Unraveling the Logic Pro Magic: sangstersounds Strikes Again!

In this section, Chris takes us down the controversial path of using limiters early in the mixing process. Most would scoff at such a practice, as limiters have been traditionally kept for mastering. But not in the world of sangstersounds. By placing a limiter at the end of the mix bus chain, Chris argues that you prevent the stereo output from clipping. He plays a clip to demonstrate how the absence of a limiter can lead to nasty distortion when boosting frequencies. The logic is simple: using a limiter early helps keep the mix powerful without reaching distortion levels that can mislead your ear. It’s not about pushing tracks to the max right away but giving them a little extra glue and sheen. Chris further justifies this by explaining that seeing how your mix reacts to the limiter can provide valuable insights into your track levels and processing plugins. It’s about keeping your mix honest and definitely more engaging.

What’s that creaking noise? Ah, it’s the door to the phase police holding off the pitchforks as Chris dives into stereo widening. This segment focuses on an advanced mixing trick—applying stereo widening with the Direction Mixer. Chris warns that this is not an all-you-can-eat buffet; this trick requires a light touch. By marginally increasing the spread from 1 to 1.04, he demonstrates how to subtly enhance that stereo sparkle. But here comes the crucial tip: to prevent volume loss from widening, he follows up with a slight gain boost. It’s a dance of dynamics that ensures no compromise on your track’s integrity. Chris makes sure to address the dreaded phase issues by insisting on mono checks before finalizing. It’s a bit of wizardry that reminds us of mixing fortunes hidden behind tempestuous clouds. By trusting the process, Chris promises more vibrant and exciting results.

Chris finishes with a hack that might send the EQ purists running for cover—Match EQ. Here, he cheekily admits to using Match EQ to compare tracks to commercial references. This isn’t about copying but about learning and fine-tuning. By using Match EQ, beginners can see how their mixes stack up against professional tracks, which can be enlightening. Chris guides us through the Match EQ setup, revealing how this tool subtly adjusts the mix to align more closely with a reference track. He stresses the importance of subtlety, cautioning that the magic lies in the nuances, not in overt changes. It’s a powerful learning tool that teaches budding mixers about the nuances of tonal balance. Sangstersounds isn’t prescribing Match EQ as a crutch, but as a smart tool to inform better sound sculpting. As Chris puts it, learn from the masters without losing your own signature sound.