5 Quick Master Bus Mixing Tricks - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro

[@synthoelectro]

I've been a laymen/pro mixing and mastering engineer for 20 years, and seen a lot of tutorials, but these really top them all. It's intuitive, helpful and interesting,. Instead of adding some clickbait negative title like, "you suck at mixing", you get intelligent words.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it!

[@Sidechainkik]

I’ve been recording for many years, back in the tape daze (and I mean daze), we wanted super clean sounds to tape. Now people want the hiss and the wow and flutter sounds back. Now we have the best of both worlds, it’s a great time in music history and Warren is the Digital and Analog Sage. Great video.

[@wbdellin9605]

Warren, you are highly animated and entertaining. And above all, informative. I've been doing this fifty years and you can stop me in my tracks (no pun intended), to listen like no other. Thanks for all your helpful videos....

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Thanks for the wonderful comment!! I so happy to be able to help!

[@ProfessorSaibertin]

@@Producelikeapro thank you for all of the tips and tricks. Your channel is one of my favorite music production sources of knowledge. Keep it up!

[@jaymac72]

So generous with his knowledge and techniques. The marvellous Mr Huart. This is my go-to channel for tips and advice.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Jay! Wow, thanks!

[@jaymac72]

@@Producelikeapro My pleasure. I work in a music retail shop in Johannesburg South Africa and refer anyone who is interested in upping their production skills to subscribe to your channel. Your channel has basically helped me to up my own production skills. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your wealth of knowledge and experience.

[@Roman_andtheprey]

Mind Games is such a Lennon jewel. It's always cool when someone pulls that one out.

[@Producelikeapro]

[[ The Master Bus ]] HI friends, I receive so many emails on this subject that I thought let's delve into some great ways to spice up your mix's dynamics, expand the low end, add some saturation and bring your Mixes to life! Thanks for watching everybody!

[@darlenesheffield9835]

great tips warren !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Darlene!

[@iwantappledumplings6187]

Wonderful! Thanks warren

[@harmonystudios1182]

WOW! A M A Z I N G !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much Apple!

[@sideoutside]

Binge watching all of your 5 Quick Tips all day long, lol.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much my friend!

[@Emergentministry]

Lol that's what I'm doing now, and comparing to my typical work flow.

[@RetrospectiveZoology]

Ok

[@coltonshanley1921]

Me 2

[@BlazeitMicheal]

Thank you Warren!! their isnt a better channel for producing "like a pro" then produce like a pro.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@phoenixflyz_]

This was one of the most helpful videos I've seen. I'm about to remaster everything for my new album 😂 thank you

[@13Skribbles]

I would love to spend a few days with warren Cool dude with soooo much knowledge and experience

[@tisbonus]

I was having a problem with my kick taking up much needed frequency real estate. Spent the last week scratching my head for a work around. I wakeup thinking I have a solution and see your video notification... C'mon man, you know the rest!! Thanks a million! I don't have to worry about my highpass solution. You just illustrated it! P.S. Love the Paul Hardcastle reference😋👏

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha thanks for noticing the Na Na Na Nineteen reference! You Rock my friend!!

[@xaosnox]

I love Warren's style. It's all just about happiness and fun, isn't it?And the great ideas he has about mixing in a tiny bit of some way over-the-top effect reminds of how I like to cook and mix. I've got guys I watch because they do things completely differently to how I'd do them, and then there's Warren. It's like we're thinking the same way-he's just way ahead of me.

[@networkunplugged]

i started mastering a song last week.. i had to say to myself, it is not yet there, now I return and re-think the mix, mainly on the master bus, this video is a good input ! Thank You!

[@manfredneumann938]

You Sir are the very best at what you do, I'm a 20 year vet of the mix and I learn something or relearn something Every time. You put the fun back into what I love to do, can't thank you enough for these videos.

[@oxoxoxoxo8589]

REally appreciate the real world examples of how effects and automation affect music you have made. Helps me understand further than just talking about it. But I love your videos of just talking too. All is Gold.

[@JunkyardSam]

Wow, I never even thought of creative techniques on the busses. This is brilliant! You taught it so well, entertaining and your love for audio production really comes across.

