Why your low end sounds amateur (maybe)
Let's talk about the deep low end, the sub frequencies. Do your subs groove? Are you overengineering your mixdown? Are you stressing the heck out and you are overcomplicating your life?
Chill! Let's play a game & learn how to listen to bass frequencies, and what to listen for to make sure yours sound groovy. In Ableton Live, I'll teach you how to use shelving filters to balance your frequencies, but you can follow along in any DAW.
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Content:
0:00 Let's play a game...
1:03 The cloakroom check
2:15 What bass was best?
4:55 The tools to shape your low end
8:21 What's a polymeter?
Find Oscar's video courses here: courses.underdog.brussels 🖤🖤🖤 Join the Underdog Discord channel: discord.gg/z5N9CTA 👾👾👾 Follow Face the Sun here: soundcloud.com/face-the-sun-be 🌻🌻🌻 Pledge to the Patreon: www.patreon.com/underdogmusicschool 🌱🌱🌱
Hello, Oskar. I have recently gotten into music production. I'm very confused about sidechaining multiple tracks from one track. Is there a way to put one sidechained compressor on one track but then have that one compressor work on multiple tracks? Have you already made a video about this that I could maybe watch? By the way, you're my favorite producer/teacher on KZhead and your videos have already helped me immensely. Thank you, from Portugal :)
@@thedarknight5714 I'm curious to hear Oscar's answer as well, but what I have done is use a separate, silent, very transient track to act as a trigger for multiple elements to be side-chained, to keep them all in sync. You can also route all tracks you want to be effected by one common side-chained compressor to a separate bus, before routing them the master. 💪🎶
@@thedarknight5714 I hope I understand your question correctly.. but I suppose you want one compressor ducking (sidechain compress) multiple tracks. If you make a group channel and put a sidechain compressor on it, you can route all the channels you like throught that compressor. grtz
@@qracle TBH I have no idea what a bus is or what it does (or how to route to a master XD) I've heard people mention it on many occasions but I've never seen anyone explain it. That's mia culpa, though. Thank you for the tip, man. :)
@@michaelleenen2634 Oh I actually already do that. Probably not how it's meant to be done though ha ha. I think that the other commenter's idea involving a bus is worth looking into, however. Thanks for the advice, bro. :)
it drives me nuts how some producers can get their bass so HUGE, yet it sounds clear and clean, and it doesn't disrupt any other sounds in the mix. how the hell
Tell me about it
It's probably all in the mastering
@@Flux_One mixing
@@020halo both
@@Flux_One It all starts at production stage. Sound design choices , frequency balance, mix. Mastering is just to polish stuff that is already good
You inspire me so much. I have been wondering in the dark without realizing it. You make difficult concepts so clear and simple. I can't thank you enough. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Well said 👍
Wondering or wandering?
@@AlexFarleyMusic Both:)! Loll 😁👍😎
My instincts were wrong about this even though my perception was accurate. I felt 1) was natural sounding and clean, 2) had a “pumping” effect that I personally find nauseating, and 3) had a flat, inoffensive bed of bass that never prodded you or jostled you around. But your explanation and elaboration on why 2) is indeed the most desirable option for a club setting-something I’m not familiar with admittedly -were both so clear and well-organized, I was convinced. You are an excellent communicator. Subscribed.
Thanks for saying that! However, I’m only putting forward one argument for why 2 is best, it’s totally a judgement call and tastes differ, I think it’s just cool to be able to put words on it so you can make decisions that suit your taste!
The thing is though being an art it’s totally subjective and you can make what you want. Though if you had been shown the examples on a bigger system you may come to the same conclusion on 2 being the better more balanced mix. Still music is about making what you like and sometimes break the ‘rules’ is a way of coming up with something original and unique. I personally love reverb heavy mixes that break the rules on having the wet just there. Then I go can shape and side chain bits of the wet signal to make it work and not muddy up the mix. Breaking the rules then coming up with my own way of making work a d sort be back in the rules again. Trust your instincts I’d say and experiment. Sometimes though it’s worth checking and really analysing the mixes of who you aspire to and see what your missing.
