Best Way To Mix Rock & Metal Distorted Guitars | 3 Secrets You Need To Know

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The way many of us mix guitars in dense genres like rock and metal is fundamentally flawed. This video walks you through 3 unique ways to mix guitars that will add clarity, width, and space to your song without sacrificing guitar tone!
Once you master this new approach to mixing guitars, your songs will have so much more power and translate better regardless of where it is played.
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HASHTAGS
#metal #guitars #raytownproductions
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:42 Who I Am and Free Download
1:26 First Listen To Song
2:13 How to make guitars fit in a dense mix
3:15 Secret 1: EQing the guitar the CORRECT way
6:00 Secret 2: Full consistent powerful low end
7:50 Adding more attack and grit to guitars
9:30 Secret 3: Dynamically remove masking frequencies from guitars
11:08 How to setup guitar sidechain
12:46 Don't forget your FREE gift!

[@carlosdarity6456]

Your approach to mixing simply just makes sense. You give your rationale for each decision and then you show proof with tangible examples. It is very effective, instead of the I did this and then you get nothing out of it approach from well known industry pros. You work on a diverse range of music too which makes your channel even more effective.

[@thergstar2577]

Some of the best most effective advice I’ve ever heard! No one’s ever explained it so clearly before. Thanks Man!

[@music7studios]

This is the second video in a row I have watched from you and it is truly great. Thanks for the explaining your process for high gain guitars in such a detailed manner, much appreciated. I just subscribed!

[@AdenMackdaddy]

I'm just getting started refining my skills in audio mixing. Cheers for such great content! Now to watch and learn all of them

[@Lexus-Poxus]

Dude, so simple yet totally awesome! Best explanation. Period!

[@etiennemamo8604]

Great video mate. What I love is that you can apply these techniques to any genre

[@carlasker9285]

Very good video. You’re right about the space in the mix!

[@joseferro1432]

Excellent video! Thank you! I really love your approach of combining sonically the bass and guitar. Clear and concise.

[@sethtrey]

that masking eq tip is great. And sidechaining is like magic.

[@plaguebearermetal]

So much of this I wish I'd heard a long time ago! And, so much of this I thought of trying, but didn't have the balls! So many producers don't show what people need to hear as though they're gate keeping? Thank you for creating such a solid resource!

[@raymondspagnuolo8222]

Using the sidechain is such a good idea. Thanks for posting!

[@komlosiattila]

that's exactly the shit i was looking for! perfect explanation with perfect sample music! thanks!

[@extroy]

Sick vid, great song!

[@thescarecrow1315]

Good stuff!! That mix is busy as hell and a lot of energy is right in that mid/center that you explained. But you made it all clear and audible! Easy explanation as well

[@afomezza72]

Great man really helpfull.

[@nullpointer7540]

Excellent! Gonna try all your tricks in my next mixing attempt when I have time!

[@juanmendozaroldan5366]

This is gold for me, thank you very much!!

[@stevenesfield2747]

Just stumbled across this channel and I wanted to reach out to express my gratitude for such a detailed and simple to understand explanation of how to mix Metal Guitars. I've really been struggling to get my guitars to sit in a mix, basically I've been falling into the trap of working on isolated guitars to get a tone I'm happy with, only to find out they sound crap in the mix. I then start messing with the drums and bass to try and make them work!... this explanation makes total sense and I'm now excited to revisit some mixes with this advise in mind. Thanks and keep up the great work

[@BrianWalis-Producer]

Loved this video. As a guitar player, I fell into the 'dont touch my tone' camp. It wasn't until I started mixing for others that I started to realize that tracking tones (without a producer with a good ear for the final mix) likey is not going to work as the final tone. I really liked that sidechain the snare to the multiband compressor trick. Can't wait to try it out!

[@nikolatomic5287]

great advices. thanks.

[@rafaelsencine4946]

Thank you excellent video!

[@walterkopatz288]

Excellent work, thank you

[@paulie_g_]

Excellent video, subscribed!

[@raybergstrom]

Great stuff in here, particularly the masking frequencies and sidechaining to the snare. Can't wait to try it on my next mix. Thanks!

[@ratiosofcompression1527]

Thank you! This is SO HELPFUL!!! Subbed!!!