[@hamishhay6808]

Produce Like A Pro always has golden nuggets of useful info! The most recent "5 Quick Tricks" videos in particular are brilliant!

[@harishparekh1874]

Just Brilliant.Parallel compression on master bus!!!

[@rjmcmooseknuckle]

I'm new to recording and loving the learning process, but it seems like your just giving all your tricks away ... its very appreciated Warren 🙃

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Great lesson Warren... Great mix of a bad ass tune. Much appreciated. I am constantly learning... Thank you....

[@Racingheartrecords]

Every single video of yours that I've watched has given me that "Ah ha!" moment. Thank you!

[@RyanPMcGowan]

5 quick tips. 30 minute video. Love the video!

[@mariolamarque]

Output ceiling trick was straight forward and effective! thank you

[@Ahazzard39]

HOLY MOLY!!! Thanks so much for this one Warren, you've opened my eyes to many possibilities for my master bus that I didn't know existed.....WOW, just wow!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi AJay, thanks ever so much! So glad to be able to help!! You Rock!

[@arthur.monticelli]

Warren I can't really describe how great your videos are. We're truly gifted to have you here on KZbin. Stay safe!

[@frederickthorne2496]

really loving the new FIVE 5 series - these are great!

[@jasonm2279]

If anyone is curious if there are standard DAW only plugins in Ableton, or Reaper there are 100% the same utilities/ tools available. In fact ableton has an insanely easy method of sidechaining, compressors and filters on its standard plug ins. Even in the intro suite this can be achieved. Great tips Warren.

[@spitfiremusic3997]

Great tips! Making your own EQ sidechain is wonderful idea Warren !

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@michal.ochedowski]

I can't quite get this idea. This effect trick is very helpful, but what about the details? Warren you are sending the whole signal to Side Chain Bus with HP Filter on it. This Side Chain Bus is triggering the Waves Renaissance Compressor. At the same time you are also sending whole signal to Clean Bus. Both signals meet at the Master Bus. Wouldn't it create a phasing type of sound when both signals are fed to Master Bus? One of these signals is probably shifted by tiny amount because of EQ and Compression so wouldn't they cancel each others frequencies ? What am I missing ?

[@matthewpelletier3607]

Warren!! IMO you are currently putting out the most useful tips in pro audio! Soooooo many light bulb moments in your past few videos. I can't thank you enough! Will definitely be joining Produce Like a Pro Academy! Again, thank you!

[@adamwasthefirstman]

Mind. Blown. I absolutely love using mix bus fader and eq automation, but haven't gone nearly as in depth with parallel mix bus automation. Cannot wait to try some of those saturation tricks! Also mix comp automation. Every little layer helps! Cheers!

[@Producelikeapro]

Fantastic Adam! That sounds really great!!

[@axel.lessio]

Lately I've been really into automating EQ, panning, ambient and compression to help shape the energy curve. Not just on the mix bus, actually more often in the single instruments. Imagine the drums in the verse: attenuated low and high end, no parallel compression, subtle ambience, narrow stereo width. Then in the chorus: healthy amount of low and high end, energetic parallel compression, more ambience, wider panning. Subtle things like that for each instrument that added up can make the chorus sound massive compared to the verses.

[@pianoatthirty]

Have fun. Take risks. See what happens. What a great video and a great message for any style of music. Thank you!

[@rjreddenbaker4351]

Thanks for the vids. They have been very helpful in my journey toward learning to produce at 51 after being a practicing musician for 30+ years. Also - jealous weenies are the ones griping about, "name dropping." Out here in the world of normal people that's called qualifying your credentials, and it's acceptable wherever humans aren't petulant children. Keep rocking, Warren.

[@itrakwavs]

Dope Tips! Basically don't be afraid to experiment and have fun using these plugins and concepts. Thanks Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Exactly!! So glad to be able to help!!

[@itrakwavs]

Produce Like A Pro 🙏🏾

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much I Trak!

