Mixing Drums - "Vintage" Organic Style Using Plugins

[@HugoArgentina]

Can't get enough "Vintage Organic Style" specially in the box. Thank you for this very enjoyable video and inspiring video

[@vvundertone]

Thank you! Will def be creating more in the future, trying different styles in and out the box.

[@nicearley2110]

This was incredible to watch. Very free and intuitive approach, but you very clearly know your stuff. Also, love the approach to your video production as well.

[@vvundertone]

Appreciate that. I learned the less I “try” the better results. Just being easy going about mixing rather than old me always comparing to other mixes and beating myself down when it didn’t stand up to it.

[@mitya_music]

really informative, comfortable and vibey videos :) thank you

[@vvundertone]

I am happy that I could capture a comfortable feeling thru video! Thank you

[@wasiuuu1]

Man your neighbor likes you , get her something like bunch of flowers with chocolates, don't forget 🙂

[@vvundertone]

Most definitely!

[@shuplitz2257]

This channel will blow up if you keep making stuff this good. Subbed

[@JaeHimself]

same

[@vvundertone]

Got something better coming!

[@JohnGayer2012isComin]

took the words right out of my mouth!

[@japhyvansan]

total agree!

[@japhyvansan]

you channel is great - thank you for the quality and honest creative approach

[@vvundertone]

Your so cool, thank you!

[@easternsouvenirs]

Love the approach. Big fan of the blown out saturated vibe on drums.

[@vvundertone]

If it ain't crunchy there's no punchy!

[@itsbittynow]

Really glad I found your video! I'm mixing a retro funk/hip-hop song I wrote and produced and I'm glad to know I'm on the right track with my drum tracks signal chain - just missing the radiator. Can't wait to give that and the "sauce track" a try :) thanks for the in-depth walk-through!

[@vvundertone]

Glad I could help! I wish you a quick and pleasant mix experience!

[@marcusbishop8936]

4:52 just in case you didn’t know, on Logic Pro you can drag up the eq curve via the left hand numbers column and physically see what frequencies are bothering you that might be hidden initially when you open up the Channel EQ :)

[@s.r.b.4582]

can you tell me what's this function's name please? i would like to learn more :) thanks!

[@marcusbishop8936]

@@s.r.b.4582 I don’t think there’s a specific name for it but just make sure that you have the analyser turned on on the Channel EQ plugin, then you’ll have the option to drag up the curve to see it in more detail if it’s hiding

[@vvundertone]

interesting! thank you, will def try this out.

[@stevetall3000]

Love your analogish vibe! great video! Thanks for that!

[@vvundertone]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hotza]

Man this is so wholesome and inspiring :) Thank you.

[@vvundertone]

Thank you for taking the time and watching!

[@caulyflower]

yoo thanks for the vid :) as for compressors plugins on drums: i love the "kolin" compressor by analog obsession on 50% wet parallel, i think it sounds really sweet (and its free)- the vulf compressor has much more "sound", pretty intense and aggressive but i love it- very unique.

[@vvundertone]

TY for the recs, I always wanted that vulf one. Mainly because I hear its semi modeled from the Roland sampler compressor which I use in sp555 form and absolutely love. But can't argue with free!

[@WYSmusic]

Thx a lot Sherlock 😁 Seriously this is such good content, I really enjoy seing the whole process, including the 'deciding what I want' part :) Lots of mixing videos are usually a bit too 'straight to the point' for me, so this is perfect ! Just subbed, wish you all the success you deserve ! Cheers

[@vvundertone]

Appreciate that! Good to know this style is resonating. I am trying to find the line between polish, and realism without being to boring!

[@davidharrison5873]

The "weird mids" were due to phase cancellation. Notice how the bass started going away when you brought up the weird overhead.

