Current mix practice

Commenting at the LO forum:

FWIW, YMMV, etc., for guitar rock how I currently start is always with the drums.

As printed I adjust my individual tracks to be peaking at -3dB. with all pass-filtering done.

Then, I’ll start with the drum sub-mix set around -7 to -9dB avg., but can end up anywhere between -3 and -12.

Next, I start with two tracks of bass (appropriately compressed/limited), each at -18dB – one track would be -15dB.

Next, I start with just one guitar about -14dB, two at -16 or -17, multiples at -18 or -20 – lots of variables here.

Finally (but really, not necessarily in the above order, which is meant to be a loose example), I start with the lead vocal between -12 and -14.

So, I try and get a balance of those, then add keys, percussion, BV’s etc.

BV’s often end up (sub-mix) about 2dB lower than the lead vocal – after all are appropriately compressed/limited.

Another way to approach is that the snare and the lead voc should be about even or the vocal a little higher, the guitars and bass (in the aggregate) should be about even and slightly below the vocal (lead should be same level or 1-2dB higher than vocal) …

When I get all that, I usually bring the drums down another 2-6dB – starting the drums too high works for me to hear everything else better in relationship to each other; bringing the drums down to match against the bass, I then set the guitars, the vocals, last the lead guitar (which often benefits being higher than you might initially predict). After that comes the keys and candy (if any).

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