general mixdown levels

[skills4kills]

Whats up everyone,

I have done lots of research and seen some posts that briefly touch on this topic, but I would like to get a discussion going so I can get some input from everyone. Generally speaking, what db is each element in your mix sitting at? If you want to get specific on maybe a drum rack, where is your kick, snare, hat, ect sitting at as far as db. PLEASE READ: I know there is no rules and the best choice is to do whatever sounds good, however, I am curious to see *generally speaking* where each element in the mix is sitting in relation to each other.


For example:
If your kick drum is sitting at -14db (this leaves plenty of headroom for mastering), where would you usually have your snare peak at? Would you have it 2db lower then the kick drum, so -16db? Or would you have the snare louder then the kick drum? (usually not the case but you get the point I am making)

Feel free to also touch on how much louder you have the drums vs a lead synth line ect

Once again any information given should not be taken as a solution to all mixdowns. Every song has its own requirements and you should trust your ears, this is simply a rough guide and thanks in advance for all who lay down some input.

Cheers,
S4K

[Hostile Invasion]

Bro, there isn't even a "generally speaking" You're thinking too hard about this.

[skills4kills]

Bro, there isn't even a "generally speaking" You're thinking too hard about this.

I disagree mate, there are certain elements in the mix "generally speaking" that should be louder then other parts. Now, given as I have already said you should trust your ears, I still like to hear from other producers where they have their mix levels at. I know producers who swear by certain levels like the kick should be at -6db the snare should be at -8 the hi hats should be at -12 ect. Obviously this isnt the smartest thing to do, but its a good reference for people just starting out about where each element in the mix should be sitting at.

[fragments]

I know this isn't the answer you want...but all of this really depends...it's all so interconnected...I like that you are thinking in terms of mixing the kick that low. That's about where I mix my kick...between -12 to -14.

Like in the example you give...just because the kick is at -14 there is no formula for where my snare sits. One snare might need to sit at -16 another at -18 another at -17

As for drums versus lead synth...again it depends...sometimes I'll have a lead-ish type sound but I want to push it into the background so I LP filter it and mix it low and let the pads and atmo do most of the "mood" work...maybe I side chain that lead to the atmo/pads a bit to let it push through or automate the gain fader.

Hope that helps. The more I learn about mixing...the more I think I need to practice, train my ears, trust my ears, forget about numbers and treat each track as it's own creature--sometimes I will be a bit formulaic when writing songs for an EP so they have a similar vibe.

And to the "general reference for people starting out" ...I disagree...those "general references" got me stuck in mixing ruts for years. I pull all the faders down to -50 (or whatever FL Studio bottoms out at) and start by slowing raising them in order starting w/ the kick.

[skills4kills]

I know this isn't the answer you want...but all of this really depends...it's all so interconnected...I like that you are thinking in terms of mixing the kick that low. That's about where I mix my kick...between -12 to -14.

Like in the example you give...just because the kick is at -14 there is no formula for where my snare sits. One snare might need to sit at -16 another at -18 another at -17

As for drums versus lead synth...again it depends...sometimes I'll have a lead-ish type sound but I want to push it into the background so I LP filter it and mix it low and let the pads and atmo do most of the "mood" work...maybe I side chain that lead to the atmo/pads a bit to let it push through or automate the gain fader.

Hope that helps. The more I learn about mixing...the more I think I need to practice, train my ears, trust my ears, forget about numbers and treat each track as it's own creature--sometimes I will be a bit formulaic when writing songs for an EP so they have a similar vibe.

And to the "general reference for people starting out" ...I disagree...those "general references" got me stuck in mixing ruts for years. I pull all the faders down to -50 (or whatever FL Studio bottoms out at) and start by slowing raising them in order starting w/ the kick.

excellent advice mate, and I agree that the people starting out get stuck thinking "this is how you have to do it", thats why I made it very clear in the original post to trust your ears over all and dont take this as stone advice. I also pull all my faders down when I am ready to mix, but I still like getting advice from people who have been mixing longer then I have as far as an idea where you want to get the levels of each element of the mix. Once again, trusting your ears is the best advice but its always nice to have a rough guide like the snare is usually quieter then the kick and the hi hats are quieter then both and your drums should be the loudest part of the mix ect. I see so many mixdowns where people have made the synth line so loud you cant even hear the drums haha. Thanks for the input

[drooka]

hey brotha, have a read throught the mixdown topics here...... http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=233775
plenty of good advice that will answer your question....pay special close attention when macc speaks. what youre really getting at is gain structuring, and like it was stated, its all pretty relative but there are some helpful guidelines that will get you on the right track.