How to Sound Like "Men I Trust" in Your Home Studio

[@AudioHaze]

Now download the stems and mix it yourself!! :) samply.app/p/AOaCrSyzoimYDMQ2SHC2

[@BonoboBerry]

Are we allowed to use our own mix for this in our portfolios?

[@gorkhabeatsz]

Thank you soo much you are a inspiration to me god bless you pure soul.❤

[@AudioHaze]

@@BonoboBerry yeah portfolios are totally fine! If I see any examples being used for profit in some way (posted to Spotify etc.) I may have to reconsider providing stems though :/ hope that helps!

[@BonoboBerry]

Thank you so much! I'm hoping people don't take advantage of these tracks in that way.

[@flyingrat492]

Looking at the video I believe the bass DI was a universal audio 610 tube preamp, great video

[@RachelHardy]

Thanks so much for having me on for this! It was such a fun break from my usual nerdcore and so so enjoyable to sing alongside such a talented bunch. Glad we could collaborate!

[@AudioHaze]

Thank you for joining!!! Like I said, easiest vocal mix everrrrr, it was already basically final mix ready

[@F_E_U]

wonderful vocals, good job

[@danmagee5]

No offense to the original song but your vocals are better. I think you have a better voice

[@richiejackson9321]

Not sure if it’s your voice, or the original, but I get a real Moonchild vibe from this song. Maybe because the melody is similar to “Cure”

[@ds99]

Wonderful vocals.

[@madsenamplification]

Small room, people playing quietly in the room together and listening to one another is one of my favorite ways to record.

[@AudioHaze]

Yeah it was sooooo successful on this track

[@theVHSvlog]

I saw Men I Trust a few weeks ago in Cincinnati, and while I liked them going in, I was blown away. I've never heard a band sound better live in my life. Your explanations in this video gave me insights for why they sound so good. Thanks!

[@swetahproductions6175]

I had the same experience in Houston - it was raining, and I wasn't expecting much live, but it was my favorite concert of the year! They are crazy talented.

[@joshkarian5379]

I feel like a lot of these alternative, softer, more ambient sounding bands with a focus on tone have incredible live performances! Saw gotts street park (neo soul collective from leeds, england) and it was euphoric

[@beaneuh]

i believe 80% of my mixing knowledge traces back to your channel, life changing content! thank you so much!!

[@AudioHaze]

you have NO IDEA how happy this makes me wow

[@jerrywelsh_]

Man, just gotta say I really love your channel. I've learned a ton - both technically and philosophically - that I've been able to bring to my own band's recordings. It's way more fun to create something with the gear you have with a few buddies than to worry so damn much about having a "polished" sound. You prove to everyone that it's less about the gear and more about the intentions of those in the room with you. Funny thing is though - when you focus less on being perfect, you end up with a great sounding end result anyway.

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Jerry!! That last bit is important for me to hear, I’m such a perfectionist and it gets in the way sometimes lol

[@madsenamplification]

Technically and philosophically! Yes, that’s a great way to put it!

[@jordon7999]

+1 for these themes. Heaps of technical knowledge and mindset / approach. Really enjoy hearing how you approach the problems and come up with solutions 👌

[@GregNotCraig88]

He's like theneedledrop, except not a douchebag and I don't hate his voice.

[@JorbLovesGear]

I definitely agree that you dont need the exact pedals to get to the same sounds, BUT it can really help you understand what you're hearing, and what you might like. That being said, I am built for identifying gear, and this is what I see. Guitarist's Full chain: Xotic XW1 wah, it's variable resonance really matters for dialing in more subtle sounds like this. Probably a Polytune JHS Emperor V2, chorus / vibrato Xotic EP Boost Strymon Flint, reverb and tremolo Strymon El Capistan, tape delay Fulltone Plimsoul, overdrive MAYBE an MXR distortion+, not certain, but makes sense next to overdrive Boss PH3, phaser Strymon Bluesky, reverb (MAYBE its the ola chorus but i doubt it based on placement and we already see a chorus) Strymon Iridium, Amp sim, going out in stereo to a Radial JDI stereo DI, this has passthroughs that are (probably) going to his monitoring amp, the JC-20 jazz chorus we can see the back of. And don't forget, your guitar probably has a tone knob. I would bet our boy has the guitar pretty dark by the time it gets to the board. So the guitar is a DI tone, yes, but its really amp simulation from the iridium. Bass, that Preamp is a Universal 610, a tube preamp, can't really see any of the pedals, maybe a digitech polara. I would bet no amp sim, just the preamp direct. Vocals, we can see a TC Helion voice pedal on the floor in front of Emma which CAN add a doubling effect, but I believe the vocal sounds overdubbed , and agree that they're double tracked at a few points. Her guitar effects, I can see a strymon flint but not much else on her board is easy to ID. There is something under the board that appears to have XLR out, id guess a DI. Not sure whats doing the chorusing for her guitar, or if thats amp sim nearest her mic stand, or maybe a multi effect or something. Keyboard is obviously a blofeld keys, so synthesized keyboard sounds and not samples. **So if I'm right about the overdubbed vocals, the only things that seem to be recorded with mics in the room are the drums, really mitigating a lot of the effect the room has on what we actually hear.**