[@tokyometalclub]

Thank you! This was so helpful ❤

[@Simone-xe9cw]

This tutorial is pure gold, giving the tools and some brief theory behind choices instead of the yt approach "just copy this to sound metal" which doesn't usually work.

[@redazu911]

"Find the spot where you can't understand the vocals anymore." ..you mean all of it? xD

[@rockr8840]

😂😂

[@Fiveash-Art]

You just need the Cookie Monster quick translation book. It's helpful. I miss the old days when he was singing less aggressive and more accessible pop songs like "C is for Cookie".

[@philippfischer8002]

This, Sir, is pure Gold! Thank you for sharing expertise

[@jonathanross1033]

By far one of the best “secret” videos that actually told secrets in a quick and succinct way. Thank you!

[@SnowForgeHammer]

This was the best mixing lesson I've seen in years. Thank you

[@RaytownProductions]

Glad you liked it! 🤘🤘

[@tyarenas]

Bro the guitar eq tips helped me out a lot man, thanks for this

[@matthewjoshua1025]

This video is awesome. Your clear explanation of the secrets, especially #1, just wow, kudos.

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks so much! Glad you got something from the video :) Cheers!

[@VeroGMD]

This video has helped me understand everything way more! At first I came looking for videos like this Becuase I didn’t have the slightest idea on where to even star mixing the guitars. Thanks!

[@JoshuaAucker]

thank you so much! such good tips!

[@RobGreenCOMPOSER]

IT'S ALWAYS 3K - i've never found and IR where 3k has not been annoying. great work, been producing for years but i constantly like to see other peoples perspectives, always learning!

[@victorheijink1325]

great channel thanks

[@Paulriffer]

Omg I never knew about this channel until KZbin recommended this video! This was very enlightening for sure! - I’m def subscribing!

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad to have you as a sub 🙂 cheers!

[@boxy8673]

amazing video thank you so much 🎸

[@ABCDELEMENTARY]

thank you for this video! been having trouble mixing guitars lately! 🙏😄

[@SkreamerOfficial]

Amazing work. Thanks dude.

[@garcyuh]

Sidechain relating to the snare. Definitely awesome.

[@whome806]

Every video from this channel has been helpful

[@soundleague]

Thanks man, so informative! Subscribed.

[@minorchordstudio]

Right on, Brother.

[@kylehersey123]

that was sick. thanks!

[@Davizola91]

Best tips! Thank u

[@margauxmilan]

Thank u for this tip

[@AnthonyLambson]

This is fire. ProbBly the best video on mixong metal ive found. Thanks brother

[@RaytownProductions]

Of course. So glad it helped!

[@francescoapg]

You talked about some really important concepts here 🙌

[@AlexKosSaheli]

Ty, the sidechaining is the thing I'm going to work on

[@B.L.U.E.S.K.Y81]

great explaination, i'll try sidechain compressor idea on my guitar track , thanks man 🤘

[@johnsguitarpage4415]

Sidechaining drums to guitars is a game-changer with heavy guitars - if anyone hasn't learned that already, it's worth taking a moment to figure out and implement - sounds more complicated than it is. Another good video.

[@pictures_on_silence]

use PRO Q3 for the sidechains on snare - it's easier than using this wave vst ..all is integrated in pro Q3

[@jagratmusic]

Thanx Dax!

[@Oldmanmusic]

Even though I kinda knew most of this, it was actually very very useful information to be told/taught again. Sometimes you just.. idk.. forget things when mixing because there's so much stuff going on. So thank you! Thank you for the reminder!

[@trumancarter1299]

That transient trick works like a charm 👌

[@juncando]

Thank you

[@wonkastudio-1211]

just found your channel , impressed with your ideas , i will check out more of your videos...

[@RaytownProductions]

I appreciate that! The rabbit hole goes DEEP so be careful haha!

[@alexmental3504]

Thank you for the video dude ;)

[@EgoTherapieLee]

man i was just about to finish a mix but then i stumbled on this video. thank you so much - that bass filtering technique to bring forth the gutiars was helping a LOT

[@RaytownProductions]

You're very welcome! 🤘

[@webguitars]

EYE OPENING! Took me a year to find this. Thanks.

