Concerning your bonus tip...I think people don't use automation because they don't understand how powerful it is (beside thinking it is tedious). Once you nail a nice mix and it suddenly come to life after automation, that's the point where you dig it... and never skip automation ever after. I started extremely simple, then added more (with the coaching of Bobby's courses)...now, it's my favorite part of the mixing process. I automate everything..tracks, busses, EQ, parallel compression, etc. 🤟
totally agree man. ever since I figured out what automation was and understood situations that call for it, I started noticing it in a lot of the music I listen to like rhythym guitars being slightly ducked down during solo sections, automation in drum compression on more dynamic sections of songs ect ect. usually, its subtle and hard to catch but the little things are what build a massive mix!
Do it Mike, you won't regret it. The trick Bobby gave for guitar solo/rhythm guitars automation is powerful. It can also be applied to overdubs, vocals. Another easy one you can try is raising the volume by 1- 1.5dbs for a 1/8th or quarter note duration on the 1st bar (just a brief moment)... the first time the full band punch in (usually after the intro) and at the choruses... It make quite and impact. 🤟
This is great information!!! I actually mix the guitars for live shows for my band, How do you mix rhythm guitars so they play nicely with the lead for live shows. A lot of people say to pan them l/r and have leads in the center, but most venues here run each guitar mono rather than stereo. Would you pan one right one left, or would you push the eq to the lower end of the spectrum, for instance high/low pass for lead @ 175/4.5k and Rhythm @ 125/3.5k? Or does it not matter that the rhythm is thick as long as it ducks out for the bass guitar, and leave all the work for the lead to cut through on the lead eq? Honestly as much info as you could give on this would be great!
I haven't even watched your video at this point but I got to say, I was sent to watch a band's music video by a music publicist. The first impression was "these guitars sound really muddy" and then I looked down the side and your video was one of the suggestions. How did YT know? Oh and the lead guitarist had a Les Paul that was fitted with a whammy bar. There can be no redemption for this. lol Now...to watch your vid.
I always treat lead guitars like a vocal. Harmony leads get treated like backing harmonies. I feel like a lead guitar replaces a lead vocal in most tracks and when they are happening simultaneously the lead guitar usually takes a back seat. Sometimes I'll even send the lead guitar to the vocal verb and delay to really make it consistent. Doesn't always work but what does? 😅
I showed a friend how to automate using the knobs or wheels on his midi keyboard. Ive found it makes automation way more fun because it feels tactile like playing a instrument.
Great tips! Question: why do you only bring down the rhythm guitars, but not the bass and drums? Is it because all of the guitars are competing for the same frequency space whereas bass/drums are not? How about synths?
Great question! The bass and drums are the foundation and anchor of the mix. If I were to turn everything behind the leads down, it would essentially be the same thing as just turning the leads up.
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As a Student of the FrightBox Mix Crew, you have taught us so much. Thanks Dude!!!!
Concerning your bonus tip...I think people don't use automation because they don't understand how powerful it is (beside thinking it is tedious).
Once you nail a nice mix and it suddenly come to life after automation, that's the point where you dig it... and never skip automation ever after.
I started extremely simple, then added more (with the coaching of Bobby's courses)...now, it's my favorite part of the mixing process. I automate everything..tracks, busses, EQ, parallel compression, etc. 🤟
totally agree man. ever since I figured out what automation was and understood situations that call for it, I started noticing it in a lot of the music I listen to like rhythym guitars being slightly ducked down during solo sections, automation in drum compression on more dynamic sections of songs ect ect. usually, its subtle and hard to catch but the little things are what build a massive mix!
Blood Orange/Tangerine Spindrift is the bomb. Cool tutorial as always!
This is seriously the best mixing channel on youtube. All of your tips actually have immediate results in mixes, and you leave out all the BS. Love it
I'm def using these tippy poos.
Hey man I can mix lead guitars but when I have a sub lead I get phase issue
Can you please make a video on how to mix lead and sublead guitars ?
Will definitely try to applies these to my newest production
Do it Mike, you won't regret it. The trick Bobby gave for guitar solo/rhythm guitars automation is powerful. It can also be applied to overdubs, vocals.
Another easy one you can try is raising the volume by 1- 1.5dbs for a 1/8th or quarter note duration on the 1st bar (just a brief moment)... the first time the full band punch in (usually after the intro) and at the choruses... It make quite and impact. 🤟
I tried reducing the rhythm guitars by 2 DB. It worked great. I have 1 question? Do you reduce the bass at all during the solo?
Never, because the bass is the bed of low-end of the mix.
I just want to say thanks for all the work you put out there and all the tips and help. Cheers!
Happy to help!
This is great information!!! I actually mix the guitars for live shows for my band, How do you mix rhythm guitars so they play nicely with the lead for live shows. A lot of people say to pan them l/r and have leads in the center, but most venues here run each guitar mono rather than stereo. Would you pan one right one left, or would you push the eq to the lower end of the spectrum, for instance high/low pass for lead @ 175/4.5k and Rhythm @ 125/3.5k? Or does it not matter that the rhythm is thick as long as it ducks out for the bass guitar, and leave all the work for the lead to cut through on the lead eq? Honestly as much info as you could give on this would be great!
I haven't even watched your video at this point but I got to say, I was sent to watch a band's music video by a music publicist. The first impression was "these guitars sound really muddy" and then I looked down the side and your video was one of the suggestions. How did YT know?
Oh and the lead guitarist had a Les Paul that was fitted with a whammy bar. There can be no redemption for this. lol
Now...to watch your vid.
You should be over popular man.
Thanks a lot. I mean, you make it for free, for people who can't affoard pro hardware... it's huge !
I always treat lead guitars like a vocal. Harmony leads get treated like backing harmonies. I feel like a lead guitar replaces a lead vocal in most tracks and when they are happening simultaneously the lead guitar usually takes a back seat. Sometimes I'll even send the lead guitar to the vocal verb and delay to really make it consistent. Doesn't always work but what does? 😅
I think some don't identity is that you play lead lines generally in the higher registers so there's more high end anyway so you NEED to cut it
amazing, simple straightforward vid, more easy tips on things we overlook
I showed a friend how to automate using the knobs or wheels on his midi keyboard. Ive found it makes automation way more fun because it feels tactile like playing a instrument.
The best teacher out there on the interweb hands down..frightbox mix crypt.
Great tips! Question: why do you only bring down the rhythm guitars, but not the bass and drums? Is it because all of the guitars are competing for the same frequency space whereas bass/drums are not? How about synths?
Great question! The bass and drums are the foundation and anchor of the mix. If I were to turn everything behind the leads down, it would essentially be the same thing as just turning the leads up.
Loving that tempo sync vs no-sync tip. Happy Holidays, Mr Torres🎅
You too, Paul!