Anybody tried to setup a Michael Brauer "Brauerize" template for Sonar X2?

Who? Is that the Kiefer Sutherland guy from 24?

Okay, just read the SoS article about him. So, he stems out his tracks to subs and uses multiple layers of compressors on them? That doesn't seem terribly hard to replicate (the flow, not the artistry of his settings).

Route all your tracks to a bus that is appropriate (DRUMS, BASS, GTR, etc). Use sends to route signals to your multiple compressors of choice, and then another downstream bus to collect them all back.

So, three layers of bussing. DRUMS->(via sends)COMP1, COMP2, COMP3->DRUMS MASTER->MASTER OUT

Wicked -- your description is a subset of the overall concept.  But, again, I'm looking for folks who have gone beyond the speculation stage.  But thanks!

Yes, a long time ago when his method was published, I set this up to experiment. I think there is a thread from a couple of years ago on this forum where it was discussed.

Couple of notes:

1. You're not going to get the same results as the hardware he uses. Even Michael has tried to duplicate this in software and admitted it does not come close to the same results.

2. Having a good selection of compressors to try on different groups is helpful.

3. It's extremely educational on how to set up group treatment once you figure out what he is doing i.e. frequency specific compression which is highly dependent on the frequency characteristics of the compressor.  This is primarily the reason it's hard to duplicate in software.

4. All of these comments don't reduce your ability to create a useful template for mixing.

I think this is applicable for some types of music but there are other approaches as well for mixing. This was what I walked away with. Also, he was concerned about delay compensation in Protools, which is what he was using (older version). ADC was not in the product at that time but is now as you point out.

There were no issues when I used it in Sonar X1. No phasing etc. Here are a few thoughts.

1. I built my own template as follows:

- Drum Group fed to mains (all the compression was in parallel or on track i.e. parallel compression on kick and overheads prior to this group. I can't see running these back through the MB comps below as this is just too much compression and will make the drums lifeless)
- Guitar Group - C 1176 parallel feed
- Vocal Group - combination of B LA2A and C 1176 parallel feed.
- Acoustic Guitar Group - C 1176 and D SSL parallel feed
- Bass Guitar Group - A UAD Precision Parallel feed
- Keyboard group - B LA2A and D SSL parallel feed. Did not want any emphasis in the vocal range.

MB busses all routed to mains:
A Low Freq Comp Group - UAD Precision Comp
B Lo Mid Range Comp Group - LA2A
C Upper Mid Range Group - 1176
D High End Group - SSL Channel

The reason I chose these comps is that they had the response I wanted for the frequencies they handled. 1176 has emphasis in the upper midrange. The SSL is notorious for high end sheen. The LA2A adds body and the UAD precision, kind of a C2 type compressor adds some precise and clear treatment for low end. Very transparent.

I would encourage you, if you have questions to go to Michael's site and ask him directly or do a search at Gearslutz where he has responded to numerous questions about his method. He will respond directly on GS if you put his name in the header of your post.  

Yes, good question. I was going to elaborate but ran out of time. I did a couple of mixes with the system but at the end of the day it was a little too compressed for my tastes. The Coldplay mixes for me are also too compressed and hard to enjoy to my ears so I can appreciate that it works for Michael but I am more in the Dave Pensado camp on bussing structure or alternatively, Mike Shipley. Let the transients live!

Another thing, plugin compressors don't always mimic their real world counterparts and I never felt that the plugins I had available were bringing it to the mix, so to speak. It was an interesting experiment but not something I felt universally applicable.  

MarkBlair


speaking of Dave Pensado, I guess you know he's got some great videos on YouTube. 

Yes, I've seen them all. I've actually met him a few times at various events here in LA. Great guy. There is an early ITL where his assistant walks you through his setup for mixing including busses, from this I developed my main template. Dave has also done a couple of ITLs where he shows you what's on his two buss. Another enlightening ITL is his kick drum treatment and parallel processing. This last one is a gem and takes an average sounding mix into the zone of competition.
Good luck with the MB method.