Sound Like Oasis on Definitely Maybe - Mixing Using "The Morris Frequency" (Feat 'The Front Rank')

How to mix, EQ and limit your studio or home recordings to give them a similar vibe and sound to 'Definitely Maybe' by Oasis, as mixed in 1994 by legendary producer Owen Morris.
Big thanks to 'The Front Rank' for permission to use their song 'Revolution Circles'
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Many thanks, JH.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Hey everyone :) Several people have commented that you should not do the 'fake stereo' haas trick on the bass because it will cause phase cancellation when converted to mono. Feel free to test the mix at home - the bass is still there good and strong. But a more important note - this is not designed to ever really be listened to as a mono mix. If a mono mix was required, it would be a separate, dedicated mix. I can't think of any mainstream home audio device today (other than maybe an alexa, or similar?) which forcibly converts stereo into (what I would term) fake mono, and so I kind of feel that the concerns about mono phase cancellation are only relevant to a VERY small, niche listening group. Playing recorded music live through a PA could be a concern, because so many subs convert the stereo signal into mono - but all you need to do is check the mix in mono, and if it's ok, then it's good to go as far as I can see? Happy for any further comments or input on this question

[@McKlunkers]

Listening to your mix, I must admit that I did think - as amazing as it all sounds - the bass comes across a tiny bit too dominant on headphones. I mean a fraction, barely noticable, a fanny-hair as they say. I always thought of the bass as a mono track for some reason, rooted in the center and not too thick on either side, maybe slightly shifted to the right. On rock n roll star, the bass kind of comes and goes as it needs to and it sounds very "live". Either way, your mixing is incredible.

[@kowloonbroadcast]

i was thinking the exact same thing about the haas’ed bass while watching, but not rejecting it right away - ‘cause you know, it’s a good thing to keep learning and even if you have years of experience. another reason is that the exact same techniques may work differently on different source material. so i’ve listened to the resulting mix in mono as well as in stereo just to check the low end, and yeah - it’s still there, no audible phase cancelation throughout the entire playback, so it turns out to be a pretty good production trick for this particular bass stem. and by the way, if a mono mix was an important point for the process, any kind of hard left or right panned placements, including guitars and stuff wasn’t gonna be a go-to option anyways, so it’s definitely was a project with stereo playback in mind from the start. good job, i enjoyed watching the video as well as the mix in the end. to my ear it’s almost exact the same overall vibe and sound image as DM, you pretty much 100 % succeeded with what you were up to here. 🙌🏼

[@jackbritchford536]

Their song sounds like a definitely maybe version of Hello

[@bgh7453]

Such a niche video but this is exactly what I've been looking for cheers James, not finished the video yet but I'm so greatful for your hard work, truly a blessing to us oasis fans

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

No worries at all, hope its helpful :)

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Found Out Owen Morris used a Apogee A/D converter with a soft limit function of +6db and a TC Electronics 4 band EQ to get his " Brickwall" limiting for DM .Same for WTSMG except it was a Neve 1081 EQ with the non 3db increments that allowed him to set it right up to the edge of clipping.

[@rdisipio]

The guitar/reverb trick is astonishing! I've listened to Definitely Maybe for most of my life and never noticed that!

[@TonyMontanaDS]

Great job. It sounds exactly like Oasis. The Front Rank should be looking for their own sound but if the goal was to make it sound like Oasis, you nailed it.

[@maureenlansley671]

Never Mind the Bollocks is still in my opinion one of the best sounding Rock albums, 46 years old..

[@alexneill8338]

That would be the legendary Chris Thomas with his signature "chunky" sound which he also brought to Pulp's Different Class

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

I'm doing a video on that album that will be uploaded later today. I talk about the smoke and mirrors they used to make that and what I suspect happened with the production. It is absolutely immense sonically.

[@matturner6890]

@@CIRCLEOFTONE Fancy seeing you here!

[@anthonyrussell9706]

Agreed. Great album.

[@alexneill8338]

Revolution Circles sounds like a combination of Hello and My Sister Lover

[@LFCProductions]

And “Underneath The Sky” - no mistaking their influences

[@kellypeterson2625]

Definitely Maybe is a masterpiece. Very cool breakdown you did.

[@burningjdm]

I was always a bit shy with EQ'ing because i thought it might sound bad, but after this i think im gonna be a lot more daring and experimental with my mixing to see what really sticks. Thanks James!

[@jamesnunn7181]

Chuck ‘The Smile’ on and see what happens!

[@eurikadude]

I was just thinking about this, this morning and boom James cranks out a video on it

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Excellent!

