My 5 Favourite Mix Buss Plugins with Marc Daniel Nelson

[@Producelikeapro]

Marc Daniel Nelson has an amazing new course on Mixing here:- promixacademy.com/course/advanced-mixing-with-grammy-nominee-marc-daniel-nelson/

[@radiantjumper]

Marc, did you have them all on? I thought you were showing top 5 that you use on different records but not all 5 at the same time.

[@louderthangod]

I spent 95% of the video seeing what the dog was up when in the camera. The song isn’t the kind of thing I listen to much but the performance and mix is outstanding. A great blend of delicate and detailed with great movement.

[@joeqmix]

one thing I love about these is the choice of music. So many plugin videos are using all synths. Even if you make synth-based music, in a tutorial it is easier to hear the subtleties on a vocal or a guitar.

[@Amzegal]

Every single time I hear Marc's production, I'm blown away.

[@docdeens4030]

Brilliant use of subtlety

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@queenpurple8433]

P42 climax is my favorite

[@carlasker9285]

Wow! The P42 was really pleasing to my ears. Great tune, great recording. Marc is such a wonderful guy; soft, human, relaxed and very, very skilled.

[@LoveItDirtyOffroad]

I can see him playing a German part in a movie

[@Thegoldenlab606]

Pulsar MODULAR. Not to be confused with Pulsar Audio. Different companies. The P42 is formidable. Well worth the price.

[@BookOfTaliesin]

Hey Marc Daniel, the TAUPE preset A0 is, according to the unofficial Acustica Audio emulation list, an AMPEX 1200 with 15IPS ;-) , Many thanks for your great videos, I like them very much, so long, Andy

[@americanbigelow]

This is a great video. I love the emphasis on "It's only gonna' give a small improvement". I feel like I figured out Stereo Bus Processing when I figured out i's just going to make it ever so slightly "Bigger Sounding" and ever so slightly wider. Or... Whatever. The "Ever So Slightly" part is what I needed to figure out.

[@whoakayno]

Marc is so good! These videos are so incredibly helpful

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@fiddlefolk]

@@Producelikeapro Thanks Warren!!!!

[@jloiben12]

My mix bus chain has quite a few plugins but most of them aren’t… doing anything to the sound. It is a lot of metering and utility tools. (1) Baxendall EQ. (2) VU Meter (to make sure the loudest part of the song averages about -8dbfs). (3) SSL Bus Comp. (4) API EQ. (5) Isol8 (mainly for muting the low end and the dim control). (6) Adaptr StreamLiner (for monitoring levels). (7) Limiter (solely for when I am working on the song. It never gets printed. It is simply for “normalizing” volume). (8) CLA Nx (to provide a more “speaker” like listening environment for my headphones)

[@nickmessitte1721]

The tape / api thing is really helping me get the sound I’m looking for in the box. So great man, thank you so much!

[@AlexeySolovievMusic]

Marc is really awesome sound engineer it’s always a joy and pleasure to see him on this wonderful channel and to learn from him!

[@Producelikeapro]

Couldn't agree more!

[@billyhughes9776]

First off -- that tune is gorgeous. Great tips -- I've been using The Glue for a few years -- it is very, very good. I really liked what the P42 and Taupe did. Great stuff -- thanks.

[@Godemanstudio]

Marc, Marc, Marc.... Again. Thank you so very much for the videos! Perfect inspiration for me here in Sweden Gothenburg, together with my morning coffee.. ;)

[@whatskraken3886]

It's insane that the Glue Compressor by Cytomic comes free with Ableton

[@TroubadourMusic]

This is a beautiful mix. I looked up Todd Kessler from this and am listening to this album. I couldn't find credits anywhere on the internet. This album is mesmerizing. I really love it.

[@bobbaumeister5243]

One of the best with Marc Daniel

[@davidasher22]

I know it’s not a “plugin” but I recently bought one of those Zulu Tape Emulators. What a cool box! And it’s passive nature let’s you approach the gain in a variety of ways without overloading or distorting.

