Why your mixes sound thin and weak (probably)

Having trouble getting your mixes to sound punchy and impactful? Do you find yourself thinking that mastering will help solve your mixdown problems?
Let's look at the 2 main rules of getting a loud mixdown:
- Rule 1: Manage the dynamic range of each element
- Rule 2: Have enough high mid frequencies
- My Foundations of Electronic Music course: courses.underdog.brussels/cou...
- My Industrial Techno follow-along course: courses.underdog.brussels/cou...
My music project soundclouds:
- Torc: / torcaudio
- Face the Sun: / face-the-sun-be
My music instagram:
- Torc: / torcaudio
- Face the Sun: / facethesunmusic
Contents:
0:00 Let's play two games
2:41 How to mix loud in practice

[@OscarUnderdog]

Find Oscar's video courses here: courses.underdog.brussels 🖤🖤🖤 Join the Underdog Discord channel: discord.gg/z5N9CTA 👾👾👾 The patreon: www.patreon.com/underdogmusicschool 💗💗💗 Follow Face the Sun here: soundcloud.com/face-the-sun-be 📷📷📷

[@manslaughterinc.9135]

The two related videos you linked are not clickable. Can you add them to the description?

[@onesoundstudio9684]

This video told me what I did wrong in my mixed for the past 4 years in 6 minutes Thank you

[@duckmanVSR]

Fr!! Some of the best info I’ve seen in a bit ✊🏽

[@gimmigimmigimmi]

if you think your mixes actually improved because you started using an analyzer you should really work on your critical listening skills. the concepts explained in this video are very generic and basic. compression and mid-range improve the perceived loudness. wow, who knew?? that's literally mixing 101.

[@onesoundstudio9684]

@@gimmigimmigimmi thank you any video you think I should watch?

[@91oktayne48]

We learn with time brother-man

[@gimmigimmigimmi]

@@onesoundstudio9684 buy any sound engineering book and read it. start with the basics. delete all of your plugins and only use the stock ones that came with your daw. work on your ear training, read about how records you like were made, learn about "classic" equipment and their history. learn how tu use a mixing desk and understand signal flow. there's so much you can do, but you need a solid base, there are no shortcuts.

[@willswitchcraft]

Having spent decades in various recording studios, doing production and also mixing - I have to say that the simple rule that I've learned about 'mixing loud' is this. Don't ever do it. Generally speaking, the trick is to mix quite QUIET, and make sure that everything, including every note of the bass guitar - is clearly audible, even on shit speakers, in mono.......In every studio, 90% of the work is done on near field speakers, simply because 'virtually anything and everything sounds amazing on the 'voice of god' (large) speakers'. I worked a lot in 80's, when we didn't even have digital audio, with all it's associated visual representations of the audio signal's waveform. We just used our ears, and listened to our mixes on as many speakers systems, in as many different environments as possible. Usually, we'd limit ourselves to a few minutes an hour of listening to the big speakers in the studio - because of their big threat: Ear Fatigue.......which reduces your capacity to make informed decisions, even at lower volume levels. Hope that insight helps..........Great upload - just trying to add some related context.......

[@OscarUnderdog]

Super helpful, thanks for this! 🧡🙏

[@willswitchcraft]

My pleasure. I remember mixing 2 tracks for one of my musical projects back in about 1991. Neil Young had played guitar and sang on our album.......I had to go through his guitar solos and create a cohesive solo (he just started recording, totally unrehearsed, so there were loads of mistakes) Damn, when I think how quick it would have been if I'd had ProTools, etc., instead of having to sync 2 X 2" tape machines together to get the sections in the order I wanted........things were really different in those days, I can tell you. ....When it comes to 'affordable/home recording' we truly live in amazing times.

[@itsnrv1817]

that’s why you listen to references before you start mixing on any speakers lol😭

[@willswitchcraft]

True, and not just before, ....but it never hurts to reference again during a mix session, if there's something you're really trying to keep in sync with (even previous offerings by the same artist, etc.).......

[@genioloco9790]

I agree with this. Ear fatigue when producing is a big enemy. I still get stuck in the details. Don't compete in the loudness wars. It's rigged. If you pay for the mastering it only sounds louder. Not better. I tested this on landr and SoundCloud. The loudness wars is rigged no joke. If you send in a mastered track the difference is up to as much as 12 dB. And NO noticeable quality upgrade tale it from a veteran. And quote honestly, if you really want to make it. You have to be willing to buy your way up 😜. Anyone can do that don't flatter yourself. The problem with success is just having to kiss everybody's ass. Unless you are a fucking genius. I actually got copyrights back from Warner Bros didn't earn a dime. The game is rigged. The loudness wars will never stop. If you have talent. Use it and enjoy the envy of other artists. You are likely to get a few haters if you really have a gift. This is my biggest motivator. Success is so relative especially nowadays. Really people listen to plastic speakers on the highest volume and the dynamic range is raped. Modern music is built for marketing. Good sound is misunderstood with loud sound. I played vinyl my whole carreer and even with the latest pioneer release. Analogue sounds better. Not clinically better. It's a fucking rat race. I'd rather audition to be clown than to kiss ass. Not gonna sweet up my art to sound pretty. So kiss my ass. I hope you hate me. That's my add. Thank you and fuck you.

