Into The Lair #38 - Instrument Levels in a Mix

Dave Pensado explains how he treats the relative level of instruments in a mix to bring out certain emotions or styles for the listener in the 38th Into The Lair segment from Pensado's Place.
Note: The examples are in mono to better hear the level changes between instruments.
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[@brianconnolly8246]

"this girl is 16 years old, shes australian, she comes from the land of AC\DC, let's give her some credibility".. how could you not like this dude

[@Miltersen]

Rewatching this after 10 years. Still great content. Dave is the man.

[@TheRealestIdealist]

I love the dialogue and how he walks us through his thought process. I'm actually learning A LOT more just by simply taking note of what questions he asks himself.

[@brettcopeland_music]

"low-end is just the most wonderful thing on earth" ...couldn't agree more!

[@garnetbey7400]

1 of the best engineers/Producers in the bizz its an honor to receive these lessons,we must all under an overstand the blessings we have for the internet today, to reecive this type of valuable lesson, is priceless, thanks pensado,s place.

[@allenau8379]

Shut up

[@ganelwalker719]

Good stuff!!!!...Learning a lot about mixing watching your videos!!!!!..Thanks!

[@reflectionofgod777]

Garnet Bey Peace Moor! So true.

[@Hexspa]

The Mr. Rodgers of mix engineering.

[@TheSlightlys]

WOW! I'm Sixteen and pursuing a career in music. I'm a songwriter and a frontman in a band and I'm learning all I can about mixing and producing myself. these videos, are so awesome. thank you thank you thank you so much for making them!!!

[@anasamin8227]

The Slightlys this is finneas!!!!!

[@poopitypoop6559]

Hi Finneas lol it's so cool to see how much you learned from these videos. I am in the process of doing the same !

[@mutsaertsmusic]

"low end is the most wonderful thing on earth" :)

[@TheRealHucasys]

+Henk-Jan Mutsaerts That he has right.

[@dudebrodude4388]

I agree, I'm an ass man myself

[@Ben59910]

@@dudebrodude4388 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXjclmSmgJesqbM

[@OleVinny]

I love this step in the mixing process. After all the plugins and tweaking and what not you just put it down to four/five faders, sit back and FEEL. Amazingly inspirational video. Thanks for everything!

[@samuelmccartt9166]

Dave Pensado you are not only the man you are my Fucking Hero. Thank You. I've learnt more about mixing in the past 2 weeks since I discovered 'Into The Lair' than I did in 4 whole years of studying Music Production at University!!!

[@joellouisfire]

As always, my hat's off to you. Great mix, even in mono! :D

[@Richard_P_James]

Excellent, and a privilege to watch a real mix pro explain his thought/feel process. Inspired? Always after watching these!

[@terrybartak7811]

Thank you Dave.I'm trying to learn. I like the way you follow your feelings and impressions. From that, I learned the most.

[@liranziv]

this is what i call a teacher someone who is actually teaching you thank you very much

[@djahyeahh]

I think i speak for everyone who watches your videos. Your generosity is admirable. Hats off to you sir, we need more people like yourself on this earth.

[@JakeSharpProfoundStudio]

Man, he's just the most lovable mixer!! Great as always, Dave thanks!

[@Pi2Music]

Dave Pensado, Thank you!!!!! In this video you made that comment about "we'll let you know." Lead me to comment. Im a hip-hop artist/ Producer. I have no label or anything enjoy making music. Your videos has transformed my mixing and mastering to heights I would never be able to reach. As I mix songs I often run to your videos and reference techniques. haha. But I wonder if you get enough good feed back. If not. Thank you so much your videos are world changing in the music realm. ps The awards was really good.

[@thechannelitrollwith1645]

This is the most helpful video I've seen in months. Watched this a while ago but watching it again really reminded me of things to keep in mind when mixing. Thanks !

