Episode 4: Loud Guitars, without obliterating everything else.

[@faaip0de0oaid]

So the guy who produced his own album, which is one of my all time favs has a youtube channel where he teaches how to get that amazing sound... Sign me up

[@maatpixels]

that's my feelings RN

[@Btvstudio]

HOLY SHIT, youtube actually recommend something useful. I hadn't heard of you before, I'm glad I came across you, I'm deferentially a new sub.

[@CMOYoung]

Check out his band Failure man, they are phenomenal. You'll never hear anything quite like them.

[@gamby16a]

Listen to Stuck on You, The Nurse Who Loved Me, Dirty Blue Balloons, What Makes It Easy and The Pineal Electorate ASAP 😃

[@AKAtAGG]

same exact thing from me

[@denverrandy7143]

Love seeing somebody getting there Failure cherry popped.🤘👍

[@itchyvinyl]

FAILURE is your favorite band's favorite band. So influential.

[@gamby16a]

That's how I describe them to everyone!!!

[@graxjpg]

I think Sun Ra’s arkestra or magma is the correct answer for me, but I get the idea.

[@Alex-we5uc]

indeed

[@_Stroda]

@@graxjpg Killing Joke.

[@denverrandy7143]

Yeah, everyone from Maynard to Superheaven Have stated that exact statement. I don't blame them.Failure is My favorite group and gotten me through a lot. Including getting sober. Celebrating a year

[@PulsarGlitchMusic]

This is absolutely invaluable to someone who's just learning how to mix rock/metal music like me. Awesome video!

[@AndreasRusso]

Keen, I’m blown away that you are doing this for us. This is a goldmine. If I can provide a little constructive feedback for future videos: give us a little extra time to hear the changes you are making. There are just a bunch of seconds throughout the whole video of you A/Bing the plugin without talking over it and it’s not very easy to catch onto some subtle changes. Other than that, this is amazing. I can’t wait for bass episode!

[@ardemgourdikian1394]

"I hope you guys are ok with that" Like how could I not man this is some S tier content.

[@robertreynolds9961]

These are the best music oriented vids there ever were.

[@boglot]

Comparing this to my own flat sounding mix made me realize how much the guitar and bass tone truly matter. Even if you get your levels to a nice spot, it’s not gonna sound right if the tone sucks.

[@srvfan42]

Awesome. The amount of almost inaudible microadjustments that all add up to completely transform a mix never fails to blow me away.

[@BrettTalleyMusic]

The new Jimmy Eat World record blew me away with the mix. I instantly had to look at who mixed it and it all made sense. One of the best mixed rock records I have heard in a very long time. Kudos, Ken. Can’t wait to see and hear what comes next. Love these videos. Always inspiring.

[@ebbeeriksson2243]

I keep returning to these videos any time I feel lost in a mix. Thank you for this holy grail! 🙏

[@vonapathy]

I really appreciate the tone of these videos. You present the topic with an element of acessibility so even average schmucks like myself can walk away with a greater understanding of how the music we love is made. Thank you!

[@juanticimo]

Ken, we understand your commitments outside of this channel and totally appreciate the simple fact that you have taken the time to create them (the episodes). If they come out once every 2 months we still feel like we were gifted this, so you have our support!!

[@adamburger858]

Well said-

[@travisbickle131]

Ken, huge fan of your music and production. Thanks a million for uploading this!!!!

[@CarsSimplified]

Such a great album mix! I wonder where the song "Failure" will end up; I still haven't seen it released anywhere.

[@stevieflowersbeats1506]

I love how you give your motivations for every move. One of the most important lessons is organizing the progress and your mind.

[@johnmorrissey435]

A great episode. Thoroughly enjoyed it and don’t worry about not being able to keep making episodes every week or so, they’re well worth the wait.

[@davidmiranda7937]

This song is very b-side weezer blue/pinkterton era. Thanks for these tips man. I have always had trouble balancing heavy guitars and drums on my records

[@carlossalazar3177]

Didn’t realize how much of your work has influenced me until you start writing your own music. Wait 10yrs and listen back. Great info. Thanks and Cheers K.

[@Middlestepofficial]

Just stumbled upon this channel, awesome work! I like your approach, the 3-dimensional way of observing a band.

