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Hey I have been producing good structured beats for around a year or so now and have been mixing down my tracks to the best of my knowledge. BUT the main problem I'm having is the ability to mix down to a good standard. I understand about the 0db level and levels in which need to be hit in order to pass along to a mastering technician. But what i would really like advice on is the levels for each instrument, mainly kick, snare and bass. I have read hundreds of posts relating to this subject and i realise that there are no real set levels for each instrument but a rough guide would be brilliant. Also is anyone could maybe provide some levels info for compression and eq that would be sik too.

My friend, how long is a piece of string?

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I believe that whilst mixing your track, every part should be individually identifyable and listenable without having to strain to pick it out against the other elements in the arrangement.

Basically, if any element is over powering, turn it down. If something becomes masked by everything else, turn everything else down!

I aim for a well balanced mix whereby I can listen to each individual part by itself, or the whole mix as a song.

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Quick guide to eq:

-On high range stuff, use a hi pass filter to get rid of anything under 250Hz.

-On mid range stuff, low pass filter anything above 2 - 5KHz. Also hi pass everything under 150Hz.

-On your bass/kick/sub, low pass everything above 250Hz and hi pass everything under 40Hz.

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Compression: Use google to find some compression charts. You'll find one on the cover DVD of Computer Music every month I think.

futures_untold wrote:My friend, how long is a piece of string?

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I believe that whilst mixing your track, every part should be individually identifyable and listenable without having to strain to pick it out against the other elements in the arrangement.

Basically, if any element is over powering, turn it down. If something becomes masked by everything else, turn everything else down.

I aim for a well balanced mix where I can listen to each individual part by itself or the whole song aas one.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quick guide to eq:

-On high range stuff, use a hi pass filter to get rid of anything under 250Hz.

-On mid range stuff, low pass filter anything above 2 - 5KHz. Also hi pass everything under 150Hz.

-On your bass/kick/sub, low pass everything above 250Hz and hi pass everything under 40Hz.

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Compression: Use google to find some compression charts. You'll find one on the cover DVD of Computer Music every month I think.

Yet again, great help from Pat.

Brilliant advice pal really appreciate it. I figure there is no real formula just guidelines really as long as the finished product is balanced.

futures_untold wrote:
-On your bass/kick/sub, low pass everything above 250Hz and hi pass everything under 40Hz.
.

dont agree on this one...youd loose all the transients on the kick....

For me the basic setup (varies on the tune and what sounds good):


Kick: 100Htz High Pass, 450Htz Low Pass (9DB)

Snare: (Anything goes, sometimes I High Pass at 130Htz and sometimes High Pass at 3000Htz) (9 DB)

Sub: 40Htz High Pass, 70Htz Low Pass (? DB)

Bass: Anything goes.

drwurst wrote:

futures_untold wrote:
-On your bass/kick/sub, low pass everything above 250Hz and hi pass everything under 40Hz.
.

dont agree on this one...youd loose all the transients on the kick....

Yes, I see your point and agree with you... Just wrote it roughly off the top of my head like...

BlizzardMusic wrote:Yet again, great help from Pat.

That's cuz I'm wiser than 500 wise men.