Advanced Mixing Techniques With Presonus Studio One

The G Buss Compressor is one of the legendary hit making icons in the music industry. This compressor is the ultimate glue for your mix bus, it makes your mixes sound bigger, more powerful, and punchy. So you want to start your mixes with this on the master chain. You can place this on the master chain any time during your mixing process, however, it's recommended you start mixing into this plugin from the beginning of your mixes. Make sure you check the video for the preset I'm using before moving on to the rest of the course.

I have added the UAD manual which gives you the best knowledge of emulation plugins. For the waves user I recommend reading this manual so you can get a working knowledge of what yout plugin should do.

For those student who are using the waves SSL G Bus Compressor I have added the recommended setting for you to dial in.

In this lecture we start to build your vocal chain. This is where you will learn how I route my vocal chain. I have attached a diagram of what the chain looks like on paper.

It's time to pick the proper plugins to help with your vocal chain. Make sure you have the plugins I suggested to complete this process.

I want to make sure you understand how to read your meters properly so you can mix with the technical ability as well as your natural hearing ability. A lot of times people ask about gain staging and how do I know if I'm doing it right. Here is a concept I've developed called input vs output. It shows you how to read your plugin meters with out adding digital distortion. Your plugins have recommended settings which make them work at it's optimal, so read your manuals to make sure you know how to work your plugins correctly.

I have added an audio file for you to practice this concept with.

We are building a plug an play system and this is the foundation on how to use the template.

For those students who are using the Waves Puigchild Plugin there is no input or output meters on the plugin, it only has a gain reduction meter system. I recommend using a third party plugin to help you read how loud the plugin is reacting after you do your processing.

I want to make sure you treat your vocals right before you start mixing your other elements into your mix. These special effects techniques help add depth to your vocal production, shine and excitement. Play with these setting and dial in the special effects to your taste.

Here is where we setup your background vocal chain.

Here is where we setup your adlib vocal chain.

Here is where we setup your instrumental and drum vocal chain.

Organizing your mixes is one of the most important parts of making a good mix. If you can't identify your sounds easily it could slow down your workflow. So if we start with a well organized session we can complete our mixes in a quicker fashion.

I have added the "Online Dating (Radio Edit)" Files to the resources section so you can mix with me.

The drums vs. vocals concept is designed to help your vocals shine and not get buried in the production. Hip-hop is a drum driven production so in order to stay true to the concept it is recommended we mix the drums with the vocal so that the drums hit hard, then build the beat around the drums and vocals process. We don't want to lose that rhythm section nor do we want to drown our vocals. Once our vocals are in a nice place and drums are in a nice place then we can add other elements. 

Pan your drums in the spaces that you like there are no rules on where the drums should be panned.

Pan your instruments in the spaces that you like there are no rules on where the instruments should be panned.

Pan your instruments in the spaces that you like there are no rules on where the instruments should be panned.

Learn how to mix background vocals into your mix.

Learn how to Compress Background Vocals into your mix

Learn how to process adlibs

Learn mix bus compression

Thank you for taking this course! Happy mixing.