Mixing for Loudness - Experiments with Saturation and Compression

Many people assume that mastering is what makes mixes loud, when in fact, loud masters come from loud mixes. There's so much more to loudness than simply limiting at the end of the chain - it starts with YOU the engineer / mixer making good decisions beforehand.
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[@CoryHawthorneCharmGames]

I love your podcast and this is one of the most informative videos I've seen about saturation. Thanks!

[@stealthisname]

I don't think you understand how important this video was for me at this exact moment

[@clintonmaher6930]

This is the single best video on KZbin about this topic 👍

[@RecordingLounge]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@briancase6180]

Thanks for the good video. The loudness war is not over and it never will be. We need to get used to it. One thing: the issue here is crest factor. To get a loud final master, you need a mix that has the potential to be made loud. The final mix needs a low-ish crest factor. To get a final mix with a low crest factor, the individual elements need a lower crest factor. You're correct: you must pay attention from the beginning of your mix and even your recording if you're using live instruments/voices.

[@jefferywalker2206]

Best explanation for saturation I've heard. Hats off to you. Great job and thank you.

[@mehi8145]

You and the guy from 'mixbustv' are the best! He said the saim thing...

[@soniq7069]

Yeah bro I love Dave’s channel as well as this one ☝️

[@nishantmathews149]

Ive watched soo many.. but this is the best way to explain a saturator.. thanks

[@tisbonus]

You sir are the poo-poo!! This is the best and most informative tutorial on this subject. I've been mixing and mastering for almost 20 years and I'm still learning. Excellent job Sensai!

[@lifewhyz]

If you didn't know any of this, then you've been _experimenting_ for 20 years.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

Still calling people the “poo-poo” these days?

[@tisbonus]

@@HollerAtcherBoi That was 6 years ago my dude.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

@@tisbonus so, do you?

[@tisbonus]

@@HollerAtcherBoi You've gotta earn that sort of admiration young playa.

[@MAJESTYSHOUSEOFMUSIC]

Best tutorial on saturation

[@The_CodyBell]

That feeling when you find the diamond among the cubic zirconia. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@mrjackieson]

Great video. I've often used the T-Racks Clipper on drums and seems to do this same thing with the transients. Thanks again!

[@Hammerhugon]

This is one of the best vids I've ssen on this topic! Thank you for sharing!

[@Goldfishclown]

Twenty-two minutes of immense value. Thanks!

[@suryamoorthy4924]

this is a great presentation and explains the many key components that make up a good tone!

[@SidneyAugustoDaSilva]

Best demonstration ever! Subscribed! Liked! Thanks much mate! Cheers from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@layandar9553]

This answers my huge question on a loud mix! Thank you!

[@coreystopperan9555]

HOLY CRAP!! Just had an amazing learning experience from this! Thank you ....back to the studio!!

[@coreystopperan9555]

"this is what we want the compressor to do...."

[@beatsbyinit7690]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@koopstanick1710]

Amazing explanation, best I've seen. Thanks

[@vigilant545]

You speak great truth on your channel about things which pros take for granted and very seldom speak about. It took me years to realize that we have to work harder in the digital arena to get it sound good. Subed and liked.

[@RecordingLounge]

It’s so very true. Last year I got to hear some tracks from a big name record that was recorded at Ocean Way. The raw tracks were so awesome, and everyone was praising the mix engineer like he deserved all the credit... but in truth, the raw tracks were like 90% there already, the mixer really didn’t have to do much. When you’re working with the best musicians in the best studios with the best mic collections and acoustic environments... you really have to suck to make that suck. Haha.

[@fernandoguerra6841]

AWESOME! This open my mind in loud mixes

Excelent as usual. Tx a lot Kendal!

[@shadrachsolomon]

You scared the word saturator out of me. Thanks a ton.

[@paulnoonan1666]

This is solid gold.

[@silvernaturemusic599]

Saturation is really a very very good approah on achieving a loud mix , I wanna know more ways Thanks always

[@s5emusic]

Thanks for posting this. Great stuff!!