[@alanbunton3124]

Owen used a h9000 harmonizer to tune the vocals, don't be afraid of a bit of pitch correction. Slapback delay ala John Lennon is all over DM and WTSMG and you can hear it on the isolated vocals, particularly Rock n Roll Star. Owen Morris didn't master Be Here Now it was Mike Marsh. Always personally thought the best sounding Oasis record in terms of Mix/Master was Standing on the Shoulder, mixed by Spike Stent shame he didn't go onto work more with them. Some of Sardys works good too

[@iwanjoness]

SOTSOG is incredibly underrated. Such a great album

[@AaronOwenSmith]

The Lennon slap is 166 BPM or 15ips

[@tomvernemusic]

I recommend Waves Abbey Road J37 for a great Lennon Slap Back sound.

[@derlui6196]

Hey James, I can't express how happy I am that I've stumbled upon your channel. As an Oasis fan and wannabe musician this video is a treasure. Will definitely maybe use some of those tricks for our upcoming recordings. You've gained a new subscriber! Much love from Germany

[@clouseaux]

I don't feel as if I know you, ya take up all my time! Mix sounds dope James

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

While watching this I had Owen's funny giggle in my head.

[@chili_phil]

Oh man wicked! Appreciate videos like this! More tips and help! nice one James

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

You're welcome :)

[@Ryan-vg4wn]

Honestly this video is just great, not even just for oasis fans

[@TheRedCliffsOfficial]

I would like to say how greatful I am that this video exists, for a bit I have been trying to make my mixs sound like Oasis and to no avail then I found this video and my most recent song have been sounding more and more like Oasis (Well recent for me, they havent come out yet!) and just better more broadly, thankyou so much!

[@matthewotooleis]

Mate you are smashing it with the videos lately.

[@simpatico4004]

I really wish most mixing videos were like this. Cheers.

[@distortion_plus]

I'd never really considered "The Morris Frequency" before so thanks for that! If it sounds good, it is good, but I would be cautious about (or absolutely never do ever haha) delaying the full range bass signal. I'm personally looking for rock solid bass right down the middle and stereo bass is not ideal for songs pressed on vinyl either. For a wider bass sound I would send to a high passed chorus effect or Micropitch or something so the widening is audible but it's not affecting the weight of the instrument. But that's just what I'd do and it's your video and mix!

[@MuggerRingo]

Thanks for the video. Very well explained! The Front Rank sound very much like Oasis. If this is their target, then we’ll achieved. Me personally, I am a big fan of Oasis music.

[@shhtha]

Next: Morning Glory 🎇

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Not a bad idea!

[@ethanprince356]

After that: How not to mix: Be Here Now 😂

[@shhtha]

@@JamesHargreavesGuitar The T-rex approach 🦖

[@shhtha]

@@ethanprince356 How to sound mental 😂

[@dlovas]

​@@ethanprince356 But James' mix sounds a lot more like BHN than DM, except you can hear the bass :) In my (unpopular) opinion it's not a bad thing tho.

[@ryan1mcq]

Fascinating video mate, a really good watch and you did an amazing job on the mixing James! I bet the the lads from the band were chuffed to bits 😁👏👌

[@thefrontrank2006]

We are chuffed, james is working on our whole album.

[@reganovich]

Wasn't expecting much but that was excellent..peace from Ireland man! Definitely do some more vids that focus in on particular sounds..War on drugs, Sufjan Stevens, the Strokes etc . Great insight set out clearly and simply

[@jackboltonjr3642]

James I love listening to your videos, your voice always calms me down

[@Sleepy_I]

Absolutely nailed the sound. This was really interesting. I have no musical ability, let alone an understanding of mixing but there was plenty to be engaged in here even for dummies like me. Loved the brick wall limiting bit, genuinely fascinating.

[@caknut]

awesome job on that mix

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Appreciate it!

[@cerebraltr6798]

YES IVE BEEN WAITING FOR A VIDEO LIKE THIS CHEERS JAMES!!!

[@SomedayTomorrow369]

This is great James just what I needed been watching your videos for the last 2 yrs and thanks to you and being inspired by your bring back rock , After some years I picked up my guitar again and I'm currently recording and gonna try and mix and hopefully get them on my channel, With no experience with mixing this will help a lot , Already got your 2 ep's and can't wait for the album so keep up the great work and again many thx .

