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how do i get my mix to sit better in the master?
beginner engineer
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6 answers
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
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Thomas’s Answer
The answers here are all technical. All good information but here's the thing. Mixing is up to the engineer- that means if you like something then you should do it. I am a firm believer in this and preach it whenever I can. If it sounds good then it sounds good. Who cares if the vocal is too compressed if you like it? who cares if the delay doesn't line up with the tempo if it fits the meaning of the song? It's more important to make an impactful song full of feeling and emotion.
With that said, here are my two cents. If your mix sounds different after you do the mastering you either didn't master right or there was something of issue in your mix. This could be levels, parts clipping, or maybe just accidentally using the wrong take somewhere. You want your mix to sound very very very close to what you want your master to sound like- maybe some parts will be more enhanced after the master but it shouldn't be completely different sounding.
If you're looking for techniques, depending on the sound I'm working with at any given moment, I mix the stems how I want then bounce the stems to a new project and do balancing, final mixing, and finally mastering there. That way you have less to worry about during the last of the mixing- you're only focusing on balancing the individual sounds with like sounds and THEN mix everything together.
Secondly, before any mastering, make sure your master levels are not clipping. This could ruin a mix or a master. Select all your channels and drag them down until they are not making the master clip at all. It may sound a lot quieter, but the overall balance will be exactly the same. Use the mastering to bring the dynamics to the right lufs.
With that said, here are my two cents. If your mix sounds different after you do the mastering you either didn't master right or there was something of issue in your mix. This could be levels, parts clipping, or maybe just accidentally using the wrong take somewhere. You want your mix to sound very very very close to what you want your master to sound like- maybe some parts will be more enhanced after the master but it shouldn't be completely different sounding.
If you're looking for techniques, depending on the sound I'm working with at any given moment, I mix the stems how I want then bounce the stems to a new project and do balancing, final mixing, and finally mastering there. That way you have less to worry about during the last of the mixing- you're only focusing on balancing the individual sounds with like sounds and THEN mix everything together.
Secondly, before any mastering, make sure your master levels are not clipping. This could ruin a mix or a master. Select all your channels and drag them down until they are not making the master clip at all. It may sound a lot quieter, but the overall balance will be exactly the same. Use the mastering to bring the dynamics to the right lufs.
Updated
A. David’s Answer
Sure! Here are some tips with specific examples to help your mix sound better in the master:
1. Room Setup: Place bass traps in the corners and acoustic panels on the walls to reduce reflections. For example, if your room has a lot of echo, adding these can help you hear your mix more accurately.
2. Good Gear: Use a pair of studio monitors like the Yamaha HS8s and a reliable DAW like Ableton Live or Logic Pro. High-quality headphones like the Sennheiser HD650 can also make a big difference.
3. EQ: If your vocals sound muddy, try cutting around 300 Hz. For example, boost the high frequencies around 10 kHz to add some sparkle to your cymbals.
4. Compression: Use a compressor on your drum bus to glue the drums together. For instance, set a medium attack and release to keep the punch of the kick and snare.
5. Reverb & Delay: Add a short reverb to your snare to give it some space. For example, use a plate reverb with a decay time of around 1 second. Use a delay on your vocals to create a sense of depth without cluttering the mix.
6. Automation: Automate the volume of your lead guitar to make it stand out during the solo. For example, gradually increase the volume as the solo progresses to build excitement.
7. Gain Staging: Keep your track levels around -6 dB to avoid clipping. For instance, if your kick drum is too loud, lower its gain to ensure it doesn't distort the mix.
8. Take Breaks: Work for 45 minutes, then take a 15-minute break. For example, step outside for some fresh air or listen to a reference track to reset your ears.
These examples should help you get a clearer and more balanced mix. Any specific part of your mix giving you trouble?
1. Room Setup: Place bass traps in the corners and acoustic panels on the walls to reduce reflections. For example, if your room has a lot of echo, adding these can help you hear your mix more accurately.
2. Good Gear: Use a pair of studio monitors like the Yamaha HS8s and a reliable DAW like Ableton Live or Logic Pro. High-quality headphones like the Sennheiser HD650 can also make a big difference.
3. EQ: If your vocals sound muddy, try cutting around 300 Hz. For example, boost the high frequencies around 10 kHz to add some sparkle to your cymbals.
4. Compression: Use a compressor on your drum bus to glue the drums together. For instance, set a medium attack and release to keep the punch of the kick and snare.
5. Reverb & Delay: Add a short reverb to your snare to give it some space. For example, use a plate reverb with a decay time of around 1 second. Use a delay on your vocals to create a sense of depth without cluttering the mix.
6. Automation: Automate the volume of your lead guitar to make it stand out during the solo. For example, gradually increase the volume as the solo progresses to build excitement.
7. Gain Staging: Keep your track levels around -6 dB to avoid clipping. For instance, if your kick drum is too loud, lower its gain to ensure it doesn't distort the mix.
8. Take Breaks: Work for 45 minutes, then take a 15-minute break. For example, step outside for some fresh air or listen to a reference track to reset your ears.
These examples should help you get a clearer and more balanced mix. Any specific part of your mix giving you trouble?
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
FEL
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Here's a nifty technique I picked up from my time at several renowned studios. It's not really a hidden gem as it was a fundamental feature of the console. The renowned SSL consoles were equipped with something known as a mix bus compressor. Its function is as straightforward as its name suggests - it subtly compresses the overall mix, at least in most applications. If the plug-in is beyond your budget, don't worry! You can achieve the same effect with any compressor by setting a very gentle three or four to one compression with a threshold around -6 DBMS. This simple adjustment adds a subtle touch of cohesion to the mix, making the entire piece blend more harmoniously.
Why not give it a shot with one of your better compressor plug-ins?
Why not give it a shot with one of your better compressor plug-ins?
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
FEL
Updated
jeff’s Answer
This takes a lot of practice. First I recommend listening to recordings of others that you really like. Pay attention to the balance of the instruments and vocals. Next thing I do is trying to listen to it different speakers not just earbuds or headphones. I used to make copies and play them in my car or other stereos to get an idea what it will sound like the final mix. good luck
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
FEL
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Well how does it sound???? Do you hear pops??? If so make sure that it is out of the red zone while mixing. Try to use different sound fx filters as well and control each individual volume channel. Try to change the tempo and see if that will help you . Have a good day !!
Updated
Ariel Andino’s Answer
Regarding this question, many things influence. The recording mainly, the gain structure, always remembers that we are working with voltage in the preamplification of the 1.23volt signal of preamplification. That will improve all your mix and that each audio signal is between -12db and -14db in our gain structure. Greetings Ariel from Argentina