[@fueledbychavez]

First time seeing your channel. Im in school for mixing/mastering, and i just recently got into men I trust (im talking within the last 2 weeks). Even played a track for students in class just earlier this afternoon. My instructor literally just showed us the rear bus technique a few hours ago, then I come home and I come across this video! I'm laughing at myself at the amount of coincidences here haha, this was super well done, I love your engineering explanations, and how you A/B several mix examples for us. Seriously, earned my subscribe!

[@RamiElAbidin]

That was awesome!! Thank you so much for having me on the track

[@AudioHaze]

YOU KILLED IT BROTHER

[@W4TSKY]

This is one of the best series on KZbin! SO many great artists you’ve unpacked and covered for us. I love Men I Trust! Thanks for this!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much man!! Got much more in the back of my head that we'll cover soon :)

[@W4TSKY]

@@AudioHazeCan’t wait!!

[@timpo9341]

Just the average boosting comment to let the algorithm know to recommend this to other people like me that enjoy listening and watching videos like this

[@Whoosh12345]

It's crazy you don't have more subscribers. I started recording because of this channel. Thanks for all your videos. You're really out here educating the public with this content.

[@TC_Conner]

Excellent mix Ricky! I'm no audio/mixing engineer by any stretch of the imagination! But what I heard here with my 67-year old ears was gorgeous! I can only imagine the work put in to it. And your solo lead was SOOO GOOOD!! 💜💜🎸💜💜

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks TC!!! Appreciate you sticking around as long as you have :) The solo was tricky!! So many bends to get in tune!!

[@TC_Conner]

@@AudioHaze 😂😂😂 “So many bends to get in tune.” 😂😂😂 The entire mix sounded terrific! (I’m in the process of rebuilding my ambient guitar pedalboard.)

[@anthonyjrivers]

This channel is a gold mine. I've learned so much about home recording from your "how to sound like" videos. Keep them up. Also the difference between the recorded solo sound and the mixed sound was crazy

[@BigLittlleLavender]

I ENJOYED THIS VIDEO :>😊

[@AudioHaze]

THANK YOU :)))

[@karakisla8]

I appreciate what you're doing. Thank you so much for creating this project and sharing with people. Hope you're gonna reach all your beautiful dreams, brother :)

[@eyeiaye]

Insane quality! taking screenshots of the plugin chain and explaining what's mic'd, what's DI'd, and what your preamp settings were... unbelievably helpful. I wish I could get that level of detail from more artists and mixing engineers. Thank you so much for the effort, subbed.

[@IntoTheWeeds71]

Love your videos. Radiohead, Hozier, Phoebe Bridgers, Men I Trust - the choices are outstanding. Hope you consider doing a Lizzy Mcalpine one in the future! Her Doomsday tone is so warm, transparent, the vocals dry but so beautiful.

[@AudioHaze]

Lizzy McAlpine is definitely on the list!!

[@ChelseaBootClub]

I'm so glad you did this video! Thank you (as always) for taking the time to teach us all.

[@AudioHaze]

Too kind, thank you :)

[@dulla8469]

ok sennheiser having the same name as neumann is crazy, i always looked at sennheiser as a budget audio equipment company and neuman as the top company and now they are one

[@jorgemartinez42069]

This series is magical! I have never listened to this band and although they're not the vibe I usually mess with, the minimalism was really cool. I love the way you're able to break down lots of small details, and show where the challenges/struggles in the recreation were without trying to hide that part of the process.

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Jorge! Yeah always good to show process, if you don't I feel like you leave people with a false idea that its just nailed every time. Its always a messy process

[@Rozzledred]

I very rarely say this because a lot of the time it feels undeserved, but it baffles me how you don't have more subscribers. I saw the original Men I Trust video and wished that someone would do a breakdown, and you nailed it.

[@chrisgarver7904]

Beautifully done; great players and vocalist working with you there. I really enjoy your forensic videos like this.

