Petri Suhonen recently posted some good pictures explaining the ‘boost and sweep‘ technique for finding and reducing troublesome frequency ranges. The images are a great way of describing the technique quickly and easily. I do, however, take issue with this statement: Boosting increases the volume levels of frequencies and it will easily lead to distortion, [...]
6+ ways to get bigger bass
by Kim Lajoie on October 31, 2011
This is about basslines, not (necessarily) the frequency range. The bassline is the harmonic foundation of a track. A solid mix often needs a solid bassline. So how do you get there? How do you stop your basslines from sounding weak or flabby? Here are some techniques to consider: EQ. This is the big one. [...]
Make your synths bigger!
by Kim Lajoie on January 10, 2011
Everyone wants bigger synths, don’t they? What’s the secret? Is there some miraculous plugin or hardware device that the Big Names know about (and keep secret from all the anonymous internet jerks)? Or maybe it’s a special combination of side-chained multiband mid/side compression alongside fully parametric dynamic EQ and three different limiters is series (in [...]
Are you making this common EQ mistake?
by Kim Lajoie on September 27, 2010
Often beginning mix engineers are told to use the ‘boost and sweep’ method to find and remove problem frequencies. Essentially, this method consists of: 1) Making a sharp narrow boost with a band of parametric EQ 2) Sweeping the frequency of the band (this sounds a bit like a wah wah), listening for any spots [...]
Six ways to get bigger beats
by Kim Lajoie on September 13, 2010
Who doesn’t want bigger beats? Well, maybe your neighbours. But maybe you don’t like your neighbours. Who am I to judge? I just supply the tools. It’s up to you to use them ethically. Here are some quick tips: Depth. Separate your drums into two groups – main foreground drums (kick and snare) and secondary [...]
Five ways to deal with an ugly vocal
by Kim Lajoie on May 31, 2010
Every once in a while as a producer or engineer, a project will come your way with one of those singers. With an… unconventional voice. Maybe they’re inexperienced. Maybe their voice is just like that. Maybe they’re doing it deliberately because they like it. Whatever the reason, you’ll recognise this kind of project by that [...]
Four ways to use mid/side EQ
by Kim Lajoie on April 26, 2010
Several EQs now have a mid/side mode. This opens up a lot of possibilities, but can be difficult to use effectively. Instead of simply tweaking the sound or the range of the controls, mid/side mode completely changes how the EQ behaves and sets new rules for how it can be useful and effective. It helps [...]
Five ways to make space in your mix
by Kim Lajoie on April 5, 2010
Running out of space in your mix? Want to add more parts without being buried in mud? Simply want a clearer, cleaner sound? Check out these techniques: Reduce the mids and low mids. This area will add a lot of mud to your mix if you have a lot of instruments. It’s not necessarily that [...]
Five secrets to making your mix louder
by Kim Lajoie on February 22, 2010
Don’t dismiss this post yet! Even if you’re in the ‘more dynamics’ brigade, these tips will give you clearer mixes that suffer less in mastering. That means better-preserved dynamics and higher fidelity! For those of you who really do want your mixs SUPER LOUD, this tips will let you push more volume without your sound [...]
Five EQ mistakes and how to avoid them
by Kim Lajoie on February 8, 2010
EQ is one of the most important tools available to audio engineers. Used correctly, instruments sound great and seem to fit together effortlessly. Used incorrectly, the mix resembles a battlefield with every instrument trying to destroy the others while fighting to be heard. One of the difficulties of EQ is that it is relative – [...]