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Mixing tips for dubstep (n00b to it)
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:19 pm
by psylentuk
Going to start mixing dubstep as I've been getting in to it alot lately and its something I'd enjoy, but I have know idea what your mixing it by or how to mix it, so some help would be cool.
Thanks in advance.
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:32 pm
by r
decisions decisions
thats what count in your mixdown
decisions decisions
be carefull or be harsh or it will breakdown
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:25 pm
by psylentuk
Hmmm, yeah like that with most mixing but what I mean is how and what do you mix it by for example DNB mix with the snare or some times people mix it by the high hat..
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:12 pm
by djake
are you talking about mixing wiv decks?
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:09 pm
by psylentuk
Yeah with a pair off turntables

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:12 pm
by psylentuk
P.S
DJake that rumble tune on your myspace is phat
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:17 am
by somejerk
with bass, cut everything below 40hz or your shit is going to kill speakers. keep anything below 200hz in mono, otherwise it will eat the mix down. use a touch of a limiter on the master once you've got things in place.
and of course, keep reading. there's tons of good info on this forum and all over the internet.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:12 pm
by thinking
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:00 pm
by tempest
cut everything below 40hz ??? I know this topic was about DJ'ing..
but whats the consensus with cutting those real low freqs? i thought these freq's were vital for the big system to keep it real weighty
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:36 pm
by djake
tempest wrote:cut everything below 40hz ??? I know this topic was about DJ'ing..
but whats the consensus with cutting those real low freqs? i thought these freq's were vital for the big system to keep it real weighty
same ere mate....

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:50 pm
by somejerk
djake wrote:tempest wrote:cut everything below 40hz ??? I know this topic was about DJ'ing..
but whats the consensus with cutting those real low freqs? i thought these freq's were vital for the big system to keep it real weighty
same ere mate....

you can't hear anything below 40hz. what's the point of it being there if you can't hear it?
also, my bad, i thought this was about production since...well...it's in the production area of the website.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:00 pm
by somejerk
some quick text about below 40hz
http://www.hiphopproduction.com/?pageid ... eid=eq_101
Another generally accepted thought is that there really isn''t much below 40Hz that anyone wants to hear live. On a recording it may be a different story, but live you pretty much want to cut anything below 40Hz. This will do several things: it will reduce stage rumble, reduce that "flabby, booming" kick/bass sound, will increase headroom (which is the reserve power capability) in your power amplifiers (because now they won''t have to reproduce those power robbing low frequencies), and generally clean up the whole mix. If your amp, crossover or mixer has sub-sonic filters... use them! Those filters are the quickest way to cut down on those unwanted low frequencies below 40 Hz. Also, on midrange and treble instruments (vocals, horns, guitars, keys, etc.) use the channel low cut (if available). These vary from 75Hz to 100Hz and give you all of the above mentioned benefits without adversely affecting the sound. Now I know that some 5 & 6 string bass players and keyboard players will insist that there is desirable musical content below 40Hz. However, there are harmonics and overtones that still let you hear the low "B" being played on a 5 string bass, you just won''t hear the fundamental (approx. 30Hz). I think the trade-off (a clean, punchy mix) is worth it. You can decide for yourself.Part of getting the sound you want is knowing where an instrument lies in the frequency spectrum and part of it is just plain experimentation.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:09 pm
by djake
somejerk wrote:djake wrote:tempest wrote:cut everything below 40hz ??? I know this topic was about DJ'ing..
but whats the consensus with cutting those real low freqs? i thought these freq's were vital for the big system to keep it real weighty
same ere mate....

you can't hear anything below 40hz. what's the point of it being there if you can't hear it?
also, my bad, i thought this was about production since...well...it's in the production area of the website.
yea u may not be able to hear them but on a big system you could feel them.
isnt tht the good part of those frequences?
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:13 pm
by somejerk
40 to 60hz is the "good" part, IMO.
everything below 40hz eats up your headroom.
i dunno, maybe what i've been told is wrong, but i notice when i cut below 40hz, i am able to make the bass louder and it is more clear, less muddy. however i have read this time and time again from various tutorials and production forums, as well as from friends that (successfully) produce various forms of bass music.
to each his own really!
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:15 pm
by djake
somejerk wrote:40 to 60hz is the "good" part, IMO.
everything below 40hz eats up your headroom.
i dunno, maybe what i've been told is wrong, but i notice when i cut below 40hz, i am able to make the bass louder and it is more clear, less muddy. however i have read this time and time again from various tutorials and production forums, as well as from friends that (successfully) produce various forms of bass music.
to each his own really!
kk i was just curious about it really

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:21 pm
by somejerk
i dunno, i guess try it out next time you're working on a bassline. the head room issue alone is what sold me. i need as much space as i can get, i don't need the space being eaten up by things you won't even be able to perceive.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:22 pm
by djake
i will certianly give it a go!
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:57 am
by tempest
somejerk wrote:some quick text about below 40hz
http://www.hiphopproduction.com/?pageid ... eid=eq_101
Another generally accepted thought is that there really isn''t much below 40Hz that anyone wants to hear live. On a recording it may be a different story, but live you pretty much want to cut anything below 40Hz. This will do several things: it will reduce stage rumble, reduce that "flabby, booming" kick/bass sound, will increase headroom (which is the reserve power capability) in your power amplifiers (because now they won''t have to reproduce those power robbing low frequencies), and generally clean up the whole mix. If your amp, crossover or mixer has sub-sonic filters... use them! Those filters are the quickest way to cut down on those unwanted low frequencies below 40 Hz. Also, on midrange and treble instruments (vocals, horns, guitars, keys, etc.) use the channel low cut (if available). These vary from 75Hz to 100Hz and give you all of the above mentioned benefits without adversely affecting the sound. Now I know that some 5 & 6 string bass players and keyboard players will insist that there is desirable musical content below 40Hz. However, there are harmonics and overtones that still let you hear the low "B" being played on a 5 string bass, you just won''t hear the fundamental (approx. 30Hz). I think the trade-off (a clean, punchy mix) is worth it. You can decide for yourself.Part of getting the sound you want is knowing where an instrument lies in the frequency spectrum and part of it is just plain experimentation.
Seems like here they are chatting about a live mix, not for recording.
If the low B on a 5 string bass's fundamental is @ 30hz, i deff want those kind of lows.
But meh, no rules i guess.. if it sounds sick, it sounds sick.. no one will care or be aware of a technicality like that
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:59 am
by djake
i have to say though i tryed it...cut the bass off at 30hz n it does make a diffrence to the sound of the bass clears the bottom up n makes the bass sound alot warmer!

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:38 am
by grooki
It apparently damages speakers to play frequencies below 40hz. They just get damaged while attempting to play something at such a low frequency... I guess if you have subs that might give a bit more room down there. I think that is what the hole is for on speakers - to get rid of freqs that can't be played through the speaker cone... which is why air only comes out when sub bass is playing...
Some monitors have measures to prevent them being damaged by super low freqs...