[@blueslsd]

Really nice vid Just tried this on guitar, nice level drop no change in sound, and I'm a guitarist so it's important to me.Cheers

[@wickydot]

great visual explanation

[@davidklemencz]

WOW :) This is great man! Thanks

[@Enice43]

Great stuff... what saturator is that

[@ikamy]

You opened my third eye, thanks 🙏🏼

[@caspermaster-com]

LOL :D

[@lifewhyz]

Don't forget to wipe...

[@anastav6915]

On point video. Perfect tips, awesome overall lesson! Thank you!

[@Onefiftymediahouse]

Great video Kendal. Feel like it helped me more fully understand compression and saturation. Happy Thanksgiving!! - Josh

[@davidasher22]

I like the subliminal shout out to everyone’s favorite ASMR channel.

[@todosvuelan6943]

Thanks man, I was one of those people scared by the word "saturator"

[@dulmin_]

Wow!! Highly informative, thanks. One small problem, in that processed drum track, the cymbal ducking everytime kick hits is obvious, heavily obvious compared to the dry. Is that still ok? Or is there a different method to achieve the same loudness, without 'blinking' the cymbal tail (would multiband compression help)?

[@prodbyKENB]

gaaaddddamnnn buddy! THIS IS DIAMOND! thanks for all the wisdom my friend

[@krissavits7722]

This video is awesome, really helped clarify a lot of questions

[@mcadder]

Great video! The drums sounds so much better without compression though... (if you level match them to large rms)

[@gram440a]

QUESTION FOR THE ROOM: I'm going list everything I tend to record regularly, and you answer if I should run it through a saturator or not: 1. Drum program 2. Bass DI 3. Bass SansAmp 4. Electric guitar (hard rock/metal) 5. Vocals 6. Mix bus 7. Master

[@AdamKeithMedia]

yes.

[@gram440a]

@@AdamKeithMedia Everything? Seriously?

[@AdamKeithMedia]

@@gram440a well, think about it... when any track is recorded in a professional studio, it goes through heaps of analog gear (saturation) before it even gets converted to digital.

[@nathanscaringi9389]

if you’re doing metal then yes everything

[@RecordingLounge]

Saturation is a spectrum, not just on or off. So yeah, to some degree I’d say basically everything. The real question is “how much saturation?” And that depends on context and what you’re looking for. Some stuff might not need much. But other stuff might need a lot. Keep in mind too, if you’re saturating master bus then effectively you’re saturating everything. So 🤷‍♂️ But yeah Adam is right. If you track through a console, basically everything is saturated, it’s just a matter of how much you drive the pre. You can run it super clean for some things, and drive it hard for others, or somewhere in between, but to some degree it’s always there.

[@claudio1634]

Head went up and down the whole video. Nice! Saturation is not a taboo! Is unique static form of compression! PS: i'm a fingerstyle player :)

[@UsoundsGermany]

Can we hear the (or a) complete song with this drumloop ? I mean it is better to listen with other instruments... also it sounds to me there might be a bit too much reverb on the loop - so might have trouble in a complete mix ..?

[@SkyFawkesOfficial]

Excellent video

[@Labyrinth1010]

GREAT video! Thank you for this.

[@MrStrizzy12]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@deanc2000]

Thanks. This was very helpful.

[@dacomposer]

love this thank you!

[@marceloribeirosimoes8959]

First of all, thank you very much for the vídeo! I think that compression and saturation are great, but to shave drastic peaks, try transparent hard clippiers. They usually get the job done and they don't saturate nor distort melodic sounds if you use them properly (shaving clicks from transients). So, all these, your tips and hard clippers working properly on right tracks, will lead you to a better stereo Master for a light era limiter work. Oh, BTW, graças Psyscope (it's free) and watch what the compressors and saturatirs do to your sounds, then use a really good clipper called Free Clip on hard mode.then Change it to soft mode if you want to "suck melodic sounds" on clipping process... I think you'll lke it, too.

[@AvidFire]

subbed to the podcast.. ty

[@BillGraper]

4:42 You just answered my question. Thank you!!!

