I need to adjust the output level for every single parameter essentially that I adjust.Īnd yeah, something like a compressor, where the whole purpose is to actually do attenuation of the signal level.
My output level is too loud, I need to back it off. Right here, I’ve pulled in a Pultec style equalizer. In all kinds of other plug-ins, like an equalizer, almost every parameter is actually going to shape the level of the output. It’s not just the input drive knob that does this, though. This can certainly be a distraction away from your general workflow, and turn your attention away from what’s most important when you’re working on a mix. So, hopefully you can see that this is a problem. Let’s say, for instance, I’ve got the level set now, but I think the harmonics are a little bit overkill, and I need to back these off. Instead of focusing on the tonal shaping of the plug-in, now I’m focusing on the level, and until I get the level set, only then can I turn my attention to the actual harmonic shaping of this particular plug-in. The problem with this though, is it’s now interrupted my whole workflow. So there I’ve got the level set the way it should be. So now, let me turn my attention and focus on just the level.Īlright. So, let me show you the whole process now that you have to go through to do the level matching between the input and the output. Good thing is, a lot of plug-ins will have an output volume fader here that I can do level matching between the input and the output. We need to be careful as mixing engineers not to be duped into thinking something sounds better just because it sounds louder, or it sounds worse just because it sounds quieter. However, another thing that the plug-in is doing is it’s increasing the overall level of my input signal, so when I A/B back and forth, it’s difficult to tell if it’s the tonal shaping that I like, or just the overall level that I like. I’ll turn up the input drive to add in some harmonics, and I’ll see if I like what this is doing.Īlright, so I think I like what tonal shaping the plug-in is doing. Am I adding something in that I like? Or, you have to check and make sure that it’s not doing something that you don’t like and making it sound worse.Īn example, let me send a kick drum through the Waves NLS channel. So what you might do is add in a plug-in, dial in some settings, and see if the plug-in has improved the sound. So, when you’re working on a mix, a lot of times you’ll focus on individual instruments and tracks, try and process them in a way that improves the sound of the original recording. I came up with a trick that I want to show you that addresses an issue that shows up all the time when you’re working on a mix.įirst, I’ll talk about the problem, then I’ll get to the solution.