[@TheOnlineBusker]

Just commented on Twitter. Ace vid. Been following you for aaages and can't believe I've only just noticed your living room is like Definitely Maybe cover!! 🤓

[@danjones9999]

Sounds epic, but I would still have made the lead vocal just a touch louder… I think they are just on the wrong side of the ‘wave’

[@philipmcandrew]

fully agree lad

[@oweeenie1754]

dude this was amazing. you really did a great job replicating ‘that’ sound. great notes for future mixes!

[@jackdavies2498]

Brilliant video, currently doing demos for a production course in uni, with cigarettes and alcohol as a reference. Been to rockfield myself, but this video explained all the techniques I saw perfectly!

[@jacklevine7933]

Top video James! Lots of good info and advice. Evidence that you don't need expensive plug-ins/software to do a proper job, learning about what eq and mixing is, is the key! Keep on keeping on dude! X

[@mightyjb5261]

That Yamaha MD8 takes me back. A great piece of kit in its day. Loved the video.

[@thelastperson93]

Hi, I'm japanese and I enjoy your channel from tokyo, I study british rock bands deep knowledge, oasis bands sounds and english from your channel with english subtitles. Especially, interview videos is my big recommendation, because I never known japanese magazine and articles about these contents. Also, I write and mix for my bands, this video is huge milestone for aiming for "Definitely Maybe" sounds. I look forward to your future videos, good luck!

[@officialFredDurstfanclub]

How to mix your songs like Noel! Step 1: turn that bass to zero Step 2: two or three guitar overdubs are passé. One hundred guitar overdubs is the way to go. Step 3: now that the mixing is finished, turn up that gain to make sure it’s in the red! And presto, you’re done!

[@ToolFan68]

Really great job. My only suggestion would be to tame the high-hat that is panned left on the verse and the lead vocals could be bumped up just a hair. But you are the expert and it does sound incredible! ❤

[@HarrisonProductions]

Excellent video, always love these type of videos. Really help out my producing mixes Keep up the good work! Cannot wait for your album

[@cph2004]

These are the little trick I've been looking for. Even though I have an understanding about eq, compression and panning, this just confirms it. Thank you. It's a thumbs up from me.

[@jordan17bliss]

Great video man. To get even closer some insight may be needed. Oasis was recording to tape as well as a Trident console then possibly mixed by Owen Morris on his Neve. Lots of Mojo happening there. This would have added a bit of the 200-800 area/lower mids/body to everything. Sounds like you get the highs right for the guitars!

[@K_wood]

Love these type of videos mate, could you give a breakdown of DMA’s hills end style mixing?

[@snorrehenriksen1356]

Ooo I’d like to see that too!

[@gavincraddock5772]

Sounds very Oasis-y, which is obviously the point! Bass and drums sound ace. I don't like the extreme treble on the rhythm guitars, I'd roll that back slightly - the "Owen Morris" frequency is perhaps a bit overcrowded. An experienced sound engineer once told me that a good basic rule is that if you should boost as much as you cut.

[@mattj376]

this is exactly what I've always wanted to know about the early oasis recording tricks..James u rule, cheers mate🍺

[@PhatLvis]

Cool. Good approximation of Oasis. Must be mindful of phase cancellation in mono (which is used in TV ads a lot, and in some public spaces like coffee houses) when using short delays for faux stereo; some inverse complementary EQ helps mitigate.

[@theburntcrumpet8371]

The snare had a much different tone on definitely maybe to the curve you used, but it's amazing how much closer it brings it to the overall sound

[@bobbyhalsall]

Great video as usuall, will definitely be using alot of this info.

[@andersrydingdaugaard]

fucking nice dude... my absolute all time favorit album explained in EQ and ranges.. i love all about it

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Cool stuff man. I noticed Oasis double the lead vocal and really nail the timing, inflection to get the two to sound like one. They also use what sounds like real room/chamber verb and a tiny bit of pre distortion to smear the clarity.

[@garrystubbs4891]

Plain speaking, great technical content. That’s a subscription from me, thanks James

[@thesingingaccountant1]

Great video - love this type of deep dive into mixing/recording etc

[@shhtha]

If I was them, I would go after sounding like the slide Away demo and then mix it after the album sound

[@_REVOLUTION]

29:12 “I don’t feel as if I know you, you take up all my time. They days are long and the nights will blow you away cos the sun don’t shine….”

[@danrandall3302]

Sounds awesome James I’m in the early stages of starting a band and this is the exact sound I am going for

[@prwapps]

This is superb. Top notch info. More please!

[@matthewmaestro2]

Hi James, great video. My lecturer at uni said a lot of mixes in the 90's were "cokey" IE the drug cocaine consumed in the studio which reduces the ears frequency response at 3K. so this was made up in the eq.