[@facteurkaloun]

Amazing content. Immediately suscribed to your channel. A shame i didn't find you until tonight. Thank you very much for the content you are offering and for the great clarity of all your explanations.

[@aleksandarpetrovic2352]

great explanation ab diff of analog and digital signal,thx

[@CJPerez-cs9es]

Very good info. Thanks for this.

[@maaaquemeseyo]

Love it! Great video.

[@gregmurray3083]

Superb video!

[@rfml]

For Softube saturator what would be the equivalent of decreasing Headroom knob in UBK1? What does the headroom knob do? Is it just decreasing output gain or is it something else?

[@RecordingLounge]

Somewhat, yes. The headroom knob is essentially setting the threshold for saturation. I would say it’s similar to the way the Softube saturation knob works, just the opposite direction.

[@davidpicarazzi]

That's it, I'm subbing

[@therealrussellsmyth]

Fab vid. Kudos

[@frangellico]

great video and clarity. My thoughts are how much of that technic can be apply without compromise much dynamic range and get easy ear tired...

[@juanimewu1425]

So is it better to put the distortion plugin directly on the master or use it as a send track within the mix

[@RecordingLounge]

I would say there’s no “best” way. Whichever one sounds better to you in context of the song you’re working ob

[@juanimewu1425]

The Recording Lounge should the peak meter show decreased peak as a result of saturation, I tested it out yesterday and naturally it did increase rms but the peak increased with it so I can't tell if it works

[@RecordingLounge]

That would depend on the type of plugin you use and how it is set. In general you’ll see a decrease in CREST factor, which = the difference between peak and RMS. Essentially, you’re increasing the RMS. If you have to then turn down the sound because it’s peaking higher, you can do that. If you want to test it more accurately, try this: Render Test Sound 1 (whatever it is, raw) Apply saturation to test sound 1, render that as Test 1 with Sat Now open these files in a new session and PEAK match them. Meaning the same peak level. What you should hear (and see) is an increase in RMS level given the same peak level. You should also visually SEE the saturated one less peaky.

[@juanimewu1425]

The Recording Lounge I've been using softube saturation turned all the way up as a send effect, I'll test that out thank you very much

[@RecordingLounge]

I will say, doing it as a send will not tame peaks as effectively as putting it right on the track. It WILL increase RMS but won’t clip your peaks as much. That may be exactly what you want, if so, go for it! I would Test it both ways and compare. Obviously when it’s an insert on the track you’ll probably need to back it off quite a bit.

[@mentorlatifi6221]

You convinced me to subscribe you.....this is great explanation !!

[@jbandshahayeah1862]

So it sounds like saturation is good on everything, should I use it at the beginning or my effects chain (eq, comp, etc) or at the very end?

[@RecordingLounge]

+J bands Haha yeah I actually have a video about that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOTlGeIjtBpsMU

[@SG-ig2eu]

Is that a plug-in that displays multiple mixer tracks as wav forms? In an a/b fashion?

[@apostolosmavropoulos177]

TOP CONTENT thank you!

[@jiggisabores]

What drums did you use for this tutorial, Superior, XLN or a live player?

[@RecordingLounge]

Live drums.

[@cosmoganic]

Great Video, Thanks Mate

[@rubenseydler1790]

Great channel ufffff , you got a new subscriber

[@MagnetikMagnitude]

Awesome video. Thanks so much for sharing it helps a lot! :)

[@luismorsa666]

Awesome explanation man, I’ve been trying to get the same result (lower peaks and louder sound) with the softube saturation knob, but I can only get a general louder sound with higher peaks, so my question is what kind of saturation plugins do I need for getting the result you showed in your video?

[@RecordingLounge]

There are a LOT out there that do it right in my opinion. UBK1, Novatron, Axis, Decapitator, UAD Ampex... there are a lot of good ones. If you want one that pretty much always works and is super versatile, Soundtoys Decapitator is hard to beat.

[@dulmin_]

@@RecordingLounge Thank (you both) for that recommendation.

