Simple Midrange 'Mix Check' EQ Trick

In this video, I demonstrate a midrange "Mix Check" trick that I've been using lately, to gain perspective of the midrange elements in my mix.

#PreSonus #StudioOne #Tutorials

[jeffevansmusic]

This is only a compromise though using the EQ. I have found from experience that nothing still beats a small speaker eg Auratone type thing. eg a 3" driver etc. I also sum L+R and feed this into a single mono speaker. Low volume listening is also a must. When I go down into the small speaker I monitor right down at around 60 to 65 dB SPL (weighted) compared to the main speakers at 85 dB SPL (weighted) or louder even. You need to lean forward and listen carefully to the small speaker. Low volume listening really shows of things even slightly too loud eg the snare and vocals especially. I find once you just settle something back even by 1dB or so this will satisfy the small speaker. You wont hear the change much in the big speakers but now you have satisfied two monitors instead of just one. The small speaker also still gives you a little bass so you can still hear the low end even if its only a little.

[officialcisko]

Wow! That trim trick make a HUGE difference. Thank you for the great tip.

[Ekeezee]

Bringing the gain down is a really neat trick!!! I watched several videos about how to mix the midrange, and this trick was not mentioned in any other video! Thank you!

[jeffevansmusic]

The reason why a mono speaker is also good is that if you have say three guitar parts that all sound similar, in a mono speaker they are all stacked up behind each other in the one place. So they will be hard to hear individually. A mono speaker highlights this and makes you separate them all more by changing the sound of all three of them so they are more distinct. The mono speaker also lets you hear if they are overlapping too much in the arrangement and gets you changing their parts around they interweave with each other rather all play at the same time. Then after doing both these things, once you start panning them in your normal speakers they will sound awesome.

[skrabio]

You’re totally right about the ADPTR plugin. I ended up really only using it to A/B reference other tunes and never solely on my track. Great tips here, will give this a go.

[brucedickert]

Geez Marcus, this is infinitely helpful information. Thank so much!

[bedbedrooms]

There's some magic hidden in this midrange. I own a Rocktron Taboo artist and to get my Roswell P90 pickups sound like authentic P90's I use my expression pedal to adjust the midrange frequency and in the same time I do that I also adjust on the same effect a cabinet simulator that gradually slides from 8" to full cabinet simulation with my expression pedal. With the expression parameter on my Rocktron (1998) I can adjust up to 8 parameters at the same time. Great stuff Marcus, you're confirming some things I already started noticing🙏👍🏽

[daaaMook]

Brilliant approach! I think this might help with mix fatigue, letting one focus on the middle “bits”.

[PillesPlace]

This was very useful indeed. The second part did all the difference for me as well, thanks!

[trv]

Great song and great video. I will use this method going forward. I'll be looking for that SPL app for my Android phone

[frankwalders]

There are the really pro tips. Thanks!

[warlanefam]

I'm so happy you said that 😅 I've been doing this for a while now, not knowing if it really helps

[zachpitt]

Are you the person behind the voice in groove 3?

[Jvssvl]

Hey Marcus, great video. How did you open pro EQ2 directly like that? I just started using studio one so learning all Bells and whistles.

[kayboog]

I use TBProAudio ISOL8 to do that trick.

[soundseventh]

I don't understand this video...
Your EQ curve should sound like telephone but why and how is it sounding full, please shed more light.
Thank you.