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Try to see the mix in pairs and match elements to one another. Holding an equivalent number of similar elements on both sides is a good rule of thumb. could be panned in order to create space. Other elements like hi-hats, synth sequences, SFX, etc. Low-end elements such as kick drums, basslines, and low percussion sounds should be placed in the center, to maximize impact and loudness. Panning is largely overlooked when it comes to loudness, but it’s essential. You can do this on individual tracks that can do without the low end, as well, such as hi-hats. One of the easiest solutions for this is to apply a low-cut filter, and cut everything below 40 Hz or so. This doesn’t allow other elements of the mix to cut through. Sometimes, content from these instruments is so low on the frequency spectrum it becomes inaudible, but still eats lots of headroom. However, this is the place where elements like the kick drum and bassline produce the most problems, and become an obstacle in achieving louder mixes. The perfect example of this would be the low frequencies of your mix. Here, it’s about cutting rather than boosting. In the next tutorial, we will go over five key things you should pay attention to when finalizing your mix, to achieve ideal loudness. Therefore, in the digital world, it’s all about how we use tools to maximize loudness while staying within the range below 0 dbFS. It’s quite different from analog distortion, which can actually sound pleasant to the human ear. Levels above this result in mostly unpleasant and undesirable digital distortion. Therefore, creating a loud sounding mix is not just about volume or mastering plugins.Īs some of you probably know, for digital recordings, there’s a volume limit at 0 dBFS. On the other hand, because of a number of factors, the experience of loudness varies from person to person. Record labels have pressured engineers to make louder and louder masters. Since the 1980s, the concept of “Loudness Wars” has been raging. Loudness, by definition, is a subjective perception of volume.