Upgrading the Mix: Masterclass with Nic Hard and Snarky Puppy

Nic Hard takes us into the DAW for a new mix of a classic GRAMMY-winning album for Snarky Puppy.
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[@SonicScoop]

Check out the live Q&A here: kzbin.infoIrAb5mzllqo?feature=share Thanks to Sonarworks: Sonarworks.com Thanks to Snarky Puppy: kzbin.info/door/o1t7ajBc5r44Ejxnod-h7Q

[@N0bodyn01]

If they said keep the vibe the same. To me, that shows they wanted a mid heavy,drum and bass dominant, slightly ducked high and wide section. The outcome seems like it turned it inside out in a way. Sounds terrific, absolutely. And well done. And if they loved the mix then clearly my thought process isn’t valid. Also very informative. And I have never been in a mixing studio like that, and have never been asked to mix a track for anyone in the likes of Snarky Puppy. So you’re obviously doing many things right. 🙏

[@Oihenart1]

This is huge. Thanks a lot for putting this on the internet, you’ve won yourselves a new subscriber. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@skrabio]

Amazing new mix. Felt like a soundtrack for a top Hollywood movie. Hats off 👏

[@brandonlbartlett]

My favorite all time album. This new mix sounds INCREDIBLE! can't wait to hear Gretel!

[@srulifriedman2957]

Just goes to show how good of a job the engineers and musicians did in getting near-perfect sounds at the source. The amount of work he had to do was shockingly small. God Bless

[@igkrs]

Great new mix. I can even hear it listening on my phone. Great job!

[@OMGYENDIS]

DAMN, he did a lot! I'm thoroughly impressed. Def using this as a starting Template for my work.

[@tutubeos]

Wow. Congrats! Amazing new mix

[@Askar_journey]

This is my favorite composition! Thank you so much! And of course, one of the best breakdowns.

[@deryckroche]

Excellent Mix Tutorial Nic. I especially like this one because there are a lot of live instruments of all sorts to mix and how you treat the different mix issues from fixing bleed, re-amping, isolating tracks to let others come through etc. . I picked up some great tips. Big Thanks to you, Justin Colletti and Mix Con for this tutorial. I'm saving this one for sure!

[@bastienmartin6246]

Wow man... thank you so much for posting that content! So interesting... the new mix is absolutely beautiful and I learned a lot of things! Atmos is very impressing.

[@Adambroughton29]

Class video, one of the best mix break downs I've seen for a while!

[@gastibarroule]

What an incredible master class!

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

Very smooth! Thanks so much.

[@tinychamberz]

carving out a little bit of the low mids, -17,5 dB @16:13

[@anthonyfcullen6666]

lolllll

[@cogbeatz]

I love Nic's work! He's a beast 🔥. Thank you SonicScoop for this masterclass.

[@AlainNLDB]

Fantastic, thanks so much for making this!!!!! Not in the least because of the album, as it's one of my favorites ever. I was there when it was recorded! Definitely one of the best musical experiences of my life ❤ Also to get an insight in his mixing process and template and plugins used is absolute gold.

[@estudiocreador5463]

i enjoy a lot the original mix when come out, i thing is one of the greatest mixes of snarky puppy. Thanks for the video

[@57anakin67]

Wow, discovering your channel here, that's so amazing!! I just adore this album, listen to it regularly and my kids love it too. Can't wait for this to come out! Many thanks for allowing us to watch such insightful and full of tips and mastery content.

[@pedrofriasmusic]

GOLD GOLD GOLD Huge thanks! 🙏

[@fiddlefolk]

Wow! A huge improvement!

[@KevinSimpson031]

Wow...What a great video, I really enjoyed everything about it: the music, the simplicity of the mixing decision and the overall sound. Nic Hard is a great mixer and I especially enjoyed the atmos section. I hope to see more videos like this.

[@SonicScoop]

We have a TON of videos like it in the MixCon playlist. Including another one from Nic! m.kzbin.info/aero/PL3yghKGBjggRbn4ooQ-SFl-4vi_V_zT3g Very best, Justin

[@US3Rofficial]

one thing I really liked about the original mix is taht the drums and bass are really up the middle and loud... and the heaviness of the rhtythms were more hitting me in my chest... the new mix is so wide that I feel like my attention is elsewhere

[@TheirIAre]

Makes Sense. A different beast indeed.

[@kennethwilson1984]

Same here. I just listened to these on my Dutch and Dutch 8Cs and the center fades into the background when it switches to the new mix. The sound stage is way wider and in some ways better, but the kick and bass lose the energy.

[@Studio22mix]

This was awesome again, thanks 👌🏼

[@ignimiusi]

Muchas gracias! This was great.

[@Atezian]

Great! Thank you!

[@alejandromagana1554]

That's some wicked editing process for drums.

[@contra-bassrecords874]

I'm not sure where all the hate is coming from. I've been mixing professionally for 12 years and this mix sounds way more clear and punchy to me. The transients are perfect and they really help with leaving space in the mix. The overall tones aren't harsh at all and he managed to brighten it up so much. Job well done in my opinion!

