Logic Pro X: Mixing Electronic Music

Gain Staging

Here we demonstrate how to set input levels so that plug-ins behave appropriately and there is enough headroom to mix effectively. This is done for percussive and sustaining sounds, including a demonstration of pre-fader metering in Logic.

Mix Volumes

Now we'll set our kick drum level and mix everything around that, and aim for a master bus level of -6.

Subtractive EQ Pt. 1

Get an outline of the principles of Subtractive EQ. In this video we'll continue to process the drums to ensure the removal of any unwanted frequency content, while preserving the integrity of the original sound.

Subtractive EQ Pt. 2

The EQ process is now continued, this time focussing on the sustaining elements like the piano, leads, vocals and fx.

Transient Shaping with the Enveloper

See how to sculpt the attack and sustain portion of one drum break to make it better sit behind another break, creating some front to back perspective. This is done using Logic's Enveloper which allows us to slightly remove the transient and reduce the sustain time.

Staging Compression Pt. 1

In this video, we introduce some very important concepts for compression. Using 2 compressors, watch how to change the font to back perspective of two sounds in the mix, by utilizing the compressor's attack and release times with musical values.

Staging Compression Pt. 2

Next up, we add in some staging compression to the drums, starting out on a bus to set the correct attack and release times before copying individual compressors on each drum element. Using this method we're able to use compressors to determine how upfront or held back overall drums are.

Staging Compression Pt. 3

In our final look at staging compression, we'll work on our more sustaining sounds including bass and fx, and again dial-in the front to back perspective of our mix.

Vocal Compression

Vocal compression is covered in this video with 3 compressors being stacked up to shave off transients, control the volume, and increase density. Lastly, an Opto setting is called upon for a bit of extra tone and vibe.

Additive EQ Pt. 1

In this video, we implement the "Pultec EQ trick" on the kick and bass to transform and re-design the bottom end of the mix. This is done using the amazing Logic Vintage EQ Collection.

Additive EQ Pt. 2

Here we continue applying additive EQ on the marquee sounds in our mix to create extra separation. We use the 3 different flavors of vintage EQ to create contrast between elements.

Vocal EQ

Now we'll again call upon the tube EQ setting to add 100Hz body and 12k air to our lead vocal. We'll also dial-in a bit of mid range bite at 1.5k.

Early Reflections

In this video, we introduce using Early Reflections as a "dry reverb" to create depth and space in the mix without washing out and clouding the mix. This is done using Logic's Chromaverb with the mix set to 100% Early Reflections.

Vocal Spatial Effects

Now we'll combine a Haas Effect style process using stereo delay and chorus to create a wider, thicker and more upfront vocal sound. Following on from this, we'll add some traditional stereo delay to enhance the space that our vocal sits in.

Reverb

Next up we'll add reverb to the mix. We'll chose our places carefully to ensure we don't muddy things up, and instead give space to the sounds that need it. Reverb is added to the clap, the vocals, and the piano, using different decay times and pre-delay to create the correct size and space.

Parallel Processing

Here we continue the mix by adding parallel chains which combine EQ, compression and saturation, to really enhance the imaging and focus of our sounds. This greatly helps bring together all our processing that has been added thus far. The mix as a result becomes denser and bigger.

Bus Processing

In this video, we'll now use compressors on our busses to gel sounds together, add hype, front to back depth and groove. We do this using Logic's amazing compressor on an SSL style setting, varying attack and release times to better separate the stems. A limiter is then used to catch transients allowing us to prep the track for mastering.

Adding Remix FX

This final video covers using Logic's Remix FX plug-in to add filtering and reverb to the mix bus. This creates extra movement in the arrangement helping make things more exciting!