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

I only got one tip out of it: Go crazy with the Master Bus. ;) I record with a Tascam DP-32 and the Master Bus there is not very versatile. I think I have to go into a DAW and play a bit there. In the DP-32, I have made the sound of my Alesis SR-16 bigger and fatter, I made my guitar sounds much better, I use one or two tricks on the bass. I can record all this to have a great sound when I record an idea. But when it comes to the last step I always treated it like 'I just put a little compression on, that should do it.' But there is obviously so much more. Thank you for making me aware of a thing I more or less ignored or treated as an afterthought.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi JanDeluxe78 thanks for your marvellous comment my friend! I wish you all the best! I understand that you aren’t using a DAW, however are you quieter correct, you can still achieve these kind of ideas with your Tascam. Also, as you’re pointing out, it’s about trying interesting and creative things!

[@thomasmcgill6918]

Loooooovvvveeee this video. I immediately started experimenting with the ideas you have given us and got some amazing and fun results. This has opened up a new world for me especially with my weird aggressive rock arrangements. Thank you so much!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wonderful to hear Thomas! I am so glad to be able to help! Glad you found these to be additional creative tools to add to your arsenal!

[@glandress]

Beautifully explained and expressed. Thank you for your generous and constant sharing of your audio insights. You are truly (among many things) a wonderful educator! 😊

[@checkpointcovid8021]

So glad I found this channel. All this free education. Thank you Warren.

[@specificpacifica2260]

You are a legend mate, its obvious you are an audio guru but you are also a great teacher and very good in front of the camera.

[@EnamAzed]

I always like before I watch

[@TrueGritProductions]

Great video

[@darrenross9168]

thank you warren ,fantastic tips ,its always a pleasure to watch your vids ,thanks again.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Darren! I really appreciate it!

[@dianadidiego2150]

That was great Warren. Sometimes I think home project people don't really always know what they are listening for because the subtle changes that make significant difference is sometimes difficult to realize through phone and ear buds . It's cool when you can hear the big difference with small changes. thx

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Diana! I really appreciate your kind words! I'm very happy to be able to help!!

[@kindnick58]

M A R V! My mixes are getting a lot better

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Nicholas, that's so amazing to hear! I'm so glad to be able to help!

[@fridjon]

Warren Sansamp Huart your my best teacher

[@CJMusic2]

Fantastic video, I can't pretend to understand all of it but it shows how creative you can be! As a relative newcomer to recording I've got to work out how to port these concepts over to Logic Pro X which should be fun. Thanks again for these in-depth and very informative videos!

[@slamcrank]

Nice side chain tip on the master buss compressor. Very nice!

[@stevendierkes6028]

One of the most informative mixing videos out there. Thank you!

[@ObscurelyTitled]

Which other compressor plugs Sidechain HPF??

[@RETCHED-METAL]

Hey Warren I'm digging your tutorials and its helping me in my begginig journey for producing my new music. Cheers 🍻 mate

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very welcome my friend!! I’m glad to be able to help!

[@ForTheForsaken]

Love a bit of paralell distortion!

[@lizziebirdsworth3726]

Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant. Thank you Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Lizzie!!

[@DatAnydex]

Thank you. I never stop learning from you. What I appreciate is your versatility. Amazing.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Elias!!

[@MrObelisk2290]

BTW since this was all recorded live, I have to give you kudos for mic selection and placement Wichita also proves my point that I taught me students. I taught the to use leakage as your friend if you want live tracks that are not affected by punch ins. You mix the whole song mix in context, stop using the solo UNLESS Micro listening for clicks and pops. Hope this makes sense

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Jose, indeed. In this instance the performance was entirely live, however there was pretty darn good separation! Indeed, listening in solo only is not conducive to getting great results! I find the best mixers do solo but move quickly! Listening for issues, soloing to pin point, then immediately back out of solo! Best of all worlds!

[@fuzzy8mike]

You sir, are a very effective educator because your primary intentions are to be informative and understood. I am grateful. Thanks. 👍👍👍

[@TheSpokenWord38]

a big high five for another 5...thanks , wow....

[@MojosArmy]

This wasn't what I thought it was going to be about but man was it full of great tips! Thanks Warren for reminding us how much fun this is supposed to be!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Mojos Army! Thanks ever so much my friend!

[@brunoody]

the 2 effects made and played like at ~28min are great together! holy crap!

[@Shawnee845]

I would have to say this is your best work on helping us understand what to do. and opening our minds. just like you had some help you had return the favor to all. great work thanks again on the 5 tips. "my door is wide open"

[@alexptvz1076]

So many crazy tricks!! I'll try!

