Using saturation for a louder mix - Mixing tips

Mixing music can be one of the most difficult yet rewarding parts of any artist’s production process. Yet it can be a challenge to make sure your mix is loud, balanced and full of life. Many amateur mixers often struggle with this process and end up with a mix that doesn’t quite cut it.

Luckily, saturation is an effective solution to build a powerful mix. Achieved by adding low-order harmonics to your mix, saturation provides intense and harmonic distortion by adding excitement to your overall sound. As a result, you can make your music more impactful and volume friendly.

One of the best features of saturation is the fact that it works on a wide range of sounds. Anything from drums and percussion to vocals, bass, and guitars can benefit from the extra presence and energy. Furthermore, it is totally adjustable. You can easily change the amount of added distortion to create a smooth saturation effect or full-on grunge.

To get the most out of saturation, there are some tips you may keep in mind. Firstly, don’t forget that compression and EQ come before saturation when mixing. You will want to use them strategically to adjust attack, sustain, and frequency balance before saturating. Secondly, be wary of clipping – even at small levels, it can destroy your mix before you saturate it.

In conclusion, saturation can be an incredibly effective tool when it comes to creating a loud and powerful mix. Ensuring everything is correctly balanced prior to saturation, you can create full-bodied music with plenty of energy and presence. Try experimenting with the technique and see what tremendous results you can achieve.