Saturation Is Killing Your Mix

[@ground0777]

Mix Elite out here saving the world. Thanks, guys.

[@ItsJustAdrean]

I like to mix all my drums in separate channels because of this. Keeping the dynamics, smashing the drums

[@elxeno_]

I saw this but I didn't pay attention to it. Thanks for the plug Max

[@dlalachass]

I love and respect your work, bro 💕💕

[@dillonpillay106]

Great tutorial well done!! Processing the punch of the drum with its dynamics whilst balance the saturation on another chain. I feel that parallel processing and compression would also be an option.

[@teflontaustic]

think this is the most valuable thing i ever learned

[@ZCBeats1]

I wanna thank you so much for this video, literally a game changer when it comes to mixing

[@vibrantdragon3123]

I like how this Channel always talks about The true and sauce that nobody wants to share

[@Itsanasmusic]

OOF dude, you're a genius I never thought of doing that😭

[@OneEyedWheeler]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!! Thank you - I can't tell you how much this has helped me!! Amazing!!

[@timtom8679]

Bad beginner tip. Saturation rounds up the transients but you‘ll get more headroom so that you can make the drums louder. If necessary just add some transients back with a transient shaper.

[@iziahleahan]

love the style of this video bro! Great information!

[@andrewfrenir]

Sick! Everything you post is very useful Max!

[@PrototypeAudio]

Amazing! Will add this as an update feature to my plugin Fusion.

[@Viorust]

bruh if you dont wanna kill your dynamic range dont use decapitator with the punish button lmao thats psycho

[@theMixElite]

Actually, that doesn't matter if you use Punish or not. It's just intensifying. If I didn't use Punish, to get the same distortion effect I would need to go higher in Drive. If I just turned it off - it wouldn't distort the sound as I want it to do.

[@M.V.I.D]

Not All Heroes Wear Capes ......Thank you Mix Elite

[@BroSender]

this was so helpful thank you so much bro

[@markporo]

I feel like this is what I've been looking for, but I am a logic user. By chance would you know of a way to do this in Logic? Thanks!

[@1986-e3s]

THETRS NO SET RULES IN MUSIC PRODUCTION. IF YOU THINK THETES RULES ULL NEVER FINISH OR MAKE MUSIC. THESE KZbinRS WHO SAY... "YOU NEED TO DO THIS AND THAT USING THESE SAME EXACT SETTINGS" are crazy because music is an art.

[@prodbreeze]

The only answer!

[@red_cyb3rrr]

man rlly out here makin stock plugins fl studio, hire this man

[@scottisgood9230]

Thank you Mr. Dr. Sr. Maxamillion for spreading your knowledge upon us 🙏 🗣

[@cecotomov6372]

Hell yeah, I used a similar technique, but it was a pain in the ass. That's goated

[@premium670]

Make a video on the creative ways you’ve used envelope follower, please! That would help tons!

[@afiefzaki6265]

Such a great and simple concept because I understand the tools. I just would never thought of this because my immediate reaction is just to add transient shaper after distortion 😅 This video opens up more possibilities 🔥

[@terenceblack3724]

Parallel processing is the way to get the best of both worlds.

[@theMixElite]

@@terenceblack3724 Thanks Terence, but Parallel processing won't give you the same results - try for yourself! :)

[@frod0lesa132]

In the Drums... In the Sub in the Basses in everything in general in the instrumental I put a Saturation and a Limiter when mixing. Everything is full but easy to mix. it just makes mastering a little complicated

[@Wol8wol]

Bro, Do 1 more!!! You Genius. Thank You!

[@melomajestro9679]

Für ein guten Vergleich hätte ich mir Gain matiching gewünscht - wenn ich es richtig gesehen habe sind es locker 4 dB unterschied da klingt es natürlich „besser“

[@WaveEnterprise]

came over from the email newsletter. Thanks for all the value

[@wellaightthen]

All hail Mix Elite🙌

[@Leon90099]

why is there so much hate by people who obviously have no clue what they're talking about, keep up the great work, amazing tutorial!

[@SPsounds100]

Thank you for this!

[@Menac3-by9cb]

thank u for the knowledge!

[@LiminalStvte]

isn't this just a difficult way of doing parallel Saturation?

[@theMixElite]

Tried and tested, this works different - try it out!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Kinda looks like it.

