Darkside Blog

Mike, Dan, and Britton from Gearwire Crosstalk, share some drum mixing techniques with the help of Mike and Britton’s talented ears. They discuss drum gating, EQ, compressor, reverb and a few tips and tricks to make drum pop out in the mix. This video covers a rock song but the techniques can be applied to any genre. A walkthrough of Cakewalk’s Dimension Pro software instrument along with two free expansion packs rounds out the program.

more information at www.gearwire.com

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Another great read for producers and engineers alike. This article breaks down some of the basics for achieving a great mix. It touches on EQ, Reverb, Panning, Chorus, Depth, Filtering, Delay and Instrument Placement.

read the mixing article

The great thing about this article is that it puts you in a great mind set for how to think about a mix from a listeners perspective. It gives you tips on things not to do, unless that is the effect you are trying to achieve. The article explains how to use EQ to create a sense of distance, Reverb to compliment the distant sounds along with echo, chorus to make a sound less focused, EQ to make vocals upfront in a mix, automated EQ to help instruments stand out in certain parts of a song and ways to listen to your mix to get a better feel for the overall mix. Sound-on-Sound has many great article that I would also suggest you read.

Read more articles: Sound-on-Sounds website

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I stumbled on a great Frequency Chart for your mixes. This is a great tool to use when recording, mixing or simply making music. You can train yourself to know where particular instruments sit in the frequency spectrum and how to EQ them to taste. This Frequency Chart is really useful because it is interactive. If you hold your mouse of a certain part of the chart you will get additional information on the right column about the frequency in question.

 see the frequency chart

I think sometimes we can over look the basics of music and clutter up a mix when we just place instruments where they do not belong, unless your going for a particular sound of effect. I printed this chart out and put it on my wall in front of my keyboard for when I make my beats so I have a general idea of where to play an instrument, how octave to play them in, etc… So I can leave room in the mix for vocals. Basically, you can construct your music around the frequencies the instruments belong in. Click the image above or the link below it to go to the chart. Hopefully this will help someone? Enjoy!

Other great resources: Check them out!

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Just came across this live stream radio station on www.ustream.tv today. The station is called “Soul Assassins” and be viewed by clicking the following link (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/soulassassinstv). World famous Mike Master Mike is about to rock the decks in a few minutes. Don’t miss it… Check it out:

Dj Muggs on the desks right now!!! Been enjoying it right now!!!

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The new SONAR V-Studio 100 by Cakewalk is taking portable music production to another level. When used with computer you get a 24/96k audio interface with high-quality mic preamps and a DAW controller. Without your computer you get an 8×6 digital mixer an SD recorder to play back beats at your gig or to record those inspiring moments on the road or at home when you don’t feel like firing up your computer. Plus it comes with the VS Production Pack of effects and instruments for Mac and Windows.

To prove a point, Cakewalk took the V-Studio 100 to Sha Money’s One Stop Shop Conference in Phoenix, AZ and put it to work. With all the up and coming MCs and producers in attendance, Cakewalk figured One Stop Shop was the best place to test this product out with the Hip Hop community. To paraphrase one of the original gangstas “If we can make it there, we’ll make it anywhere.”

Cakewalk’s resident producer Lil Shamrock recorded a beat on the spot and then threw down the gauntlet, challenging the MCs in attendance to come up and record their rhymes on the fly while the beat was playing back from the V-Studio 100’s SD card.

Watch the video below to check out the finalists, then cast your vote and let Cakewalk know who’s got it.   The winner is going to receive a copy of SONAR Producer or Rapture. It’s up to you!

This contest will run through Monday July 6, 2009.

SEE MORE ABOUT THE CONTEST

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Artist Name: Grin Danilov
Song Title: Heavy Xmas

This months “Song of The Month” comes from an artist that goes by the name of Grin Danilov. The song is called Heavy Xmas. Grin brings a unique style of breaks and beats which was mixed and mastered in one of Germany’s studios. I really enjoyed this piece of music. It is like a blend dance / trance music mixed with some drum breaks.

LISTEN TO THE SONG OF THE MONTH [JULY 2009]

Visit Grin Danilov’s website: Click Here
Visit Grin Danilov MySpace Page: Click Here
Email Grin Danilov: Click Here

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I have decided to share some information with new comers to music production of all genres. I am no expert but I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what a mix is and what needs to be done to get great results. One phrase I do try to keep in my mind at all times is, “Crap in, Crap out!” This means if you don’t spend time working with quality sounds, drum samples or taking the time to get your instrument to sound right you will not get good results in the end product. There is only so much hat can be done with EQ to correct things in a mix. Great care should be taken in the recording process and you should value the time especially if you are serious about what you are doing and the music you are trying to share with the world.

I believe music is like a personality… everyone has one, everyone is different and we all do things differently. That is what is so magical about music and the self expression it gives us. I have written an article on my website that breaks down the process of doing a good mix but it should only be used as a guideline. As I stated before, everyone does things differently.

Please read the article and if you get any useful information out of it come back and let me know, ok? I hope you do because I know the struggle of trying to find information on the Internet and especially trying to find help from other producers. Some just choose to keep their secrets to their selves. I think sharing elevates music to the next level.

Here is the article: Mixing Chapter

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