These Will Transform Your Mix... (Thank Me Later!)

Streaky

8 Feb 202408:06

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the art of side-chaining in music production, a technique that enhances clarity and separation of vocals and instruments within a mix. The host introduces viewers to five key side-chaining pairs, starting with vocals against effects to ensure vocals stand out without being drowned by reverb and delay. The classic kick and bass pairing is next, where the bass level is reduced when the kick drum hits, adding punch and groove. The third pair focuses on lead vocals against the backing track, using advanced settings in the Track Spacer plugin to isolate the main vocal. The fourth pair involves the main vocal against backing vocals, using high and low cut filters to create a distinct space for the lead. Lastly, the script covers synth against pad, where the pad volume is reduced to highlight the synth. The host emphasizes the importance of side-chaining for creating space and focal points in a mix, and encourages viewers to experiment with these techniques for improved mixing quality.

Takeaways

🎙️ Side chaining is a technique used by mix engineers to create separation and highlight instruments and vocals in a mix.
📉 It works by pulling down the level of one instrument when another takes focus, similar to asking people in a crowded room to lower their voices for one person to be heard.
🔌 The Track Spacer plugin is a simple tool for implementing side chaining, where you place it on the channel you want to 'duck' and select the main focus channel from the side chain dropdown.
🎶 Side chain pair #1: Vocal against effects (like reverb and delay) to ensure the vocal is clear and not washed out by the effects.
🥁 Side chain pair #2: Kick and bass to create a punchier kick and add groove to the low end by lowering the bass volume when the kick hits.
🎤 Side chain pair #3: Lead vocal against the backing track using advanced settings in Track Spacer to process mids and sides separately, focusing on the main vocal.
🎼 Side chain pair #4: Main vocal against backing vocals, using high and low cut filters to create a 'pocket' for the main vocal, making it less noticeable and more integrated.
🎹 Side chain pair #5: Synth against pad to allow the synth to take the focus point and reduce the pad volume without it being too noticeable.
🔊 Using high cut and low cut filters can help focus on specific frequency ranges, making side chaining less obvious to the listener.
🔉 Side chaining is not just about making space in a mix, but also about establishing focal points, which is crucial for a well-balanced mix.
🚀 Incorporating side chaining techniques into your mixing process can significantly enhance the quality and professionalism of your mixes.
📚 For more advanced side chaining with effects on vocals, additional resources and tutorials are available to further improve mixing skills.

Q & A

What is side chaining in music mixing?
-Side chaining in music mixing is a technique where the level of one instrument is automatically reduced when another instrument is playing. This is done to create separation and highlight specific instruments or vocals, making them the focus in the mix.
How does side chaining help with creating space in a mix?
-Side chaining helps create space by momentarily reducing the volume of one track when another is playing, such as when the kick drum hits. This prevents frequency clashes and allows each element to be heard clearly without competing for the same space in the mix.
What is the purpose of using side chaining with vocal and effects?
-The purpose of side chaining with vocal and effects is to duck the effects, like reverb and delay, when the vocal comes in. This ensures the vocal is clear and not washed out by the effects, making it more intelligible and prominent in the mix.
How does side chaining affect the relationship between the kick drum and bass in a mix?
-Side chaining the bass to the kick drum makes the bass volume lower when the kick hits. This creates a punchier kick sound and adds groove to the low end, ensuring the kick drum is heard clearly without being masked by the bass.
What is the role of the 'Track Spacer' plugin in side chaining?
-The 'Track Spacer' plugin is used to apply side chaining effects. It allows the user to select the channel that should be ducked and the channel that should be the main focus point, thus controlling which elements are prioritized in the mix.
How can side chaining improve the clarity of a lead vocal?
-By side chaining other elements of the mix, such as backing vocals or instruments, to the lead vocal, the competing frequencies can be reduced when the lead vocal is present. This helps the lead vocal to cut through the mix more clearly without being overshadowed.
What are the steps to use the 'Track Spacer' plugin for side chaining?
-To use 'Track Spacer' for side chaining, first place the plugin on the channel that you want to duck. Then, in the side chain dropdown, select the instrument or channel that should be the main focus point in the mix.
How does side chaining with backing vocals and the lead vocal work?
-By using side chaining, you can reduce the volume of the backing vocals when the lead vocal is present. This is achieved by setting the 'Track Spacer' to only affect the central frequencies, allowing the lead vocal to sit more prominently in the mix.
What is the significance of using high cut and low cut filters in side chaining?
-High cut and low cut filters are used in side chaining to focus on specific frequency ranges. This allows the side chained track to only duck in those frequencies, ensuring that the main focus point (e.g., the lead vocal) is not overly affected in other frequency ranges.
How can side chaining help with the balance between synth and pad sounds?
-Side chaining the pad to the synth allows the pad to be ducked when the synth plays. This technique ensures that the synth, being the lead instrument, is not masked by the pad and remains the focal point in the mix.
What is the final piece of advice given in the script for improving one's mixing skills?
-The script advises using side chaining techniques to create space and focal points within a mix. It also recommends experimenting with different side chaining methods and trying out various plugins like 'Track Spacer' to elevate the quality of one's mixes.
Why is it important to make sure side chaining is not too obvious to the listener?
-Side chaining should be subtle so that it enhances the mix without drawing attention to the technique itself. Overly obvious side chaining can be distracting and detract from the overall listening experience.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Side Chaining Techniques for Mixing Clarity

This paragraph introduces the concept of side chaining in music mixing, emphasizing its importance in achieving separation and clarity among instruments and vocals. The speaker shares their top five side chaining pairs, using a simple plugin called 'Track Spacer' for demonstration. The process involves placing the plugin on the channel to be affected and selecting the main focus channel from a dropdown. The paragraph also invites viewers to subscribe for more advanced tips and to comment for specific topics they're interested in.