[@afiefzaki6265]

Not the same. Parallel saturation is the combination of dry and wet (saturated and not saturated). Harmonic from saturation is reduced.. Method from this video: all wet saturated signal with no dry signal. Then volume automation to mimic the shape of dry signal’s dynamic. You get full harmonic from the saturation (bcs 100% wet saturated signal) and the volume automation afterwards add dynamic

[@emidex8721]

No not at all lol

[@SlavSquatSenpai]

I thought the same til I watched the video through. It's an even saturation of the whole dynamic range. It's like using a potato pealer instead of chopping the potato skin off with a knife.

[@armywithluv55]

What if i just out saturation and then just low the volume?? 🥺 ugh this is why i hate mixing, for god sake i just wanted to be a singer and now im here

[@JJ-oz1fp]

yeh oversaturation can kill your impact, cool trick i often just use multiband distortion to avoid making the drums sound hollow, cause they can begin sounding boxy if i use single band saturation

[@onlineflowerstore]

or just use the distortion as parallel channelwith the volume of your liking

[@theMixElite]

Tried and tested, this works different - try it out!

[@GrumpyGr3g]

yup and if too much, just sidechain the disto with the signal you are working on. Similar as sidechained reverb trick.

[@DJONTHETRACK985]

That's dope bro, gonna try this 🔥🔥🔥

[@phelper4554]

Your method makes the overall mix more quite because of the lower headroom which is not particularly bad but in the club for example you need a loud a mix or your track just sound weak. Keyword loudness war.

[@theMixElite]

That's a great point - we solve that when mastering, specifically when applying multiband compression.

[@terenceblack3724]

@@theMixElite But if you do that, you'll still be in some way turning the drums down to reduce the peaks, which the saturation is doing.

[@Skrenja]

It's not even hard to be competitively loud these days. Pretty much every streaming service normalizes the sh*t out of tracks. You're probably just killing your mix if you're mastering past -6 LUFS these days. The loudness wars finally feel like they're coming to an end.

[@DM_Dessy]

I needed this.🔥

[@lequidbit9385]

Can you do the same video on saturation and vocals? Appreciate it

[@Alckemy]

Just use a clipper! It’ll push your ceiling and chop the peaks. Sending a parallel chain or using sends… splitting the signal, whatever is always a great way to color your mix but this is a long road to something easily fixable with a saturator- turn on soft clip. Or a dedicated clipping device like eventide saturate. I get my mixes to -2/-1 lufs with clean transients

[@vandpiben]

-1 lufs lmfao. Must sound like sheiit

[@Alckemy]

@@vandpibenI’m sure it does if you do it.

[@tommyfeinstoff]

Its just louder. The saturated signal is quieter, clearly visible in the waveform.

[@theMixElite]

Do you mean perceived loudness? The peak waveform doesn't equal loudness. Anyways that's exactly what we were looking for to do in this video - to bring back the dynamics from the original sample on the distorted one that's squashed (and has lower peaks)

[@n0ldin]

Awesome lesson

[@COTRImusica]

How would you do this on Logic Pro X ?

[@marcocarnaghi294]

Very interesting approach! by chance, do you know if this technique can be applied in Reaper? Because I find it to be more stable than Ableton for big mixing projects

[@amarildojaupi7214]

How can this be done in Logic? Very interesting btw

[@CalleJonte]

I would just use attack and release on the compressor? Although I do think this was a nice way of doing parallel compression.

[@alinbeats]

thanks man! really thanks u a god

[@Boaugustin]

trop coooool ! thannnnks

[@brixman9145]

Great channel

[@beatbyprodfantasmita]

I bought "Mix Elite - FL Studio Patcher Presets - Lords Vol. 1" and it does not have a dynamic saturator, everything I needed was in the free version of the preset pack. In fact, I bought the complete pack for this video but it doesn't have it, I see that it doesn't have it. the dynamic saturator :(

[@solo943]

Thats called a compander , melda Msaturator wich is free does the same

[@theMixElite]

I spent waaaay too much time with MSaturator and for the love of God I couldn't make it give me 1% of the result that we do with the technique here. Please hit me up with a before and after if you can at [e-mail]

[@xeno.s248]

In ableton do you have to set the volume of first chain 'envelope follower' set at zero (mute)? cause you said mute the volume. but if you see 3:20 the volume is back to normal.

[@wtfimcrying]

would the transient processor work as well?

[@Marek_Vasilev]

I don't understand it, but was able to recreate it. It works like magic. First of all, WTF?? Secondly, thank you...

[@theMixElite]

Haha awesome!!

[@Marek_Vasilev]

@@theMixElite Swear to god, I'll replay it however many times I need to, in order to understand it better. Thanks again for sharing that!!

[@coolwill5241]

@@theMixElite Thank you! This is fantastic info!

[@jaykamble04]

hey max, hope u doing great. Is their any easy way to create edm melody (drop part) ?

