Have you ever felt like you can’t break through in your music career, because you lack the proper equipment, or don’t have professional studio to record & mix in?
Maybe you didn’t attend an audio school, or you’re living in a small town, which makes it hard to form connections in the music scene.
I feel your pain! Coming up, I had neither of these things going for me.
Pretty much the ONLY thing I had was my passion for music. And I just knew in my heart that I was meant to do this.
I’m sure you do, too!
So, I immersed myself in all aspects of music: from performing, to songwriting, recording and mixing.
Basically, I did what every music producer does in the modern music industry.
It wasn’t always an easy journey, but I eventally made my way!
Today, I’m blessed to have worked with many of my childhood heros, from legenary producers like Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick) and Shelly Yakus (U2, B.B. King), to platinum-selling artists such as Aerosmith, The Fray and Rick Springfield.
Just last week, two projects I worked on hit the Billboard Hot 100: Ace Frehley’s – Space Invader and Disturbed – Uninvited Guest (Written by Diane Warren, Prod. by David Foster)
These are the kind of things I could only dream of as a kid!
Now, why am I telling you all of this?
I want to inspire you and tell you: Keep pursuing your dreams. I could do it, so can you!
With Produce Like A Pro, I’ve made it my mission to help you on your journey:
We’re breaking down the barriers between the professional music industry and homestudio recordists and show you what it takes to make music for a living.
Every. Single. Day.
With your amazing support, we’ve built a community, where pros and hobbyists get together and help each other to take their music to the next level. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful contributions. – I couldn’t do this without YOU!
That’s why I’ve prepared a special gift for you today!
Sit in on a mixing session with me and see how I mix a Pop/Rock song from start to finish.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to:
- Craft a massive drum sound from live drums recorded in a small home studio.
- Shape lead vocals to sit well in the mix and sounds spacious, yet intimate.
- Blend multiple layers of instruments to create a 3 dimensial soundstage
- And a lot more!
PLUS you get to download all the multitracks, so you can mix this song yourself and use it on your resumé to attract new artists to your studio.
Does that sound exciting? I hope so!
If you want more of these mix breakdowns and multitracks, we’re doing them inside of PLAP Academy every month! Plus you get to submit your mixes to receive personal feedback from me. Check it out, I would love to have you. =)
But enough of the rambling… let’s dive right in!
Here is a full breakdown of the techniques I used to mix The Workday Release – Stay.
I hope you enjoy it and learn a ton!
Don’t forget to download the multitracks and mix this song for yourself!
Want to watch me mix this song in real time and see how I make decisions on the fly?
Check out the next 3 videos and follow my workflow live – step by step.
Video 1: Creating A Rough Mix
Topics include:
- Mix Live Drums recorded in a small room
- Enhance your drum sound with samples
- Make the Kick & Snare cut through the mix
- Use transient designers to shape the sound
- Setting up a ‘fake drum room’ to create space
- Mixing Bass
- Blending bass DI and Amp tones to achieve a fat low-end
- Establish a basic Vocal sound using EQ and De-essing
Video 2: Create A Huge Soundstage By Blending Multiple Layers Of Instruments
Topics Include:
- Control bass dynamics to achieve a powerful low-end
- Make the bass sit well with the kickdrum
- Blend piano, electric- and acoustic guitars to create a huge soundstage
- Tighten the groove of instruments with super-fast editing
- Working with reverb to create a 3-dimensional feel in the mix
- Add energy and excitement to the drums: Parallel Bus Compression, Gating, Reverb and more.
Plugins Used:
- Waves Renaissance Equalizer (Limited Time: 50% OFF!)
- Waves Renaissance Bass (Limited time: Save $50)
- Waves MV 2 (Limited Time: 66% OFF!)
- Waves L1(Limited Time: $110 OFF!)
- Waves C1 Compressor/ Gate (Limited Time: Save $60!)
- BX Console SSL 4000 G
- Brainworx Console SSL 4000 E
- Sonnox Oxford Reverb (Limited Time: 50% OFF!)
- Sonnox Oxford Evolution Transient Designer (Limited Time: 50% OFF!)
Video 3: Putting The Final Touches On The Mix
Topics Include:
- Crafting an analogue vs. modern drum sound.
- Finetune the attack and sustain of your drums by using transient designers
- Establish a spacious, yet intimate vocal sound: Mixing Vocals & working with effects
- Create tension and allow the song to build over time by using automation
Plugins Used:
- Waves Renaissance Vox (Limited Time: Save $30!)
- Waves Renaissance Equalizer (Limited Time: 50% OFF!)
- Sonnox Oxford Evolution Transient Designer (Limited Time: 50% OFF!)
- IK Multimedia Vintage Compressor (Based on Fairchild™ 670)
- Waves De-Esser (Limited Time: $70 Off!)
- SoundTherory Gullfoss EQ
- Valhalla Vintage Verb
- McDSP EC 300 Echo Collection
- Waves Renaissance Compressor (Limited Time: Save $50!)
- Soundtoys Echo Boy
Bonus: Can you achieve professional recordings on an inexpensive homestudio setup?
We recorded this whole song on an affordable homestudio setup – in a tiny room! After all, how would it look if I preach that you can make great music using inexpensive equipment and don’t do it myself!?
This song is proof that you can!
We used a $269 Lewitt 440 Pure microphone on David’s vocals, going into an Audient ID14 Interface + ASP800 Preamp. For drums, we ended up using the Lewitt Beat Kit 7 Pro, which will only set you back $1100 for all 7 microphones.
We also tracked all electric guitars using IK Multimedias Amplitube 4 Amp Simulator. So all the electrics you’re hearing are created purely in-the-box – from a DI straight into Protools. No amps, no mics, nothing!
Check out the following two videos to see how we recorded Vocals and Electric Guitars.