[@1LesHolmes]

Dave, This is my 1ST comment on ITL, although I've been watching now for merely a month. Your very informative and it's great what your doing! You are really setting up amazing guidelines for "ALL" engineers, rookies and veterans!! What I really appreciate about you is your "HUMBLE" attitude man. You give, and your always open for feedback and opinions as well. That to me is truly INSPIRING! Sincerely. It reminds me of when I'm in a recording session with an artist or group who is eager to learn. I try to give them so, so, so much , and I believe you do the same for your viewers! Shouts out to you and Herb!! God Bless :-)

[@fleshtonegolem]

Fantastic illustration of how much 2db can either ruin or bloom a mix! The last album I mixed came down to 4 fader moves of less than a db and suddenly everything was fitting in your ears like it should be. It's great to see this from an outsiders perspective. When you have investment in a mix it's a bit harder to be objective because the mind knows it so well already.

[@dablizzoduve4576]

Jesse Gunn plz can u send me more tips on this...I see u know wat u are doing..I wana get better at balancing... tnx in advance.. [e-mail]

[@ArthurStone]

Yay Dave! Thank you. Hearing you discuss & adjust the levels in the context of the whole mix is of great value...the track is quality too, really nice energy and clarity...something to aspire to. Thanks to you and your team for your hard work in making this available.

[@doogerbeeunit]

Dave, you have a good sense of humour. I like the small jokes you throw in from time to time. They give me double fun: I am leaning about mixing AND I smile and laugh!

[@axeclanable]

As he said. This is his first go at it. He'll massage everything into place. Appreciate this lesson for it is. A first listen with the ears of a master.

[@independentsaint]

Dave, I am so glad I found you! I watched a couple of your videos this evening and found them all inspiring, but this one is so sincere and true. It resonated with me so much that I am subscribing to your channel right away. One needs to recognise the pearls from shite in rare occasions when they are thrown out at all of us...:) Respect!

[@AndrewRaines614]

Thanks Dave not only are you a treasure trove of mixing tips but your personality keeps me laughing and keeps everything flowing! Thanks again Dave!

[@adamdrumgiles]

Love it, this clip was great, so nice to see it done in relative real time.

[@1000soundguy]

Dude, I love your videos so much! Thanks for making them!!

[@wowerman]

It really depends on your emotions when you produce from scratch and what element'/instrument you want people to pay attention to.In general bottom end glues all together.This is where energy is located and good bass line gives warmth too.Chosing good bass line is a skill.Thanks for video.

[@Unhacker]

Thanks again Dave, great insight to be gained from this and the whole ITL series.

[@gisellechacon7081]

I could watch this again and again and still walk away with something new every time! I can't believe Dave had the mix rockin' with zero hi end- but it sure makes you appreciate what the cymbals and FX do for the mix when he blends it back in! Thanks, Dave!

[@charlesbonkley]

Listen again.

[@donhoyt8644]

Thanks SO much for all the sharing you do Dave! It's awesome that you share your passion and insights with aspiring kindred spirits. It allows the art to live on long after we are gone. ;)

[@pccg]

God bless u Dave for sharing ur knowledge and experience with us!!

[@helloitsjury]

This will always be my favourite ITL. Thank you Dave!!

[@1siriuswolf]

I go back to this throughout the years.. thanks bruddah Dave

[@mrflynn01]

Dave I love the song! Your doing an amazing job, keep the videos coming!

[@LesterBrunt]

You are really my favorite youtube engineer. You make it seem possible, sometimes I watch clips of the big guys and I just think "man I could never do this, I can never afford all that gear and will never have the experience he has" but you make it seem so easy and not too complicated. Really inspirational!

[@0rican]

What to say : ) Dave i just love the way you teach - feels like you are sharing . love the way you spread the love for sound and music .Much Love and respect Thank you

[@CloneyMaloney]

Great video as always, Dave! I definitely noticed that taking a break from mixing and letting my ears refresh helps tons. I also do the thing where I leave the room while my mix is playing :) hearing it from a different perspective aids me. Love your videos.

[@jaxman1235]

I love these session. I learn a lot from Dave. Thank You!

[@DatAnydeks]

It's priceless having a genius share the way he's thinking 💭 ... not just what he's thinking. Thanks!

[@simonjonesmusicuk]

This is one of the most useful PP videos and one I always come back to.

[@joeyxl3456]

Great stuff Dave. Thank you so much for these.

[@vanrozay8871]

well done, dave. that last vocal level tweak nailed it.

[@KonradSkowronski]

15:05 priceless David's face expression and comment. Gold! What a wonderful mixer and teacher!