[@SonicScoop]

I think the vast majority of comments agree with you! -Justin

[@TheirIAre]

Agreed

[@user-pi6hy8px4f]

thank you!!

[@inspir.edmusic]

The strings are drastically improved in the new mix.

[@soydavidvidal]

I love this album 🤯

[@cacarlto]

Really interesting to listen to his A/B mix in Mono. The changes are much more subtle that what I was expecting from the stereo mix. Feels like he stretched the frequency spectrum out nicely without killing the balance.

[@FredImhotep]

Thank You for sharing this

[@1shannonleggette]

So good.

[@judzweckl27]

Awesome Stuff!!!

[@CRAM.Lajoie]

wow! That's awesome!

[@em8969]

Whata tutorial thankyou!!!

[@Fastvoice]

I would have used some AI based plugin like smart:gate from Sonible to clean the drum tracks - but that's just to compensate my lack of patience, time and skills. There's a reason (or two) why Nic Hard has some Grammys and I have none.

[@adelismail9321]

I really loved ❤it great vdo

[@practice_Chinese_yoga]

Love-it

[@JPGProducciones]

Poor Eric Hartman 🤭🤭, i wouldn't like to be in his shoes 😅😅 great job Nic!!!

[@makximumlive]

There, it sounds more like a movie soundtrack.

[@sykotix2578]

Wtf this is amazing, about to tuck into this one for a minute.

[@PitchforkIncorporated]

Nic Hard AF!

[@TheirIAre]

I honestly think the old mix was great. The new one is just more 3d /stereo but not necessarily better. They are both amazing! ❤

[@TheirIAre]

Were lucky to get two unique visions of the mix ❤❤

[@KiddiAgnars]

feel the snare at the end loses a bit of bite. But this is all subjective to taste. Great job!

[@AbrahamOsoriomusic]

Amazing video. Thanks for making this available to us! Does anyone know what monitor controller that is on the desk to the right?

[@kelvynification]

Wow! He opened that puppy right up:)

[@matesdantesable]

I like this guy.

[@SonicScoop]

Me too. -Justin

[@TheLeon1032]

what a fucking monster job oh my days he's a master, possibly the best mix video ive ever seen, I wonder how many hours he billed for? BIG THANKS

[@douglaslove1422]

This is great, but that comparison at the beginning is a bit unfair: your new one is 2dB RMS louder than the old one!

[@FrankLenno]

I won't go too deep as I'm not qualified other than to day it sounds brilliant.

[@TheirIAre]

Thank you!!

[@sebastianhanzlik4644]

Has anybody sent headphones for individual calibration in Sonarworks? Presets dont sound right to me.

[@kennethwilson1984]

I’ll be honest, I think the new mix sacrifices solidity in the center for extra width

[@BelliniHighTV]

me gusta atmos

[@chrisplace4music859]

Great Masterclass, thank you! I like the makeover for the most part. But I don't really like the Delay on Corys Solo, i find it very distracting from what was acutally played.

[@cadranaline]

Where can we hear this atmos remix? I couldn’t find it om Apple Music.

[@bnjmnwst]

He's probably still working on revisions.

[@nichard1]

Actually, this hasn’t been released yet. Will probably be next year

[@grdalenoort]

At 48:34 i would have pushed the arpeggio a bit further back, to let the guitars come thru a bit more. Overall, what an amazing re-mix WOW !

[@vvessel_]

whoop tee doo

[@bnjmnwst]

This performance was recorded to video. I wonder if they simply used the video mix. That would explain the choices made by the original mixer. For example, for the marimba, if it's in a close video shot, it would make sense to bring it forward in the mix, maybe. And I can't imagine they'll be ok with him changing the tone of the snares. That stuff is a choice, man. These are serious musicians.

[@NateTheMeh]

THE SNARE THING RESLLY BOTHERED ME. That tight spanky snarky punchy snare is so iconic

[@the25thhr41]

is that the anubis or neumann interface?

[@cheveyo2403]

at 8 min comparing mix A is louder than mix B so that will create a bias by itself

[@nidlemoon]

Kick in linear phase mode in Pro Q3, hmm is this normal practice?

[@titomunay]

In 9:39 I love so much the airy sound of the strings and horns, it seems real, I can listen the room. The new mix took the life out of it. Maybe it was too much of the soothe along with other processing. The drums are overly processed. I tend not to like this new mix at all. I would prefer a less polished and filmic sound, or simply the old mix. But I learned a lot watching him mixing.

[@noxii93]

May I ask why a lot of people out there are saying that a high pass filter on Pro-Q3 change the phase if you are not selecting "linear phase mode" and then here he doesn't?