[@vvundertone]

You are right. While I tried my best to keep phase correct (visually) when tracking perhaps the mics being too close caused the issue. I will correct it before printing to tape for sure! Thank you

[@JenkemFactory]

Noticed this too. If you use linear phase EQ you should be able to match the phase of the close mics with the overhead by time shifting the tracks and line them up visually. If you think IIR EQ is necessary, it has to be done by ear and re-tuned if you change EQ settings. Mainly those 48db/oct HPF shifts the phase around the center frequency drastically. Good video and good sound overall however :)

[@jamisonfrench]

Great walk thru.. and amen to your thoughts on digital compression. Ha! Agreed. 🙏 🔥 👌

[@dubcavern6414]

Cool vid, interesting that you hear the 200hz area on snare as ring, I hear it as deeper thud and always miss it when it's removed

[@vvundertone]

Sometimes I like it, sometimes I like all the bass to come from bass! Just depends on the song really

[@JasonGora]

found your channel earlier, now its 3am and im still binge watching. Lot of inspiration here keep doing your thing 💪

[@vvundertone]

appreciate that! I'm getting ready to drop a new season 🫡

[@TOURAGEDSP]

Just discovered this video. I like the way you dedicate yourself to the tiny nuances and the goal to create something unique. As a plugin dev I'm soaking up ideas like yours like a sponge. Thanks for sharing! Where would I find the samples of this pack again?

[@vvundertone]

Wow! The interest in this video continues to surprise me. I over think much and was on the verge of deleting it forever before I posted it haha. Grateful to of helped you. This pack is now on vvundertone.com it is called iridescent drums. In fact you have inspired me to put it in the description! TY!

[@collisw8302]

This was great, and super informative. Also loved the friendly neighbour visit, what a legend.

[@vvundertone]

Thank you! It's real life over here! 🫡

[@samuel_abelow_music]

really really juicy, and tasteful stuff. im next up to buy ur pack. good work. u got me.

[@vvundertone]

Appreciate it bro. Your support goes a long way 🙏🏼

[@samuel_abelow_music]

@@vvundertone hey usually i wouldnt say this type of thing in public. id want to dm about it. but whatever. i lvoe your videos. i think you're talented. -- i even went to your store. but the stuff was just too effected overall for my use. its like, if you toned it back 10%, just enough that it leaves the window open to creative vision, then i think that'd be more accessible. its almost just a bit too flavorful. yes, we're coming to you precisely because you have that weirdo retro saucy, but it still has to be usable.

[@adamwlove]

Another incredible video about a sound design topic I've always had questions about. Thank you! Keep up the good work!

[@vvundertone]

Thank you! This is just scratching the surface. Happy to go in more details in the future.

[@themumblingoracle1030]

Man... thank you for your initial openness. I can relate to the depression associated with losing the voice... or even losing the courage to sing. Not out of fear. But out of having no energy to channel the noise. This too shall pass! It always does ;)

[@vvundertone]

So true! I had to learn our mental health is the first order of operation in being successful the hard way. I thought I could push through but it takes a toll. Like you said this too shall pass!

[@der_djumi_music]

10:52 korvpressor is a nice compressor plugin!

[@damianoakes2592]

Great video! Very solid mixing fundamentals. Since you mentioned you were looking for a compressor, my go-to for drums is the Kramer PIE Compressor from Waves, which is a model of the PYE compressors they had at Olympic Studios, and even using it very subtly, it really brings the drums forward in the mix. I also second the person who mentioned Kolin by Analog Obsession, a model of a Collins 26U-1 vari-mu, and which is great in parallel. Aside from that, Arturia makes really good compressors (their 1176 is fantastic, as is the 33609, and their dbx emulation is so smooth-I love it on overheads). The Softube Tube-Tech compressor is great. The bx_townhouse is good SSL bus compressor. The Lindell SBC is a very solid API compressor. The DPR-402 (also by Waves) is good for when you wanna mess things up.

[@vvundertone]

Ty for the recommendations! I actually purchased the Arturia FX bundle so I believe I have those compressors and will see what's up!

[@ElishaDavid]

Thank you for the effort you put into your videos. There's a ton of tutorial style stuff like this but none as tasteful/genre based - to use your term "vanilla." I want to make my instruments sound like the shit I actually listen to, and this helps me get there! These drums remind me of Tennis more than anything (big fan). I've also been obsessed with Tape Mello from Arturia, luckily I snagged it when it was free upon first release.