[@RiffHarvester]

I was in the very front when Failure opened for Tool in a little all-age club called SOMA in San Diego back in the mid-'90s! You guys were fu@king awesome!

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

Was that the show where I got hit in the face by my own promo cassette?

[@trip66]

@@KenAndrewsMusic Well, thats the most hilarious question I've heard in awhile.

[@diegoferrera4454]

So appreciate these videos. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge Ken!

[@Alexander_Tronstad]

06:25 to get to the mixing.

[@PrimalNote]

Thank you!

[@BosseCory]

Sooo much preamble

[@pwiksell8772]

Wish there wasn't so much preamble

[@SirThirdFilms]

This is the next big music/mixing channel. I wish I could go back in time now and remix my guitars I did for a freelance gig earlier in the year but you live and you learn.

[@BWP-u3y]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, and doing it in such a pleasant, intelligible way. I think we've all been in this exact spot with regards to big guitars in the mix, and the tweaks you offered are spot-on... Subtle yet so very effective. Thanks again!

[@Tekkerue]

Trackspacer by Wavesfactory is also amazing for this purpose. It works like a side-chain compressor but instead of ducking the overall volume it's a 32-band multi-band compressor so it ducks each frequency band as necessary to make room for the other track. I just got it during the holiday sales and I'm loving it so far. :) BTW, this channel got me going on Failure. I never heard of you guys before so I'm glad this channel was recommended to me. For once KZbin did something right. 😄

[@steveshields1975]

Thanks Ken, always a treat to hear from you. A video on thick bass lines with out ending up muddy would be great to compliment.

[@nachshonrorick]

This!

[@Kbleschify]

I loved Surviving! The whole album front to back is great! Glad I found your channel!!

[@LoganNMP]

HUGE FAN of everything you have done and continue to do. Extremely excited that you are doing your own channel and giving your insight. Thank you so much

[@thestepmothers1690]

Thanks Ken, Starting to study your channel; we're producing our own records and instantly fell in love with Failure and Hum production. This video has clarified some production tricks that our music needs!

[@leifrehnstrom]

Very happy to find your channel! My band - The Drowners - were huge Failure fans and I know your name was on our wish list for producers when we were on Wind-Up Records. Have followed your mixing work and it’s amazing that you’re sharing knowledge here. Thanks!

[@beaumaloe]

Hi Leif, I am a fan of The Drowners, but I cannot seem to find the Wind-Up album on Apple Music. Where might I find it?

[@leifrehnstrom]

Kenny Beaumont Hi! It’s not on Apple Music, but you can find it on Spotify. It’s called “Is There Something On Your Mind?” Also you can find it here: soundcloud.com/thedrowners/sets/is-there-something-on-your

[@HooliganClassRapidOffenseUnit]

Another amazing episode! Thanks so much, Ken! This is a very warm and welcoming creative space to hang out in. Looking forward to the next one.

[@MorganRocker]

I love Failure and your good taste for audio, cheers from Argentina.

[@jasonstaal6555]

Thanks of the tutorial! Very helpful on the use of compression to bring up the drums without riding the volume fader which could have unintended effects, neat!

[@brandonclark7867]

This is my favorite new music channel. Thank you for everything

[@softlyspokenIRL]

I can’t get enough of these videos! Thank you so much for finding the time to do these

[@BrentByrdMusic]

Great video! You have really helped me with my mixes..appreciate you providing your expertise man, your awesome!!

[@fooschmack]

Would love tips on recording/mixing bass specifically. Maybe exploring the proper hardware necessary for good reference. Always disheartening to get a mix where you think you want it, then you hear it on another system and the bass is either anemic or too boomy/muddy.

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

totally know what you're talking about here. There are a lot of comments about bass. Will do!

[@4dmind]

So happy to see you doing this channel. Holy wow, your last album was stellar beyond belief - the writing, the performances and the production. One of my favorite albums of all time.

[@MBloke]

Ken, I wanna thank you for these videos. A pro spreading knowledge is always a great thing. But I also wanna thank you for all the music you make. Seeing Failure in LA was the highlight of this year for me.

