Moog Music Forum

Hello to everybody...

Well guys I have a problem and I would appreciate some help here.

I am producing techno/electro music in my homestudio using cubase4 on a pc.I am using my LP mostly for basses.

My main problem is that the LP is HUGE in my mixes.I don't know how to eq it (lowcut or something) and compress it properly.I feel it very BIG in my tracks and I have heard many tracks of you guys out there that are awesome.

Can somebody give me some tips on how to setup a chain of vsts in my LP track so I can manage to process my LP properly.Which ones should I use?What are you doing out there ???????

Any help appreciated here.Excuse my English.

Thank you...

You can cut down at 200Hz with a low Q factor (reduced intervention range).
Also you can cut bass freq with a low shelf at 30-40Hz.
After EQing you can compress.

Only a thing is important; the quality of your plugins, or better if you have a serious analog compressor.

Yes compression is important to be sure.

I'd also suggest a search of some "producer" forums like KVR or FutureProducers, specifically to look for info on how to set up "sidechain" compression within CuBase. Done correctly, a sidechain compresser will extra-compress the bass each time your kick drum hits, so you can have the bass louder in the mix when there is room for it without having the bass interfere with your kicks. This is a key to pumping hard techno!

If you can't figure how to do sidechain compression, fake it by automating a volume envelope on the bass track to be quieter when there is a kick.

Your biggest difficulty with the LP in a mix is that it is one line and has no effects, so it comes out very dry and sticks out like a sore thumb. My best suggestion is a light stereo chorus or a very short stereo delay to broaden it in the stereo spectrum. You'll retain the character of the LP without it being this dry presence sticking out at your face.

lol wrote:My main problem is that the LP is HUGE in my mixes.

You didn't buy an LP and expect it to wimper in the corner did you?

Thanks guys...

Well I didn't buy the LP to wimper in the corner but this doen't make me a better producer.I just need some tips to get started with this monster...

So, first eq / then compress isn't it?

cheers

Yes, and the sidechain can be a solution.

sideband compression can be mushy murder on your LP's beautiful analog envelope generators.
Be very careful with nasty tools like sideband compressors - they've been overused A LOT lately. the only thing worse are exciters.
If it's too out of control then maybe a limiter is OK.

Maybe you should record it again, making the appropriate adjustments to avoid the whole conundrum. It's okay to EQ a little before it hits the PC

eq the kick and LP independently so they aren't stepping on each other's frequencies, and MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING: Make sure your arrangemnt enables the kick & LP to be complementary in character.
You can't polish a turd, and if it's garbage in, then you get garbage out.

perhaps you could post an example mp3 or wav so we can help understand your problem better

Thanks guys...

I will upload an example soon.

shaft9K wrote:Be very careful with nasty tools like sideband compressors - they've been overused A LOT lately.

I just got my first compressor with sidechaining ability - here's an example of me overusing it with the LP. I love it!

infantile assemblage (excerpt)

Nice track!

Great sound Amos just curious is your LP stock or has it been modified?

That sounds really good Amos!

Amos wrote:

shaft9K wrote:Be very careful with nasty tools like sideband compressors - they've been overused A LOT lately.

I just got my first compressor with sidechaining ability - here's an example of me overusing it with the LP. I love it!

infantile assemblage (excerpt)

Amos what compresor do you buy??

sergiovalente9 wrote:

Amos wrote: I just got my first compressor with sidechaining ability...

Amos what compresor do you buy??

Oops; I did make it sound like hardware... it is not; it is software. The compressor I used is the new one in Ableton Live v7, which I am beta-testing. It is really good!

Thanks to everyone for your comments, and I apologise for distracting from lol's original post.

lol, do you use macintosh or Windows PC for producing music? Maybe we can offer some suggestions about tools you can use to make better mixes.