[@vvundertone]

This makes me so happy to know I am reaching the right people! More anti-vanilla methods coming! Kudos on scoring Tape Mello free, its such a banger!

[@mattbuckland8638]

Have you tried Vulf compressor? You might like it :)

[@addpatternmusic1109]

I would love to get a vid on how you got the other drum recordings that clean - u mentioned u treated ur room but I’m very curious how you acchieved it 😊

[@vvundertone]

I wish I would have documented that day. What I did was go to my storage where I have all my photo equipment, including several backdrop drapes. I took my mattress and leaned it against the window and piled several drapes in front. I stapled pillows along every corner of each wall. Put down several carpets, and a c-stand hung with piles of blankets over it. Basically anything I could possibly find near me that was soft. But then stacking the soft items so they became thick as possible. Then I used Soyuz 013 microphones with hypercardioid microphone capsules attached to greatly reduce any extra room tone and solely focus on what I pointed them at.

[@_Helm_]

really fun session, thanks for showing your process. All the best to your voice box, that kind of stuff can be really scary and lonely to go through.

[@vvundertone]

appreciate your kind words. it was scary and depressing. Miracle I continued to create work at all! Health is number 1

[@alterhijo164]

I’ve seen your reels on instagram so I subbed once you came up on KZbin. Awesome to see you switch from monitors to headphones and make decisions in real time. Very helpful!

[@vvundertone]

Hey welcome! Appreciate having you here.

[@sleepingjesusband]

Cool sounds! Try the Arturia VCA and FET comps, if you haven't yet found a digital compressor you like!

[@dylanhaugen7875]

Thank you for putting us on game Matthew McConaughey!

[@SunnJellie]

most likely Matthewdict McCumberwick

[@archiepovey4899]

Great video like your channel! Could you make a video putting beats into tape to see the process and how to do/ what gear needed?

[@vvundertone]

TY! I do have a video of doing the actual process (its thumbnail says "Mixing to Tape" I believe, but not explaining the gear needed. I will add that to the list!

[@archiepovey4899]

@@vvundertone legend!!

[@DimitriFantini]

I dig these tones! thanks for the ideas!

[@bco0t6]

I found this video interesting, I also use the studer a lot on my drums however I use it on the drum bus, I heard you also say you haven’t yet to find an impressive digital compressor, wondering if you’ve tried the UAD api-2500 I find it very accurate punchy and transparent

[@vvundertone]

The Studer is just lovely. Hope to one day try the real deal! I have not tried to the API-2500 since my OG demo expired many years ago. My issue with UAD now is that I have so many of their plugins I get issues with processing power!

[@bco0t6]

@@vvundertone yeah UADs DSP plugins can be challenging to use when you’re trying to conserve DSP usage, would highly recommend the api tho don’t use anything else on drums for any genre

[@Chris_231]

you look like benedict cumberbatch dressed as wes anderson

[@AdrienRako]

holly crap... I knew I wasn't crazy

[@ThePurposedEnthusiast]

Just because it’s true, I don’t know that it’s necessary to have said it….

[@ThePurposedEnthusiast]

However I commend you on your astute observation 😂

[@Chris_231]

@@ThePurposedEnthusiast to be fair, his content is very good and I learn from it lol

[@ThePurposedEnthusiast]

@ oh he’s amazing! However your post remains & is beyond hilarious

[@federicomarchisio7071]

I like your videos so much. Greetings from Argentina!

[@vvundertone]

Thank you so much!! Greetings my friend 🇦🇷 🤍

[@spchops]

Dope video, love seeing the process. Loved the “sauce mic”

[@vvundertone]

Salute brother, more sauce percolating soon!

[@prodbyaviv]

Loved this brother!

[@vvundertone]

Thanks for watching 🫡

[@NSFRobots]

Awesome Lesson! Keep Em Coming!!

[@vvundertone]

More to come!