[@Banditman]

I use a dynamic mid/side EQ in a similar way. I stick it on the end of the rhythm guitar bus and side chain it to whatever element I think needs the guitars to get out of the way. Depending upon what that element is, I may just do a full width EQ or engage mid/side for an even more surgical removal. For example, with a lead vocal I know will be right in the middle, I'll just dynamically EQ the middle leaving the sides alone. It's a different technique, but I think we're getting to the same place. I hadn't thought of doing it for the snare, gonna have to give that a try. Good video.

[@DeviHisgen]

thnx dude, really helpfull.

[@catsven1973]

if this can make you continue making video...in 20 years I've never heard such good advice from anyone else, and trust me I swallowed tones of lines and books and experimented with different things....the best thing I"ve heard so far is the fact to listen to the other instruments when we work EQ on the instrument we suspect .....that's great !! thanks...it's game chaning...i specially work on dense mixes and always have a bunch of things covering the bass; so without a surgical work on different instrument whatever I do the bass would still be overwhelmed, even with all the well-established tricks..and I think your advice will help a lot at this point. as a starting step..

[@more-kamer-hikvision-dahua]

Thank you!!!

[@palmeraniian]

Still the best music production on YT and most underrated.

[@demoinglife]

So sick to see what's happneing underneath the hood! Awesome work my friend!

[@Stealyourtone]

I really like this approach. Very simple but yet very effective. Seems I've been doing it wrong for so many years haha.

[@leonkloosterman]

that Sidechaining trick is awesome

[@BradyA1124]

So, like: 1. **EQing the guitar correctly:** Instead of soloing the guitar, he suggests listening to the whole mix and cutting frequencies that interfere with vocals or other important elements. 2. **Creating a powerful low end:** He recommends focusing on the bass to provide a full low end and using sidechain compression to prevent guitars from masking the snare. 3. **Dynamically removing masking frequencies:** Bobby demonstrates sidechain compression on guitars triggered by the snare drum to ensure that the snare's impact isn't compromised by the guitars.

[@Salantsoundstudios]

Nice vid man!

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks for sharing your time with me 🙂

[@Salantsoundstudios]

@@RaytownProductions 🤘😜

[@AdamSyah]

The most helpfull video about mixing a guitar 💥💥

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks man! Took me 10 years of mixing for this concept to click

[@patrickfouhy9102]

Great video, again, love what you're doing. In an ideal world, if we have the time, I try do do A LOT of tone shaping and sculpting live during my session. If we have the time that is. I'll get the kit setup and miked, get the drum sound dialed in. Make sure everyone is happy with the drum tone, live off the kit. Then, I'll record a little bit of a drums, and try to dial in the bass tone to the already agreed upon drum tone. Usually fixed with mic placement, and EQ from the preamp. Often times, just like in your example here, we start getting a tone that may not be the best sounding on its own. THEN, I'll record a few bars of the bass to the already existing drums, and repeat a similar process for the guitars. Now, that's only if I'm recording the entire band, if a band is just using my studio for drums, or one other instrument, I couldn't care less about any of this, I try to get the biggest, fullest natural sound I can get, because IMO it's easier to subtract than to add.

[@TR3NTpresents]

you're a gem

[@Snaffdude]

Legend! I had 4 bass tracks almost out of instinct but I didn't sculpt them like this at all. My guitars now sound EVIL!

[@catsven1973]

oh by the way...thanks for the plugins guide..I suspected to find some that interest me..and yeah..like the sample rate converter.

[@jarrodf_]

Such great tips. Thoughts on ducking guitars (even modestly) for the vocals?

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

That is a great way to go about finding which frequencies to cut! I studied Audio Engineering in 1987, for a while did a live work, been in a band for 35 years, and over the last year have watched dozens of mixing videos, and that the first time I've seen that approach used. Obviously I've seen these EQ moves, and was taught about instruments "borrowing" frequencies from other instruments, but the way you went about finding those masking frequencies is a great method!👍

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Glad you got something out of the video. Cheers!

