Mixdown, Dynamics & EQ (and related) Topic

[ljk32]

Don't know wheter this fits into the thread but as we are already on topic, often I like to automate volumes of for example the fx channels to make some very exciting breaks where everything is silent, or also a simple channel volume automation to bring some sound in or out slowly or whatever but than later when doing the mixdown I have troubles as when I want to adjust the volume of a sound or give more or less reverb to the whole mix the channel faders always stick to the value that the automation clip in the playlist currently has and I need to seek other alternatives for leveling, like for example slowly move the dots in automation clips and that is very tedious and distracts from listenibg to the sound and taking accurate decisions by simply moving the channel faders. How do you go about those things, do you automate the gain knobs (which may affect the processed sound) or do you habe other alternatives? How do you make sure that the mixer works smoothly when mixiñg down? I'm on FL btw

Automate these volume knobs instead. They're seperate from the mixer volume knobs.

They're input knobs, it wouldn't be a good idea.

[Dj Reaper]

Thank you both a lot. I will use Euphorizer's method for sounds that don 't have distortion, compression or stuff like that going on (pads for example) to save time and cpu and in the end the outcome should be the same and if I need to automate heavily processed sounds or for example want to keep the reverb going on while the synth fades in/out I'll use a plugin in the last slot basically I'll try to force mayself no not automate the mixers parameters anymore.

[SCH]

I'm pretty Damn drunk atm so.I'm. It sure if anyone have said it yet, but you can easily set the maximum amount for your automation clips and even automate the the min and max levels

[Astroshade]

I saw someone mention Sausage Fattener.
I don't rellay like that plug-in all too well.
But just where do you guys put it?
On the tail? On the lead? On the master channel?

[Dj Reaper]

I saw someone mention Sausage Fattener.
I don't rellay like that plug-in all too well.
But just where do you guys put it?
On the tail? On the lead? On the master channel?

I use it at times but NEVER EVER put it on the master channel!
It doesn't just compress but also distorts and brings in frequencies so I would rather use it as a sounddesign tool than as a mixing or mastering tool. What I do is at times put it on kicks but it is very easy to fuck them up and needs to be used in the right moment on the right kick, if for example you want a kick with not much mid crunch but a hard punch and a slightly overdriven sub I'd maybe use it. At times I also put it on screeches, to make them sharper but also that can easily mess with you mix. I'd suggest you to only use it if you know how to handle it and if you are pretty new to producing I'd leave it away. Basically it can have benefits but it is easier to destroy something with it than to make it better..

[Euphorizer]

I saw someone mention Sausage Fattener.
I don't rellay like that plug-in all too well.
But just where do you guys put it?
On the tail? On the lead? On the master channel?

I don't use it all. I find the plugin to be redundant, and that I can achieve similar effects with other plugins that offer me additional control over how I'm affecting the sound. But there isn't really any special place to put this thing (except the master channel -- stay away from that), so just try and listen to spot what sounds good to you.

[SCH]

I can imagine using it on snare drums, oldschool kicks and such things

[Dj Reaper]

I can imagine using it on snare drums, oldschool kicks and such things

Yeah those are pretty good places to put it on, can tell you from my experience, but as Euphorizet said, it can do nothing that other plugins can't do. It's basically just trying, learning it and then you get a feel on which sounds it could give good results and can get nice punchy sounds without a lot of fiddeling. But as I said before it can be pretty a frustrating plugin as it is more likely to destroy things and often it may seem to sound better until you realize that the body of the sound has gone..it seems an easy plugin with just to knobs but one needs some time to learn using it properly. two tips I can give you if you really want to use it:
1) often it does its job without changing settings
2) avoid using the color knob, it mostly just biases you, rather than crank it up to have more presence just use an eq and maybe boost some highs/hi-mids or cut mud or solve whatever seems to make the color knob necessary to you by using eq..

[Soundphase]

does anyone else find it annoying how monitors don't let you hear Reverbs clearly as well as sharp transient sounds?

I've witnessed many times that a mid punch sounds great through monitors and bloody awful on crap earphones.
This is the main thing which always annoyed me when designing sounds with monitors, and this is why I never mix down something with my monitors only. I literally bought a crappy cheap pair of earphones so I could really hear subtle reverbs clearly and how spiky/nasty a transient in a punch really sounds.. and I even use them when applying compression and edit reverbs. It's important in my opinion to try and ensure that sounds sound good on all kinds of sound equipment
In terms of mixing bass, mids and treble however, I only use my monitors.

[TJOAudio]

does anyone else find it annoying how monitors don't let you hear Reverbs clearly as well as sharp transient sounds?

I've witnessed many times that a mid punch sounds great through monitors and bloody awful on crap earphones.
This is the main thing which always annoyed me when designing sounds with monitors, and this is why I never mix down something with my monitors only. I literally bought a crappy cheap pair of earphones so I could really hear subtle reverbs clearly and how spiky/nasty a transient in a punch really sounds.. and I even use them when applying compression and edit reverbs. It's important in my opinion to try and ensure that sounds sound good on all kinds of sound equipment
In terms of mixing bass, mids and treble however, I only use my monitors.

Headphones are not affected by your rooms acoustics