Your tuition videos are so good and clear to understand . Thank you for all your help 🙏
it's not even my genre, but this has been so helpful. really great content especially compared to other vids! that last shelf tip was pure gold. also nice that you gave a actual reference when it comes to the kick and bass instead of "just use your ears"
Oscar, the quality of these videos are just headed through the roof. Great work man, very very inspiring. Thanks!
Oscar, not the first time I'm impressed by your videos. It's not the content of your lessons, it is your perspective on music production and the way you approach solutions to all the issues. Really worth following and I recommend your channel as often I can.
Thanks Oscar. That is still a valuable refresher to an advanced producer. Yes, its true id forgotten this basic mindset and been using 'clever' techniques rather than doing the groundwork properly. Much appreciated as are many of your videos. Thanks Lee
i watched this quick video and loaded up an old project of mine to help balance the low end and it helped a lot. the best part of the video was how he shows 3 different low ends, PLAYS IT and talks about it AS it is playing so as to show ppl what to listen for. That one thing really trains your ear a lot more than someone just talking about it. After checking my own low end, it sounded much more balanced, great channel
Best tip I ever got from KZhead by far. Gives a great starting point for fitting kick and bass, sometimes nothing else is needed. Thanks!
Thank you, this is the most clear and easy to follow tutorial on low end I've seen!
MANNN TY SO MUCH FOR THE TUTORIAL✌ BIG BIG RESPECT 🖤 I CANNOT BELIVE THAT SO SIMPLE TECHNIQUE COULD BE SO POWERFUL
Really good vid! Loving what you said about some masking being good and the effortlessness of not over complicating the mix translates in the feeling of the track :)
The content here is always right to the point. No frills. Thank you.🙏
Thanks man. Really helpful videos. I’ve been working way my through a few recently. It’s funny how you spend years chasing your tail and then someone gives you a method which just makes complete sense. Subscribed. 👍🏻
OMG!!! My musical production journey is pretty recent (2-3 years) and I can't believe this is the first time I see this trick. So powerful! Thanks a lot Oscar.
Wow man, I love how with the shelf filter part you really explained it at every level and demonstrated it making sure even a person barely paying attention could still understand
This is something I found helped a lot while mixing a full length album for the first time. Hip-hop stuff with lots of samples and unseparated drum loops so the EQ was my best friend when trying to balance layers on a track, especially in the low end. Well done video and super helpful tip I wish I learned sooner. Take his advice!!
This tip is a game changer for me at the moment. Super focused on how I can improve low end lately. Cheers!
Great stuff as usual! TYWM Oscar. Just to add : this is the first time I saw you dancing than actually just grooving! No matter what ... You Rock!!!!
FINALLY! The right explanation along with demonstrating the process. Thanks for this information. Subbed
Love your videos man. Great tips, explained in a way that my ADD doesn't get triggered. 🤘
I like this thought. I've watched million of tutorials over the years and no one has ever given such a simple option with kick and bass. I'm gonna try it today. Thanks!
speaking as a beginner: this video was SO informative, straight to the point, and easy to understand. thank you for making this video! the cloakroom check trick is genius. also im so proud of myself for choosing #2 lol
As usual, great Oscar! Useful tips, good explanation, clear demonstration in Ableton. Thanks!
This is my favourite video of yours to date. Awesome editing, engaging and great analysis. Great stuff
Fantastic video yet again. Thanks Oscar, Don't stop; this is incredible content!
I knew when I heard the correct example that it was the "best" sounding one, but on headphones the loudest one is the most fun. Sounds that break rules are very enjoyable to make and listen to on smaller setups--but if done to the extreme, they can end up damaging sound equipment. That's the problem with production and mixing...you're playing with raw energy.
@AD Shyn Would releasing various different mixes for various different situations be a practically-legitimate way of covering all of the bases? The pun was not intended. Surely, it's incredibly difficult to create one mix to rule them all. Could the time and effort spent in creating a "Phone Mix", "Club/Mono Mix", "Car Mix", "Closed-Back Headphone Mix", "Open-Back Headphone Mix", "Spotify Mix", "Audiophile Mix", etc. be viable?
