently making like two tracks of the same hats/shakers/other percussion then panning them left and right.

shit like that

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:36 pm

Paradigm X wrote:
Freq Juggler wrote:
86 Position wrote:i've been aiming for this myself.

but what deadly habit is saying is something I'll try. I use Nasty plug-ins, on the whole mix. Like the HF, LF, CS, etc....when I feel using on is more necessary.

5.1 surround helps too. but I'm trying to get stuff to bang-out.

You have a link to them nasty plugins? Freeware or buy?
I hardly use ANYTHING on the main output though.
http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/

excellent freeware (pc only tho)

A touch of compression on the master can help gel stuff together.

Sorry deadly i hate that bbe thing

The UAD maximiser is similar (adds harmonics) but going off that a bit too.

yea i tend to use it on pads or strings mainly my high end to brighten it a bit
or in my pa setup on the cheap speakers

86. · Post by **86.** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:45 pm

on a side note: I love freeware...but I'm really trying to restrict myself from downloading everything I come across (I do filter out later). Like do I need ANOTHER freeware compressor.

the roughrider thread or whatever, for example. immediately downloaded.

Nasty series: immediately downloaded it when I found out.

some new one I got yesterday or day before called Ferone, Ferzone, Fezone or something...downloaded. I've used it twice since but couldnt tell you right now what it is or how I used it.

Waves Diamond: downloaded back when....

lazy snake: downloaded

DSK: downloaded

magic 8 bit

part of this is from that VST bank thread...

and oh yea Tatapoum: probably the best download I've found. Now I can get rid of a particular cracked software I've been using for drums (I have no problem confessing now)

candy store type shit I tell you.

god knows what else I got. I make it a point to use them though...not just have them (or maybe I just dont wanna delete them)

damn shame

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:48 pm

the jopys of buying hardware or even soft is once you deal out the dough you tend to learn it 100% and use it alot as opposed to dl and have em all and use like once and still in repository

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:49 pm

Paradigm X wrote:
Freq Juggler wrote:
86 Position wrote:i've been aiming for this myself.

but what deadly habit is saying is something I'll try. I use Nasty plug-ins, on the whole mix. Like the HF, LF, CS, etc....when I feel using on is more necessary.

5.1 surround helps too. but I'm trying to get stuff to bang-out.

You have a link to them nasty plugins? Freeware or buy?
I hardly use ANYTHING on the main output though.
http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/

excellent freeware (pc only tho)

A touch of compression on the master can help gel stuff together.

Sorry deadly i hate that bbe thing

The UAD maximiser is similar (adds harmonics) but going off that a bit too.

Thanx for the link! Those nasty plugins look nice. I wonder if they sound like they look.

mico viejo · Post by **mico viejo** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:55 pm

flat tunes might b more about not creating depth in how u mix down. i.e. r u sure u r not just sticking everything at a similar volume?

panning, reverb etc. will help, but so will just putting some elements lower in the mix, or making them move (increase/decrease in volume as they play) a little more.

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:56 pm

I actually made a BIG folder of freeware plugins. All checked for the sound and ease of use. With pictures of them. I even catagorized them all. It litterally took me twoo weeks of searching, testing etc. (was in between jobs so hey

). If anyone wants it i can put it on zshare or something?

freq juggler · Post by **freq juggler** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:58 pm

Mico Viejo wrote:flat tunes might b more about not creating depth in how u mix down. i.e. r u sure u r not just sticking everything at a similar volume?

panning, reverb etc. will help, but so will just putting some elements lower in the mix, or making them move (increase/decrease in volume as they play) a little more.

That's the whole thing. I like to automate the shit out of my tunes (in a good way). So nothing wrong there.. i guess..

How to create a BIGGER and WIDER mix?

How to create a BIGGER and WIDER mix?

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