[@microwave2240]

This is tutorials has to be. A simple example that almost everyone can understand and then showing how this appears in the actual mix. Top content as always!

[@dirtychump]

I absolutely love their content because its no longer than it needs to be. Most youtubers would take 20 minutes to explain the same amount of content.

[@mattclayton1991]

Ok

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

It's not a tutorial

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

@@dirtychump Actual tutorials would demonstrate what he's explaining, that's why they're longer; they're actually tutorials. This is just a lecture

[@holdenkock6246]

He is a gem

[@imathlon]

“Your monitoring situation *might* influence how you’re seeing this sound” Me, watching through my phone speakers: agreed

[@tresporros]

3:41 - that's right, many ppl think that way, but honestly, there is no magic wand in mastering music (I run Mastering Studio in London for over 10 years btw), if the mix is poor- the master won't help it, simple as that, mastering is not about correcting bad mixes or/and bad recordings/production. Mixing is for correcting bad mixes:). Anyway, I absolutely agree on your point - the creation/production stage is crucial, choosing a bad kick will ruin your song.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Always good to have my videos confirmed by veterans who know their stuff :) ✌ thanks for sharing!

[@Sh0n0]

My favorite kick is the flying roundhouse but my wife hates when i use it on her

[@Spyritmyx]

@@Sh0n0 LMAO

[@supremeciroc]

Just finished your electronic music course! Excited to start your techno course next! I've learned more on your channel than in my four years in college for music. I want to thank you deeply for giving me a solid framework to fall back on and for explaining concepts that used to confuse me so well. I'm finally finishing tracks and starting to feel more confident. I can't thank you enough!!

[@GiulianoDrago]

Love to see how this channel bloomed! awesome content, perfectly presented... grande Oscar!

[@stickyhairlesscats]

Wow, this was an amazingly presented tutorial. No bs, interactive, and super informative. Excellent work!

[@PRFCTMANDEM]

Literally realised this concept a week ago and it has changed the game! Thanks for sharing with people!

[@peterkalyoncu6869]

Thank you so much for your clear explanation! Cannot wait to try this out in my next mix.

[@mrnelsonius5631]

Dealing with transients artfully is really where “loudness” and “punch” dance. Lots of dynamic range in the crest factor will limit the perceived overall loudness by gobbling your headroom with spikes, but keeping *some* transient intact adds punch and impact. It’s a balancing act. Training your ear for transient response is just as important as frequency response. Great video!

[@leyvua7362]

This is the way to win the Loudness War. Keeping your track with enough transients to keep it punchy, and squashed enough to be competitive in the music industry. It is an art, as you well said

[@najee2123]

This is what I’ve come to learn just recently from hours of practice man I’m glad to know I’m on the right track! Thank you guys 🙏🏽

[@ozzo5948]

Man I love you. Thanks for this video, it's super clear, well illustrated and formidable content !

[@hockinghillsalive3624]

You have a seemingly natural gift for explaination. This is my first time seeing your content, and I am subbing your channel simply based on your ability to explain things... very well. Thanks, man!

[@Juan-th3zi]

thanks man! You are putting the concepts out there really clear.

[@ddutchofficial]

I have never heard a better more clear explaination about the matter

[@akadz]

This is so true, it's always great to come back on the basis of music production. This video need to be seen by many people.

[@post-maskparty8364]

Just saw this on my recommendations. Didn’t disappoint at all. Good work mate!!!!

[@screw_the_world]

This video is so underrated. People don't realize how much knowledge you can get from this video. Thank you so much for explaining!

[@OscarUnderdog]

🌱

[@isellfarts]

the most impactful lesson I have learned in starting my compositions is making sure all the sounds chosen are top-notch and just like you mention in the beginning, running the sounds through an oscilloscope and spectral analyzer to check any nasty transients or resonances, etc. It makes mixing the completed project almost non-existent because it already sounds that good. Especially when it comes to choosing the right percussive elements. Great video!

[@bonesetter]

One of your best videos. Thank you.

[@yojo7577]

Incredibly condensed information, awesome!

[@buffbeatsnj]

Thank You for your contributions to our mixing and mastering community , this was very informative I will be staying in tune

[@magnuslindgren5640]

Subscribed! Finally someone who explains the core of it. I cant wait to learn 😄

[@brileystewart]

Excellent video, quick to the point and explained so much of what I was already feeling towards my mixes. Subscribed.

