KVR Mix Workshop - Week 7: Backgrounds

[Cordelia]

Cool yonyz, thanks for the feedback. I have some things to work on. I'm learning more every week.

[asnor]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to let you know I won't be able to participate in the workshop any further. I also wanted you guys to know that I've really enjoyed this whole thing, especially listening to everyones progress over the weeks.

I'm going to upload my final version of the track, as far as it's gotten to this point to this weeks folder, so it should show up in this thread...pretty much mixed, but no mastering...in case anyone wants to hear it.

Thanks so much for a really great learning experience.

I wish you all the best!

[Cordelia]

a7,
We'll miss you. Thank you for all your thoughtful feedback.
Great mix., by the way. You have good ears!
I hope this is a temporary absence. I hope I see you around KvR.

[damonvargas]

How do you add 'SATURATION" ? Is there an actual saturation plug-in?

[Kim Lajoie]

How do you add 'SATURATION" ? Is there an actual saturation plug-in?

There are many saturation plugins, some free. Check out the effects forum.

Also keep in mind that many plugins are not dedicated saturation plugins (that is, their primary function is something else like compression or filtering), but saturate nicely/interestingly when overdriven. Chances are you already have some plugins that are suitable.

Saturation can be a very subtle effect, and can take quite some time to acquire a taste for. If it's the first time you're using saturation, it'll probably just sound like bad distortion. In the mix (and particularly in a dense mix such as this one) it's actually not as noticeable as when you're listening to a soloed channel on its own. It took me a few years of mixing with saturation to find a comfortable balance and a taste for different flavours, so don't feel discouraged if you can't make it work on your first few mixes.

-Kim.

[yonyz]

Kim,

I have the AcousticMeat and AcousticSparkle channels' output sent to a group channel,
in order to apply the same effects to both channels.

So, if I want to use a reverb send on these two tracks, I just set the group channel's output to the reverb send?
Or, instead, I should use the Send slots on the group channel, and apply as much as I want?

[Kim Lajoie]

Kim,

I have the AcousticMeat and AcousticSparkle channels' output sent to a group channel,
in order to apply the same effects to both channels.

So, if I want to use a reverb send on these two tracks, I just set the group channel's output to the reverb send?
Or, instead, I should use the Send slots on the group channel, and apply as much as I want?

Is this about the Week 8 stuff? Which approach to take depends on how different the two guitar tracks are. Applying the reverb to each part separately will allow you to apply a more appropriate level of reverb to each. Depending on the sound of the tracks and the sound of your reverb, you might find that one of the tracks can take more reverb than the other. If you send to the reverb from the group, then you have to compromise and will either end up sending too much reverb for one track or not enough for the other.

-Kim.