05:01

🔊 Creating Space with Side Chaining Pairs

The paragraph delves into the application of side chaining by discussing five specific pairs. First, it addresses the use of side chaining to manage the levels of effects like reverbs and delays when vocals are present. The technique aims to ensure vocals are clear and not overwhelmed by effects. Second, it covers the classic side chain technique of ducking the bass when the kick drum hits to produce a punchier sound. The third application involves using side chaining between lead vocals and the backing track, with a focus on processing mid frequencies for a more integrated sound. The fourth example is similar, focusing on the main vocal against backing vocals, using high and low cut filters to maintain a loose and open sound around the backing vocals. Lastly, the paragraph discusses side chaining a synth against a pad instrument, where the pad is ducked to allow the synth to take focus without the pad being too prominent. The overall message is that side chaining is a powerful tool for creating space and focal points in a mix.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Side chaining

Side chaining is a mixing technique used in audio production where the signal level of one track triggers a dynamic processing effect (like compression) on another track. In the video, side chaining is emphasized as a crucial method to create separation and space within a mix by allowing certain elements like vocals to stand out by reducing the volume of other elements like background effects. For example, reducing the level of reverb when the vocal comes in makes the vocal clearer.

💡Track Spacer

Track Spacer is a specific plugin mentioned in the video used to implement side chaining effects in mixing. The plugin is valued for its simplicity and effectiveness, facilitating the ducking of one track's volume based on another track’s presence. It’s used in the video to demonstrate various side chaining techniques, such as lowering the effects when vocals are present, ensuring that the vocals are prominent and not washed out by effects.

💡Mix

In audio production, a 'mix' refers to the final blend of all sound elements and tracks within a music project. The video focuses on achieving a balanced and dynamic mix using side chaining to emphasize certain instruments or vocals over others, which adds clarity and space to the overall sound. The presenter discusses various techniques to make the mix more engaging and clear.

💡Vocal against effects

This refers to the side chaining pair where the vocal track is prioritized over the effects track, such as reverbs and delays. In the video, this technique is used to ensure the vocal remains clear and distinct by temporarily reducing the effects when the vocal is active. This prevents the vocal from being obscured by ambient effects, crucial for maintaining vocal clarity in the mix.

💡Kick and Bass

This is a classic side chaining pair mentioned in the video where the kick drum triggers a reduction in the volume of the bass track. This technique is used to make the kick punchier and more pronounced, enhancing the groove and rhythm of the track's lower end. This helps in creating a dynamic rhythm section that doesn't muddy the overall mix.

💡Lead vocal and backing track

This side chaining pair is about managing the entire backing track in relation to the lead vocal. Advanced settings in the Track Spacer are used to duck certain frequencies of the backing track to ensure the lead vocal stands out without being too dominant. This is vital for a mix where the vocal needs to sit well with the background but still be the focal point.

💡Main vocal against backing vocals

In this side chaining technique, the main vocal is prioritized over the backing vocals. Specific frequency bands are targeted to ensure that the main vocal stands out without completely overshadowing the backing vocals. This technique helps in maintaining a balance where the lead vocal is clear and central without losing the support of the backing vocals.

💡Synth against pad

This pair deals with side chaining a synthesizer lead against a pad sound. In the video, this technique is used to reduce the volume of the pad when the synth plays, allowing the synth to take the focal point. This is particularly effective in electronic music where dynamic interplay between leads and pads can enhance the overall texture of the mix.

💡Focus point

A focus point in mixing refers to the element or elements intended to stand out most prominently at any given moment in a track. The video explains how side chaining helps create and shift focus points smoothly within a mix, ensuring that the listener's attention is drawn to the intended elements like vocals or a lead instrument, effectively guiding the listening experience.

💡Dynamic processing

Dynamic processing in audio refers to the manipulation of sound to manage its volume levels over time. This includes the use of compressors, limiters, and expanders. In the context of the video, dynamic processing is key to side chaining, where the level of one track dynamically influences the processing applied to another, creating a more vibrant and well-managed mix.

Highlights

Side chaining is a game-changing technique used by top mix engineers to create separation and space in a mix.

Side chaining can be compared to asking everyone in a crowded room to lower their voices so one person can be heard.

The Track Spacer plugin is used for its simplicity in demonstrating side chaining techniques.

Step-by-step instructions are provided for using Track Spacer to achieve side chaining effects.

Side chaining pairs include vocal against effects, kick and bass, lead vocal and backing track, main vocal against backing vocals, and synth against pad.

Ducking effects when vocals come in helps to maintain clarity and avoid a washed-out sound.

Side chaining the bass with the kick drum produces a punchier kick and adds groove to the low end.

Advanced settings on Track Spacer allow for more nuanced side chaining, such as processing mids and sides separately.

Using high cut and low cut filters focuses on specific frequency ranges to enhance the vocal presence in a mix.

Creating a 'pocket' for the lead vocal with side chaining makes it less noticeable and integrates it better with the track.

Side chaining the main vocal against backing vocals allows the lead to sit more prominently in the mix.

When the synth is the lead instrument, side chaining against a pad allows it to take the focus point in the mix.

Side chaining techniques can significantly improve the quality of everyday mixing by creating space and focal points.

Track Spacer and other similar plugins can be tested on different tracks to elevate the overall mix quality.

A detailed side chaining demonstration with effects on a vocal is provided at the end of the video.

Subscribing to the channel and liking the video ensures viewers get more advanced mixing and mastering tips.

Comments with specific questions or topics will be addressed in future video content.

Side chaining is essential for making space and establishing focal points within a mix.