[@Producelikeapro]

Paul 'Willie Green' Womack has one! It's fantastic!

[@adrianl5899]

MDN for Prime Minister! Always great to listen to, universally liked and has never crashed the £. Thank you!

[@NikolajChristensen]

Your mixes are next level. Just beautiful.

[@pricedlx]

I love the Marc segments. My wife loves them as well. But for a different reason. We have a 1.5 year old Weimaraner. In an earlier episode he mentioned having to turn up his monitors due to dog snores. She loved that as I have to do the same thing. For the same reason

[@fiddlefolk]

Lol.. My black cat Henry loves Marc Daniel Nelson productions as well... he's in my lap in 2 seconds! He thinks it is soul soothing time! Lol...

[@parodifair4459]

Wiems are the best dogs for 2bus listening!

[@joelecho]

Cheers, Marc. Your approach to bus compression (master and other busses) has really informed my strategy for the mixing I've been doing so far this year. I think pretty well every bus in every session has a compressor on it these days, and none of them are reducing anything more than a DB. On any one bus it's almost hard to hear, but if you bypass them all and bring them back in it really does help things to feel so much more natural.

[@sonnybrasco9735]

I dig Marc. Cool vibe and definitely know what he's doing

[@StaticTeaz]

Nice! My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and niece are in Indianapolis. (And I graduated from Earlham years ago.)

[@themightiestgooch]

Guys got a beautiful voice.

[@Joey-rp5vg]

Great video Marc, some brilliant tips there and some awesome plugins. The Cytomic, The Glue is amazing, only thing is I have to go back and turn everything down on that plugin after my excited choices at the beginning. It makes everything sound so good, until I listen less excitedly and realize I have went to far and reign it back in....LOL. Great video thanks very much to Marc and the rest of the PLAP team. Cheers

[@williamholder2969]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I always learn something new and not just a little bit. Keep up the good work!

[@marcdanielnelson317]

You're goofy Bill!🍕

[@charlienelson2395]

@@marcdanielnelson317 just so you know, I got my atc45s and Trinnov because of you. I love the atcs, the trinnov just showed up, I am sure it will be super helpful. Thanks for sharing all your info!!!

[@charlesrocks]

lol Everything sounds good when it goes through a Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor. The UAD API and Neve Plugins are terrific for color. I also use the UAD Distressor and the UAD Fatso JR. Just amazing sounding plugins.

[@jeromeblanchet685]

sometimes as I am listening to Marc, it's like getting a lesson with Yoda, subtle and inspiring as usual!

[@davejohnsonmusic]

That's what it's like with a lot of these top guys. It's not about what settings they're using. It's about understanding how their mind thinks and approaches tasks/problems. I could turn off the screen and just listen to Marc talk for hours.

[@pocket1684]

Love this video. I like to use the 670 fairchild on most mixes because it tends to glue the mids in a pleasing way. However, the 670 is not technically compressing at all. The needle isn't moving. Its the color I love. I also use SSL G Bus compressor in conjunction w the fairchild, the SSL barely touching the needle if at all to retain low frequency information for my mixes. Thanks for exposing me to P-42 transformer and TAUPE Plug. I"m going to check these out. I like that you use the word personality.

[@ThisMichaelBrown]

Thanks for the tips Marc....I like Waves C4 for adding 3 dimensions...hard to explain, but seems to create space. Also -16 LUFS, let it breathe. Fun stuff

[@drampadreg1386]

I tend to r ecord my won stuff and it has a lot more dynamics than pop does, but this information is very helpful for me as well. I use brushes a lot when I play, and a kick with no hole or stuffing in it, just the felt strip and mic the batter head as well as the resonance head to a lesser degree. These plugins would be very helpful, and never underestimate the value of transformers, Rupert never did! Thank you for the valuable and free information. With my back, it's all I can afford!