[@muakalima7978]

Oh wow that’s amazing

[@mateoarchbold2724]

the ableton part doesnt work thats why he didnt even put the abletons result

[@philippgrunert8776]

Nice, wonder how I could do this online in reaper. Can only imagine a workaround yet.

[@0123Jas]

I have a better trick use formula controller after peak follower with min(a,0.8) then to fruity balance which will be connected to your distortion plugin we have to make sure it's 0.8 beacuse that's how fl studio maps gains at 0db kinda stupid I know but I guess thats how they wanted it beacuse value can go more than 100% in fruity balance.😉

[@TheSoundChronicles]

It's been a while since I've seen a full tutorial.

[@luscadrt_]

but i want no dynamics 😢

[@nueisavoid]

fuxkkkk too good

[@unisonbandy8235]

I have a question "Some sound made in synth which replicates real life instrument such as guitar in serum, such sound is kind of too hard hitting so how to make it bit more subtle and pleasing to hear"

[@vibrantdragon3123]

Transient processor!!!

[@ivansoto9723]

Try Spiff and set to cut. Perfect for this.

[@onesevenbeatxs]

if we avoid using a drum loop and i

[@1cx7r23]

What about maximizing the dynamics knob on saturn? Is that the same as this?

[@TheKhoirentakBrothers]

Its neva a gud idea 2 put saturation on instrument its only effective on drums limiter fl stock plugin wit -0.3 db of saturation works perfectly fine

[@jensvide777]

Hi, what is the difference between this and simply turning up the output gain after applying decapitator?

[@theMixElite]

You just make it louder - that doesn't change the character of the audio.

[@1cx7r23]

Is there a more elegant way to go about this? I am using cubase also, so I dont see how I pull this off there

[@jayarecordsofficial]

GOAT !!!!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

When it get to the way you show distortion its obviously to much, and best to use a distortion that also has a texture setting and built in EQ and Amount knob. Im a Reason user and I find there Scream 4 distortion to work very well, I like tube setting for Hiphop and DnB for a nice kick and claps, and Hi hats. This used with a EQ that has a peak boost where the kick sits and another for claps and hats is best. A compressor is optional not always necessary and finally make sure the Kick and Bass are not sitting at the same EQ frequency. My drums slap pretty hard.

[@theMixElite]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Distortion/warmth/grit is more sort of a creative process - and the fact that saturation also compresses the sound - today's technique is rather a solution to the technical limitations of applying distortion. Whether it's "too much" it always depends on the sound we're looking to get!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@theMixElite Hard cut brick walling is what you did with that distortion to begin with, do people really do that? I haven't made that mistake for about 15 years.

[@muzy8768]

Its common for this genre. Its not a mistake.​@@HOLLASOUNDS

[@JakeGooder33]

I love this video! Yet I do not see this preset in the Patcher Lords Preset pack, the free version or the pain version :(

[@theMixElite]

It's because I just added it in - please download it again through mixelite.com/free/?f=lords/ - or contact us through Live Chat :)

[@ConsoleCampaign]

Great Video but I can't find the dynamic saturator patch in the lords pack or the link in the comments Thanks.

[@SuperFake777]

How would one do this in pro tools

[@charles826]

How did you do this so you see the effects in the bottom in the mixer

[@theMixElite]

Extra Large view in the Mixer :)

[@charles826]

thx@@theMixElite

[@ikirusha]

What about saturating 808s? DO i do this exact thing there too? my dums are on their own mixer channel together except the 808. The 808 is always separate. With the kick sidechaining to the 808 and sometimes to the melody. Also i tend to use patcher for 1k crusher and i cant add that as another patcher within patcher

[@AVDRE]

What i do is use an envelope follower or just get the distorting/saturation i want then turn down the mix/wet knob. if you want to take it step further you can use patcher sends so you have the best of both worlds, that can be more creative. idk if that helps lol cheers

[@_CRiT_hits_]

What you're really looking for is a Compander. MSaturator can do this whole process in one go.

[@vidoemakenoke2424]

meer kopen in winkels mochelijk word zo dat dan ook kans heb dingen aan te schaven ?

[@etherneedle]

Can you do this on a bus and keep the og drums going to the master

[@YOUrDEAlerwiThHell]

can you name me a good free alternative to decapitor please?

[@theMixElite]

Saturation knob from softube

[@YOUrDEAlerwiThHell]

and what about a good free plgin alternative to Romeros Kickstart 2 .D?@@theMixElite

[@Qjaack2]

Do you have a video on how to Mix Vocals?

