final mixing

[davidnordstrom]

Often when I try to incorporate more distinct basses in my mixes they often end up to loud and noisy. They tend to distort the other channels and take over the mix too much. It is hard to hear this effect using my headphones (akg k141)and it tends to only happen when I play the mix in loudspeakers. The only tool I have for mastering the frequencies is Inspector.

Should I try to kill some specific freq and not let the bass go below these or just simply turn down the bassvolume a bit and loosen the compressor? Any suggestions?

A good example is the first mix, Caviar on www.myspace.com/davidnordstrom

In my headphones the bass has a good level but when playing it in loudspeakers it takes over the mix.

Tips appreciated!

[yur2die4]

I'm not a pro. But in my very limited experience, headphones are the devil. You would be better off using your computer speakers than headphones .

If you absolutely MUST use headphones. Drop in a track that has a similar 'sound' and compare levels. Don't try to get cocky and out-do the track. Also, it will probably be louder than yours, don't try to beat it. And keep the EQ on the track you are comparing flat

[sebastiansek]

HEY

cause your headphones have a limit with passing bass frequencies .

Same advise like below, try other way then headphones.

headphones are lie

[michaellpenman]

i think what you need to do if you are layering bass is to choose what bass sound does what.
To see what frequencies they use put the spectrum anaylsiser on your bass sounds and see what area they take up.
If you have to much sub bass or bass frequencies in the same area this will create a doubling in the volume. Resulting in the sounds taking over the mix.

Basically what you can do is choose a sub bass sound (a sine or triangle wave) and EQ all the highs, a mid bass sound to give you the main part of the sound, EQ out the the low subs and finally a high bass sound and again EQ out the low frequencies.
From here you will have a full bass sound that you can now use that wont max out your mix.
You will have to experiment with the frequency overlaps to get the correct balance and sound but with time you will achieve a much fuller sound that is far easier to control in the mix.

Also once you have these sounds as you want them buss them to the same buss and process the same to gel them together to achieve one solid sound.

[Quantize]

What he just said!! I totally agree. Sometimes you may be happy with just 2 types of bass, sub and low mid. This is an area you will need to devote some time to as the low frequencies of a mix are usually the hardest to get right.

Practice makes perfect.

[michaellpenman]

also i should add, sidechain the kick to duck the bass when the kick plays. This helps create space and stops the frequencies clashing.

[davidnordstrom]

thx for the tips!
for now i only use one operator bass with no freq layering so i'll give it a try.
as i have ableton 6 i cant use spectrum and can only use the more limited compressor but should work anyways.

[michaellpenman]

you can download a external spectrum anayliser

[davidnordstrom]

i find that operator basses with sine waves very easily get distorted in the speakers. i suppose it is somewhat dependent on the speakers quality but is there in general a certain freq i shouldnt go below?

[michaellpenman]

You may be not having a propper gain set up.
When you play bass is it peaking the meters (Turning red)
What speakers do you have, and what settings do you have on them?

[buzby]

as i have ableton 6 i cant use spectrum and can only use the more limited compressor but should work anyways.

http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Bu ... ewarePack/

try bluecat freq analyst

[davidnordstrom]

You may be not having a propper gain set up.
When you play bass is it peaking the meters (Turning red)
What speakers do you have, and what settings do you have on them?

the volume does not go up on red. speakers are pioneer cs-777 (pretty old) set to normal bass/treble

[davidnordstrom]

as i have ableton 6 i cant use spectrum and can only use the more limited compressor but should work anyways.

http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Bu ... ewarePack/

try bluecat freq analyst

thx!

[thebeatcatcher2]

also i should add, sidechain the kick to duck the bass when the kick plays. This helps create space and stops the frequencies clashing.

n00b here, Would you explain what you mean by this? Or how to do this? Are you talking about gating the kick somehow?

Thanks

[michaellpenman]

also i should add, sidechain the kick to duck the bass when the kick plays. This helps create space and stops the frequencies clashing.

n00b here, Would you explain what you mean by this? Or how to do this? Are you talking about gating the kick somehow?

Thanks

Sure

Same your bass and kick take up the same frequencies, This can cause a doubling which is not good cause it cause a muddy bottom end, so allow space in a mix you sidechain the kick to the bass. So when ever the kick plays the bass ducks out ( Fades out)

So what to do.

In live 7 onwards.
Once you have your loops.
Set up a compressor on your bass.
Press the > in the top left of your compressor. This will open the sidechain part.
Now choose the routing from the kick channel.
This will start to duck you bass when the kick plays.
Play with the threshold (This is what level the sidechain kicks in), the lower you go the more ducking will happen.
Also play with the attack and release setting. The Attack will control how long it takes the sidechain to kick in. And the release will control how long the release will stop. With a short release the sidechain will cut out quickly with a long release it will take a while to stop the sidechain.

I hope this helps