Help me with my mix..(too quiet)

Posted on Jun 04, 2004 01:50 pm
AK Redline
Seconds From The End
Member Since: Jun 16, 2003

I got a problem... how do bands get a really upfront powerful kick drum sound and still retain an 0db wave? my kick drum in my band isnt nearly as loud and it overides the wave so much... and guitars are plently loud but the wave is small. (im taking in a final stereo mixdown) i boost everything as much as i can but that just leads to clipping and its still to quiet... help?

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dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Jun 04, 2004 01:53 pm

Hey AK, haven't seen you in a while...

Scoop the kick out in the middle and compress the hell out of it until it's loud, then start backing off the compression until you like it.

AK Redline
Seconds From The End
Member
Since: Jun 16, 2003

Jun 04, 2004 10:10 pm

cool thanks man..yeah i havent had too many question with recording just browsing the forums everynow and then... my band is recording the ep so im back for some help. haha thanks dB

Walt
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002

Jun 05, 2004 10:47 am

Sorry dB, I'm sure you gotta be tired of the endless thank=yous, but... This bugged me all night and I had to post GENIOUS CALL DB! Scooped at about 450 with a pretty narrow close to notch. compressed as you perscribed. I did add a litte of an old Cubase plug Phatsync but that is the cheesey kick mic we have.

WOW! Sits in the mix all by its lonesome and punches right through!

I and Foot, humbly thank you! Too Very Cool!

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Jun 05, 2004 10:49 am

Wow, helped two peeps with one post, cool!

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Jun 05, 2004 11:12 am

Make way for Super-Deebs!

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jun 05, 2004 10:01 pm

Thas was a twofer then wasnt it?

PorpoiseMuffins
a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002

Jun 05, 2004 10:59 pm

I'd also like to add that putting a bit of compression on the entire mix (single band) during mastering can really bring out the kick by bringing down the level of the rest of the music whenever the drum hits, which allows it to punch through. If you keep the threshold pretty high you can't tell that the whole mix is fluctuating in volume every kick hit but you will be able to hear the kick drum much better. Just play around with the attack and release. I think I usually set the attack from 7-10 ms with a longer release (depending on the speed of the song).