[@joshuahart8481]

Wow this was great! I’ll keep saying it. I enjoyed your gear reviews but I love the direction your channel has gone. It’s really empowered me to know I can make great art with what I own now, and you’ve done a lot to teach me how! Thanks so much for all your hard work. Also great work on that guitar solo. You shredded!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks dude! Yeah this is much more how I envisioned the channel to be like, more proud of this stuff. Glad the change has been embraced by people like yourself :)

[@creeks-and-peaks]

You are doing so much good for humanity with these videos. Your work is truly noble

[@christhescientist]

This was a brilliant video, thanks for sharing :)

[@cozy2005]

men i trust is by far my favorite indie band to ever have existed. I've listened to them before emma even joined the band, and they are just so good at creating euphoric, ambient emotion through beautifully made and recorded music. i have so much appreciation for them and they are a huge part in my musical life. it's been bittersweet to see them blow up in the last year, but it's good for them so i can't be too upset 😅😅 love your channel too man.

[@ReubenGetzGilbert]

I love these videos!

[@jawnmo]

That bass DI looks like a universal audio solo / 610! Great preamp, adds some tube tone to the bass, too

[@patrickmcgannmusic]

As always this was mesmerizing!!!! the quality of these videos tops anything else ive come across on here!! would love to see a breakdown of bruno major. his drum and vocal sound is super interesting!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much!! Okay, I’ll check out Bruno and see if there’s something there for a vid :)

[@fibonacho]

Thank you for everything you did to make this video. In addition to the educational aspects, the critical listening back and forth helped me realize it has been a long time since I've seen an audiologist, and I probably should again.

[@AudioHaze]

Hahaha don't beat yourself up too much if you're referring to the vocals! The differences are veryyyy subtle

[@roosterPR64]

Men I Trust is one of my faves, thank you for this! you’re killing it with this series keep it up!

[@AudioHaze]

Appreciate it so much!! Yeah this one turned out pretty good I think :)

[@roosterPR64]

@@AudioHaze these are way helpful for recording my own stuff. also you killed it on that solo!!

[@CFChristian]

I'm having trouble finding the video he is referencing. Any help would be appreciated.

[@raymart86]

I really appreciate hearing the mixed and raw tracks throughout the song. Well done!

[@AudioHaze]

Yeah always important to get a reference!! Thank you!

[@chimney3938]

I love the attitude you bring to this, getting rid of all the smoke and mirrors, so people dont get caught up on buying gear

[@radiofaber]

From the zoom on the guitarist pedalboard, I think he's using a Strymon Iridium into the DI box, the real amps could be only for monitoring. That's a really clever thing to do. Anyway great video again!

[@bencook6411]

Really don't understand why these don't get millions of views. Keep at it!

[@AudioHaze]

WOW thanks that's insanely kind!

[@MustafaShaheen]

Sick, dude! I have the MT-48 and it's been an absolute life changer. The excellent headphone amps allow me to hear so much more, including all of my flaws!

[@AudioHaze]

Yessss, it’s been great!! The preamps are insane, love the way the internal compressor sounds too

[@VOByRobbins]

you are amazing at deconstructing this music! Sounded spot on, very impressed!! Really enjoy these!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much my friend!! Hope it was helpful :)

[@eddysegard5404]

Really been liking this series a lot!! Always want to go and try out some of the stuff I learn on here

[@AudioHaze]

So happy to hear!! Give the stems a shot if you get the chance :)

[@EraserDino]

I honestly didn’t expect to see a video on men I trust. I found the band a while ago on Spotify and didn’t see anything else on them, but their music is just so good that I’ve been listening since!

[@JeserNoob]

I didn’t click on this video because I’m not really into this kind of music, but just seeing the kind of production and techniques that you’re using particularly making a hi hat channel out of the snare track, makes me need to go support the Patreon to learn more tricks like this. Amazing job. Between this and the rage video I learned a lot of important things. The most important and Steve Albini would always say is, “GET IT RIGHT AT THE SOURCE!”

[@heman_lee]

Thank you so much for doing these kinds of vidoes! I've learned so many cool production techniques that have inspired me to create much more

[@lukyn3760]

Love this series! Thank you so much! Planning on doing an episode on Sufjan Stevens? I’d love to watch that!

[@Theabstractblu]

I hear you. I've been creating this 80s project inspired sound. And I know it's going to take a bit prob 2 weeks. Mixing producing etc etc. I appreciate your videos. ❤️

[@JL-tb1ou]

I love the analysis, and recreations that you do in these videos! Great content.

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much my friend!

