No Damage How To Mix & Master Your Own Music [TUTORIAL]
Master the Art of Mixing, Mastering, and Crafting Polished Tracks with Proven Techniques
Jump in with music producer and educator, No Damage and elevate your music production skills with this comprehensive tutorial on mixing and mastering.
Master the art of crafting polished tracks as you break down a meticulously produced, mixed, and mastered song, covering crucial topics including suggested plugins, drums, bass, drop dynamics, vocal mixing, and mastering.
Whether you’re aiming to refine your techniques or streamline your workflow, this course equips you with the tools and insights to excel in the competitive realm of music production.
Course Features
In this tutorial we will be using Ableton live but you can follow along in an DAW.
Ableton has nothing to do with this process. You can do everything we learn in this tutorial in Logic, FL, Pro Tools….
Runtime: Over 3 hours of professional video instruction
- Understand both theory & practice with an accomplished Producer and Mentor
- Learn at your own pace, watch as many times as you need to learn the lessons
Please note the song we will be focusing on is the house song called “7up” from the introduction video. We will not be focusing on the hard style of dubstep songs from the intro video. Though they are fun songs, I feel that house music is more universally loved and will be the perfect song to break down and analyze for this tutorial.
Let’s Get Started!
Embark on an insightful journey into the intricate world of music production, where we unravel the mysteries behind crafting a commercially polished record. In this tutorial, I will personally guide you through the meticulous process of breaking down one of my own meticulously produced, mixed, and mastered songs.
Throughout my years of experience in the industry, I have observed and identified certain consistencies that permeate across various songs. Now, I am thrilled to share these invaluable insights with you. By gaining an understanding of these consistencies, you will be empowered to preemptively identify and effectively address any problem areas that may arise in your current track you are working on right now.
The primary focus of this tutorial lies in equipping you with an arsenal of tools all the pro’s use to approach music production. Not only will this knowledge save you invaluable time, but it will also elevate the quality of your productions, but will cut down your mix times so you can mix and master your tracks faster and move on to the fun part… producing your next song!
Unlock the secrets to mixing and mastering like a seasoned professional. Embrace this transformative opportunity to enhance your skills, refine your craft, and set yourself apart in the competitive world of music production!
Course Notes
PLUGINS
We will be using Fab Filter, Ozone Advanced, Shaperbox, Shoothe 2, Trash 2, Shadow Hills Comp but you don’t need these to have follow this tutorial because of DAW standard plugins that do the same thing alongside alternates. It’s the knowledge that makes the mix not the plugins. Never once has a plugin mixed a song it’s the mind behind the tools that make the mix.
Skill Level
This tutorial is designed to benefit producers of all skill levels, ensuring that everyone can enhance their craft through its comprehensive content. While prior intermediate production experience is not a prerequisite, it is essential to have a solid foundation in the basics of EQ and compression. Familiarity with mid-side processing theories, as well as the fundamentals of sidechains and standard DAW workflows, will also prove advantageous.
By equipping yourself with these fundamental concepts, you will be well-prepared to embark on a transformative learning journey, expanding your knowledge and refining your skills in the art of audio production. Whether you are a beginner seeking to establish a strong foundation or an experienced producer aiming to further elevate your craft, this tutorial offers invaluable insights and techniques that will undoubtedly contribute to your growth and success.
LESSON SUMMARY
Intro
Overview of what’s covered in this tutorial
Plugins
Discussion of potentially useful plugins that I commonly use in my process
Drums
In the “Drums” section of this tutorial, we focus on the fundamental elements necessary to create powerful, clear, and attention-grabbing drums.
Through an in-depth exploration of a complete drum group, we meticulously examine each plugin and process involved in achieving robust and impactful drum sounds. From precise sculpting of individual drum elements to enhancing the overall cohesion and weight of the drum group, no aspect is overlooked. By providing you with the knowledge and techniques necessary to elevate your drum productions, this tutorial empowers producers of all levels to create drums that demand attention and serve as the driving force behind a captivating mix.
Bass
In the “Bass” section of this tutorial, we analyze the crucial aspects of bass elements, identifying pressure points and common problem areas. By addressing these challenges with appropriate tools and techniques, we ensure that the bass works harmoniously with the drums and other elements, creating a cohesive and impactful foundation for the mix.
Tags and Drop
We explore the vital concept of call and response in music, a key ingredient in crafting compelling songs. We delve into the intricacies of tags within the drop section, unraveling the techniques that make it sound intriguing. Additionally, we examine how to leverage the sound spectrum to enhance the overall dynamics and create an engaging mix that captures the listener’s attention.
Vocal Mixing
While the song may not be a fully vocal-based composition, the breakdown sections feature a complete vocal track. In this tutorial, we dive into the art of mixing vocals specifically for house music, drawing inspiration from the style showcased in the introduction video. We will explore techniques and strategies to achieve a balanced and polished vocal sound that seamlessly integrates with the overall production, adding depth and emotive impact to the breakdown sections.
Mastering
We dissect the master chain that I commonly use for all my music, revealing the intricacies of the mastering process. With a wealth of knowledge, we explore how you can effectively implement these techniques into your own songs. Gain invaluable insights into the art of mastering as we equip you with the necessary tools to elevate your tracks to a professional level of sonic excellence.
9 in-depth lessons each giving a thorough walkthrough:
- Introduction to course
- Plugins
- Drums
- Bass
- Tags and Drop
- Alternate examples
- Vocal mixing
- Mastering
- Conclusion & Wrap Up