[@maxlambiel]

Amazing video. Saturation is the key of every good sound, I'm pretty sure. I've been using Tape by Softube for a while now, it has a truly wide range of very consistent color options and I love it.

[@vvundertone]

I whole heartedly agree. You can never have enough options because they all affect sources differently!

[@trefwoordpunk2225]

The stock overdrive plugin in logic is perfect, roll off the highs and experiment with drive setting… for snares I like it hot…. It really softens the transients and fattens it up….

[@andyr3276]

Thanks for demystifying the process, sounds dope

[@vvundertone]

of course! just the beginning!

[@qlyde]

Great video dude, no compression on drums takes guts lol! Try MJUC if you dont love digital comps, it's a classic, 3 models in one, great on busses, and cheap! Kiive also makes very good compressors but pricey. Don't sleep on Analog Obsession either, huge catalog 100% free, tons of vintage goodness

[@vvundertone]

That looks interesting. Especially the price point. Thank you!

[@roofmusic8359]

man love the content!! good drumbuss tips here

[@MM-bv7ks]

man I'm thankful that I discovered you. BEAUTIFUL content!!

[@ammarkhan3945]

really informative! just got some live drum stems back and this is def gonna help :)

[@vvundertone]

Live!? Good luck, I’m hoping your kick drum doesn’t sound like a basketball 🙏🏼

[@nomada7029]

Beta 52 on kick always sounds like a basketball bounce to my ears. Not my first choice either. Like how you thumped it up.

[@vvundertone]

Right! I was terrified when I saw it, but shockingly it was redeemed 🙏🏼 thank you Jesus

[@dwcc789]

Fantastic walk through

[@ReeLowT]

im so glad i found this channel

[@vvundertone]

Same! 🙏🏼🫡

[@YamilOrtiz-z9j]

Love your content man, subbed. Keep on rocking and recording 🎧

[@kougan_music]

Sony 7506 and JBL 305? That's what I have. fun to be able to put the headphones and switch to monitors to hear what you are hearing

[@vvundertone]

Quite the combo. Sony did their thing with these and so affordable.

[@waynesoper197]

really enjoyed that, keep up the deadly vids. nice one

[@vvundertone]

Glad you enjoyed. More to come!

[@Rhuggins]

Sounds like a modern drum kit with distortion. I would personally leave a lot more mid range, perhaps ease up on the distortion, and experiment with some SLOW compressors - thats all they really had back in the day. Some altec style compression on the buss with a gooey slow release

[@vvundertone]

Like I said, this is just a starting point. Before I send it thru a mixer, DBX compression and tape machine its more likely to get a second & third listen over. I like to take a break for a few weeks and come back fresh to get clarity. But yes one day I would love to get my hands on a ALTEC comp! the DREAM!

[@Bgoods]

loved this.

[@MxlxSxntx]

Beautiful video, loved it.

[@AdrienRako]

Smooth as butter

[@Mangopiopi]

Benedict comberbatch does music too!?

[@vince8ravary]

Really nice tone man ! just want you to know : for the EV635a, the Audix DCLIP works really well (and looks nice)

[@vvundertone]

Thank you!! When I was editing this video I realized how fugly that clip is. I will pick one up!

[@vince8ravary]

@@vvundertone pleasure - I was really pleased when I tried it ! (it also works with a lot of small condensers and akg D112

[@jazzjazz8415]

Ayyy good to see you again!

[@Kkidzz]

XLN'S RC-20 is fantastic at throwing some 'Dust' on the drums...a dash of crackle and fizz = uber vibes

[@ilyouslug]

i think he’s one of those work harder not smarter type of musicians i respect it tho 😭

[@Kkidzz]

@@ilyouslug yeah, that’s a good take. I’ve learned to not be overly precious when it comes to getting sounds down. Ultimately it’s about serving the song.

[@vvundertone]

Oh yes trust me I got RC-20 on deck and use it often. But you know how it is, once you find yourself overusing the same tools you grow tired and reach for something new. At least I do!