[@methodofkolishin]

Great stuff Warren! One really odd but useful thing I like to do sometimes to add a bit of polish and vibe to mix (usually during mastering). Is to blend in white noise that is EVER so subtle; and then process that noise channel with some tape or tube saturation and/or EQ. It's neat because you can really control how "analog" you want it to sound, without completely altering the dynamics of the track!

[@SYPCWAK]

Thank you so much. I've really been enjoying your videos. For this video I liked and immediately used your Use a compressor with a side chain HPF tip. It worked wonderfully on my latest song. Thanks again.

[@iwantappledumplings6187]

Amazing tips !! As usual !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Apple!

[@rawpoweraudio]

Side chain bus! Thank you, sir

[@JayYarbroughMusic]

Came back to watch again!

[@claudius3124]

You've really outdone yourself this time! Those are all wonderful tips, my favorites so far! Thanks Warren, I really appreciate your work ;-) And have a wonderful week ;-)

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Claudius, thanks ever so much! Yes! I really want to get as much info as possible over to everyone! I hope this all makes sense to you! I jam packed A LOT in here!!

[@jvogt30]

That was a blast listening to! Thanks for the encouragement to not be afraid to go for something that in my mind would feel unconventional. Much appreciated

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Johnny! Happy New Year!

[@dyonissiszoes3747]

Nice! This gives new paths to explore 👍🙂

[@thiagoribeiro9789]

A lot to dig in!!! Thank you again!!

[@petemusgrove7422]

Wonderful, just wonderful - thanks Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Pete!

[@MatthewDiamante]

And here I thought the Master Bus was a huge yellow school bus! - Kidding! These tips are insanely useful Warren! Please keep them coming!

[@Producelikeapro]

It isn't? Dang! Someone should have told me? haha Thanks for watching Matthew!

[@whatsgoinon768]

I love the "5 quick ones...", thanks a lot Warren!

[@__Timothy__]

Excellent as always! Thanks Warren!

[@svedlundrodriguez]

Thanks warren, I really enjoyed this video! Can't wait to try this out!

[@harmonystudios1182]

WOW! A M A Z I N G !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Harmony!

[@hansdampf7397]

Thanks man - you opened up my horizon again!

[@iammamidala]

I actually used to destroy the track and blend it into the main track as well. Super glad to know i wasn't doing something absolutely crazy ( at least that's how i thought about it ). Great video !!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Crazy good my friend!! Excellent work!!

[@philu4621]

Just wondering if you could elaborate a little bit on what you said about compression with sidechain hi pass filter on the master buss. How do I set that up exactly?

[@nickfishermusic]

"Quite silly. Quite silly indeed" haha, gotta love you man. You bring the fun back into it.

[@oliw3664]

Really enjoyed that vid, Warren!

[@mabrystudios5880]

Genius Warren! Love your tenacity to conquer! "Totally Crazy It Is"!

[@georgekay372]

Using that EQ sidechained to the compressor is such a simple, yet genius idea. I wish I had come up with that myself! It's exactly what I needed!

[@alfieholloway]

I don’t quite get it. So the side chain bus has a low pass which has an output to a bus which has an output to the master? Doesn’t this just mean there is less low going to the master? Or does the final bus have no outPut?

[@benwattam7798]

Solid cheat sheet. Soooo many great tips...

[@1tabularasa1]

Hey Warren, that was a realy good one! Can`t wait to try this on my next productions.

[@kitoffelmel]

hi Warren, I love your videos! I'm using logic and I just can't seem to figure out how to setup these different aux output channels like you do. Would you happen to know how to do this in logic? All the best.

[@heavymetalmixer91]

For the first tip I would recommend using a new track (a Mix Buss before the Master), so every plugin in it is Pre-fader, therefore any post-fader automation won't change what they do.

[@Producelikeapro]

You can! That's definitely the way other people have shown! However of course it's creating another bus, where this is just writing the info once!

[@heavymetalmixer91]

Exactly

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes! Thanks! Have a marvellous night!

[@DG-sg6rp]

Your Videos Help Me To Get Me Better In Music Production..

