How to Use Saturation on the Mix & Master Bus

Does saturation have a place in mastering or on the mix bus? Absolutely says Justin Colletti. It can increase depth, density and perception of detail, and used properly, can help give you a louder, more pleasant sounding master. Here are some ideas on how to use it in your work.

#mixing #mastering #saturation

[liquidsolids]

“Use way too much and then dial it back” and “know what you want to achieve before you apply processing” is great advice for anything in mixing, not just saturation (in my opinion). Thanks, Justin!

[Trackformers]

Some people when they speak, you really really really need to listen.
EVERY SINGLE WORD of this one is gold!
These things take ages to learn, and you just got it in 15mins.

Good job and thank you!

[thatchinaboi]

As an audio engineer and audiophile I have learned from personal experience and experimentation that adding just the right and subtle amount of 2nd order harmonics to an otherwise finished track will make the entire mix sound more livelier without changing the tone or dynamics. A very slight thickening of the sounds across the entire audio spectrum, which can be perceived to give the mix more overall clarity while retaining all the depth that was carefully crafted during the mixing stage. The presentation is slightly altered as well in a pleasant way in that the center image gets pushed forward slightly and gives the center more presence. This added center presence although very slight, gives additional perceived depth to the entire mix which results in a more 3D like psychoacoustic space. Adding too much 2nd order harmonics will start changing the dynamics and tone of the mix by gentle compression of the bass (giving them slightly more weight and sustain while losing punch and dynamics) and adding warmth. So there is a fine line as to how much 2nd order harmonics to add before it becomes detrimental to what you want to achieve in a mastering situation. I use this knowledge for both mastering and for my sound system. I have found that adding a hybrid tube preamp with a SS output stage to a monitoring system that is powered by a SS amp gives me just the right amount of 2nd order harmonics to make everything going through it sound slightly sweeter/livelier while increasing a perceived level of clarity. (Tube rolling is important here but not as much as the type of tube preamp. OTL or other full tube preamps impart too much 2nd order dynamics for a monitoring system that needs to be accurate. I recommend hybrid tube preamps if you want the benefits of tube while retaining the transparency of your monitoring system.)

[watsonstudios]

I use saturation for more overall glue and density. I use Waves NLS on my mix buss, you can add a lot without getting noticeable distortion.

[keyzproductionz]

Thank you for taking the time informing us how important saturation is.

[hankscorpio]

This is a really good explanation of saturation. Thank you.

[LuiCardenasphotography]

Wow, I believe this is the first mixing/mastering lesson with no audio sample that I actually found very interesting and helpful. THANK YOU!

[I---I]

Consistently dropping that knowledge, for sure. Thank you for taking the time!

[J-DUB-F]

Saturation is one of those things I knew about ages ago, but never really put the time in to learn, and use properly. Only in the last couple years did I really put the time why did I wait so many years!?!?!.. Completely changed my mixing game!. The Black box, Decapitator, Little Radiator....three of my faves, each one is great!, and has it's own vibe.

[DeltaWhiskeyBravo]

Excellent explanation on saturation.

I'm experimenting within Studio One 6.6, using their splitter tool to create a mid side split bus for saturation. I'm using the Soundtoys Decapitator type A at 1 KHz and under for the mid, then Softube Harmonics on the side, using tube and focused on mid range to high.

With S1 splitter, I had to add 2 mixtools to get M/S and convert back to stereo with edits to gain as well to compensate for the conversion.

I also just added the SSL X-Saturation after the stereo conversion, doing very light here to seemingly glue the sound together.

[talonwilton]

I've been listening to your podcasts for a little while now, and at the end of each one before you say "see you next time" it seems like the pause gets longer and longer, walking that fine of almost being awkward and I absolutely love it 🤣😁😁

[Dablessingproduction]

We love you man.... your voice and how you say it makes it massage the brain. Thanks.

[thaexception]

You be having me talking to you thru the video lol because you’re so spot on and comprehensive with your discussions - great stuff

[philfallway]

Absolutely love how in detail you go on this topic! I knew some of this, but you really flesh out how I can apply it both practically and strategically. Thanks Justin! Love your content and the podcast!🤘

[iam_myster_e]

Listen, don’t change the podcast! lol not everyone has to hear it physically. I want the podcast so I can hear the thought process from a pro while I do my full time job as a QS, I don’t wanna hear more mixing and mastering I wanna hear an experts thoughts!!

[calebneff]

Love this one, Justin! I was mixing a song this week and have saturation on so many things, including some stuff basically sounding like it's being passed through a Rat or something. I kept second guessing it, but it sounded too awesome to back off on. I feel so justified right now!

[erwayne]

Good episode as usual Justin. I've been using 3 saturators on my mixbus. After I do a ruff mix, I add an UAD Ampex 102, PA Black Box HG2, and an UAD Culture Vulture. Sounds like a lot but it started kind of similar to what Justin said. Add a lot then dial it back. The difference is not subtle. The crest factor and peak levels pre and post saturation are significant.
Justin, I would really be interested in you doing a video showing your mixbus saturation techniques. Mixing Breakthroughs is really good as well.

[garyrandall]

Justin, I appreciate that you "do not" give audio examples during your podcasts. As mixers and producers we tend to seek the "silver bullet" that will give us the edge in the music industry instead of truly enjoying the discovery process. I've purchased your courses for further details. I believe those who want to know more should put some skin in the game and avoid the quick fix mentality. Thanks again.

[arrchow]

Another excellent video, Justin. I'm officially putting my vote in for a video dedicated to you going through your own personal saturation approaches in the DAW. Actually just more of you demonstrating your approach to ITM mastering would be really awesome. Thanks again for the insightful content!

[fakshen]

I like the lecture only format. It seems geared towards someone with a reasonable amount of technical experience and concentrates on technique. There's not enough at that level on Youtube in my opinion. I just subscribed with hopes that's the direction you're going. Of course sometimes things must be demonstrated.