Creating Excitement In A Mix
Mixing is not easy, using the right eq, the right compression and other effects isn’t enough. It needs to be exciting. Here’s 3 ways you can add excitement and take the mix to the next level.
Automation
Automation is one of the greatest tools for crafting a mix, you can use it not only to help shape the different sections of songs but to accent various elements throughout. For example if the start of the chorus isn’t grabbing your attention, try automating the first drum hit or cymbal crash up a few dB.
Movement
Creating movement in the soundscape can help bring some excitement to the mix. You can do this in a few ways. One way is by using modulation effects such as chorus, flanging and phasing on an instrument and set the rate control really slow, the slower the better so the sound is constantly evolving. Automating effect parameters works great to keep things under control. With virtual instruments mess around with the cutoff and resonance controls throughout the song to keep things interesting.
Loops
One of the great things about digital recording is that you can easily manipulate loops to fit almost anywhere. I love tambourine and tabla loops. I find them to be incredibly useful for adding a little something extra to a song.
Transition Effects
Transition effects are what I’ll call any sort of sample or effect added to a song to emphasize different parts.
A really common one is the Sub drop, the technique is used in countless rock and metal productions. Sometimes its simply an 808 kick sample, sometimes its more like an explosion, and sometimes its something completely different and more kick ass.
Another type of transition effect is the reversed cymbal, take a cymbal crash right before the chorus, copy it to just before the hit and reverse it. It works well on snare drum too.
These transition effects are great but don’t overdo them, it’s probably not a good idea to emphasize every chorus on every song in the same way.
(I wrote this article for The Home Recording Show Podcast Episode 10)
Well that it, try out some of these ideas on your next mix
4 Responses to “Creating Excitement In A Mix”
By Jim Robert on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
in that second one there was teh added bonus of the pitch of the sub-drop dropping as the hit continued too :)
ps – drumagog is very useful for creating these types of effects :)
By gWallet on Oct 10, 2008 | Reply
Another great transition (that should NOT be over used) is a timed record scratch. Again, use it, but don’t abuse it. :)
By Jon on Oct 10, 2008 | Reply
haha, so true, how could I forget.
Cowbell solo got bumped from the list too.
By Satan on Oct 14, 2008 | Reply
Great tips.