[@pepedembois]

Such a great video! Love seeing the before and after comparisons

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@AudioHaze]

Thank you so much Rainer!! Too kind!!

[@techmed-rainer]

@@AudioHaze You're dearly welcome, Ricky!

[@vvlettish8221]

For 20 years, the belief amongst Jose Gonzalez fans was that his debut album, Veneer, was recorded using an 8-track tape recorder. However, in a recent Q&A on Bandcamp, he mentioned that only one of the songs (Hints) was recorder on tape. The rest were recorded into a DAW, in a home studio environment with little equipment. Quote: "I was digital back then, imitated analog sound with plugins." Which seems kind of wild, considering the record was released in 2003, and how convincing the analog simulation ended up sounding. Veneer has celebrated its 20th birthday this year, and to this day there have been very few artists who managed to sound as present and full with such sparce arrangements as Jose does. Combining his use of classical guitars, lower open tunings and darker, "vintage" saturation wielded incredibly unique results. Just throwing it out there, maybe you'll find the topic interesting enough to explore :)

[@JacobsBlue]

Really well done dude. Thanks for this!

[@izebsam]

This is such an amazing series! I love the depth and effort put into these, I've learned so much!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much man!

[@DJTazoRMixes]

Your videos are amazing man thankyou for all the hard work that you and everyone involved puts into them!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Tazo! Comment's like this keep the motivation there :)

[@hermanadam1]

Yes, at 4:27 you see a Universal Audio Solo 610. A mic preamp that also can be used to direct input for example an e-bass into.

[@ds99]

That was brilliant. Everything sounded perfect. Great job everyone!!

[@aquieteveningmusic]

Amazing job Ricky and all the musicians! Its been so exciting to see how far the channel has come this year.

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks for being a part of it brother :)

[@jomiran1000]

I am not a recording engineer nor am I a recording artist, and yet I'm here fully nerding out on your videos.

[@mosaicsol]

me being a newcomer to implementing live instrumentation into my music, your videos help me out a lot man, thank u for this content, it’s so well put together and enjoyable.

[@maefaemusic]

I am aware of how difficult it is to make videos like this so I’m just leaving a comment here for the algorithm and to show my appreciation for what you guys are doing ❤

[@felixsafi]

I was hoping you would do Men I Trust, this sounds great!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Felix!

[@cheesecakescakes4547]

Thank for this high quality content. I have just discovered this channel and I can’t stop watching your videos

[@peteralexandre6593]

Guys you nailed it! Congrats to all of you 💚 I really love this song and I love listening your version of it.

[@bigbrutus2525]

Honestly this might be my favorite channel on YT. So informative. Thank you so much!

[@AudioHaze]

I appreciate it my friend :) the amount of hours these takes makes it all worth it, honored!

[@richie.messina]

well done. Keep up the grind!!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Richie!!

[@MarcusLee-pu8lk]

Please don't roast me cuz I don't know this for certain....but I feel like the amp next to the guitarist is a Roland Jazz Chorus. This assessment is like 75% based on the distinct spiked tolex around the edges and 25% based on my intuition because of the clean/chorusy sound that I'm hearing. I could be completely wrong because I can't see the front, but a Jazz Chorus would definitely not be surprising choice for this band. Anyway, great video!

[@Bellyheart]

It is

[@kupeomusic]

Great work on this one!

[@ryanmaki2659]

Your guitar tone for the solo is incredible. Thank you for this amazing content!

[@dylanjastle]

Every time you upload I stop what I’m doing and gobble it down. Cheers and thanks for another great video

[@decay1369]

I got turned onto Men i Trust from a very strange place, a twitch streamer who shows sumo wrestling. But i've been hooked ever since. Always love these videos breaking things down. Much love folks!

[@AudioHaze]

Hahaha more interesting method than a Spotify playlist at least

[@lynspyre]

Dude, you guys are incredible. Love the deconstruction of every single aspect of the mix. I would love to see more of these covers/reproductions.

[@AudioHaze]

Definitely have more on the way don't worry!!

[@yohoyona]

This is probably my favorite live session. I loved to hear you break it down!

[@AdamJohnSwenson]

Dude, these are so dang good. I have a 16x10 home studio and want to be able to mix maybe 3 musicians at a time. So helpful.

[@roman2374]

Creating several instance of one mic tracks and eq for different instruments is a trick I first saw from the npr desk engineer and it’s been invaluable to me ever since

[@Bungalow_Jonathan]

Incredible stuff. Thanks for your hard work!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@jp_diaz]

excellent video and congratulations on the sponsorship, you deserve it!

