Mix levels for kick, clap/snare and bass part 1
The question I got via Reddit the other day above made me make this video...let me answer in a video format and show you some good levels.
I won't lie, probably THE most asked question I get in relation to mixing is where to set kick and bass levels, because they form the weighty backbone of a lot of music.
In this video, looking at my mixer, I'm trying to give you a useful tip, showing a song of mine (DNB) plus two client mixes (bassy tech house).
This should help you get your drums to a good ballpark – I hope this helps!
📺VIDEO ⬇️
Comments (6)
Hi Fanu/Fatgyver, Im new to the channel. Thanks for all your great help and videos. I come across issues with my sub on a regular basis. Sounds nice in my headphones and on monitors, but when testing om bigger systems, the sub freqs often get boomy, too loud and uncontrolled. Any tips on levels/methods to locking it in effectively? Thanks!
Thanks! See some other bass posts of mine (in the bass Collection) on where to place the bass in terms of frequencies and levels – I've given some info on where to place it when looking at it thru an analyser. My best guess you're not hitting the right frequencies. Can't say more without hearing. (if you can't find the posts, DM me and I will link you) Also happy to do paid feedback to help you get the bass in the right place if needed; I am a bass nerd and can see/hear it in a few seconds
Bass control from ozone seems like a possibily useful tool for leveling out bass without distorting it. Thank you for posting this!
Yes, I often use its Dynamics module to clamp down on bass, if needed.
If you process your drums in a bus, should you be looking at the bus levels instead of the snare track?
I'd say yes, because that reflects the final level: I mean, even if one takes the bus level way down, you'd still see the level of the tracks in a bus go up. This is why I showed those two house tracks here: no bus, so easier to understand the basic comparison.