effects levels in relation to mix

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http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member Since: Nov 27, 2007

in regards to effects levels in relation to the rest of the levels, im gathering the best way to get these right, is to get them how you want them buy how they sound level wise, and not following say the -12.5 db level rule, as you cant hear them if they to low.

effcts should go up in relation to the rest of the mix when you get to the mastering stage?

what i was going to do is leave the effects fader levels just under 0db coz they sound cool there, and just bring in the effect level, in my aux on the chosen channel to where it fits well.

is this right or wrong?

i dont mean to be a pain, hell i could do all this by ear and get it pretty good, but, i want to learn the "right" way, and know why, so i get an better overall understanding of this part and eventually get a better result in the end.

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Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Sep 08, 2008 09:33 am

No pain no gain(bah I make bad gain joke!)... good question, actually . One I've been asking myself for a while now, as things do tend to get a bit tricky at that stage . What I've been doing is pretty much the same... have the fx/reverb bus level set at unity, and work the sends for the corresponding track(s) to get the right sound for that bus mixed with it's dry counterpart, and then set the levels of those busses in relation to the rest of the sub-bus-mix .

I'm not sure if it's the 'right' way, but it seems to work well enough... I should prolly read a book or something . : p

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Sep 08, 2008 09:41 am

^^that's the way i've been dooin' it.^^

top-o-the-day fellas!

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Sep 08, 2008 09:49 am

ya know as i got to thinkin'(see fattening drums thread), there are times when i want to send a "hot" signal into the input of the effect (say overdrive etc.) then ya gotta keep the output down.

and also when automating special effects, i prefer the fader cuz it gives ya a little more detail in the amount of 'play' you have.

so each situation is unique, witch too often, is the answer to stuff like this.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Sep 08, 2008 09:51 am

cool as, well im thining like you guys are in the sense that the effect isnt actually changing at all, its just going up as the rest of the mix does.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Sep 08, 2008 09:51 am

Mornin' bud !

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Sep 08, 2008 09:54 am

top o the day to you too sir! well actually its 10pm here but i'll go with it.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Sep 10, 2008 05:03 pm

For drums I do comp\eq per drum and then output them to a "drums" bus for easy volume control. I then use the sends on each channel to another Bus (Drums FX) with the reverb on it. Lastly I route the FX bus to the Drums bus so I have one fader for all things drums.

Once this is done I solo each drum and slowly bring up the send volume until I can hear the verb kicking in, then I back it off just a tad. Of course I add more to snares and toms than I would kick and OH's, but overall that is my method. I don't follow any db reccomendations and straight up listen to them with my eyes closed.

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