[@artysanmobile]

There are so many psychoacoustic effects that can make guitars massive without adding much volume. Electric guitars, the actual sources, are highly directional, really beaming out of speakers, so we come to accept reflections as a big part of their sound. Very short delays, verbs, and radical panning are elements of electric guitar that actually come from reality, live sound, and imprint themselves in our memory of the instrument. So those effects can substitute for a lot of direct volume to give the same awesome sound in a mix.

[@calebknott8021]

The width on the snare drum room sound in your intro is so godlike. It's perfect. Good grief, he is a fantastic engineer.

[@NRG2]

Glad I found this channel early on! Big stuff coming here, I can feel it. thank you bro! 🤘😁

[@inviscid43]

Great videos Ken. I like that you manage to make such polished sounding music without resorting to expensive and inaccessible outboard gear. If you're looking for ideas for videos, I'd love to see one where you go through a variety of your favourite plugins with examples of what you like to use them for or what you think they do best.

[@mikespink2037]

Ken - I’ve just sat and watched every episode of your videos that you’ve posted to date and I have to say, (especially when considering that KZbin is saturated with ‘Mixers’ - ‘Engineers’ & ‘Producers’ offering tips, tricks & tutorials)- that in just 4 videos you’re informed and articulate content that is effortlessly delivered from an obvious position of professional knowledge , experience and clear & insightful authority - has simply got to be not only commended - but highly recommended to professionals and enthusiasts of all levels & ability ! I’m 50 years old and have worked in the industry myself for over 20 years and have to say that these videos are excellent & inspirational !- So its a big Thank you from me for taking the time out to do this ! Finally - The records you’ve mixed sound amazing btw - from Paramore, Beck to Jimmy Eat World - Kudos all round sir 👍🏻👌

[@Alex-we5uc]

Thank you.....for all the wonderful music and knowledge. 🤘🏻

[@bannon315]

Oh cool! Just discovered this channel!!!! awesome! BIG FAN of your mixing and music projects

[@NicholasGreenwood]

I'm working in Ableton Live Suite. Live's built-in Glue Compressor audio effect plugin is based on an SSL compressor, and even the controls are very similar to what's shown here. I tried this trick on a drum bus and everything sounds a LOT better. Thank you!

[@NickRangerMusic]

Super great guide. Excited for what 2020 has to offer from your channel! Hopefully I catch you at NAMM!

[@pagnol3226]

I am sooo late to this party! 😜, I’ve been constantly rising the drums, no more gtrs! No more drums! Lol , this is awesome info, Ty Ken!

[@tonycarpenter-Makzimia]

Thank you :). Currently working with a mix that has always given me just this issue, I'll be watching this at least one more time and trying this.

[@jasonanderson2465]

This is one of my best go to videos for mixing. I learned so much from this. its nice to here Raw tracks from one of your fav bands before mastering. This video changed a lot of how I mix now. even after 20 years theres always more to learn

[@helicoid9415]

Stoked to watch this, but recently I've wanted to try to improve my singing abilities and crafting vocal melodies. Hoping we can get a video from you on all that in the near future!

[@ienigma220]

Quality content GOLD -- thank you Ken.. i had the same problem and didn't know how to fix it.

[@tomplayer]

Excellent - the phenomenon of masking is so important to understand - thanks for this!

[@AKAtAGG]

deserves way more views than it has so far. great vid and channel man, love it.

[@tegan0110]

Love the insight on the specific plugins you use every episode. Very helpful!!

[@stevieflowersbeats1506]

New Favorite Channel! Hope you have more gems for us in the future

[@lilycasablancas2393]

Your production skills are completely unmatched. You have quickly become one of my all time favorite musicians and producers, and I always look forward to anything that has your involvement whatsoever. Keep up the amazing work Ken!

[@DrunkenRhinoceros]

I've been a fan since "Fantastic Planet". I was at your 20th anniversary show for the full album in Seattle. You were lauded for your amazing skills at mixing that album as well. I enjoyed your solo album and Year of the Rabbit too. Hopefully you return to Seattle again sometime soon.

