I got a great comment about subtlety over the weekend, so let’s kick off with that:
“Some of the before and after examples that I see and hear, I can’t tell the difference unless it’s blindingly obvious. All the subtle tweaks pass me by.“
Now I think this is a fantastic point for many reasons, mainly because it highlights how subtlety can actually make your mixes great.
There’s a time and place for heavy compression, lots of distortion and use of really elaborate effects but being more subtle with your approach can often yield incredible results.
The best way to explain how subtlety can make your mixes great is to show you… so check out the video!
Leave a comment below and let me know…
How has subtlety or a lack of it helped you and your mixes?
professional sounding mix every time…
professional sounding mix every time...
Stephen,
Thank you for taking the time to create to fantastic video. I’ve picked up a lot during this session. As a newbie, I’m still learning to use EQ vs. Compression. I prefer EQ in Pro Tools because (in my infant opinion), it gives me greater color choices to my instrument tracks. Tomorrow, who knows!!! =D
Thanks again!
Dave
You’re welcome David. I’m glad you’re learning! What’s the biggest challenge about using EQ or Compression? sounds like you know which EQ you like and that’s awesome 🙂
Thanks Stephen. You obviously are an expert in this field. I’ve been involved in music for most of my life. Even so, unfortunately, I can’t notice most of the EQ changes that you make. I sometimes wonder if the only people that notice all the tweaks in songs are the experts that form .0000000001% of the world’s population. For the rest of us, I genuinely wonder if it makes any difference. Sorry.
Thanks Tony. I still view myself as a student and I try to learn new things every day. I completely get your point that subtle EQ changes might not make much of a difference to you. Were you able to learn anything from the video?