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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Flat Or Punchy Mix?

Posted by: thefireball Jun 1 2014, 02:33 PM

Hi. I'm wondering which way is more "right" to make a mix? I enjoy a really punchy mix, but maybe my idea of punchy is too much. I know mixing is all subjective, but maybe there's a reason the pros make mixes a little more flat; thus, mixes sound good everywhere, not just in your sonically imbalanced, biased home studio.

I have Superior Drummer Metal Foundry, EZMix 2 with the Guitar Gods guitar presets, and iZotope Ozone 5, but it still hasn't made me a professional mixer. Perhaps now mediocre mixing is within my reach if I can be trained to know the balance between the guitars and drums, etc. It seems like the guitars do not need to stand out as much as I have been accustomed to, and the kick to be brought back in.

Perhaps I'm on the right track, but please allow me to show some examples.

Here Daniel Bergstrand mixes this Meshuggah Toontrack example. Notice how flat the mix is. The kick drum doesn't really stand out as much as I have grown to thought it should (to really hit you in the face.)
https://soundcloud.com/toontrack/koloss-s2-0-producer-presets

I think I was on the right track when I produced my Falling Winter single last year. I think it's my imagination, but it almost seems like it's more punchy in the DAW before I render it down. I use Reaper, btw. But notice how much the kick is standing out.
https://soundcloud.com/fireball100/falling-winter-extended

One thing I marvel at is how much mix separation people like Nolly and Bulb can achieve. Everything also sounds very balanced and not too warm. Or maybe that's just the modern sound people go for now. It's like when you turn down the volume, everything still sounds nice and balanced. If you turn it up, the bass and kick drum hit you in the face very nicely.
https://soundcloud.com/iambulb/prs-archon-test

Does any of this make sense, or just random gibberish? I need direction or at least some discussion. I want to mix like that last set from Bulb.

Thanks for any advise.
Brandon

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 1 2014, 03:39 PM

Hi Brandon, it's great to compare those 3 different tracks. Mixing is part of the creation process so once you cover the basic technique parameters, there are many subjective decisions that are directly connected to your tastes. I checked the 3 mixed and I have to say that I loved the first one, it's my favorite, it's clean, clear, flat but powerful. It sounds more natural for me. I think that going for a flat mix has the advantage that you said, it will sound balanced everywhere.

Where can I find the specifications about what is used on that Meshuggah Toontrack example?

Posted by: thefireball Jun 1 2014, 06:45 PM

Here's a video of the Meshuggah audio and a link as well so you can read the description of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOvSTTnVyms

Posted by: Mertay Jun 1 2014, 06:56 PM

I think you want to use a multband spectrum analyzer while mixing

http://www.voxengo.com/product/spanplus/ but check for other brands or freeware as I don't know if this is the best or most affordable.

I never used this method but I do know people using it with success, basicly you group instruments and divide their average freq. results in one window. The flatter the total response in the better (perfectly flat would probably suck) but don't go overboard and aim for anything visual ok? its still all about ears its ment to fix the freq. points where instruments meet and build up in a bad way.