need sum mixing advice. maintain constant level??

hi im working on song right now. and need little advice.
i been reading articles and mixing and mastering by hal leonard.

the problem im haveing is how do i maintain constant level round -6db
during mixdown???
like some points in my mix down the levels will go down
and i think might be the bass i use c1 area of keys and sum part my bass
like round the 5rd and 4th bar. so how will i bring thoughs up???
i was thinking of eq and boosting the low end...

Appreciate it
Marcus

You don't keep it all at a certain level. That is called limiting. What you want to do, at least what I do, is mix so that the track peaks at -3db. The loudest part of my song hits -3db and everything else falls somewhere below. That gives me a good reference point for getting my mix consistent. If my peak is -3db, and something is to quiet, turn it up, but don't let it peak over you reference. What that does for me is it allows me to mix all of my tracks to somewhat of a consistent level so when I give my tracks to mastering, there isn't any tracks that are super loud, and then some that are super low. They all are mixed to -3db. I don't know if I am using the terminology correctly. I am self taught. I hope this helps.

sounds right lol.. but i think i get what your saying i need keep my drums at good high level
sense im doing hiphop drums are most importan. so i should have thoughs at good high level
than my bass little more low guitar low piano low etc.
Dat way i hear the drums but also my other instruments but not competing with the drums or vocals..
Am i right?

It sounds like you need to use some form of compression(aka limiting) on whatever track is giving you problems. If the level of a signal isn't consistant, then you never get it to sit right your mix. By lightly compressing(limiting the sound to highest level you want it to be), it won't be too loud at some points or not loud enough at others.

mordecai1989 wrote:sounds right lol.. but i think i get what your saying i need keep my drums at good high level
sense im doing hiphop drums are most importan. so i should have thoughs at good high level
than my bass little more low guitar low piano low etc.
Dat way i hear the drums but also my other instruments but not competing with the drums or vocals..
Am i right?

First, I pull faders down on all tracks. The next thing I do is mix the drums. I get the kick, snare, hat, ride, bongo so that they are mixed well. Like you said, the drums are the most important part of the track, so I get them sitting right. No FX, no compression, no EQ (yet). Just levels.

Next I will pull up the bassline and get it to sit right level wise. Again, no compression, FX or EQ (yet).

Then I will pull up the samples by sound or frequency I guess would be better to say, and get it to sit right in the mix. Again, no compression, FX or EQ (yet).

What this does is set all your levels so that all tracks sit well together. Then you will start to notice what sounds are competing in the same frequency range(s). Time to pull out some EQ. I use a hi pass filter on just about everything to cut off lows from everything, including bass and kick. Pan some things left and right, adjust levels because when you pan left and right, that track will get louder.

Now I pull up the main vocals, hi pass filter, and adjust levels so that they sit where I want them to sit.
Then adlibs or double ups. I usually hi pass them a little more and tuck them underneath so that they are "felt", and not really heard. But that's more of a taste thing for me. Then if the whoever is on the mic doesn't have a good mic technique I might have to run them through a compressor (just enough to smooth out the track) and EQ to taste.

I don't really compress my tracks unless I am using it as an effect. I definitely don't compress the overall song either. I leave that to mastering as well. If you want, send me the track and I will give you some feedback.

I hope this helps.

Peace

cozy wrote:

mordecai1989 wrote:sounds right lol.. but i think i get what your saying i need keep my drums at good high level
sense im doing hiphop drums are most importan. so i should have thoughs at good high level
than my bass little more low guitar low piano low etc.
Dat way i hear the drums but also my other instruments but not competing with the drums or vocals..
Am i right?

First, I pull faders down on all tracks. The next thing I do is mix the drums. I get the kick, snare, hat, ride, bongo so that they are mixed well. Like you said, the drums are the most important part of the track, so I get them sitting right. No FX, no compression, no EQ (yet). Just levels.

Next I will pull up the bassline and get it to sit right level wise. Again, no compression, FX or EQ (yet).

Then I will pull up the samples by sound or frequency I guess would be better to say, and get it to sit right in the mix. Again, no compression, FX or EQ (yet).

What this does is set all your levels so that all tracks sit well together. Then you will start to notice what sounds are competing in the same frequency range(s). Time to pull out some EQ. I use a hi pass filter on just about everything to cut off lows from everything, including bass and kick. Pan some things left and right, adjust levels because when you pan left and right, that track will get louder.

Now I pull up the main vocals, hi pass filter, and adjust levels so that they sit where I want them to sit.
Then adlibs or double ups. I usually hi pass them a little more and tuck them underneath so that they are "felt", and not really heard. But that's more of a taste thing for me. Then if the whoever is on the mic doesn't have a good mic technique I might have to run them through a compressor (just enough to smooth out the track) and EQ to taste.

I don't really compress my tracks unless I am using it as an effect. I definitely don't mix the overall song either. I leave that to mastering as well. If you want, send me the track and I will give you some feedback.

I hope this helps.

Peace

This the best advice...

appreciate it.

I got qustion everybody say turn your mixer or speaker down low when mixing.
I turn my speakers up half way point..than turn my tascam down to one point
(very low) Am i doing it right??