[@Thirsty_Deer_Studio]

I'm from Indiana too. Headed back there right now from my job in Louisville Kentucky. I love watching the mixing process, and how to get my sound as good as I can. And Always see a new plugin I haven't tried

[@maidenmopar]

I am from Indiana also. Just subbed to your channel. 👍

[@Thirsty_Deer_Studio]

@@maidenmopar thank you. I really appreciate it. And I subscribed to yours as well

[@humbertocruz5952]

Excellent and very Informative video by Mr. Marc Daniel Nelson!! 👍👍

[@johnlance3860]

That "one or two things that are 5%, then you're 10!" part is 💪

[@Bthelick]

There's a new one for the list. Variety of sound just updated his vintage broadcast limiter to 64bit. Definitely worth a look (as are all of his processors)

[@AmiliaCaraMia]

I'm sorry but Marc has one of the coolest studio setups. That room is so mellow. How'd it sound in there during the tour?

[@kcrknp]

Apparently the secret is orange lava lamps.

[@nickmandleberg]

@@kcrknp and a beautiful Shadow hills comp with its green lights just out of focus in the background 🤤

[@musicfreak21]

Agree. But even crazier that his old spot was amazing as well. This dude just knows how to vibe.

[@Producelikeapro]

It’s a wonderful sounding room!

[@Producelikeapro]

It’s a wonderful sounding room!

[@aldo34]

Newfangled Audio are SO underrated. Their 'Generate' synth is also one of the best out there.

[@whatskraken3886]

It's a bit of a cliche opinion, but i love pendulate

[@hwa-seunge462]

The glue comp comes stock with Ableton. I had been using it as a 'auto-fix my crappy mix' plugin for years -- mixing into it, hell even tracking into it (yes, my mixes stink!)

[@metatron333ascension]

love it. the ampeg tape i think the decapitator plugin has that modeled. i think one of my weakest points in mix/mastering is the use of saturation or something lack there of. knowing when its too much or not enough.

[@PabloUliver-Bass-Guitar]

Thanks again for all the tips. The Acustica Audio “tape” is one of my favorites for this part of the mixing process.

[@sgfdancecompany]

Thanks Marc, I love how your concept translate on the examples you share; and also use this approach to quiet an dedicated tracks when im mixing

[@CFox.7]

More Marc stuff ! The dude is as cool as ! Does he interact with members on the PLAP member site ?

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes! He posts videos inside our community!

[@marcdanielnelson317]

and HERE!

[@aryeh-kunstler]

Just love your vibe and the way you give over info. Thank you!

[@DestroyTeam_NoiseFactory]

I'm glad I didn't see the same ol' whatever sponsored plugins, but stuff that aren't ridiculously overhyped 🤟🤟

[@Six2Nine]

My feelings in the first 2 secs.: Beautiful mixed vocals! It's like the singer would stand in front of me! I'm jealous Marc.

[@MadeOnTape]

love yer color choices...and the mix sounds amazing before you touch the 2-bus. Great sounds 🙌

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Awesome awesome awesomeness!!! Love watching you work

[@pastilance1]

Damn, that was fantastic! And I've never even heard of those plugins before actually. They all sounded so pleasing. Marc sure as hell knows how and when to use them.

[@Rhythmattica]

The Keitel of Audio..... The Wolf... Always Listen to what is said. . Never Question. (Btw.. Some great advice across a plethora of Plugs, all for different reasoning..... Great to See Cytomic and New Fangled in there)

[@zackorr421]

Marc, your approach and videos are incredible thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you like them! Marc is THE man!

