NEVERMIND MIX ANALYSIS | 1991 (Andy Wallace) VS 2011 (Butch Vig)

This this video we take a listen to both the Andy Wallace and Butch Vig mixes of Nirvana's Nevermind.
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[@MakeTheMusic]

Which one is better? Leave a comment and the reason why!

[@alessandropiccolo4121]

Andy Wallace mixes feel raw, I would say almost unmixed, but at the same time powerful and clear. Absolute genius

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed. Andy's is the best of all worlds.

[@alexcpedals]

AW mix just grabs you and takes you places. It's the mix I heard in 1992 after buying the vinyl and for me it's the only I can listen too.

[@MakeTheMusic]

So true! AW version rocks!

[@pascalmerschaudio]

Butch is more the Recording Engineer and Wallace the Mixing Egineer.......both did a great job on this Record

[@MakeTheMusic]

Yes, both did an incredible job! Sounds fantastic.

[@rodrigocarneiro2100]

Andy Wallace said in a recent interview there’s no trigger on the drums. Is just Dave Grohl. 🤘🏼

[@MakeTheMusic]

Really? Can you link the interview? I've heard conflicting info for a while!

[@gastaxxx]

Andy didn't use a trig to replace the snare, he used a sample into a reverb to add a controlled ambient (in addiction to the sound city room)

[@ethaneckert172]

@@MakeTheMusic kzbin.info/www/bejne/mImZfZZ4YryCmNk whole interview's gold but here's the bit. I enjoyed your analysis!

[@R3TR0R4V3]

About 12 minutes 24 seconds in that interview is where the question comes up regarding Dave. 👍

[@stevewilds7121]

He's also never been shy about his use of triggered samples so I believe it.

[@IsmaelMulti]

Andy's mix is way brighter and polished. I love Butch, but Andy can't be beated in this record

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed. Andy's is just an incredible mix!

[@staidenofanarchy]

I'm against making something lower quality for some abstract concept of 'cred.' I always prefered Nevermind's production over In Utero, even though I'll admit In Utero is the superior record.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed! The "In Utero" production is pretty solid as well.

[@SexistAlexistv]

@@MakeTheMusicYou’ve gotta admit though, hearing 'In Utero’ but mirroring the production and mix quality, the polish of Nevermind would be an amazing listening experience.

[@stevewilds7121]

First mix i ever heard by Andy was The Front which I still play to this day. Been a fan ever since.

[@Moon11band]

Andy always, every mix, every album, the best ever!

[@MakeTheMusic]

Absolutely!

[@YoursUntruly]

The bass not being muddied out is what makes Andy a clear winner for me, Krist is the glue for Nirvana especially in songs like On A Plain and Lounge Act

[@MakeTheMusic]

Krist's bass sound is super important.

[@barny15]

Really cool analysis! Wallace's mix is definitely the stronger of the two in my opinion. Much better separation in terms of the instruments and nothing seems to be fighting for space, whereas Vig's mix feels very crowded and thick despite the wide separation on the guitar tracks. I do feel that Wallace's mix in "CAYA" loses some nuance; the ghost notes on Dave's snare during the verses are barely audible in the Wallace mix but you very clearly hear them in the Vig mix. That said, in Vig's "SLTS" mix, the kick drum gets buried amidst the din, and the extremely gated snare is the antithesis of nuance. When I listen to Vig's Devonshire mix, I enjoy it but feel fatigued afterwards; Wallace's mix is definitely the one to ingest if you don't want to feel like taking an antacid and a nap afterward.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Thanks! Andy's mix just translates so well it's tough to deny!

[@PaulEubanks]

Butch Vig sounds like Motley Crue. Andy Wallace sounds like grunge.

[@Bklyn93]

Also, Butch’s mix seems more drenched in reverb, and somehow thinner somehow

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed. One was a mix of the era, and one was a mix of the future.

[@SimonXRitchey]

You definitely said smells like TEAM spirit! 😂 0:26

[@MakeTheMusic]

HELLO HELLO!

[@marcelbr815]

About the snare sound, I've read somewhere Andy Wallace saying he only added a sample for some kind of gunshot-like reverb after the initial hit, but what you hear there is 100% real. He said "you're actually hearing Dave's snare".

[@MakeTheMusic]

Yes, this is correct.

[@isoneyy]

butch vig version sounds like in utero

[@MakeTheMusic]

I could definitely see that...

[@DIRTSMOKER3000]

I like the Butch Vig mix more. It feels more like Killing Joke almost, something more old school, darker, his voice is more present, the energy is just harder. Butch Vig wins IMO. I think some, not all, but some of peoples opinion on this has to do with just plain nostalgia and the fact that so much music evolved around this one record…

[@MakeTheMusic]

Butch's certainly has a vibe...

[@dojoflex]

I hear a noise gate on the snare on both tracks. Very odd to me as a producer, I would not put a noise gate on any snare when working with Rock Bands

[@MakeTheMusic]

Keeps out the cymbal bleed in noisy drum kits

[@stephenkane2464]

thanks for this!

[@MakeTheMusic]

You bet!

