When mixing, you may sometimes come to wall where you just want to make a track sound better. Even after reverb, EQ and compression, you can find that a track will still sound flat. One of the more commonly used ways to battle this is by layering.
What is Layering?
Layering is basically copying and pasting a part from your mix into multiple tracks. Then, by tweaking each layer to accent a different aspect of that part you can accomplish having a fuller and more richly textured sound that you had with the part being in just one track.
Synergize
While some artists swear by the mantra less is more, others–like Hans Zimmer–are known to layer everything they do, holding that even the seemingly imperceptible tracks add to a bigger sound.
Top producer Steven Slate recommends layering vocals into three layers , with each having it’s own timbre. When combined and automated through your mix, it can make the vocals “pop.”
The key with layering is to have each layer bring out an extra element to your track, playing off of the other tracks and adding to a richer overall sound.
Phasing
Another technique used with layering is to have to two identical tracks slightly out of phase with each other. The discrepancy of just a few milliseconds adds a perceived fullness to the part.
Sound Design
If you work with a lot of samples, it’s really easy to design a new sound by copying and pasting the midi notes from one track into a new patch. Film score producers love this technique for quickly adding more texture and color to a track. It’s also easy to transpose notes down an octave for an expanded sound, or just double the notes with a different sample for an added color.
One of the perks of working with a digital audio workstation (DAW) is that you have virtually unlimited tracks. This allows for lots of layers and virtually unlimited possibilities in getting the sound you want in your mix. And you can always delete the unwanted layers while having preserved the original track. It’s a great way to experiment and find a new sound by combining elements from pre-existing ones and to add richness and texture to your mix and master.
Make Pro Songs
There are 6 unique value-points inside the Sage Audio membership, so let’s go over each one so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
1. 20 Free Mastered Songs Per Year
- 20 free mastered songs per year with your own dedicated professional mastering engineer so you can get all your mixes sounding like professional songs.
- You’ll get your own dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer to create custom masters that are specific to you and sound exactly how you want.
- Unlimited revisions with your dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer. As a standard of our service, we are not happy until you are happy with the sound of your masters.
- All masters are delivered as commercial, industry-standard high-resolution 24-bit HD WAV masters so they will sound clean and clear on every platform.
2. Unlimited Mixing Feedback
- Unlimited mixing feedback so you can quickly improve your mixes fast.
- This is highly valuable - giving you access to a thriving community of mixing engineers who can provide you with feedback about what you can improve first before sending your mix to be professionally mastered.
3. Sage Audio University™ (SAU) — (Mixing and Mastering Education Platform)
- SAU is a modern audio engineering education platform that includes in-depth mixing and mastering course curriculums that match the new music industry.
- SAU is designed for every experience level, ranging from first-time mixing engineers to advanced engineers. The techniques and concepts taught can be applied to any DAW to create industry-leading mixes without expensive software or plugins - and free plugin alternatives are suggested throughout every course curriculum.
- SAU course curriculums include Start-to-Finish session walkthrough lessons for multiple genres so you can follow along with your preferred genre.
- SAU Certification Document, which can be downloaded and showcased on your website, social channels, and portfolio for as long as you remain a member.
- Get first access to all future SAU course curriculums to continually build and refine your mixing and mastering skills as the industry evolves.
4. Sage Audio Community
- The Sage Audio community is a tight-knit community of passionate audio engineers that can provide you with real-world mixing feedback, discussions, mix competitions, networking, collaborations, and more.
5. 700+ In-depth Sage Audio Mixing and Mastering Videos
- Access 700+ in-depth Sage Audio mixing and mastering videos - curated and organized into playlists so you can take a deep dive into all aspects of audio engineering with thousands of hours of concise, expertly crafted Sage Audio videos to continually improve your mixing and mastering skills at your own pace.
6. 70+ GB of Curated Sage Audio Downloadable Content, Including:
- 36 multitrack sessions spanning multiple genres for mixing practice.
- 57 un-mastered mixes spanning multiple genres for mastering practice.
- 62 Recommended Free Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 39 Recommended Paid Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 58 Sage Audio custom plugin presets to improve your mixes and masters.
- Sage Audio Membership Badge to showcase on your website, social channels, and portfolio.