[@ChrisArlesMusic]

Beautiful ! the P42 + API 560 eq is an incredible combo. Probably my fav for this track. Punctuate by NewFangled works fine too. I agree that the 2 others could be better on some punchiest tracks, a bit more agressives or less warm I would say. By the way this actual track is really nice, low ends are deep, brushes are sharps and warm. Deep & sharp but warm overall sound !!! love it ;) Thank you Daniel ! Blessings from Mauritius ;)

[@antcall6779]

Always a great day when Marc shows up with a new video! Great as always man🤘 kinda surprised no klanghelm. It’s the ultimate vibe comp

[@marcdanielnelson317]

My fav on vocals but wayyyyyyy too much for stereo stuff for me

[@michaelgehringmusic8440]

Great choices and a couple I didn't know of. Thanks again!

[@Tabzunderground]

wow you can mix brother ❤❤

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@emiromeroonkeys]

I like Marc cause he is talking with the true about work in music.

[@recapitationguitars-Egregore]

Awesome! Any place to hear the final mastered song? Beautiful tune. Love the plug-in demonstration.

[@Luke-ot6mk]

What a Beautiful song! MDN good taste as always. Cheers!

[@edjefferson9175]

Taupe (rhymes with hope) is the name of a color. Kind of tan. Used a lot on carpet and upholstery.

[@SongMakerNYC]

glue is pretty "transparent"...less color, more like "vibe connector"....love it :)

[@kbb149]

Wow, as always thanks for sharing your work...always an education, and thank you! 1. 560/ATR - Opens things up nicely...especially the drums to my ears. Very cool! 2. Taupe placed the vocals perfectly just barely on top of the mix. It seemed to do 'glue' better to my ears than the Glue plug. 🙂

[@YngHstlr]

doggo in the studio is essential :D

[@christianbiend4458]

thank you for sharing this knowledge with us god bless you for this work you’re a really cool guy Marc and you have a « bonjour » from France🤗

[@splashesin8]

Thank you Mark! 🙂

[@mikeloosen53]

luv this, so cool and enlightening!!!

[@kimbullard770]

Fabulous. What a great video

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@LightsandMotion]

interesting with the API EQ insert.. I wonder if you've tried the same setup but with Acustica Audio´s dedicated Pink 4 Preamp, which is their API?

[@marcdanielnelson317]

It actually doesn't sound the same.. Neither does the real deal which i use everyday.

[@Steviee8]

Always good stuff. I think my KZbin stream doesn’t let me fully enjoy what you are probably hearing live in your room. Or maybe it’s me. Too old mixing live for too long. Recently bought the IK Tascam 388 tape emulator (that you own and would love a real one. Or is that reel one) but I find it is doing some cool stuff. I really enjoy it even though it’s a cpu hungry plug-in. Cheer Marc! Thx.

[@Superdelphinus]

Todd Kessler has a really lovely voice

[@ToddKessler]

Thank you:)

[@Producelikeapro]

Great vocal Todd!

[@ToddKessler]

@@Producelikeapro cheers!!

[@kennethkristiansen4608]

Love the song! I hope I can work/mix a song and an artist like that one day.. The Pulsar sounds mmmmm!

[@massivebeatzz]

Deep mind, as always.

[@larsthomasdenstad9082]

Great song. Also, I agree on your choices. The first two made the mids too dense to my ears. I now need to buy Taupe. And Acustica sure knows how to price things.

[@GH-xt6pd]

Hey, thanks so much to share your experiences and expertise to graft tracks but would it be possible for Marc to show us how he arrange a track that pose a challenge, with dirty instruments, aggressiv noises, bleed, faster...the songs he uses, or he is specialized in have mostly this kind of folk genre. 80% of arrangement is allready done by musicians. Its not my intention to be distrespectful, its just a question.

[@marlino8042]

one of the best teachers

[@SoundDope]

Valuable info as always from Marc! Love his dog on the sofa just relaxing! Makes me miss my doggies! :(

[@chrisbodegraven4789]

Thanks Marc! this video inspired me to experiment with the Klanhhelm MJUC on the 2 buss for colour. I’ve tried using this compression plug in so the GR meter just barely moves. it adds some low end weight to mixes.

[@rectangulardots]

Great video! Would you mind sharing what‘s that spring reverb in the intro? That sounds fantastic!