[@boxer4engine]

That band sounds mega! Great job with the mix !

[@waynecoulsonsounds]

I really enjoyed that. Great video and explanation mate 👍

[@morningbluesarewaste]

Love your videos! But tbh I always thought DM was terribly mixed. Then again, just an opinion. Keep up the amazing work!

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Yeah some people love it, some people hate it! It was definitely different. I personally like it, as I like the aggressive punk vibe it had - and it gave the album a completely unique sound and flavour at that time

[@morningbluesarewaste]

@@JamesHargreavesGuitar definitely has a flavour and identity. And even though I wasn't a big fan of the mix that record still plays on loop into my 40s. Also, I think you nailed it trying to recreate the vibe. Well done!

[@DKomnicide]

It’s mixed way better than Be Here Now 😂

[@RS-7146]

I love the lyrics on the album but not so the back tune

[@nickyjefferson7411]

This is an interesting & Indeph video, I really enjoyed it!! Could you please look into how The Verve recorded with their guitar sound; a lot more trickier with guitar efforts..Thanks for all your videos.. 👍

[@terryesposito6340]

I was in that band , very crazy times

[@danielmorris5401]

Absolutely brilliant this top mixing advice

[@portadownblue3139]

WOW!!! The mix is bang on.!

[@happybee7725]

Revolution circles sounds very similar to “hello”

[@KantianParadox]

Great vid.

[@brandonwholikesstuff]

Really good video this will definitely help me out with me and my band. I would really want to know how to make your voice sound like how it does in bring it on down with that voice filter and hello at the part "it's good to be back"

[@BarryESchwartz]

I once read that you can hear the whole album on just the snare drum mic.

[@kevinquinn6874]

Nice Job on the mix! 👏🏻🎸

[@trilingual6725]

Very striking! Very well explained!

[@StuartSidneyGuitarist]

Great video James, very helpful 🎸🎸

[@elizabethb4634]

Awesome!

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Thanks Elizabeth :) really appreciate your support as always And happy new year

[@elizabethb4634]

@@JamesHargreavesGuitar hehehe it’s not much but i’m happy to help! it’s like you read my mind; i had been wondering about the needle-to-the-red production technique Owen Morris spoke about in Supersonic. Something else I’ve wonder-wall’d about is his statement regarding Noel: “He just wants to get it out there and go on to the next one. What he doesn’t realize is that if it’s not perfect, there’s not going to be a next one.” (paraphrase) good stuff thanx!

[@joeljesuscs]

I love your videos, regards from Perú

[@MOTTY.J]

I heard Owen pushed the bass through a moog synthesiser in some fashion as well to get extra sub. Maybe something to pursue for others trying to replicate the sound.

[@sopranofan6118]

Well tight. Had sister lover vibes stand by me bside..as you knew haha

[@georgeboomsmamusic]

Really great video, interesting stuff thanks!

[@me_fault]

Brilliant video. I've always wonder why it's so hard to capture a band's live sound. I thought it might be something to do with the interplay between the PA and the sound on stage (musician's amps and instrument acoustics). I never considered the natural limiting effect of the human ear.

[@antonioschiavo8589]

It seems to me a BHN b-side.... Maybe My Sister Lover! A very good work!

[@lorenzodw2853]

Brilliant job 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Fatherjohn76]

Interestingly, the original mix of their song had a mix more akin to later period Oasis records. Modern mixing has that vibe of slightly muffled saturated drums and warmer guitars. A lot of 90s sting is lost in modern productions quest for perfect frequency balance

[@AaronOwenSmith]

I agree, also things age too warn out bassy these days, no mid range aggression

[@atrax_mimi]

Dope video

[@eddysandland58]

Sounds Really Good 👍 Hello Meets Sister Lover and Aaaagggghhhh I can't Think of The Other? Anyway Thanks again James and Thanks The Front Rank!

[@MankyFrilla]

That was a good video James. I've been trying to teach myself recording myself and I've watched a million videos. I have many plugins and I wonder if you own any of the type that capture the tracks EQ curve and you apply it to your tracks as an almost perfect start.. The fake stereo trick took me a while to sus, maybe you should have explained the reason is phase cancellation? Anyway I think your doing great work and the oasis crew owe you a signed guitar at least.. They must be watching? Anyway great job big man.. Stay Manky 👍

[@michaelpaul3481]

I don’t feel as if you know me, you take up all my time 🤫

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

It is what Noel would do, nick bits from songs he liked.

[@michaelpaul3481]

@@b00ts4ndc4ts absolutely

[@WillStephensArt]

The days are long and the nights will blow you away cause the sun don’t shhyiinnee !!