[@vvundertone]

This comment thread gave me an idea for a new concept. "Real life RC-20" a guide to working harder not smarter, coming soon.

[@MxlxSxntx]

Why do you dislike digital compressors? I've never heard a hardware compressor, so the Plugins I have sound fine for me. Curious to know your answer. Great video!

[@vvundertone]

I just think in the digital world some things don't quite stack up what they are modeled after. When I use plugin compression, something feels cartoonish and plastic about them. I feel like I can't push them too much because they start to sonically crumble. Hard to articulate, and could be because I record a lot with microphones rather than software instruments.

[@MxlxSxntx]

@@vvundertone It must be something you can only hear once you compare A and B, and it seems hard to explain. You explained quite nicely though, as I think I'm able to understand that. Gonna have to test that sometime! Thanks for the info. Have a great day.

[@brunoromiti7708]

great video! welcome back!

[@okbartas]

great quality content, way underrated! subscribed:)

[@vvundertone]

Thanks for hangin out 🤝🏼🙏🏼

[@localtrust]

you make good choices.

[@MrGingerPirate]

Cool channel mate! Where are you from?

[@joaoantoniovione484]

why don't you make one exploring your (i think i've seen it at least) dbx on the rack? cheers from Brazil...

[@vvundertone]

100% I will do that. TY

[@funccyhz]

sweet video bro! thanks for sharing some in the box sauce

[@vvundertone]

“Box Sauce” could be a series 😉🤔

[@Somedei]

if tapes and saturation are ilegal forever what other treatment would you do ?

[@carter3700]

once you eq drums individually you cause phase incoherence- eq on drum bus and use parallel fx for individual tracks, and I love your vibe dude subscribed

[@vvundertone]

Good to know, Now i'll never use a plugin again, for the sake of the low end!

[@carter3700]

@@vvundertone my suggestion came off as preachy/snobby sorry and you taste win plugins are great I use a lot too

[@vvundertone]

@@carter3700 not preachy at all. you taught me something, thank you!

[@nolank2166]

Love your video ❤

[@unknownrobot]

without much pretension and ended up delivering a great result.

[@vvundertone]

I love this comment. Pretension is a hell of a drug!

[@mazikself7152]

Amazing thump science! Thank you!

[@vvundertone]

You never cease to amaze me with the word play. Thump Science is about to get a curriculum!!

[@michaeladammusic]

Haven't heard of the AKAI m7 before. Not seeing much about it anywhere. Anyone know any sources of information for this mic?

[@pjdahmen]

Awesome Tutorial!

[@ear.bonez.studio]

yo! love it. Thanks for sharing!!

[@giacomobaldan8305]

Great video, intresting sound!

[@vvundertone]

🙏🏼

[@akalui007]

very cool man! subbed!

[@addy7113]

kinda now sounds at least for me too much spacey/stereo to be hitting hard enough as drums. but still really interesting way to mix and give it some texture!

[@vvundertone]

This is just phase 1 of the process. Next I run it thru another set of analog processes and correct any lapse of judgments from first sound. Although here it is completely mono and without reverb so I am curious how you hear it spacey and stereo? Is it the ADT that does it? Because I ended of removing that before mastering to tape haha

[@pfkmsandiego]

bro, i'm try’n’uh get shit done in my life- u need to stop distracting me with these awesome uploads hahaha. great work ! ✌&❤

[@vvundertone]

i'm in the same boat. I need to be putting out videos not binging on them haha oops

[@pfkmsandiego]

@@vvundertone 100. good luck!

[@itsryanfreeman]

Enjoyed that. Thanks!

[@SantaIndolencia]

Beautiful✨

[@maigolostkids]

love this

[@rasmus.paulson]

What about phase? I usually start by dragging my recorded transients to the exact same spot. Do you also do that? Awesome sounding drums! made me forget about my ex for a while... 😃

[@vvundertone]

I always check phase when tracking first. As for dragging things around to get absolutely perfect alignment I don't do much. Especially if I am going for a older sound, since they didn't do that back then I choose not to do it now. BUT with that said if I am going for maximum snap, heavy processed, hyper realistic, borderline hurt your ears drums I will do that. I am glad you enjoyed them and found some temporary escapism my friend.