[@workitbirdstudiosessions1584]

Thanks for all your fantastic content! I love the channel. So far, I'm a huge fan of all the groups you've covered here and have learned how to be more creative in a small home studio. Cheers

[@kimberly.hornberg]

Loved the video! I'm brand new to the world of music and watching videos like this really helps me to grow my understanding (and appreciation!)

[@bobwiggle4533]

Men I Trust is just awesome. Love to see this.

[@justwhateveriwant]

Love it as usual. It's crazy how far a proper mix can go. Thank you for the inspiration as always.

[@AudioHaze]

and thank you for checking out the vid!!

[@KayBreed-e3l]

I absolutely love this series! I already can;t wait for the next one. So informative, inspirational and you have a very nice way of explaining dude. Keep at it, you've got a fan ;)

[@AudioHaze]

Haha thanks! How did you find this though 😂 it’s not out yet, you got a sneak peak I guess

[@jameshultquist-todd3241]

I love this series and I love that you’re using the font I designed for it!

[@yourhomiebrysonva]

It's been so great to see your growth from making product reviews to this. Top tier content ❤️

[@AudioHaze]

Thank you so much Bryson, that’s so kind!! Glad you like the vids

[@Lance_G]

I absolutely love the way you teach and analyze everything. It's so thoughtful and insightful 🙌

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Lance!

[@macbury18]

Your attention to detail is inspiring as always

[@Jberts]

great breakdown and final song. superb group of players.

[@AdrianDMarti]

Great job! I loved every minute of it! Please more like this!

[@rafaelocandof]

4:30 That's a Universal Audio 610 tube preamp, very nice for adding low end to a bass DI signal. Great video as usual!

[@AudioHaze]

Indeed! Appreciate the info :) def need to read up on my hardware a bit

[@Mysticmonnz]

this was super cool! I saw Men I Trust live in Copenhagen, Denmark. Such a great live band

[@nolanvalero]

great content man!!

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks Nolan!

[@manlikemuffin]

Was looking forward to this one. Great stuff!!

[@vinicoc]

what a brilliant video, mate!

[@Jacob-fx8us]

I'm glad you talked about the cocked Wah pedal. I first learned about it maybe 15 years ago watching the band Clutch play and trying to get their guitar tone. It gives it such a "lazy" tone, but in the best possible way. Great video.

[@hayvervallejo1624]

Naahhh increíble amigo, buenardoooooo. Que grandes lecciones de producción

[@allanmilligan2190]

Another really great breakdown. So many useful points for recording here.

[@Jawmsie]

Beautiful work by you and the crew, dude! This is an absolutely brilliant way to teach the principles you're working with. If being a front-facing KZbinr ever fails you, educational content production could easily pay your bills. Thanks for the great video.

[@aidanknight]

This is a great tutorial on how to do critical listening for recording recreation. Respect! The only issue I have (and it's not your fault) is that the vocals are *not* live on the Men I Trust videos from that session. Even in the verses it's a doubled vocal, which leads me to believe that they either buried the original vocal under the overdub or they just simply overdubbed and replaced both to the original vocal. Just couldn't let that slide ;) They are a great band but a quiet singers voice, compressed, can only do so much in a live room with drums before the "snare splat" starts creeping up.

[@autistic_piano]

very helpful content, thank you! :) (The preamp the git is using looks like UA610 to me)

[@MP-kc7pf]

Such a great and insightful video, thanks for your work man! You deserve so much more appreciation.

[@theartofcarny]

One of my favs so far! Would love to see you take a look at some Strokes stuff. Maybe “The Adults Are Talking”. Their whole “make the guitars sound like synths” and “make the real drums sound like a drum machine” mentalities are on full display there.

[@musicbynihal]

Love your videos 🌸🌸🌸. Can you make how to sound like John Mayer on your next Video

[@AudioHaze]

John Mayer could make a good one yeah!

[@musicbynihal]

@@AudioHaze Yes!!!!!! Can't wait 🥺🌸🌸🌸

[@audiohymn]

been keeping up with your channel for about a year and a half, your channel growth has been absolutely insane to watch. also, the attention to detail and objective breakdowns u provide are near unparalleled on youtube. glad i found you while looking for microphones my friend 💪💪💪

[@audiohymn]

also i saw them live at brooklyn steel (i believe?) and their ability to carry this cozy, tight knit sound to what’s basically a huge warehouse was unbelievable

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much for sticking around man!! Even through the transition from mic guy to music guy lol

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much for sticking around man!! Even through the transition from mic guy to music guy lol

[@johanbakonline]

Thanks for the super detailed information to deliver exceptional results practically!