Mix Review: Pop Synthwave

Join mixing guru Fabio Lendrum as he takes you through a complete review of a pop synthwave mixing session. In this comprehensive mix review video course, you'll see and hear Fabio go over his mix choices and problem-solving strategies as they apply to every aspect of this track: lead vocals, BG vocals, drums, guitars, keys, etc. You'll also watch how the rough mix is transformed to the final mix and even get details on the final mastering stage. All of the stems are included ifor download, so you can follow along on your DAW. This is a great opportunity to see and hear how to bring this great Pop Synthwave track to life. These videos are for intermediate mixing engineers.

Videos

• Overview, Rough Mix & Analysis (05:15) - In the first video, we introduce the track "Innocent" by Sixth Floor Memories and provide a comparison between the rough mix and what we're aiming for.

• Lead Vocal (08:29) - Learn how to clean the lead vocals with EQ, compression, and de-essing.

• Lead Vocal Coloring (07:49) - Discover how adding analog emulations can enhance the signal.

• Lead Vocal Sends & FX (09:06) - Here we use reverb and delay to add space and ambience to the lead vocal.

• Chorus Automation (03:59) - See how to lift the chorus with gain automation for more impact.

• Vocal Synth (09:08) - In this video, we're adjusting the vocal synth layer to fit and support the lead.

• Vocals (11:32) - Learn different techniques for mixing the BG vocals so that they don't interfere with lead.

• Vocal Bridge Stacks (08:27) - Explore the process of panning, tuning, and distorting the bridge vocals for a tonal change.

• Kick (08:32) - Discover how using EQ, saturation, and parallel processing can bring the kick forward in the mix and showcase the snare, which is the other most dominant component in the rhythm section.

• Snare (08:45) - Here, we're separating the snare into three different arrangement levels for individual processing.

• Clap & Hats (04:20) - Learn how some light EQ is used to adjust the balance of these drums.

• Toms (07:26) - See how to use tube compression and transient-shaping to bring out the toms.

• Drum Group & Parallel Processing (11:33) - In this video, we're increasing an over-compressed parallel signal to add sustain and saturation to the drum signal.

• Bass (10:30) - Discover how volume-shaping each 1/8th hit can enhance a plucked sound and fill in the bottom end energy with harmonic excitement.

• Synth Buildup (05:43) - Learn how to use a special reverb and delay with added upwards compression for a contemporary sound.

• Synth Layers (02:34) - See how to use saturation throughout the arrangement to add harmonics.

• Pads (11:30) - Watch how applying saturation, notch filtering, and side-chaining helps one of the most important parts of the record add groove and fill in the background.

• Guitars (12:35) - Explore ways to glue the guitars to the mix using similar FX as pads and see how the addition of amp emulations helps bring these parts to life.

• Final Adlibs & Impacts (03:34) - Here, we're showcasing the FX added throughout the track for transitional moments.

• Impacts (02:37) - Discover how the impacts play into the rhythm section.

• FX & Additional Production (04:19) - I add extra FX to help maximize the impact of the final chorus.

• Mastering (12:22) - In this video, we're breaking up the various stages of mastering in order to finalize the record.

• Outro & Overview (04:28) - Finally, we're listening from beginning to end with all the mixing and mastering changes.