[@maxgamezmusic]

Your tips are always eyeopening and amazingly accurate. Gracias mi Amigo!!

[@analogantelope]

I'm thrilled at how intuitive this is! thanks for the advice :)

[@HasanGhaziMusic]

As a self taught electronic music producers your videos are great. Simple yet effective, sums up what I've learned through years of trial and error in an easy to understand short video

[@hourglassremains]

Will definitely keep this in mind for the journey ahead - thanks for the tips

[@Bittamin]

I really appreciate lessons I can apply the key points to in any Daw! Thanks for that game we played, was mind blowing. Reminded me of learning science in school when the teacher would do magic in front of you and explain it with science

[@OscarUnderdog]

💙

[@johnwesley307]

2 minutes into it and I have already subscribed to your channel. Good work!!

[@discochain6402]

I actually appreciated the concisely put info! Thanks!

[@MM-bv7ks]

gold. again. pure gold. thanks!

[@rotyoto]

Thank you so much for your content, youre amazing. Much love from Turkey

[@aricunono6272]

The way you explain is perfect.

[@PoweredByOstX]

He is probably the best instructor in electronic music. Thanks for another lesson.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Cheers 😁💙

[@jonathansoko1085]

Most of it applies to hiphop aswell, lots of overlap

[@oinkooink]

@@jonathansoko1085 How about trance? Trip hop? Gangsta rap?

[@batuhansancak3746]

man, I just found you with this video and your exlanation of things has mean a lot to me. very clear and basic. 🙏🏻 Also, I would like to see you finalizing a mix of a musical piece.

[@jackjeffrey1387]

Really good content, love the technical analysis

[@kingdomofheavenmusic3]

You explained this great. I didn’t even notice the left kick sample was hitting at the same level as the right until you pointed it out. Knowing dynamic range and using frequency analyzers will definitely be a game changer. Thanks for the video. I think when I get a transient shaper it will help sustain the higher frequencies too and add some body. For now though all I have is distortion, EQ, and compression. Great video.

[@fredericpasco2863]

Hey mate , without knowing this i was doing it ,usefull 2 confort my way of doing ,thx again & u're still my Electronic arts hero

[@2ndRodeo_Keziah]

Thank you times a million! This was SO good and helpful for me! (And thank you SO much for having no silly intro music/graphic! lol I love it when a vid just hits the topic from the first second. 👏😁) thx again! 🙏

[@jameslock]

Great video and very well explained. Thank you Underdog :)

[@badm.d]

This video is going to improve the quality of my first releases so much! thankyou. Helped make mixing make so much more sense and gave good end goal ideas.

[@BlakeRubelle]

To the point, well expressed with accurate information... what an excellent video. I found it helpful, thank you very much.

[@jasonmccormack9883]

love your videos man. Very informative and explained well.

[@ditshipp]

I'm working on a big silly metal song and this video couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Thanks for helping fill in some gaps on why my exports are coming out boneless!

[@coreyroberts47]

My metal is silly too! I love it

[@CanaldoRonan]

this guy is awesome, thanks for share your knowledge! big up from Brazil

[@ocdmusic]

Im very much a beginner really so am learning as I go along, this kind of free information/education is so much appreciated!!

[@oinkooink]

Anything free is good for you. Just look at the vaccines.......oh......hehehehehehehehelol

[@djcolinturnbull]

Good video and well explained about transients and how they affect loudness. The most important aspect of loud mixes isn’t addressed. But that is very common and not often talked about. Nice presentation!

[@jimmypierson1980]

Can you elaborate ?

[@djcolinturnbull]

@@jimmypierson1980 Hi Jimmy. The answer is masking. In my opinion dealing with masking is the most important aspect to manage in a mix to have clean and loud mixes. 👍🏻 so good monitoring is important to address this.

[@mariusglaser4020]

Hey Oscar, thanks for the super-informative content you serve. Really helpful and on point. keep it up ✌

[@tylerkga]

Man that was awesome what a great explanation. U rock

[@satyamsangwan17]

Amazing Video! I teach this concept to my students all the time. Good to know about the different loudness meters.

[@TehDawg]

This channel is a godsend. Thanks for this one! Another helpful tip I picked up one once was try avoid mixing a track at high volumes, you can comfortably mix everything more accurately at lower volumes. Having your track too loud when trying to mix it will throw you off balance, don’t forget bass travels, so the louder your track is. The less your actually hearing of critical parts. It’s best to listen to your track loud every so often when you stand up and walk around your room, If it sounds decent 4 meters away there is a good chance you’ve got a good mix, As opposed to sticking your head right next to the speakers, where you are getting a false image of the mix. Not sure if this is totally useless advice but it has helped me in recent years.