[@megirez]

It may be late to say but as a big fan of you, thank you for starting your channel! I watched every episode. I've been struggling with DTM or even the settings for instruments at a basic level for years, so it's hard to understand all the contents, but I can hear the difference of sound. This channel is so interesting and educational even for people like me. I'll learn things about mixing step by step. Have a happy new year!

[@lowlanderband]

I’m just now seeing/hearing this. I absolutely love watching your videos, Ken. Now, i’m curious like others when this song will end up being released. I can see why it didn’t make the cut for “surviving”, but I’d really like to hear it. Thanks again, sir!

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

Thanks Ken. Along with your amazing music, your mixing/mixes has always amazed me. This is a real treat. Allan Holdsworth was also at the mercy of Pledge Music. Keep going with your musical path, you're an inspiration in many ways.

[@TheSeaUponUs]

Great video Ken! Thanks!!

[@StephenAntKneeBk5]

Thank you, some bulb lit up in my brain watching this. When the drums are in the clear it sounded at first "wrong" but when you put them in the mix it worked. I look forward to seeing your videos as time permits them to be posted. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@ransbarger]

Beautiful! Glad I found your channel Ken.

[@buddyalbert5808]

Love your info on the SSL buss compressor. Thx

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lashtal]

Thank you for this channel! The way you explain concepts out loud, as if a viewer were actually in the same room, is very helpful. Hope to get as good as you someday!, you Legend :)

[@rd8987]

I've been struggling to get my guitars and drums to sit well in the mix. No matter what I tried either the guitars overshadow the drums or the drums get louder than the guitars. I just finished mixing and released my first song off my new album on my channel and then I came across this video and I tried the stereo buss compression technique with a multiband limiter and voila magic!! After months of searching I finally found the sound I was looking for. I just regret not finding this video a few days earlier before I released the song. But thanks a lot man this channel is gold...subbed

[@westonmohr374]

Amazing Ken! Hope to see a lot more videos from you in the upcoming year! They're really helping me become a better engineer

[@craig7050]

this is great Ken! i look forward to all your new posts! well done!

[@noisesoundtonevibe]

Just found out about your channel... Funny timing as I was listening to Failure albums just a few days before, then went on to listen to A Perfect Circle again... Love your "sonic imprints". Looking forward to more videos :-)

[@MicahEberman]

I have been waiting a lifetime for this video. love the whole series, failure, yotr, secrets of the lost satellites,...all.

[@lucaslux6516]

oh yeah. 2 seconds and I know this channel is about to be legit. really appreciated the information and presentation

[@corycourtney8923]

It's like you're taking the thoughts right out of my head and making a video full of great information about it. Can't wait for more.

[@rockboy360]

Thanks for this awesome tutorial man! You're a great inspiration to me, musically and soundwise, huge Failure fan. One of the subtle awesome things I've always loved about Jimmy Eat World is the HUGE bass sound! I would love to see a video on their bass sound!

[@kerwingroot]

Great stuff man! Watched it all in one go, good balance of fun and education. So far i really like that it's a sort of global or universal kind of episodes, meaning as a Logic user i can easily follow along. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!

[@vincentblanot]

Thank you for your work, I can't wait to see more of this. A video about the bass sound in Failure would be great ! On the Snow Angel chorus it sounds like a beast. Enjoy your christmas :)

[@satch72]

Wow just found your channel and this is gold, I’ve struggled with this exact thing for a while. Always enjoyed Failure too so thank you thank you.

[@devingrubbs]

This has been a weakness of mine for way too long! Thanks for the tips, I'm excited to try em out. Would love a mix breakdown for other parts of this song if possible, especially the drums because they sound amazing. But man I'll be cool with anything. Vocals, Bass, etc. Really enjoy your mixes overall and this song is a slapper.

[@charlesandrada2410]

Treasure trove of info straight from the source. Thanks for doing this, Ken!

[@jeffduncan9033]

Great mixing and great content... I’ll recommend your channel to my studio friends 👍

[@Swithyyyy]

I got into Ken’s work when he mixed Paramore’s record. I can’t wait to see how he makes his guitars sound so damn great.

[@MFMusicLab]

Awesome tips Ken! Using reverb as a sonic tool is a cool way to go here.