[@oinkooink]

When you showed saturation with ProQ2 how come the fundamental never changed, though you said such saturation controls peaks...that fundamental showed the same level in ProQ2 before and after saturation. I don't get how ProQ2 is showing peak control.

[@RecordingLounge]

If I understand your question correctly, basically what happens is that when we add saturation we add upper harmonics, which overall makes the sound louder RMS wise. If we then reduce the fader level to match the RMS level we had before, the peaks are much lower, but it sounds louder. Similar to how compression doesn’t “make stuff louder” until you turn up your makeup gain.

[@newguy6935]

Great vid. Really appreciate it. I'd like to ask a sort-of converse question here which is, how much saturation is enough. That is, when I add saturation to a mix with more than 8 instruments, the mix almost gets a little unwieldy as far being able to alot frequency spaces to each of the instruments so they can be clearly heard- especially with the addition of so many more harmonic frequencies added to the mix.

[@RecordingLounge]

That’s a great question but sadly impossible for me to answer. It really just depends on your individual mix and what works and what doesn’t. Figuring that out is part of the journey of the mix, just like asking how much reverb is enough!

[@Gaverny]

Hey Kendal, when you go subtle saturation, like with the UBK - do you typically use the mix slider to adjust wet/dry or do you just pull the sat. knob left to 'subtle'? I know it depends on signal coming into to UBK, but sometimes its hard to tell if if the UBK is actually affecting audio or not..... guess I could render down and compare the wavs like you do... Cheers! great vid

[@RecordingLounge]

Hey Tyler - It mostly comes down to one of two questions: 1) am I trying to tame peaks and saturate for the purpose of smoothing? 2) am I trying to saturate for the purpose of color or tone or grit? If it’s for #1, I almost never use the mix knob. Kinda defeats the purpose. If it’s #2, I will absolutely experiment with the mix knob. And yes, UBK1 can be quite subtle, which is why I love it. Good analog saturation (from real analog gear) can be quite subtle too. Too many people have this idea that saturation is basically distortion, but in reality, distortion is an EXTREME example of saturation. Saturation at its most basic is just Harmonic generation and therefore waveshape alteration. Check out some of my other videos on saturation and maybe this will be explained a bit better! Hope that helps!

[@mbot48]

Way better than ADSR Music Production Tutorials... sometime he doesn't know how to explain horse poop.

[@RecordingLounge]

Never watched that channel to be honest, but I’m glad I explained it better for you. Haha

[@joudhares5375]

thank u for this excellent video

[@VSARecordsDelhi]

I never thought this way. Thanks bud. Subscribed with 🔔

[@RecordingLounge]

+Verdadera Stern Audio thanks!

[@MikeRendar84]

This is the way

[@VinylRecordsOfficial]

how does a saturator tame peaks on low settings? visually it only seems to tame transients when you push the saturator to its limits.

[@RecordingLounge]

That depends on the particular saturation device or plugin used! Most of them, like analog gear, have a threshold at which the “circuit” begins to distort. Almost acts like a soft knee limiter.

[@jessealves_xc]

I have some doubts whether the saturator lowers the peaks. I think that the peaks stay the same, but the harmonics, because they are many, and are low in level, lowers the average.

[@zimouspero]

Thank you... And for you what is the best saturation plugin?

[@RecordingLounge]

I don’t really have an answer for that. I have dozens of them and use them for different things. There’s almost never such a thing as “best” in the world of audio.

[@zimouspero]

@@RecordingLounge thank you, i got it. One more question, when i apply a saturation plugin into a track, the peak level still more Higher then the original sample. How to you get the fatness with a low peak level, or less then the original. I hope you understand my english

[@RecordingLounge]

If you apply saturation to a track, it should reduce your peak level, not enhance it. Maybe I’m misunderstanding your question, or maybe you are not using the plugin properly.

[@zimouspero]

@@RecordingLounge thank you One more time. I Will study more The problem i have. I use melda prodution saturation plugin, if you have time try to tcheck it. Have a blessed day

[@KamranStudio1]

Great video bro ..

