Mixing Case study. Mix breakdown - Learn what I did to each audio channel !

1. Mix case study - Track - Girl come home with me

Clive K mix

Original mix

Rap vocal lead -

Highpass filter @ 100hz to cut out any rumble or pops in vocal.
Boost 3 db at 450 hz to give lttle more body to rap.
Compression ratio 4:1 / med attack / fast release / around 1-3db copression thru out.
Desser - reduces S sounds at 6.5khz.
Reverb - Plate verb mix in low.
Setup automation to ride the volume, mainly to reduce any loud parts.

Adlibs highlights Rap -

Same as rap lead but panned hard left and right for each track.
Delay plugin set at quater notes linked to tempo.

Adlibs talking - Same as rap lead plus -

3.5 db Boost at 1okhz to give them extra pressence.
Auto pan plugin to pan the track left and right.

Singing chorus main -

Highpass filter @ 135hz.
No compression.
Desser.
Small amount of plate verb.

Adlibs singing -

Highpass filter @ 135hz.
2 db cut at 235 hz to reduce some muddy frequencies.
Compression ratio 4:1 / med attack / fast release / around 1-3db compression thru out.
Delay plugin set at quater notes linked to tempo.
Desser.
Small amount of plate verb.
Automation for panning.

Main sample -

Highpass filter @ 45hz.
Compression ratio 2:1 / around 1-3db compression thru out.
2.5 db boost at 60 hz.
2.5 db boost at 500 hz.
2.5 db boost at 5 khz.
2.5 db boost at 10 khz.
Increased stereo width with plugin.
Small amount of plate verb.

Bass -

Highpass filter @ 45hz.
2.5 db boost at 60 hz.
3 db cut at 500 hz.
Compression ratio 2:1 / around 1-3db compression thru out.
Side chain compression - So volume dips when kick hits, about 2 db
This allows kick to poke thru more.

Kick -

Highpass filter @ 45hz.
2.5 db boost at 300 hz.
Compression 3db thru out 3:1 ratio.
8 db boost at 70 hz - gives more punch.
9 db boost at 1 khz - gives the kick clarity.
4 db boost a 3.4 khz - gives the kick more clarity.

Clap/snare -

4 db boost a 100 hz - gives body.
5 db boost a 16 khz - give pressence.
Medium amount of plate verb.

Hats -

Small amount of plate verb.

Keys -

Highpass filter @ 125hz.
5 db boost a 10 khz.
2.5 db cut at 250 hz.
Small amount of plate verb.

Cymbals -

Small amount of plate verb.

Whole mix sent out to the external analog SSl G-bus stereo compressor.
This gave a little more punch and glued the track together.

Mastering:

Track sounds great with a great balance but still needs an boost
in the highs to get that final shine and clarity:
Whole track is boosted 6db at 10khz.
Final brick wall limiter to bring levels upto commercial levels.