try using a bit of reverb on stuff too to create space.

There is a really nice plugin called BuzzRizer that really adds some good space.

You need to forget about all the technical side of things for a while and just decide if the sounds go well together. Sounds kind of stupid but just take a step back and check everything from another point of view.
Because like everyone will tell you not all the best mastering in the world can save a bad track.

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quote:

Originally posted by T-Soma You need to forget about all the technical side of things for a while and just decide if the sounds go well together. Sounds kind of stupid but just take a step back and check everything from another point of view. Because like everyone will tell you not all the best mastering in the world can save a bad track.

+1
i have learnt that..

I think the ability to do this just comes with time & experience.

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yeah-different instruments have a different timbre -makes them sound unique so you gotta make sure the instruments you use sound nice together. Another important commonly overlooked feature is stereo imaging(where the sound is placed between the speakers)-there are some really good plugins for this-waves stereo imager, isotope ozone, etc. that you should look into if you haven't already

combine these+proper eqing and the various other fx, and if you're as good as you say then listen you're tracks again-you'll be right up there with them

PS: if your songs arent loud enough- get a maximizer (great plugins available)
if you want warmth- use a little tube distortion/vintage compressor (great plugins available)

also look into aural exiciters (great plugins available)-they can be a great help at times.
dont get overwhelmed by anything

remember: the effects you apply are only as good as the sound you need from them

Last edited by Angel on Feb-12-2007 at 16:53

often a bit of Eq and compression will help your sound to fit the mix. But like it s been said earlier If it doesn t sound good at all you got to fix it at the root, therefore work with the synth. To answer your question in psytrance (and guess its common in dance music anyway) we compress the shit out of everything it's simply much easier to mix like that, the sound is steadier and more in your face. You need to do it well though it s easy to kill a sound with compression.
I advise you to use the Urs compressors they are very very good , for modelling eq use the Urs A10, and fultec for boosting the freq you like ,use a surgery eq for small q's and for specific frequency fixes , I advice voxengo gliss eq it's the best I know and it does a very fine job. If you're the happy owner of a uad dsp card get the 1176 compressor and La2a and instead of the fultec get the pultec from uad.

hope it helps. Cheers

Last edited by Seppa on Feb-12-2007 at 18:14

well psytyrance is much different..i produce melodic deep progressive trance so theres alot of layers..thats wat makes it sound a bit muddy...the sounds go well together its just extremely difficult to give them their own defined space...

I have learned that compressors does alot to create space. I often compress the kick, bassline and percs. Cut almost every instrument below 200 that doesnt have anything to contribute to the sound under those areas. This creates more room for you sublevels. I compress some synths like plucks and grooves to make them more present and Eq alot.

I have learned that with ALOT of eq training i can control the sounds spectrum and give all sounds the space they need. But dont over do it, the mids are important to give the track a warmer feeling.

I think that the compression has been the most hard thing to get control of, and leanring how i can work with it on different sounds.

Many people say that paning and delays create room and air... indeed they do, but not only by doinf this. Its a combination of all aspects. So take the time to learn and listen.

One thing i have mentioned many times before is one learning process i have used many times is to create a channel in my project and them put a track i like in it and then listen to it and try to get you sound as close to it as possible.

Another thing i have discovered, is that i get the best mixes by using my headphones (Byerdynamic DT990) whil producing, and then do the final mixdown on my monitors. Why? Well the headphones gives me a more detailed sound spectrum and lets me hear small things that can do big in a mix.. like for ex. the kick and basslines...With a range from 5-35000 Hz i have a nice overview of the frequency range and its easier to hear the mudd and rumble that could be hard to heard on monitors.

Hope it helps some
C

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I produce both full on and progressive Psy, and most of my tracks are progressive, I do use heavilly layered pads,it would sound ,muddy it i didn't give a stricted frequency range to each of the layer and bass and kick ect... the truth is when a track is quite busy you got to sacrifice some of the frequency of a sound even if you like the way it sound on it s own.

1- the layers instruments should never sound muddy while you play them on their own, basically if you make a pad or a lead with different layers it has to sound ok without the beat and all the rest. for that you first neeed to tweak your synth filter and choose the right octave for each layer so they complete each other.

2- you need to apply some corrective eq, remove the bad resonances and the unwanted freqs (gliss eq)

3- apply some modelling eq if necessary generally we talking about boosting the freq that will help giving a place to the layer

4- apply compression so the sound get steady.

if you follow this guidelines your mix should never feel muddy weather you mix progressive hardhouse or hiphop...........

I forgot to add that when you re done with stage four you need to apply an eq to the group of your layerd instrument to fit it in the mix, add also to the group a compressor with a mild setting to glue your layer together.

Last edited by Seppa on Feb-12-2007 at 21:26