[@SimonBrinckmann]

Thanks a lot for making these videos. Just tried it on a mix and it sounds so much more clear. Way better than turning down the volume of my favorite instrument! 🤘😁

[@WarlikePeace]

Congrats on the upcoming box set! Hopefully, see you in Chicago.

[@eranddroory9987]

Awesome.. Just what I needed to know doing a mix at the moment. You got another sub here for sure. Thanks Ken.. 😊

[@confusedscreaming9727]

Damn cool tips, thanks Ken! At some point could you do a video on how you record/mix bass? The chorus tone of The Pineal Electorate haunts my dreams

[@Aldorelaxingguitar]

Very Good Video And Information, Thanks Ken! I have a 3 piece band were I use a cracked up distorted guitar tone so as the recording engineer I’m going to use this technique on our 2020 recordings. I see so many of you top sound engineers digging that SSL Channel Compressor plug-in, I’ve been using the E-Channel SSL which is really good all around but probably you have more control with one your utilizing, so probably will get that one! 🎸😎✌️

[@sucahedoff1]

HELL YES! Ken Andrews has a KZbin Channel about mixing and gear! How on earth do you not already have 1,000,000 subs?!

[@79sand10s]

That shuffle in the Jimmy song sounds Failuresque to my ears for sure. Or like the last track on the Dreamworks Blinker the Star record which had Kelli on drums.

[@JakeCheckoway]

this has been a great series so far! your work on Citizen's As You Please and new Jimmy Eat World was really inspiring, everything sounds huge. Thanks for the insight into your process!

[@denverrandy7143]

Right on Ken!!!Very cool stuff.I was watching "Rick Beato,what makes this song great" of "Stuck on You" the other day...loved how the guitar was your les paul 76? With a big muff and fender twin reverb?Classic beautiful sounds...I think a lot of us fans wonder how y'all got such big bass on "Fantastic Planet" Using guitar distortion pedals for bass,then bringing the bass back up in post was very idea!!!at least that's what I've heard you did cause in all sincerity "Fantastic Planet" is the Best mixed and produced album I've ever heard...from "Saturday Saviour" to "Daylight" sincerely a masterpiece my friend.GodBless to you and your family Ken.Hope to see you on tour again soon.👍🤘

[@burywite]

Fantastic stuff Ken. Thank you!

[@ptbempire]

Best stuff I stumbled across in a long time on yt

[@neuropantser5]

i found this on xmas, so im considering it my xmas present from ken. this is incredibly cool, thank you!

[@pollinatorsband]

Great session!

[@macattacka2862]

Ken, these videos are pure Gold! It's like those Master Class specials that Gordon Ramsay does for cooking, except in superior mixing. Getting all the instruments to the max potential and quality songwriting is what makes Failure so heavy (Daylight still melts my face off every time). Can't wait till the next video, this series really helps my DAW sessions. Thank you, and keep on fighting those fraudsters in 2020, we are all with you man! ♫♫☺

[@disinfor]

Another amazing vid! I really like the SSL Comp on my stereo buss as well. I was sort of spoiled having access to the real thing in the studio I worked at, but the waves version comes sonically close enough for the stuff I work on. I really like the trick of using the LL3 on the drum buss as well..keeping the ceiling a little lower so you don't crush everything. Thanks again. PS. Can't wait to get the Failure box set with the remixes.

[@kennyRumbles]

Thank you .....I learned something tonight 👍

[@ddsrecording]

Great vid, thanks! Something I like to do sometimes in this instance is put a sidechain compressor on the guitar buss (sometimes on the "all instruments" bus w/o drums if it's a dense mix of midrange instruments) and have the compressor engage only on the snare hits. So the guitars subtly pump with the snare, letting the snare poke through more, just like how you make the bass guitar pump and duck from the kick drum. Glues everything together nicely and allows the guitars to be louder without blanketing over the most prominent thing we all equate a strong drum mix to, which is the snare. If done right, it's one of those things you don't hear but sorely miss when its gone. \m/ \m/

[@KenAndrewsMusic]

Yes, I see a lot of people say they prefer side chaining for this application. For me, I always feel like I can hear the side-chaining working in a way that seems a bit robotic, and less organic than a buss compressor which is having to deal with all the mix elements at once. Just a bit more non-linear and random to my ears, which I prefer.