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@johannesmenzel9537]

Thanks again for those wonderful tips. This channel is one of few which always says: just do it, no matter what budget or anything. It's also very nice that you are providing advice without any general disputes like in the box/outboard gear or (in-)expensive stuff. I have two major questions about this video. First, I've been confused for a while with the often heard assumtion that a sidechain high pass filter would let the low end passing through unaffected. Isn't the filter only affecting the sc-signal, so that the sc-frequencies above sc-hpf will affect the wideband compression (so, also the low end)? Second: you automated the compressors threshold of the chorus, which must raise it's dynamic range. I think of it as an interesting method of raising the choruses peak volume, but if you like to raise the choruses "density", wouldn't it be a good idea to lower the choruses thresh and raise its makeup in the same time? I sometimes tried to control louder song parts' density by automating the pre-insert volume instead of post-insert fader, which lowers the compression effect at quieter song parts. Best regards, Johannes

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Johannes, thanks for the marvellous comment! I don't quite understand your first question. The Sidechain excludes a part of the frequency spectrum from the compression circuit, so allowing everything above that to be affect the compressor. This means that the loud bass you've created will pass through not controlling the overall compressor. It also means you can get a more even sound, because with make up gain the higher frequencies will be more evenly impressed and then make up gain applied! Secondly, I like an even compression in the choruses, personally if I raise the threshold say by one Decibel as the drums come up in volume and so do the guitars etc the song gets bigger and doesn't suffer from feeling like it's collapsing. However these aren't the only methods! When there isn't an increase in amplitude then I agree lowering the threshold and turning everything up can really help the choruses feel bigger! Thanks for the great comments and for being such a wonderful part of our community!

[@johannesmenzel9537]

Great! Quite sure you understood the first question right because your answer was fully satisfying. I understood that SC-HPF function like you explained, but got confused because of some resources on the internet (blogs, even user manuals) claiming that the filter will let the low end pass uncompressed. While I was assuming that, even if the sidechain would be highpassed up to 1k+ it will compress the primary signals full range. I thought, as a model, a 50Hz sine wave controlled by a 5 kHz sine impulse sidechain would pump anyway. So, thank you very much for your answer as well as for the wonderful help you provide for musicians of all knowledge levels.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Johannes, thanks ever so much! I really appreciate your kind words! Yes, there is A LOT of disinformation out there! Huge amount! Mainly by people trying to gain something from feeling superior! I make mistakes ALL the time! Haha It's ok! Best method is to listen and make sure you love how it sounds!

[@johannesmenzel9537]

I totally agree, listening is the most important strategy. Although, under some circumstances it can be helpful knowing for which effect some gear is intended to figure out what to listen for or how to translate imagination to sound. Keep up, the community appreciates your help.

[@CraigHarrisonshortdog24]

Thanks Warren, great tips! Your videos are really well explained and easy to understand. Great work as usual.

[@davidallenhammond2777]

Brilliant tips Warren, thank you so so much for doing these.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much David! I really appreciate it my friend!

[@danaparsons854]

awesome as usual. What are you listening thru when you're facing your laptop?

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Dana, I'm using the iLouds or my small Genelecs!

[@alexanderewing3779]

Marvellous tips as per, Warren. Invaluable! Keep on rockin’ 😎

[@TheBSABand]

This was totally mind-blowing! Probably the best audio/mixing/mastering tutorial ever. Thanks a lot Warren!

[@EqDior]

This guy is a genius!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Eq Dior aw shucks you are far too kind my friend!! Thanks for your marvellous comment!

[@midnightAlchemistOfficial]

Whew! Thank you Warren. This is exactly what I needed today as I am still learning to do just these things right now for my Prom Dress Mix. :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks thanks ever so much! Great stuff! Glad you're having fun with 'Prom Dress'!

[@fitdogStudios]

Thankyou. Another great show👍

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Glad to be able to help!

[@BlackenedNL]

Warren that diy sidechain trick is amazing!! Thank you so much man

[@mvh2275]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@darlenesheffield9835]

amazing content !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Darlene!

[@targetpanicrecords]

As always Warren thank you thank you thank you..... i’m trying to mix my own punk rock record and the EQ and compression at the end is giving me a pure mental fit.... never would I had thought of this technique before I’m going to try it, Plus I want every mix to be consistent on the record....... I identify as crying