Hi,

I have a track I'm working on that I want to make harder. Can anyone give some tips on what to do?

Any criticisms, ideas etc. are also welcome. Thx!

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My suggestions are to make the kick louder, add a bit of harmonic distortion to the kick, and make the bass have more presence.

btw, are you using FL Studio?

Nope, Cubase.

I know the kick is a problem. It's compressed enough, and I've gone through a lot of good samples trying to find a good kick, but it just isn't loud enough. I have it at about -3db.

quote:

Originally posted by TVG I have it at about -3db.

-3 dBFS? It should peak around -8 dBFS when soloed.

I would suggest setting it's channel volume at 0.0 dB, and adjusting the master volume to suit (i.e. low enough to give a reading of around -8 dB on the master output). Then, mix all the other tracks in, probably setting them at a lower volume from the kick, all while monitoring at a low to average volume.

The bass range is really lacking in your clip, so I would suggest to bring everything but the kick back a few dB's. Especially the lead synth is very loud (needs to come down more), and the open hat is really pushing the top-end as well.

Sorry I can't give you any tips to make it harder, but I'd definitely recommend to look into correcting the tonal balance.

Or wait...you have a master compressor on this, don't you?

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quote:

Originally posted by Atlantis-AR -3 dBFS? It should peak around -8 dBFS when soloed. I would suggest setting it's channel volume at 0.0 dB, and adjusting the master volume to suit (i.e. low enough to give a reading of around -8 dB on the master output). Then, mix all the other tracks in, probably setting them at a lower volume from the kick, all while monitoring at a low to average volume. The bass range is really lacking in your clip, so I would suggest to bring everything but the kick back a few dB's. Especially the lead synth is very loud (needs to come down more), and the open hat is really pushing the top-end as well. Sorry I can't give you any tips to make it harder, but I'd definitely recommend to look into correcting the tonal balance. Or wait...you have a master compressor on this, don't you?

Um, can you please explain why the kick should be as low as -8db??
as long as the kick is the loudest part in the mix it doesn't matter ... ?

quote:

Originally posted by expanded Um, can you please explain why the kick should be as low as -8db?? as long as the kick is the loudest part in the mix it doesn't matter ... ?

Yes, the kick will often be the loudest instrument, but "loudest" is still bound by the limits of digital audio...

0 dBFS is the maximum possible volume, and since a mixdown shouldn't really have a peak volume higher than around -3 dB prior to mastering, you'll find that in most cases, starting with the kick at -8 dB will give you enough room to build on so that the highest peak in the mix doesn't exceed -3 dB.

___________________
Put an end to the loudness war. Don't limit or compress your mixdown until mastering; leave the master channel alone.

Contact me for mastering.

k, that's what i thought you ment...if you have good mixing skills -8db is not really neccesary...

quote:

Originally posted by expanded k, that's what i thought you ment...if you have good mixing skills -8db is not really neccesary...

Well, -6 dB might just be possible if you apply 'sufficient' compression throughout your mix (i.e. to the instruments) and don't bunch sounds (i.e. frequencies) up, but you really wouldn't want to be pushing it much more than that, and certain not at -3 dB, since that's where the maximum peak volume of the mix needs to be, not the kick.

___________________
Put an end to the loudness war. Don't limit or compress your mixdown until mastering; leave the master channel alone.

Contact me for mastering.

Seriously, you have nothing to lose and only to gain by shooting for -6 to -3dB for the WHOLE TRACK, there's no need for producer machismo ("I'm good enough!") You're not a pussy when you mix at -6dB

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I use a layering teqnique for kick and sometimes snares. Try using 2 kicks layered over each other, 1 kick with a more low bass sub in it and another which has more mid to high in it. Gives the kick more presence and boom. Kicks need some good eq to get that sound just right.

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Well here are my suggestions.

1 - Get a better lead synth. The synth appears to be a mono "as in the stereo field" and you need a stereo synth with ATLEAST 9 saws on each channel "9 on left, 9 on right" all detuned at a max of 30cents (that means 0.03 cents detuning for each saw on a channel, detune in the other direction in the same intervals." You can layer synths or use reaktor for this. It will add alot more umph to the track.

2 - Punchy kick. When previewing samples, you can sometimes pass up a sample because it sounds too ruff. Well try getting a hard click kick. If applied right it will cut through nicely.

3 - USE PANNING. Everything is too centered. If you have some stereo delays in the highhats and large reverbs on the synths you will get a better effect.

4 - Go outside.

Aim to hear some 'space' behind each instrument and between successive hits. Even if you like the sound of a full hi hat sample, for example, cutting it short so there's some space between it and the instruments (kick, etc.) playing around it will create energy through juxtaposition of no volume and fullmix-volume