The mix buss setup is an extremely important part of the overall sound of your mix. By mix buss im referring to the master fader and the effects/inserts being used to process the entire mix. I have a basic setup that I use on most of mixes but certain plugins will be added or subtracted depending on the style of music. I’ll go into more detail about that later on in this article.
- Mix Buss Setup -
Heres a basic look at what I call my mix buss template. You’ll see I have a console saturation plugin, followed by 2 different EQ’s, a compressor, Stereo image enhancer, and a tape saturation plugin.
Now don’t be scared. This is just my template, I don’t use all of these plugins on all of my mixes and for me the ones I do use are more of a set it and forget thing. I basically put in some basics presets I like and mix into them. I find these settings help me get that polished sound quicker and the saturation and compression really tightens things up and glues the mix together. Just keep in mind that I mix into all the plugins I use on my mix buss. Meaning they are there from the start and stay on while im mixing. I don’t add them in at the end. By doing this im hearing exactly what my final mix should sound like while im mixing. Also the compression and saturation would react completely different if added in after the fact and would most likely have a very negative impact on the sound. Also before we start KEEP IN MIND YOUR GAIN STAGING ON YOUR MIX BUSS!!! Very important.
Click On Any Of The Images To Enlarge Them
- Saturation -
As you’ll come to see I use a saturation plugin on the first insert of almost every main channel or aux in my mixes. In this case im using it to simulate the character of the mix buss on a console. I have this setting set to emulate a Neve style console but your saturation can be whatever console you like. Thats whats great about saturation. You can totally change the flavor of your mix by just tweaking the type of saturation you’re using on your mix buss. I can talk about saturation for days but if you’re unfamiliar with the concept read my Mixing 101 Saturation article for more details and why its used.
- EQ’s -
My next 2 plugins are my overall EQ’s for the track. The first plugin im using is the Waves Pultec EQP1A plugin. I use this to get a bit of the sweet old pultec sound. I usually add some 12khz for sheen and a touch of 60hz to give a little more low end warmth and bump to my mixes. The Pultec plugin has a great sound and I find these settings help my mixes come alive.
The next plugin is the Waves Q8 plugin. I use this because I can get very specific settings with it and its a very transparent EQ in my opinion. By that I mean it doesn’t add much character like the Pultec. I already have a lot of character going on between the URS Saturation and the Pultec so this is mainly there for more surgical EQ work. Im using it to filter off all the low end garbage and the very very high end (this helps warm the mix up) as well as boost some frequency points that I find help my mixes relate well on most systems and radio. These EQ points I normally use are around 2k, 5.5k, and then a shelf boost at around 9k. Once again these frequency points may change a bit but are always right around these areas.
- Compression -
I never ever do a mix without my trusty Waves SSL Buss comp. I LOVE THIS PLUGIN! I’ll scream it from the mountain tops if I have to! For those who’ve read my articles you’ll know that I love the Waves SSL bundle and feel that if you can only afford one plugin bundle this is the one to get. I always use this plugin with an automatic release and a 4:1 compression ratio. I’ll usually start the attack at .3 and just have it taking off 2-3dbs. Thats my starting point but if things just aren’t gelling right or im not getting that “radio radio, larger then life, polished sound” i’ll start messing with the attack at .10 or .30. Sometimes i’ll even lower the threshold to get more compression happening. Ive had some great sounding mixes hitting at 6db-8db of gain reduction. It can happen. Use your ears and season to taste.
- Stereo Image Enhancer -
This plugin is used just to give a little extra love to the stereo image. it helps widen the mix. I use it very mildly. You don’t want to get out of hand with this because it’ll throw your mix into a weird phasey mess with no center punch if used wrong. Just a bit to help push the left and right out and make the mix a little bigger. The two plugins I recommend are the DUY Wide or Waves Stereo Imager. Ive included the settings for both. Just keep in mind I only use 1 per mix. I like them both equally and use whichever one I happen to be in the mood for that day.
- Tape Saturation -
So here it is… the secret weapon! For me its DAD Tape. There are a bunch of tape saturation plugins out there but I like this one by far the best. For me this plugin warms up the mix, helps glue the mix, adds punch to the mix all at once while also putting the mix in its own beautiful sonic space. I also find if im doing a track that needs a more vintage vibe I can just lower the ips setting or change the tape type and it’ll have a great old school style vibe happening.
So which plugins are used for what genres you ask?
All Rock Styles(Rock, Metal, Reggae, Indie, ect…) – All of the plugins listed
Rap/Hip Hop – All of the plugins except the tape saturation. I find the tape saturation is too much for rap a lot of the times. Rap is very clean and a bit more digital sounding. The tape saturation adds too much character a lot of the time.
Rap, Hip Hop, R&B Mix Buss Setup
R&B - All of the plugins except the tape saturation for the same reasons I gave for Rap. Unless its an old school style R&B vibe then the tape saturation sometimes really gives it “that sound”.
Electronic Mix Buss Setup
Electronic – All of the plugins except the console saturation plugin and the tape saturation plugin. For electronic music I try and keep the signal very clean and well electronic/digital sounding.
To learn more about about any of the plugins used in this article or to buy at a discounted rate check out the links below.
URS Saturation
Waves Pultec EQP1A
Waves Q8
Waves SSL Buss Compressor
Waves S1 Imager