[@diveex5]

hey man! great vid really, are those tips applyiable to instruments? im trying to get vintage in my daw but i don’t have any analog gear. and where do u learn this mixing stuff? also for someone who doesn’t know a lot about mixing explaining what you are hearing and doing helps a lot

[@vvundertone]

The plugins yes, but the settings must change depending on the source material. I can do more videos based on a completed song mixing rather than a raw sample pack session. I got a few in mind that would do well.

[@diveex5]

@@vvundertone that would be great, showing your thoughts behind your finished product

[@benverbeck669]

Amazing stuff man

[@iratamusic]

Great video! I’m curious as to what microphone you are using for your voice? I’ve seen it around and i love how it looks

[@vvundertone]

This mic is a Electro-Voice 635a. Nice sm57 alt.

[@Higzish]

very good video

[@EchoReverb6]

u got new follower! like what u doing !

[@TipplerMario]

Killer stuff! Subscribed and followed on IG! What's your preferred mic for the kick drum?

[@vvundertone]

Appreciate it! Its dangerous water but nothing sounds better than a ribbon on kick. Some are better at taking the high SPL's. There is also a specific way to mic it so the air doesn't hit the ribbon by tilting the microphone. After that I dig EV RE-20, and sometimes large diaphragm condensers.

[@charcastanmusica5796]

thank you for this!

[@bexeslerdesign5719]

cool style!

[@shugarbage]

why does it sound worse with all the plugins and eq?

[@BeesWaxMinder]

I noticed you have a real to real tape deck, in shot. What do you use that for or is it just for decoration? Thanks in advance just been given one on loan…

[@vvundertone]

Nothing in my studio is for decoration. If it doesn't work I send it out. Tape is my favorite medium. This is actually the first time I posted a computer centric video. I have a collection of various tape machines and use them regularly. In fact this exact session was just printed to tape yesterday. Its my way of "mastering" no more changes, the packs complete and then I put the tape on the shelf where it will out live me and hopefully be re-discovered by another young tape enthusiast such as yourself. Try tape! Tape is Truth!

[@95yazid]

Can't wait to listen to "Drumkits : The Album"...

[@vvundertone]

same

[@eeee-ml7bb]

why did you keep the bus mono? thx % rgds

[@vvundertone]

This whole session was in mono. For some reason my OBS screen capture seems to pan audio in a weird way I need to investigate. But here I was going for full mono!

[@kyleskarshaug]

Do you have any info on that Akai M7 mic? I’m not finding much!

[@vvundertone]

This microphone came in a stereo pair with a Akai tape machine in the 60s/70s. I don't believe they sold them separately. Just be patient and they will pop up on ebay or reverb.

[@syopalisake2066]

Great stuff.

[@Drumm333r]

@vvundertone do you mind listing all the plugin used?

[@vvundertone]

off the top....Arturia Dist TUBE-CULTURE & Tape MELLO-FI, UAD vertigo vsm-3, UAD studer and ampex tape emulators, waves ADT, Sound Toys decapitator, radiator, Eventide omnipressor, UAD SPL transient designer, UAD Sonnox Inflator, and Eventide Sheen Machine!

[@Drumm333r]

@@vvundertone thanks legend

[@BAILYFAN91]

You should make sure to lower the output on all your saturation and tape plugins to avoid clipping. Not just that but that way it doesn’t sound “better” just because it’s louder

[@vvundertone]

did you not watch the video? its drive the input, lower the output all day.

[@BAILYFAN91]

@@vvundertone ah, you probably did. Just noticed it a few times when you were turning a plugin on and off. At least on my phone speakers. Didn’t mean to offend or anything. I’m by no means an expert.

[@johnspear7962]

just became your 1k subscriber, awesome video! ◈◈◈

[@vvundertone]

Woohoo! Thank you! Thats a milestone!

[@johankeilig3000]

amazing video man