Clear mix?

[couttsy]

Hey guys, I just wanted a question how can I get a clear mix? I use FL and I DO NOT have studio monitors. Any suggestions? Here's my newest track with and without vocals.

With:
Soundcloud



Without:
Soundcloud

[ChrisPlatow]

I know if you get any replies on this itll be people telling you, get monitors.. so thats obviously step number one. Get the equator d5s ive heard great reviews and for 400 bucks a pair you cant beat it. Start working toward that. Im in the learning process of mixing. I know all the steps in and out but using it coupled with my ears is something i feel like im still learning, so i dont want to give any advice that i might find to be sub-par later. You probably already know but there are some good tutorials on youtube for this. If you can weed thru it SeamlessR has some good info in some of his newer vids... Your "with" and "without" labels are backward by the way.

[ChrisPlatow]

Have you tried sidechaining the mix so it ducks around the vocals? Or used subtractive EQ to cut out frequencies where the vocals prominently sit? I feel like thats pretty entry level info but maybe itll help

[NinjaEdit]

You could try this thread.

[Banesy]

You are on the right track with wanting a cleaner mix but the honest truth is that to achieve it, the summation of good mixing techniques is required. The answer is something you have to find with experience. When you mix better, your tracks will become cleaner and more refined.

A big factor is sound design as well. One of life's golden rules is that shit in = shit out so you will never be able to get a good mix with bad sounds. I think that in music production that shit in actually makes worse shit out because we tend to try to fix it with tons of fx.

[Milaflore]

Most important things for a clear mix are:

EQ
Balancing Levels of each sound in relation to each other

If you get the two things above down, your mix will be clear, but to actually get a mix to sound punchy, professional, together and cohesive, is all about how the sounds gel together, the source samples (kicks etc) and your processing on the individual sounds themselves.

One last point, reference your tracks on as many systems/speakers as possible. I guarentee this will highlight areas where your levels might need changing and things might need eqing more so or less so.

All the best mate, hope this helps.