Pass The Car Test Every Time!

Summary

In this informative audio production tutorial, the speaker shares a technique known as the 'compressor cocktail' to achieve a tight and impactful low end in music production. The process begins with a low cut at 20 Hertz to eliminate unnecessary low frequencies, followed by the use of the FabFilter Pro MB for compression settings that enhance the bass without making it flabby. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using ears and visual cues to find the right crossover point and compression settings. The cocktail continues with an old-school compressor like the Fairchild for a warm, gluey sound that brings the entire mix together. The tutorial also covers side chain filtering and the use of a gain reduction plugin for accurate A/B testing. The speaker provides links for downloading project settings and further learning resources, promising a follow-up video on mastering with Ozone 10.

Takeaways

• 🎚️ **Room Acoustics Impact**: Achieving a tight low end can be difficult in a room that isn't well-treated acoustically.
• 🚗 **Car Test Reference**: A mix that sounds good in your space might not translate well elsewhere, like in a car.
• 🍹 **Compressor Cocktail**: A set of go-to compressor settings can help fix low-end issues and improve translation across different listening environments.
• 🔊 **Low Cut Application**: Using a low cut filter at 20 Hertz can remove unnecessary low frequencies without losing the essential low end.
• 📊 **Visual and Auditory Adjustment**: Set the crossover point on the compressor by using both visual cues from the screen and auditory feedback from your speakers.
• 🔧 **Compression Settings**: A 4:1 ratio, medium knee, midway attack, and fast release are suggested settings for controlling the bass.
• 🎶 **Mono Summing**: Slightly monoing the bass can help tighten it up without going fully mono, which is often unnecessary.
• 📈 **Gain Reduction**: Add a small amount of gain reduction to the low mids to add weight and smack to the low end, but be cautious of muddiness.
• 🔉 **Threshold Adjustment**: Adjust the threshold so the compressor moves quickly to give a nice smack to the low end without losing the kick.
• 🎛️ **Vintage Compressor Use**: An old-sounding compressor like the Fairchild can be used for its warmth and gluey sound without heavy gain reduction.
• ⚙️ **Side Chain Filter**: Use a side chain filter to prevent low-end frequencies from triggering the compressor too much, allowing the mix to come together.
• 📉 **Subtle Compression**: Barely touching the threshold on the Fairchild compressor can add character without significant gain reduction.
• 🔇 **Gain Matching**: Use a gain matching plugin to compare the pre- and post-compression audio levels to ensure a fair comparison.
• 🔗 **Resources for Learning**: Links are provided to download project files and settings, as well as to learn more about mastering and mixing.

Q & A

Why is achieving a tight low end difficult in a room that's not well-treated?

A tight low end can be challenging to achieve in a room that's not well-treated because the room's acoustics can distort the sound, making it sound good in that space but failing to translate well to other environments, such as a car audio system.

What is the term used in the industry to describe a set of go-to settings that fix bass issues?

The term used in the industry for a set of go-to settings that address bass issues is the 'compressor cocktail'.

What is the purpose of using a low cut at 20 Hertz?

Using a low cut at 20 Hertz helps to remove unnecessary low-frequency 'waffle' or rumble that may not be needed and can muddy the sound. It also prepares the sound for the addition of more controlled low-end frequencies.

How does the FabFilter Pro MB contribute to the 'compressor cocktail'?

The FabFilter Pro MB is used in the 'compressor cocktail' to add compression to the low end, making it tighter and more defined. It also helps to translate well across different listening environments.

What is the significance of setting the crossover point on the compressor?

The crossover point on the compressor is set to identify where the low end of the kick drum occurs. This helps to focus the compression on the correct frequency range, ensuring that the kick and bass are separate and punchy without being overly compressed.

Why is it important to use your ears when adjusting the gain reduction and threshold on the compressor?

Using your ears is crucial because it allows you to make subjective judgments about how the compression is affecting the sound. This ensures that the low end is not overly compressed, maintaining a natural and dynamic sound.

What is the role of the Fairchild compressor in the 'compressor cocktail'?

The Fairchild compressor is used in the 'compressor cocktail' to add warmth and glue to the overall sound. It compresses the top end slightly and brings the entire signal together, resulting in a more cohesive and punchy mix.

How does the side chain filter, or detection filter, affect the compression process?

The side chain filter allows the compressor to react only to frequencies above a certain threshold, ignoring those below it. This helps to prevent the low end from dominating the compression and ensures that the entire mix is compressed cohesively.

Why is it recommended not to have the Fairchild compressor's output needles moving significantly?

Not having the output needles move significantly on the Fairchild compressor indicates that the compression is subtle and not overly aggressive. This preserves the vibe and warmth of the sound without over-compressing the signal.

What is the purpose of using a gain matching plugin like iZotope's Insight?

A gain matching plugin ensures that when comparing different settings (A/B testing), the gain is consistent. This allows for an accurate comparison of the audio without being misled by differences in volume.

How does the 'compressor cocktail' help with achieving a balanced low end in music production?

The 'compressor cocktail' helps by using a combination of low cut filters, precise compressor settings, and additional compression with a vintage compressor like the Fairchild to achieve a tight, punchy, and well-defined low end that translates well across various listening environments.

What is the next step recommended for those who want to learn more about mastering or mixing?

The next step for those interested in mastering or mixing is to visit streaky.com, which is suggested in the script as a resource for further learning.