jwh


Hi,
I know this a bit subjective, but I'll try and describe as best I can.
Listening to a recent mix, I find it a little harsh, not as in too much top end
just a bit harsh, I'm trying to smooth it.
For example, on the master bus, I've put sonitus EQ, and taken the middle (800 Hz) fader
and pulled it left, to about -15 dB, and then pulled the next two to the right, to about 8dB, to try and get some
top end, is there another way to do this. I hope this makes sense.
 
Thanks
John 

Terrible way to cut and add on a "master" if you ask me!
'If I understand you correctly what you describe you take all warmth away and add digital coldness to the sound instead.
 
 
Some advice: NEVER try to mix use a EQ on the MASTER during mixing. Mix it right "flat" (NO EQ) before you add a MASTER EQ instead.
If you use EQ on the MASTER use small adjustment only not -15db + 15db wide. Cut perhaps 1-3 db narrow. You only cut narrow bands or add high "High Shelving" perhaps 1-4db. Sonitus EQ is not up for the MASTER task either. LP64 is a better choice! It take years to master mixing don't expect it to come in a heartbeat! Good Luck!
 
(Highend mix. To get it sound even better use outboard hardware compressor and filter on the masterbus.)
 

I like that technique, Brian. Start muting stuff until you identify the element that most improves the mix when it's missing. Brilliant. We once replaced a drummer using a similar approach.

On the original topic, I associate "smoothness" with gentle compression. Kind of like when you drag the butter knife over the toast so that the butter (er, doctor-approved butter substitute) becomes uniformly dispersed rather than deposited in non-uniform globs with dry patches. Light compression is like that for audio. 

I use brconflict's method more for surgical repair of a bad recording, but there really is no right or wrong. It could very well be that you'll have to do that.

For example, there are certain frequencies I have to do that to when I record my Strat. The EMG pickup's intentionally bump certain frequency ranges to give it a particular sound, unfortunately it causes problems in a mix, especially since I don't mic an amp, I go direct using Guitar Rig. DI pickups up everything.

@bitflipper: . We replaced our drummer with an Alesis SR-16. Well, actually, he replaced himself. He got tired of hauling his drums. Held it on his lap and sat on a stool up front. He was also one of the lead singers, so it all worked out, I guess.

We once replaced a drummer using a similar approach.

Does this work in a live situation?  (kidding) We love our drummer.

Thanks for the compliment, btw. 

  Something to consider here, too, which I assume has already been ruled out is the mix-setting, meaning your mixing room and monitors etc.  

And one thing we should probably mention is try mixing at a a low volume if you're not already doing this. If the monitors are good, the room becomes less of an issue and you can actually allow your ears to better hear those nasty little nuances and frequencies that can irritate you. At least you may be able to better identify what's wrong with the full mix.

Best of luck! 

brconflict


  Something to consider here, too, which I assume has already been ruled out is the mix-setting, meaning your mixing room and monitors etc.  

And one thing we should probably mention is try mixing at a a low volume if you're not already doing this. If the monitors are good, the room becomes less of an issue and you can actually allow your ears to better hear those nasty little nuances and frequencies that can irritate you. At least you may be able to better identify what's wrong with the full mix.

Best of luck! 

I find that mixing at low volumes helps me hear the effect the compressor is having more easily too. 

One last thing do not over drive your plugins. Not all are forgiving of this. 

bitflipper


I like that technique, Brian. Start muting stuff until you identify the element that most improves the mix when it's missing. Brilliant. We once replaced a drummer using a similar approach.

On the original topic, I associate "smoothness" with gentle compression. Kind of like when you drag the butter knife over the toast so that the butter (er, doctor-approved butter substitute) becomes uniformly dispersed rather than deposited in non-uniform globs with dry patches. Light compression is like that for audio. 

SO BUTTER MY SONG UP and il have a hit EPIC

Too much compression could also be the culprit, esp. one that colors.  Digital color isn't always smooth.  I've found when pushed, a lot of sounds get harsher in the midrange when doing digital comps.  It is easy to overdrive them, and they don't respond as well analog.  Esp. if you have a comp on the track, then one on the bus, one on the master, etc.

The voxengo elephant has a vintage master preset I've tweaked for myself.  The louder I mix a song, the more likely I am to take it off the L2A2 button and to the LA-3 emulation.  Clean solid state emulation gets rid of some of the harshness even before backing off levels.

Something else for you to try - but ya, having more than 3-6 dBs of eq change during mastering shows that something is screwy before that step.

@

Yeah, Jeff Evans is 100%, in my opinion. I don't think it's a good idea to use an EQ on the master bus -- UNLESS you're at the mastering phase, which you're not, I would assume. Make sure that you have an incredible sound BEFORE you hit the RECORD button. If you aren't happy with your sound before you record, you are definitely not going to be happy when you listen back to it. In fact, you're going to like it less and less the more you listen to it. I know first hand because it has happened to me. Sometimes, you cut corners to save time.... "that sounds OK, but I'll make it perfect when I mix it!" .... nope, sorry, doesn't work that way. I learned that lesson the hard way. Recorded my band, didn't get levels or mic placement correct..... some parts of the drum kit weren't loud enough, some sounded tinny.... etc. You can't "fix" a kick drum that wasn't loud enough to begin with, you can't "fix" a snare drum that was mic'd like crap..... learned this the hard way. Spent a month.... A MONTH.... playing with EQ settings.... plugins.... finally gave in to reality, RE-RECORDED the whole thing. Sometimes you gotta do that. Better to re-record than to waste time trying to polish a turd.