

That said, used creatively, you can conceivably use multiband compression to process your mix in novel ways. If you are considering using one to fix your mix, your time is probably better spent looking at the individual channels. Multiband compressors, which work on the principle of applying individual compression to different frequency ranges, do not generally work well on the mix buss. Used judiciously, kick and snare drum jump out, and the overall mix moves a little more forward, gets a little more in your face. It’s very grabby, very musical, and it makes things punch. The SSL G-Master Buss Compressor plugin, which accurately models the response of the analog circuitry found in the legendary console of the same name, is an excellent choice for mix buss compression. Go much beyond those settings and your mix will sound flat and strained. Think moderately slow attack (10–30 ms), fast release (less than 50 ms, depending on the music), and a ratio of 2:1 or less, resulting in just a dB or two of gain reduction (perhaps a bit more if the genre is dance music or hip-hop) at the loudest points. Just the act of routing dozens of individual tracks through one stereo compressor can help glue all the individual elements together into one cohesive whole – something that’s especially important in a mix where levels change drastically during the course of a song. The most common kind of mix buss processing is compression. That in turn gets the artist pumped up and all of a sudden you have a new perspective that can really help with the tough decisions.Ģ. But the tasteful application of mix buss processing instantly brings your mix closer to a finished product, which in turn can give you a huge boost of confidence. A little tweak here, a little tweak there – start going down the wrong road and it can get downright discouraging, even to the point where you start to lose faith in your abilities. After all, mixing can be a slow and tedious process. Perhaps just as importantly, it’s a technique that has psychological implications. Done correctly, it can make your mix sound like it’s been mastered long before it ever gets to the mastering stage. But what it can do is to add character, vibe and polish to your overall mix. Mix buss processing can’t address specific recording issues such as distortion on a track, nor can it bring out a certain part in a certain spot – these are all corrections that you need to make on a track-by-track basis.

The short answer is that it isn’t always the best option. After all, the mix stage provides the last opportunity to adjust balances and fix any problems with individual parts. Therefore, by definition, it affects all tracks, not just certain instruments.Īt first glance, this may appear counterintuitive. In a nutshell, mix buss processing is the application of one or more signal-changing processes (such as compression or EQ) to the stereo buss or master fader. What Is Mix Buss Processing and Why Use It? We’ll also take a close-up look at a couple of the latest generation of integrated ‘final touch’ mix buss plugins.ġ.
TORRENT SIGNAL PROCESSING FIRST HOW TO
We’re talking about mix buss processing, and in this article we’ll cover what it is, how to use it (Rule One: Don’t abuse it!), and the best way to reap its benefits. It’s the secret weapon in every mixing engineer’s arsenal, the secret sauce in every mixer’s collection of recipes. What are the risks and rewards to processing your mix buss (or master channel) during a mix? Get tips on how to become a master of mix buss processing.