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

@@RaytownProductions I certainly did, I'll be using this method today on a song where I just can't seem to get the vocals to sit at the front of the mix. I've put limiters and compression on, and boosted the presence areas, and I EQed the instruments as I went so that they'd leave room for the vocals, but nothing is giving me satisfactory results once the vocals are actually in the mix. Your method might just be exactly what I need to do to find the problem. The song has so many different elements, I think what I'll do is create a new buss, with all of the submixes in, use your method to find the frequencies that are masking the vocals, then mute submixes until the vocals are clearer. Then I'll know where in the mix the problem lies, and go from there. It's been annoying me, the vocals are clipping, but not where they need to be. I haven't had that problem on other songs, just this one. Thanks! 🙂👍

[@onion69420]

Wow i actually understand this tutorial lol thanks

[@pud]

Wish I watched this video earlier. I miraculously have the same bass EQ curve but it took me forever. Great channel.

[@VladicD]

Nice video, great way to make guitars sit with vocals is to use trackspacer. Try it.

[@P4nzerk93]

Great stuff with the sidechains, not too many mixing youtubers cover that area at all.

[@RaytownProductions]

Much appreciated!

[@MisterGribbles]

Ray: "Find a spot where we cant understand the vocals anymore". Me: YES

[@MadSonStudios]

damn brother your badass

[@dmitrii4799]

Dynamic EQ, dynamic volume (automation) may be added as well.

[@MickDarkstar1]

Nice tips. What are your thoughts about overusing high pass filters on to many tracks (which can introduce phase issues)?

[@TeslaOsiris]

I will humbly admit that for a very long time did the whole mistake of the "Metallica scoop"...or as Colin from CSGuitars would say: "ALL THE GAIN, NO MIDS!". And that's how I would listen to music...boosted bass and treble, completely scooped mids. Then I saw CSGuitars video a couple years ago talking about the importance of mids, "How Not to Dial a Metal Sound", and that fundamentally changed the way I approached EQing music for my listening...not just metal and rock, but other genres as well. Everything sounds so much clearer with pronounced mids.

[@RaytownProductions]

Great comment! Thanks for sharing that. I'm with you 100% dial in a tone you like then use this trick to get rid of overlapping frequencies with more important elements. It's crazy how stuff you can keep in the guitars (especially the mids) when you approach it this way (and how much smoother and bigger the guitar tone is!). Cheers man

[@angelopearce2420]

Gold

[@eric_t123]

I needed this badly. It's so frustrating when I can't get it to sound right

[@TheMeJustMe75]

I write instrumental guitar music. I usually have acoustic guitar as a form of back track along with stringed instruments. I might have piano or a synth sound.

[@Trazodonemusic]

I feel like I need to write this shit down where I can always see it because every time I hear this I’m always like “ohhh yeah” 😅

[@rossbalch]

Fucking great vid. Thanks dude.

[@gastonjabaly]

Yup

[@taylolz]

I'd love a video on guitar tone that's thick and not in your face. How do you fill the space then?

[@leader6303]

ur a f in legend :))

[@albertoserranotorres2058]

Do you use DI for your guitars? If so, you leave them for re-amping or you conjoin them with the mic'd guitar? Btw excellent video.

[@RaytownProductions]

really depends. Typically I'll go with just amp sim or just mic'd guitars. I find that doing both will sometimes make it tricky to get everything to fit together in the completed mix, even if the guitars sound really full when solo'd. But don't let that stop you from trying to use both! Experiment and see what works best for you :)

[@yinyangguitars6456]

how do you EQ out the non-musical part of the 'vocals'...?

[@soundleague]

So you sidechain the guitars to the snare? Is there anything else you sidechain the guits to, for example the kicks?

[@streamofconsciousness5826]

I created space by using a lot less than 100 tracks..... The Bass thing, I was using a clean D.I. with a dist high end but was high cutting at 151\ and high passing at /201 But then I started using a (not as distorted, more like driven) Bass for the low as well, It's softens the sound while making it heavier. Guitars, still working on that, High pass at +/- 100hz, carve at 1500hz, tight cut 3.1k 4.1k, low pass at 8K or less, do some work in the 200 -300hz range or the 800hz or both.....it never ends.......

[@JDhvactech]

Doesn't using the bass track like that assume the bass is playing the same thing? Usually I take the guitar di and drop it an octive