Wall Of Sound VS. Minimalist - Mixing & Audio Production Tips

CHECK OUT MY MUSIC - lofichill.com In this video I discuss mixing and production approaches to use in your sessions when dealing with A LOT of channels... or just a few simple elements. Your sounds will typically be thinned out in larger sessions, and enhanced for minimal productions. I also touch on how to know when you should produce a track to have a "wall of sound", and when to keep it minimal.

[@mikepetry4299]

Thank you for the smart tip. For those of us who have spent more time on stage than behind a mixing board, it is a whole new way to think about how music fits together in an overall production. I like your no-nonsense approach.

[@andresilvasophisma]

One thing I've heard on a Bob Rock interview is that the slower the song the more arrangements you can put in it, which makes sense. If the song has a fast guitar riff it's better to just record it in stereo and make both guitars huge, if you try to put a lot of layers underneath they're just going to get lost. On the other hand, if you have a slower song you have lot's of space to put arrangents and create a wall of sound.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Excellent info there, Andre. Thanks for sharing.

[@potatoheadhaoy]

I'm not a pro, but I have been recording songs for myself and others for idk, 7~8 years? Just thought I'd throw my two cents. WoS is often useful for blending tones to adjust your eq/overall output. For instance, i usually record bass in stereo with one track overdriven and mid-focused and the other scooped with a less aggressive h/l shelf. You can use the faders to adjust how much the bass cuts through, and automation and sidechain ducking sound very natural with this technique imo. On the other hand, you get more space with minimalist production, so you don't have to dial back your spacial effects so much. I think it's also important not to overcompress each track in a way that sounds too deliberate. You have to adjust your eq accordingly as well. If you do a minimal arrangement with a tone suited for layering, it won't sound good. For example, the Big Muff sounds great on Siamese Dream, but live or amidst other guitars and bass, it just doesn't cut through very well without the added layering or a sizeable mid-boost. Either way, you have to understand what track is doing what, and how it should sound for it to both sit naturally and be heard clearly. I hate when you listen to an album and the guitars are so goddamn loud I can't actually hear the voicings. 00's records are rife with that problem imo.

[@davidoliva1036]

that bass trick sounds pretty interesting. Deffinetly gotta try it! thanks for sharing your advice

[@drewphillips178]

I love your attitude and passion which is evident in the way you deliver information. Straight to the point, valuable stuff. Your videos have really helped my recording , mixing. Thanks man.

[@icebob8555]

Minimalist Took on a whole new meaning when I started getting into one man bands now I can’t stand the wall of sound my studio partner wants to do 35 tracks a song I think it’s overkill it’s one volume no dynamics and it takes him forever to finish a song I could finish an album in the same time I also don’t like to fix it in the mix I’d rather arrange a song well and performing well and get the best tone I can muster mixing is easy when you do it up front. Subscribed

[@chiefofsinners5272]

Needs to be an FB page or YT Channel with someone teaching all things Wall of Sound...

[@antonioelle4894]

Intimacy/calm it's not so strictly connected with a minimalist approach. (A lot of elliot smith albums are w.o. sound if we're talking about the ninties). If you choose to have just three elements recorded you only have to care that all the interplay is spot on with those three and you have to turn their volume up. When you choose a wall of sound production you're tryin to replicate a stage loose sound where each instrument can fade in a wider listening space, you're basically replicating a live enviroment inside the mix.

[@andrewtc95]

This video is fantastic! Thanks for giving detailed explanations and examples. Subscribed.

[@thiagoborges892]

You go tell The Beatles that vocal intimacy stuff!!!

[@vinnylenci7311]

Like the Doors first album to Soft Parade?

[@essier5]

And then there's Devin Townsend with his wall of sound production AND delay and reverb on everything 😂

[@jamtree9746]

Yeah - gotta agree with that, thanks a lot - really appreciate your videos.

[@deengew]

Thanks for this dude

[@amarks4383]

Awesome advice thank you man

[@spaziojobim]

Love -> Minimal Anger -> Wall of sound Got it. :-P

[@EmiTheLoomistar]

but Be my baby is Wall of sound

[@barissavas4027]

You came just in time for my decision for a song. I go with the minimalist one for my first one. I do not know if this decision is to be made on every single track for an album though. What's your thought on that? Really appreciate your output. Keep it up.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

I think it's for you to decide. Going with what you feel is right.

[@wozzywick]

Being a 3-piece isnt the reason The Police are minimalist- Rush are a 3-piece too!

[@MR-uk2vj]

wall of sound team

[@SantOrozco]

What about a hybrid? If there's such a thing... what references would you recommend listening to?

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

The only way I see a "hybrid" version of this would be to keep verses really minimal, and then over dressing the hooks with a bunch of layers.

[@SheridanWhiteside]

I take it The Smiths/Morrissey would be a minimalist?

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

correct. they pretty much keep it to the instruments they use. not too many overdubs on their albums, either.

[@SheridanWhiteside]

MakeYourOwnDamnMusic Great response; I thought you would know their style based on you mentioning grunge etc. of the 90’s. I’ve always liked Rockabilly and the jangle sound Johnny Marr made naturally Morrissey’s singing made it all the better.

[@gudmundurThor96Nr2]

Frank Zappa's stuff is a wall of sound