[@flyoverfredusa]

helped me out loads, subscribed :)

[@wouterhardymusic]

You just saved my life

[@RecordingLounge]

+Wouter Hardy I got u fam

[@Rizafoolwitit]

thanks for this

[@mi2kami2ka67]

What are the best vst plugins for saturation?

[@RecordingLounge]

There aren’t really any “best” plugins out there. It’s just whatever you like. But some of the popular ones are Soundtoys Decapitator, UBK Novatron, UAD Culture Vulture, Brainworx Saturator, Waves J37, Waves Kramertape, UAD Studer, UAD Ampex, Softube Saturation Knob. Hope that gets you started.

[@CarsonHoy]

Beauty. Did not know saturation actually pulled down peaks

[@yeaaboiii3002]

Amazing bro

[@soacker25]

Good one👌

[@DeckoKojiObecava]

thanks!

[@blueslsd]

Also school day for me!

[@dxpetrov]

Exactly what is wrong with today mixing/mastering of music is perfectly described in this video.

[@RecordingLounge]

I understand what you're saying - as I say at 5:24, I'm not a proponent of the loudness war, I don't think crushed masters sound good, BUT the purist philosophy of not using compression or saturation because it degrades music - as my friend Daniel Robert Ford says, it's an artistic choice to NOT compete. Do we need our mixes to be crushed? No. But if they're left completely dynamic with no control, it simply won't fly in the market, and after all, we work for our CLIENTS, not for ourselves. We're making records for THEM, so that THEY can compete, not so we can see who has the best recording. If it's your own music, do whatever you want! Make it super dynamic! But for me, I work for clients. If I don't make it loud, they complain. It's that simple. SO the solution, in my mind, is to handle loudness in subtle stages at the mix, rather than trying to get the mastering engineer to crush it unnecessarily. It always sounds better to handle it on my end in subtle stages. Do I wish this wasn't even an issue? Yes! My life would be much easier if I didn't have to think about this stuff. Haha. But it IS a factor we have to consider.

[@miscellanyman263]

Love those expressions: "peaky" and "meat" tee-hee-hee (giggles)

[@bitflux2]

most edm is 3 dynamic range, imagine that

[@randomenergy8431]

Hi there. Could you please explain the significance of this ( most edm is 3 dynamic range ) sorry I'm really rubbish at mixing. Im just trying to learn as much as I can.

[@RecordingLounge]

What Sound Offense means is that EDM is mastered so loudly that almost all the dynamic range is removed. Many songs are mastered at -3, -4, -5 RMS, which is (in my opinion) unnecessarily hot and sounds bad.

[@randomenergy8431]

@@RecordingLounge thank you so much for your quick response. I have this EDM type track I've been mixing lately and I'm using Calvin Harris/ disciples track ( how deep is your love ) as a reference. I could never seem to match up that loudness. But your message makes sense to me. The kick that track for example seems unnecessarily loud. Thanks again. Keep up the good work.👍🏽

[@jefdamen2977]

The fades are a bit annoying if u compare loudness...

[@flamindigo]

good video about wha saturation is NOT - not very good about what it IS

[@gibson2623]

Louder but with a lower dynamic range.....which is never good

[@Metal4Life56]

Dude, you sound like Jason Bateman (the actor) haha

[@RecordingLounge]

+Metal4Life56 LOL never got that before, but I'll take it. He's hilarious

[@thelinkofperfectioncharity9469]

Got my 808 Smiling

[@jaytyler5741]

No offense, but in my opinion. release time too long on your compression/limiting. And the eq on the overheads is fucked up. The ride sounds woofy as hell. And yes, I am listening on good monitors.

[@RecordingLounge]

Not really the point of the drum example or the video, but regardless, There’s a million ways to record and mix drums. This is one of those million. I’m listening on good monitors too. ;)

[@jaytyler5741]

Just saying Positive Grid sounds like a real amp. Helix sounds like pedals with no tubes.

[@jaytyler5741]

Oops I reply to the wrong video on that last one sorry about that dude

[@MrTsetso]

Loudness war kills music! Only non-musician hobbyist rely on it! Leave music to the musicians, pls!