[@heatnationwpb]

Kurdt was full of shit lol. FOR ME the Wallace mix is far superior. To be clear, I think Butch is one of the very best at RECORDING rock music. He's simply awesome at what he does. But the final product that Wallace handed in was the best production I had ever heard at the time. I was a 19yr old musician & Nevermind not only blew my damn mind, but it also forever changed the way that I looked at making music. Nirvana came along and slapped the bleach right out of my teased-up hair!!! 😝

[@MakeTheMusic]

Butch produced an amazing record; Andy finished the job with the mix. Together it's the perfect combo.

[@user-xt7rs8md7p]

Andy’s version

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed!

[@peterhopqk]

Apparently there is a Teen Spirit Butch Vig mix and another one called 'The Devonshire mix' . Are both the same? Because when I hear both versions, there are still some differences between them.

[@MakeTheMusic]

The Butch and Devonshire mix are essentially the same.

[@BeatsAndMeats]

Where'd you get that Pro Tools Theme for Reaper?

[@MakeTheMusic]

I have a video on my channel all about that.

[@Scilter]

Andy is the GOAT

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed!

[@VargasVirgilio]

Butch Vig´s mix sounds more modern. I like AW version

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed! Andy's rocks!

[@sandybeansconqueso]

0:24 smells like team spirit?? teen*

[@curtisbush5728]

Its basically the same! Its not like they made "endless nameless" sound like "polly"! Also the first time you said it, you said "smells like TEAM spirit"! 🤣 Im gonna use that as a title for a song!

[@michellaforce2414]

But some of those difference could also come from the mastering afterwards, unless you tell me both versions went through the exact same mastering gear and settings

[@MakeTheMusic]

We can hear mix differences in the sound of tracks without knowing the mastering process.

[@michellaforce2414]

@@MakeTheMusic When you made the scooped EQ curves, that could of easily came from the mastering

[@MakeTheMusic]

Possibly. This is the best I had to work with for a mix comparison.

[@High9ine]

Butch Vigs mix is absolutely 100% better, it sounds more like a live band, im pretty sure Kurt wanted Butch Vigs mix anyway,

[@MakeTheMusic]

Butch's does have that live feel!

[@thagoatee]

smells like team spirit lol

[@MakeTheMusic]

lol

[@BBC-FreeShowsMovies]

Butch Vig's mixes were so much better, it feels more Sub-Pop-ish.

[@JohnWilliams-bx6gt]

This is pointless UNLESS you are comparing the UNMASTERED Versions. Love Sound Designer / Pro Tools, nonetheless.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Certainly not pointless

[@jeremylarue4503]

Jesus let it play for more than 2 seconds so we can get a feel good the differences. That's so frustrating couldn't finish the video.

[@MakeTheMusic]

That's a good way to get my video taken down due to copyright.

[@jeremylarue4503]

@@MakeTheMusic Fair enough.

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

I agree that Butch Vig 's drums don't sound as good. Which is very annoying as I thought, with him being a drummer, that his would have been better. That drum fill you pointed out for having a lack of dynamics sounded like stuff I've done with MY Power Drum Kit in the past. LOL.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Yeah, the drums aren't great, but Butch did a great job tracking and producing the record. Solid points!

[@joshuagrindstaff37]

It’s funny that you think Vig’s drums are samples, and Wallace’s are not, and Vig’s are gated. You are absolutely backwards. Wallace gates snare, and kicks, and uses samples more so than Vig. Butch Vig is more organic whereas Andy Wallace substitutes for polish, but I did like that you pointed out the fact that you could have it totally backwards. I like Andy Wallace’s version more, because that’s what we heard 1st, but Sir Butch is still a genius, and I would jam it just the same. I’m just being a little critical to your critical listening, so I’m not meaning to be a dick, I’m just saying.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Butch is absolutely a genius and was the perfect guy to produce the record. My point was that Andy knocked it out the park with the mix on this one.

[@joshuagrindstaff37]

@@MakeTheMusic Yes sir. I do agree Andy’s mix was better, but Kurt would love every minute of this, and then act like we are both posers, and chose wrong. I guess I felt like I had to defend Butch, and I’m the ass for doing it. It’s always good times to go on about good tunes, and the geniuses that did them. I apologize totally. The truth is I only wish I was the caliber of either Andy, or Butch, and maybe someday we both will. I do appreciate your insight. You made a video not me. Good on you boss.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Haha no worries. Nevermind is a kick ass album no matter who mixed it honestly. Butch brought out the best performances from the boys and crafted amazing sounds. Andy took the mix to an amazing level for commercial consumption. I get why people might like the Butch mix too.

[@wyrlismike]

damn butch vig isnt the greatest mixer. i did not agree with a lot of his choices. he can produce me any day though 👍

[@MakeTheMusic]

Agreed!

[@matttorrence2900]

Butch's is pretty good, but Andy's better.

[@MakeTheMusic]

Andy Wallace is on another level...

[@studiodsr]

Did you just say “smells like *team spirit?” Kids these days… smdh.

[@stephenkane2464]

it's not a sample! lol

[@MakeTheMusic]

Gotcha!

[@gastaxxx]

I prefer the AW mix, more contrast (mono/dry intro -> stereo fatter chorus), the sounds are both cool but andy has more range to give more emotions to the listeners

[@MakeTheMusic]

Totally agree. Andy is the GOAT for a reason.

[@TheTastefulThickness]

Whats up with that insane twang on the guitars in the intro of the vig version. Just artificial.

[@MakeTheMusic]

You'd have to ask Butch haha