[@SonicScoop]

All conventional EQs use phase shift to create the EQ curve. This is only a potential “problem” if you are combining two tracks of the same source where one is EQ’d and the other isn’t. But it’s not that big of a problem even then. You just end up with a slightly different EQ shape than expected. Linear phase EQ avoid this issues, but creates another one: Instead of potential phase side effects when combined with other tracks, there are time based artifacts even when the track is heard by itself, notably “pre-ringing” of low frequencies. Most of your favorite records in history have not used linear phase EQ. It was not available until recent decades, and even since it has become available, most people don’t use it. It requires more processing power for a different set of side effects that are less familiar to us. There are some niche cases where it might be preferable, but even then the differences will generally be small, and are easily compensated for by further adjusting the EQ. I hope some of that makes sense! -Justin

[@themastroiannis]

the old mix feels recorded in a small box...basically, over compressed! the new mix is very dynamic, clear, spacious; the use of eqs is masterful and those reverbs make the overall sound more natural. a total joy to listen! for once, an excellent example of organic music with lots of REAL instruments and in a more complex language, instead of the usual unbearable pop or hi-hop factory manufactured music. thanks for this wonderful masterclass.

[@Atezian]

The old didn't sound over compressed at all

[@davidcalingasan8131]

On the contrary, I think the original mix feel too little compressed, which I like to be honest. The old mix feels more natural and I feel like I'm in the room with the band during the performance. The new mix feels bigger than life, which has it's moments, but I don't think I like it for this song.

[@themastroiannis]

@@davidcalingasan8131 well... i don't know what you're hearing... i have the original "Sylva" Cd with me. Love the whole concept of the album: a jazz ensemble with an orchestra (in a way, Gil Evans did something similar with Miles back in the day...), but it is so compressed. the overall sound is so muddy, dynamics are "caged"(yes, compressed), lack of air, clarity, depth...you name it...anyway, there you are... from my part, really looking forward to this new re-mix. it sounds promising, very engaging! cheers.

[@borndrumming1972]

First Impressions at the 8 min mark or so...Panning, Panning, Panning...The biggest difference that is not tone related in my mind would be the use of the stereo field.

[@BewarePeople-od2bd]

No to the replacement drums!

[@thagoatee]

using same eq parameters on toms and gets grammy interesting

[@bnjmnwst]

If it sounds good, it IS good.

[@thagoatee]

@@bnjmnwst well it doesnt sound good at all.

[@donkeyfacekilla1]

26:53 🐣

[@industrial_media]

For me the OLD mix it's actually better (but not good enough). Lot's more definition and stability in the low range. It seems to me like you way over did the stereo imaging and put the whole mix out of phase. Also low end it's way too crowded, and you pulled out the oldest trick in the books and made the NEW mix a lot louder so it's more catching to the ear. Of course this is only my opinion.

[@Mix3dbyMark]

Why did they move on from Eric Hartman?

[@thomasicekeys]

He passed away after Family Dinner Vol. 2 :(

[@Mix3dbyMark]

@@thomasicekeys ohh wow... I had no idea... 😞

[@JohnnysaidWhat]

Must be tough trying to make that band sound good lmao

[@snails9505]

It's funny that no problem replacing the live drums with samples, but would never do the same for a sax etc. Imo kind of denigrates drummers contribution and removes a lot of the live aspect

[@corknakovastein]

There's not many songs you here today without a sampled kit.

[@bnjmnwst]

​@corknakovastein Yeah, but not jazz. This is jazz fusion. That stuff is a choice. Those drums sound the way they do on purpose. I can't imagine that he doesn't/didn't get a note on that bit.

[@WheelieMix]

It’s because it’s much easier and efficient to do on drums than Sax or else (for now). And also because drums samples are like a short-cut to a more balanced drums sound (depending if you like that sound or not tho’).

[@snails9505]

so when it becomes possible, we should just replace everything with samples because it's easier?@@WheelieMix

[@WheelieMix]

@@snails9505 Did I implied that or did I just tried explain why HE did it? I haven't gave my opinion yet at least.

[@RelicLabzEntertainment]

Alone it doesn't sound good huh

[@evanloday]

I hate to be a party pooper, but I definitely prefer the original Gretel. In the new one, the snare feels like a gut punch. Too much. The kick feels too metal and lacks character. There are certain harmonies I just can't hear as well as I would like. Reserving judgement for the rest of the album. I also haven't finished the video yet, at the time of writing.

[@loveyoumaxin]

I'm sorry to say this, but the old mix sounds better. It has a better sense of space and is more conducive to focusing on the sound, allowing for a finer control of the instruments. The new mix seems too focused on grandiosity, reducing the musical dynamics.

[@sethmonroe9603]

There’s always one

[@duartesaraiva7402]

😮😅 really?

[@yusuke5124]

@@sethmonroe9603I actually agree with him strongly, the original mix sounded better to me - I get that’s maybe not the sound Nic intended for, but I adored what they originally had for my ears. I know others feel a similar way.

[@rickyhorton7269]

Unfortunately by being aware that this was going to be in KZbin it probably shifted their subconscious priorities thereby compromising the mix for the songs sake for the KZbin promotional motivation. This bias is impossible to overcome though, so welcome to reality where nothing is ever purely what you think it is.

[@kenkrugger]

Whaaaaaat?!?🤦‍♂️

[@TheirIAre]

Is this new mix available to listen to as a whole yet??

[@TheirIAre]

Interesting that on his master bus compressor there was no high pass filter used. I thought that was like a must use basically or the low end would pump that compressor. What do😊 i know