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

Sounds good both ways. Was Very loud on the guitar mix yours definitely maybe sounded more synced with the rest of the instruments

[@bartekpiwonskiofficial]

I like how you described the lead vocal just hovering over a wave. By the way, don't you think that applying a delay to individual tracks rather than duplicating them and moving them slightly out of sync can have the same effect? I'm not necessarily against this method but was wondering what your opinion is.

[@willhissettmusic]

Adding a slightly modulation to the 'time' of the delay can enhance that effect too. Basically how automatic double-tracking works. Sounds more natural than just a copy of the track playing say 30ms late.

[@oshdust]

Good job James. But the band... vocal line ripped from "Hello", chords very close to "My sister lover", bass line especially.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Great video James and you broke down the Owen Morris EQ approach really well. I have used the "fake stereo" approach for a few years, I often also detune one of the files by 4-8 cents too. The Brickwall Limiter you mentioned looks great but I assume it wont work with Pro Tools as it's not showing up? Is it only VST based as far as you know?

[@theuniversityoflife8704]

Your mix is very close to Oasis, well done. I wouldnt say that what you spoke about is entirely what made the sound unqiue. You boosted 5k or thereabouts which is very typical for the snare and the cymbals and kick drum mics (for clicky sound off the beater). You also sucked out the 320-ish area which is VERY typical for drums. The drums themselves are mixed as drums in general should be...thereabouts. What gave Oasis that wall of sound was very simple...Morris cranked the compression on the master buss to a very high degree which a) sucked out alot of low end and b) also gave the song almost no dymanic range. Thats what gave it the mid range sound. And you are correct, Morris wanted rid of the bass definition, which that in itself added to very little low end, so it wasnt so much the treble was boosted so much as the lack of low end exposed the guitars more. Know what I mean? I think what I wanted to emphasise was that the combination of cranking the compression on the master bus and lack of low end by turning the bass guitar down or burying it in the mix exposed all of that mid range. The overloading of master bus compression is what gave Definitley Maybe that energetic sound, Morris spoke of it ALOT to the point he said he invented the "wall of sound" through simply slamming the master bus.

[@marcelbr815]

Wow! Awesome video. Keep ot up! If you could please share what compression and saturation settings you use in another video, that'd be great!

[@pispalantimbaland]

Like another Oasis b-side from the mid 90s, except for the vocals. Nice and simple tips for mixing in this style!

[@paninovevo1162]

Guys just be careful because those 2.5k hz / 3k hz might make your song unlistenable and harsh

[@philipprocter2824]

Love this 👍

[@lieutenantcolumbro]

Great vid! I'd test mixes in mono that have the stereo bass trick on them as might run into phase problems.

[@asw7696]

Interesting video as usual. I'm curious as to why you use Vegas to mix audio. I would imagine it's quite limited compared to using dedicated music production software. Does it allow you to do any automation or set up mix or effects buses? Can you apply effects as inserts per channel, or do you have to process each track very time you want to apply EQ or an effect and commit that processing to the track without being able to amend it later? Final question, is that a cassette portastudio in the background?

[@rockboy360]

The drums were pretty dark on the original song, I think the main difference was the tambourine which gave the illusion of it being much brighter

[@craighughes-shug6694]

I make a new project and import my final mixed wav into it before mastering, so its in a different session theres u can limit all you want till your heart’s content

[@davedunhill8521]

Great video James. 👍 Just a quick query, who are you using to distribute your CD’s?

[@darkharcoma3054]

I though using the Haas effect on bass was bad practice as it will lead to phase cancellation when played in different rooms and systems

[@thesingingaccountant1]

Think that's why he moves it slightly?

[@darkharcoma3054]

​@@thesingingaccountant1 Nah, that is what is required for the Haas effect. It won't matter if the bass sounds good on his system, once it is played in another environment there will phase cancellation and loss of bass - there will be troughs of bass waves on peaks. Bass is especially prone to this due to the low frequency. Classic school physics experiment where you walk around the room listening to two different speakers playing the same note - there are areas of volume loss. Bass should be mono at least in the lower registers. There are many plugins that do this whilst leaving the higher frequencies of your bass sound in stereo.

[@thesingingaccountant1]

@@darkharcoma3054 ok fair play - to be honest there was that much stuff in the mix and it's that loud someone would be pushed to notice:)

[@kirstiecarter9314]

Hi James really enjoying your videos. I would like to send you some Jack the Bear songs recorded and mixed by Owen back in 1987. Can you get in touch. cheers,John.