[@theMixElite]

Of course - check our channel library :)

[@lebcaleb8692]

How to do the same on reaper ?

[@AnNguyen-uk1pt]

how to setup channel strip like u? can see all plugin of the channel. if i want to see it i need to click it per channel

[@rileywilson6320]

How do you do this in protools?

What happened to "FL Tips" ?

[@theMixElite]

Since you're evolving as a music producer - we also evolve - to give you our best :)

[@restaurangebola1689]

Maybe I'm missing something but decapitator wasn't on when you did before after demonstration

[@theMixElite]

Yes, because we compare 3 versions: 1. Without any distortion (before) 2. With our today's patch (after) 3. With ONLY distortion (only distortion)

[@reevolutionlive3703]

I noticed his voice went with the beat in the beginning.

[@theMixElite]

FINALLY haha :)

[@1trevorthompson]

I started producing 5 years ago with your FL Beginners course, but I gotta be honest. This ain’t it. Producers - you’ll be way better off in the long run if you go study harmonics. Take what you learn and apply it to bus processing. Yes it takes time. It involves diagrams and reading. It will probably feel like school. But understanding how even/odd harmonics and aliasing affect your signal will take you further than blindly saturating. Mastering the craft is a journey, but so is developing your own unique sound. Be wary of shortcuts. You might miss something great along the way.

[@LunarXtra]

Naaaah we'll stick to tutorials

[@prodbydmaterialz]

sounds more distorted instead saturated...

[@junie502]

you are overcomplicating the process smh. No. Alot of youtubers make making hip hop beats a science but its actually just a feeling. You either got it r u dont. I been around some platinum engineers. They dont even do all this processing. Too my ears your drum sound overcompressed. Im a rapper and i wouldn't rap on that best. The kick still wasnt hitting after all that processing you did.

[@Lolwutdesu9000]

That's what happens when you get 2bit bedroom producers think they're suddenly world class experts in mixing. 😂

[@junie502]

@@Lolwutdesu9000 facts😂

[@BukanIbuMu]

You are right, he's overthinking.

[@HarryDuBois616]

I do agree. A lot of producers on youtube massively overcomplicate everything and often end up compromising their creative output. For mixing and mastering you only really need the essentials. A bit of compression, bit of EQ, well balanced gain levels and stereo image, and maybe a few basic effects. That's literally it. 95% of the song making process should be the creative part, then at the end the mix/mastering stage should be quick, simple and to the point

[@djronnplae]

Definitely sound overcompressed

[@alexquigley4831]

Parallel Saturation?

[@akazicprod]

You are going to remove those peaks with a limiter in mastering anyway

[@cogli]

SOS tremendo!

[@kendeng__]

Can Logic do this ?????!!

[@TRVladdy]

I'm gonna take a guess and say that his will be about transients and how saturation will ruine them, creating a wall of sound and drums that actually hit way weaker. Still find it hilarious that so many producers will tell you to put a soft clipper onto the master when it's one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

[@theMixElite]

Close! :D

[@restaurangebola1689]

Can you elaborate why putting s soft clipper on the master "is one of the big mistakes you can make"?

[@theMixElite]

@@restaurangebola1689 I think it's more sort of like - slapping a soft clipper (as a solution for a poor mix) might just end up messing up your mix. Mistake might come from misunderstanding of what a soft clipper does or from applying it just because other producers do it. It should be a CREATIVE decision rather than a "default step".

[@restaurangebola1689]

@@theMixElite right, makes sense. Isn't it for making a mix seemingly louder?

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I almost never put a compressor on drums, EQ frequency away from the Bass, Saturation device that blends the dry signal with the wet is better then replacing.

[@Benny23846]

what about maximus tho

[@BenedictRoffMarsh]

Exactly, the pre-Sat drums were clearly more effective - cutting the mix - than when splaturated when they became a smashed blob. The final sound is brighter from overtones but not actually as sharp and clear as when clean. BUUUT I know everyone only wants things that sound messed-up so...

[@terenceblack3724]

Yeah. It's kind of weird. He used way too much saturation, which is pretty much like smashing the drums with a compressor then he basically use a plugin to automate the volume back even louder than the drums were originally. It's kind of like he's shooting himself in the foot. The reason for the saturation is to reduce the peaks while increasing the density of the drums.

[@808chadda]

How do I implement this in FL studio mobile bra

[@vjmcgovern]

So almost like a compander.. interesting

[@Noobz-347]

These things have to be said. Too many folks (rookies and others) making this mistake and KZbin is filthy with it. It's in the Top-5 list of "reasons to hit the [Next] button". 🤣