[@BlackNapkin61]

I like your thinking Dave... *this is the first video I've seen of yours* ...you seem to continually taste the flavor of the mix.. nice. Thanks for all your efforts Kindest regards Richard uk

[@ronjeremy65]

Absolutely fabulous channel. Thank you. I love your opinions

[@aninstrumentalvision]

I definitely hear what Dave is teaching. The problem is that this is a lesson on what should be an engineer's intuition. If you don't understand this stuff on an intuitive level, you will never get it. I think that what Dave is trying to convey, for the most part, is unteachable. But as alway, thanks Dave for another great lesson!

[@voltaspeeder17]

Great mixer, amazing dude. Thank you for every video you put on, helps us younger mixers and producers a lot!

[@michaelandersson1904]

After more than ten years! Thank you for a great lesson!!!!

[@EPTROUBADOUR1]

What an honest open sharing of your wonderful talents. Thank you so much for opening my mind about mastering! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You caused me to actually understand some of the things I hear when attempting to mix and master.

[@margaretstewart3255]

Great tut. Feel I'm listening along with you to hear what you are hearing....great teaching pace.

[@jimmyrich1]

Wow, what a lesson this is! Best ITL yet... I would love more like this, can't get enough of this stuff

[@techsquirrel]

Great session even in mono. My ears were getting the same things as you were describing.

[@JesseBroman]

Dave, you are an unbelievable audio engineer. You're also hilarious... fading the effects up and down, saying "I scared myself". I burst out laughing. Thanks for all the lessons.

[@frankhoward4485]

You know, I'm very new to your channel, Mr. Pensado. I've watched several of your Vs so far and enjoyed (got something out of) each of them. Actually, this might be the most informative. It isn't about plugins, routing, or anything particularly technical ... it's more about how you approach turning good music into great music using your God-given creative taste. This was a superb V. Liked it and learned a lot. Thanks, man.

[@jayschell3841]

I appreciate you sharing your expertise, I'm an AXE man learning how to track and mix my material, you have helped me immensely, THANKS for doing what you do Dave !!!

[@XKLUSIVRECORDSLIVE]

GREAT WORK DAVE I LOVE THE TUTORIAL IM WATCHING ALL OF THE REST OF THEM

[@shawnjames7369]

Really great work Dave. Enjoyed that

[@djrbfmbfm-woa]

david, u r a wonderful man. the detail, the detail! your thought process. thank you, my dear. j.

[@MasterKnutA]

Impressive work! Learned a lot and gave me a new perspective on volume! Keep it up Dave :)

[@Jim-iw1yd]

That was an education! Mixed with heart as well as brain... great stuff, thanks!

[@bluebluebluebird]

Thanks for your series. I have watched them over and over, and I have seen my mixes evolve for the better. I am not copying your settings, etc, but I am hearing the music differently. I don't care for this song, but it all makes sense, and this stuff sales.

[@RELOADER82]

cant believe im just finding this channel; amazing vid right there!

[@mkreple]

The only saving grace of this video besides DP and his child-like enthusiasm is that lava lamp. As soon as I heard those horribly programmed drums(alesis sr-16ish) and that Amplitube v.1 guitar tone I couldn't take my eyes off it. Up and down it went. Important video though and each one I watch I pick up another little nugget that keeps me coming back for more... kinda like golf! Thanks Obi-Wan!!!!!!!!

[@kolorbrown]

I though I was the only one mesmerized by the Lava Lamp;)

[@cinemediaservices]

Wow. Very helpful in showing the thought processes and minute changes that really shape a tune. I'm not a big pop music guy but very eye opening.

[@OfficiaJAN]

Dave Pensado did a great mix job..; great song too!

[@AudioMasterRTrib]

Your amazing Dave. I enjoy your wisdom. Thanks for share!

[@kjhartable]

Dave you're an inspiration man. Love your videos! - KJ Hart

[@johnpowerssongs]

i have to be honest and say when i heard the first few mixes you did that you thought sounded good i was ready to leave 'cause i thought they were lame but i hung in and watched and listened to your whole video. i learned alot by watching your process and how it evolves. and in the end i really liked your mix. so, there! thanks, man. i'm a fan.