@@thevalueofn6994 Really you want to just aim to mix your tracks to sound transparent & consistent on whatever they're played on, from little casual in ear buds to decent headphones, from "average" to good speakers; mix so it sounds as good with a subwoofer as it does without (if you don't low cut the "unwanted, often inaudible subs" in all the channels that contain them (EQ with spectrum shows us they're everywhere), it will totally mess up your balance and "frequency range", and a subwoofer (unlike average speakers, or in ear buds) will bring any "actually audible unwanted subs" right in your face (even though the same track "seems" to sound "fine" on systems with less low end range). An EQ with an analyzer (EG Fabfilter Pro-Q) will "visually show you" a lot of simple mix errors which will allow you more time to focus on things you need to "mix by ear". Throw an EQ on your master channel, look at the spectrum. Is it relatively flat, solid and loud? Or are peaks moving around like crazy with a lot of dynamic range? Is it showing way more low end than mids/highs (downward slope) even though it "doesn't sound overly bassy & muddy"? If so, you're gonna hear that on a system with more range, even if you can't hear it at home. As you mute/solo different channels, you constantly see how each one directly affects the master mix EQ readout (this way you can easily find that 1 element causing problems). I find (usually atleast) that if the spectrum on your master EQ "looks good", it will often sound good (purely EQ & levels wise) when you take it to other speakers. Even without "often essential" stuff like compression, just some careful EQ'ing and levelling can go a huge way. I like to put an EQ on more or less everything just to "probe/test" (put an EQ on 30 channels, and 28 of them WILL have unwanted subs, even sounds with zero audible low end, EG hi-hats, or singing birds); if I can't "hear" if it needs EQ'ing, I can "see" it. I think if we rely only on "visual mixing" we could lose the ability to "mix by ear", but if you use both together, mixing INO becomes so much easier!
I'm a beginner when it comes to music production and really in the dark about mixing. You really explained this very elegantly and clear. The storytelling analogy really helps to understand this better. Thanks!
Thank youuu this is one more little piece to achieve full and satisfying compositions
This is an incredibly simple and straight forward explanation of balancing frequency clashing of the kick(bass) drum and bass.
This is unbelievable. Thanks for the tips. So simple, yet, such a game changer. I'll be using this for sure.
Very helpful and clearly explained topic. Key words are really helpful and makes whole video pleasant.
Needed to hear this. Thank you!
I liked the 2nd one best, there's like something "elastic" to it while the kick stays powerful. I find the same appeal as in tracks like Pablo Bozzi - Hotswitch.
yeah I immediately was like #2 is butter.
gracias Dog , always good tips for all kind of levels
Great video! So much help and you're amazing at explaining things!
Great technique there. Thanks. And great video quality.
Videos getting better and better, respect
I love your videos so much dude, you are an absolute legend mate
" In You We Trust " Thanks so much for sharing this.
Awesome! Great thanks you! A years of practice archived in one suggestion. Really clear and simple.
Hey man, just wanted to say I've learnt so much from your videos. They are incredible and make such complex topics simple. Thank you for everything, you've brought me to a new level producing wise.
Cheers Kieran :)
This new style of making your videos is so much better. It really takes this channel to another level. Congratz for that. I think that despite the very useful information of your previeous videos the visual design lowered the precieved quality. You re on the right way I think.
Great material, Oscar. Very clear and concise. Thanks!
Clean editing, visuals & production. I like your overall energy & content too. Great video, Oscar!
Best advice EVER ! My low end sound so professional right now ! Thank you so much man !
this video is gamechanging for me. Helps me a lot with this case. Thank you so much. God bless you ;)
Thanks for the adivce!! Settings the gain of each clip right makes the whole mixing easier after!! I use a lot the Multiband Dynamics of Ableton while mixing for compression AND expansion, but I never thought about using it as a 3 shelf filter Low/Mid/High! It will certainly make my mixing easier and better ! Awesome video again thanks
This channel is still so underated! Thanks for this awesome content
Absolutely love your videos dude!!!!