[@llll-lk2mm]

i am so thankful for this video. love it.

[@steamakadtekkakadavidoni9880]

Thank you Underdog Music! I feel this could make a difference to my approach.

[@Rollur1234]

Thank you for all these training videos. I watched a whole lot of your mixing videos and finally sent out my own mix and master version. I did it in Reason and found out that there wasn't any distortion above the 0dB until +4dB mark so I raised the settings on the gain outputs on the master plugins (in addition to many other things). I fully mono-ed the low end in the stereo maximixer. It is helpful to push a deadline on yourself for a final edition. IMO.

[@GlitchmanVGM]

Awesome video! Thanks for these helpful tips!

[@janbriggs7619]

WOW WHAT AN AWESOME INSTRUCTOR..THIS IS THE BEST TUTORIAL I HAVE EVER EVER VIEWED..THANK YOU. YOU ARE AWESOME !!!!!

[@changmusic]

that was awesome. thank you! I think you just gave an answer to a big question on my mind for years!

[@whereispriv]

I’ve been mixing quiet and running every song I have through a mastering chain 6-7 plugins long for YEARS. I have to try this. GREAT piece of advice.

[@rockandjroll]

Absolute legend, thank you brother 🙏🏽

[@riverkelly3025]

this was a great Informational video ! wow especially that first tip haha that really clicked for me, for the first time even tho I heard it before I could't understand it until now.

[@toddwmac]

Great stuff as always...thanks!

[@93cyclist]

Thanks for the video ! Makes a lot of sense !

[@gbengaafolayan]

Great and brief tutorial

[@MITCHBR0WN]

Thanks for that.. I've been thinking about exactly this the last couple of days and then your vid pops up 💥 my stuff never sounds as loud as other tracks out there even after professional mastering.. will investigate 👍

[@netomorgan7991]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@cromtogaming4999]

Really good considerations, thanks man!

[@SacredOm369]

Wow! Great content keep it going 👍🏻

[@moxjade]

This was so great! Thank you!

[@sseltrek1a2b]

great tips overall for the whole process of completing recordings...thank you...

[@divina.glitch]

Amazing, pro and simple explanation!!!

[@thejmkmusic]

You're a great teacher, it was clear to understand.

[@prod.rafaxci]

Pausing the video at the half of it to give you my thumbs up cause I've already learned something from it.

[@SuperJamesus]

This is great. Mixing for years, work in audio. This is very clear !

[@yassineaksas5248]

amazingly made video, instant subscription.

[@sebastianpasso7271]

Just the truth! Thanks for all your content, it helps a lot :)

[@RyderSinclairMusic]

Extremely well explained

[@tomasonsfamily91]

Love your explanation!

[@crimson3510]

This was so perfect I'm still staring at my phone.... 👏👏👏👏Solid knowledge💥

[@3082frank]

Simple,precise and spot on. 👌

[@adari5422]

Great tips here. Thank you so much!

[@gaarafam1953]

This lesson was massively impactful mate cheers!

[@noahwig500]

You are a really good teacher. Thank you!

[@hungryformusik]

I had no clue about this but it was interesting and I surely remember it when needed.

[@MicahBuzanMUSIC]

Insanely simple and helpful.

[@diegod1177]

A+ as always

[@pianoatthirty]

Such a great summary. Looking back on my past songs/mixes, I would always, always, ALWAYS mix the drums (mostly the kick), WAY TOO LOUD compared to the rest of the music. And then would spend all this time with multiband limiters, clippers, loudness enhancers, etc to get it to sound like "finished music" - though something always sounded a bit 'off' when compared to other music I admired. Another thing was always way too much low-mid buildup. That stuff ends up eating up so much headroom, that again, I would turn to multiband compressors followed by multiband limiters, clippers, more limiting, to get things to "sound right". Just pure insanity. Amazing what skillful filtering and simple compression/saturation can do.

[@braddasseymusic]

This was super easy to understand. Best video ever. Loved the games.

[@victorIIIofc]

Great tutorial, thanks!

[@maxgamezmusic]

Awesome lesson, thank you 🙏🏼 It made me instantly subscribe 👍🏼 Good Job 👍🏼

[@ukoneser]

great tutorial man, nice job

[@rajivmodha3693]

Very informative and easy to understand. Thanks

[@CoolLava]

Well done. Thanks music brother. 😊

[@hugofejgielman3132]

amazing video, thanks so much for sharing

[@tonyatkinson4496]

Excellent examples.

[@danscu5278]

I really like your presentation style!

[@steven4217]

Very informative- thank you

[@sinister280]

Thanks for the great advice dude

[@adopdutch4097]

After a year of doing everything people told me to do on KZbin regarding mastering and mixing for a loud mix and still not seeing results, this video actually told me what I was doing wrong all this time.