[@TheGurner1]

These are great tuts, thanks Dave

[@nathanbryers]

great video thanks Dave.- first time I've seen you today - so you've got a new subscriber... congratulations! incidentally - you came recommended from youtube. I really liked the way you showed too low too high etc and commented on each - great style. thank-you

[@bhargavdobhal5327]

Thank You Mr Dave Pensado 🙌🙌🙌🙌Very Helpful Video🔥🔥🔥🔥.

[@philsackett7341]

"Oh, hey guys, it's Michael Brauer. I have awesome people texting me all day and you don't." Haha! Cool video Dave. I have been wrestling with this kind of thing in my mixes lately and your advice helps.

[@ChaseJeffry]

I learnt a lot from some time I spent with a cool engineer Raz Klinghoffer... Was really worth the time...

[@darkskinwhite]

you fixed the guitars but what was bothering me was really that synth. honestly probably more as a producer, I would either tuck that thing way in there or just completely scrap it if necessary. good work, thanks Dave, love ya, you're the best thing to happen to youtube since 2005

[@nikobobich9726]

thanks dave your the best.. ill be meeting you at the expo next month looking forward to it

[@markwillride]

Ah ha! Here I am trying to diagnose the inconsistencies of our church video feed that's mixed live. We are using aux send knobs for the mix. You showed me how 1/2 to 1 db can make a big difference in how something fits in. And I've probably been making tweaks 2-3 times that big. On those little knobs, 3 widths of the line on the knob is probably a lot after you get close. Thanks for all of your videos and sharing you hard won knowledge.

[@OsmiumStudios]

Dave, Amazing video man :)

[@Beethovan]

Thanks Dave. Excellent video on mixing. I am watching this from India.

[@anyb4672]

hey bro 1 more frm india bhopal

[@mikegibbons3520]

Thanks Dave , this is a process that I struggle with and sometimes I over do it and have to walk away.Great insight.

[@digitulproductionz]

great info Dave!!!Love your Art

[@psycholarge]

I love it. Just what I needed

[@TheRobGuard]

Very nice video on levels!

[@hogg1izmtv140]

Who Gives a shit what he looks like... what matters is he knows what he's doing and talking about! I've learned so much from him. My music quality has shot through the roof man, I study these videos because I make music as a hobby so there's ne need to attend school at my age, 36. I just make beats using Reason and I enjoy the creative process and these kind of videos help me tremendously! Keep sharing, subscribing, and watching! It's a WIN WIN!!!

[@555crix]

"For real, Hip Hop made everything better when it came along"..you nailed it Dave :)

[@One_Call_System]

Nice videos. You are a great service.

[@WassupFred]

Thank you so much ☺️.. Self taught.. much Respect ✊🏾

[@SkyAvila983]

Inspiration as always in your videos Dave! Great input and nice ideas...mixing with auxes (group tracks in Cubase) is great way to have control of the mixes...Thanx big time!

[@kridkelso245]

Great tips Dave. Love your videos. I've learned so much in a short time. Please ignore the haters!

[@noreaction1]

Hey man, that's cool I heard that song on the radio! (I guess it's no surprise with your skills, but just saying you never cease to impress me)

[@badinibeats5939]

thank's for sharing your knowledge your such a legend

[@agemusic7414]

I would like to say, a big thanks, your video are so helpful, and you give great tips, tips that are priceless, it show me a love for the music, and not only a price tag. 2013 a great year for me for music, cause of your tips and advice within the music industry. hope to meet soon, you just have to look out for the new mixes and mastering coming out in 2015.

[@mcprice40]

Thanks Dave..this is great! I'd love to see more about the ratio between the kick, snare and high hats.

[@CuchiBeatz]

Great tutorial dave

[@leobluesy]

Enjoyable videos...thanks.

[@Fallowsun]

Thanks as always!

[@psychodogstudios]

Dave seems so super chill and down to earth. Almost the complete opposite of CLA.

[@ttoz]

I appreciate having Dave P. go through these examples... I think on this particular song... not sure what it is... The guitars seem mired in some short slap back funk that makes them seem like a pad as opposed to a rhythm guitar part. But I have found that a bass really does become the 'rest of the guitar sound' on most songs. Depends on what is played and the relationship between the guitar/ bass. The arrangement is key. But always fun to watch Dave go through his analysis

[@shawntracy2870]

thank you fine sir! great tutorial!

[@ruslangarmash6356]

You are great teacher!