Excellent points and bass frequencies demistified,so well explained, nice one Oscar!!
i love you for doing these... thank you.
I used to side chain the bejesus out of all kicks. Then i went down to Multi band, and even lighter multi band. This video is really great to give me the confidence to worry even less with certain masking (it can jsut be a nice blend). TRULY, thanks again Mate. I really hope one day i see you pottering around Berlin, so i can say thanks in person. Your channel has strengthened so many concepts i thought i knew well, and taught me many new things.
Thanks for the amazing video! Great help
i apprecciate your editing so much :)
For over a decade I have constantly over-complicated this subject. I knew it had to be so much simpler than how I was imagining. This is absolutely perfect and has broke down and confirmed all the things I knew I should/shouldn’t have been doing!!! Wicked video and I instantly subscribed. Easy to follow and to the point. Thanks mate!!!
🥰
Good idea. I will try that today. Thank you
Great tutorial! Simple things work! Thank you for reminding!
A brilliantly down-to-earth tip. Thank you!
Very helpful video, thanks for sharing 🙏
Super simple and demystifying. Thanks Oscar!
Great stuff mate. Many thanks
Damn! That's a golden! I will start using this tip.... much love ! Thank you!
Literally never thought it would be that simple, thank you so much!!
Thank you so much Oscar, very valuable tutorial here. Simple, effective and stress-free!
Ultra cool and the most thing - just simple!! Thank you)
...man, I love Techno, and I love U! THANX for your amazing work!!! Wish u a happy Techno life :)
So succinct, so obvious when you say it. Great teaching man, so much respect.
This comment 🔥
Amazing information here. Very well explained and detailed enough.
Using these shelfs filters in tandem with a cloak room check really has made my low end sound good! Thank you Oscar!
thank you for offering simple solutions
thank you so much man this was so helpful ive been having a hard time mixing my low end for the longest time. that shelf and cloakroom check technique is goated.
I haven't learned so many things so quickly in a long time. Your approach is phenomenal. I get everything you say and hear it, but it wasn't in my mixing perception. Thanks for the lesson
Smart 'n simple tips man, the best approach for an awesome tutor
This tutorial was so great, I always struggled with bass when producing
Always enjoy your videos ! Thanks .
Yeah, keep it simple. I put alot of energy and time into the sound design and capture and don't want to get bogged down in mixing. I like your approach focusing on straightforward but highly effective processing.
Wow! Thank you so much sensei Oscar!
I liked this clip! I usually prioritize using a side chain but I love the idea of shelving to carve. thanks for the clip!
Love your videos! I'm learning a lot!
Your contents are clear and very comprehensive, thank you
Thank you for sharing!
Awesome video, thanks for the tips !
The Cloakroom Test has just improved things for me big style. I will be doing this every time now. Thank you.
Nice man, the cloakroom trick is super cool, thanks for that
so happy to find Your channel ! GOLD
This is by far the best low end video I ever did see in my entire music production career
This was great! And, as stated by others, this rings true across many genres! Thanks!
Thanks for this awesome guide man!
New to your channel. This is amazing, thank you!
Excellent perspective. Thank you. :)
this was actually making sence so you have your eq on master but soloing each low mid high to your master cloakroomed thank you so much for this👍
Awesome video man 😃 super useful and the edits are getting more and more dynamic! 😁🔥🔥
that's a great technique bro. i'm gonna be trying it out!! thanks so much for the info. liked and subbed
LOW END #2 was my favorite. Oscar you have such a clear and to the point method of explaining things that I didn't know I found confusing. Thank you. Hearing and simply remembering that low end always needs to exhibit a clear priority between the kick and the bass but they must still work together and compliment each other by grooving as a whole and "Masking is not your enemy"... Plus the 'CloakRoom Check'! Such a good tool, so helpful, thanks again for the knowledge.
Cheers Blake 😁
Quality content as always, thank you for your constant uploads mate!
So helpful, thank you Oscar!!
i can't tell you how useful is this! thanks.