[@marcdanielnelson317]

Softube spring!

[@rectangulardots]

@@marcdanielnelson317 cool, thanks a lot!

[@papahuge]

Also all of my favorite plugs! 🔥

[@fiddlefolk]

Man, that is the shit I'm talking about! Getting things perfect and then these added subtleties just send it over the edge into spine tingling!

[@fiddlefolk]

Oh, Marc, I built a Christian brothers automotive in New Albany , Indiana this past year! Beautiful country!

[@liltshirt]

wow, i tried the atr-102 + uad 560 combo on a few of my mixes and it is so damn good, just adds some kind of 3d type feel on the coloration, best tip ever!

[@Miltersen]

Great thanks. I like the API2500 From UAD. But i change depending on flavor too. I bought Taupe, but kinda forgot about it.

[@tommyottobisdee]

I'm not sure what's more valuable - Marc's experience and advice OR the insanely high-spec studio computer he must be running in order to host Acustica's Taupe plugin while mixing in real-time! I managed to figure out which preset he's using for Taupe (which is great), but that one instance of Taupe immediately brought my CPU to its knees, and then randomly stopped producing any audio output when I adjusted the settings lol!? Acustica seem to have turned a big corner by drastically reducing the CPU-drain of their plugin ecosystem with the newer additions, one can only hope that they fix Taupe at some point soon...

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Tommy, I'm using a 2009 Mac Cheesegrater and I'm able to run the Taupe Plug in, I did add over 16gb of RAM (which is pretty much minimum requirement these days). What computer are you running? Many thanks, Warren

[@davidmamusic]

Wow, Todd Kessler? This guy is a gem!

[@ToddKessler]

Thank you! 💎

[@artbasss]

Alan Watts of plugins knowledge. The Geek of Soundness. The Dan.

[@Six2Nine]

Wise words at the end of the video. Yes the 5% makes the difference...

[@lilyrodriguez1490]

Helpful as always!

[@MariJu1ce]

So nice music examples!!! =) =)

[@curtis_chip]

heyho Marc, thanks for this list… cool cool

[@JustinNathanielAdams]

Hey, Marc, do you send your track in for mastering with the plugins still on the Mix Buss or do you bypass them? Or do you Master the tracks yourself? Thanks for another great video!

[@davejohnsonmusic]

All these top mixers send out to an ME they know well. I'm sure he's keeping all his 2-bus stuff on, as he's showing here, it's mainly for color. ME's must love getting work from him because all they really have to do is push the level up.

[@TokyoSpeirs]

Amazing as always.

[@georgevarghese383]

Marc is excellent as always. But I must say, the songs I hear in his videos are fabulous. Who is the artist and what is the song title?

[@BillyWigglesMusicCo]

You said (at around the 12:15 mark/ Punctuate), "...rock track, a very dense track, a trailer track..." My question is; what is a trailer track?

[@andrewwhitehouse1878]

I'm guessing he means movie trailer music, which has become its own genre ✌️

[@stephenbruce5431]

This is fantastic! I’m from Indiana … where are you from Marc?

[@NRVE8]

Using an api 500 series isn’t something I would have thought to do on a 2bus … nice.

[@DarkTrapStudio]

We have the Glue Compressor Stock in Ableton :) with a native GUI integration so you don't have to open it

[@rawpoweraudio]

Marc, in addition to being extremely talented, you also explain things very well. Side note, I love the sound of the guitar in your intros. Does anyone know the source?

[@LeonardoLima-nk4fv]

Very Nice! I demoed the P42 its nice, but and for some reason really prefer the saturation of the Noise Ash Need Preamps ,, speacially the 31102! I really like the True Iron on mixbuss, subtle, but tight the low end, very affordable magic plugin, thanks Marc, really like your videos! Greetings from Brazil!

[@LeonardoLima-nk4fv]

and of course, Glue its amazing!

[@gengkapak2022]

Cant wait marc make course for mixing pop song