Mixing With Saturation - Why You Need It

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  • čas přidán 25. 06. 2018
  • Saturation is an amazing technique that can bring life, vibe and energy to your mixes and production. In this video I explain what it is and how to get started using it by sharing some free plugins / vsts. Saturation is a huge topic but hopefully this video sets you in the right direction :)
    While some of the examples here used heavily driven tape and tube saturation, often a subtle amount is all you need and you'll soon start getting a good ear for how much is enough. Don't forget to explore the other forms of saturation too!
    Free saturation plugins I use -
    Saturation Knob - goo.gl/zcStnR
    Headcrusher Free - www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?...
    Ferric TDS - goo.gl/s75Cqz
    Paid plugins-
    Slate Digital Virtual Tube Collection
    (I love the slate plugins but I'm not sponsored by the company, I'm a full paying customer sharing my experiences)
    Gain Staging video I mentioned - • Gain Staging - The 3 R...
    ▶GEAR
    These links are the cheapest prices I can find. If you order using them, I will get a small commission to help fund new equipment for the channel :) Thank you
    Microphone USA - amzn.to/2mMCzf7 UK - amzn.to/2Dep0z6
    Audio Interface USA -amzn.to/2NhQJkQ UK - amzn.to/2KEp92s
    Best Headphones USA -amzn.to/2Dhkgpr UK - amzn.to/2mtDAbB
    ▶Instagram: @michael.inthemix
  • Jak na to + styl

Komentáře • 703

  • @jahva1O1
    @jahva1O1 Před 5 lety +1617

    I love your hair.. its thick, fuller, has warmth, and SATURATED...

    • @ffjaron
      @ffjaron Před 5 lety +66

      jahva1O1 yeah, his paste is giving him a lot of saturation. Wonder if theres a free demo.

    • @marwox6765
      @marwox6765 Před 5 lety +5

      @@ffjaron lol

    • @fuzzyhymnself
      @fuzzyhymnself Před 4 lety +28

      Y'all ain't got no sense lol 😂😂

    • @steveshields2293
      @steveshields2293 Před 4 lety +11

      True. To me Thicc definitely means the bottom end it's fuller and more round 👍🏿

    • @shiroal-fatih1984
      @shiroal-fatih1984 Před 4 lety +1

      Lmao

  • @brandongreco6729
    @brandongreco6729 Před 5 lety +386

    This dude is a beast of a teacher.Feels like I should pay this dude for these videos.

  • @inthemix
    @inthemix  Před 6 lety +93

    Mastering overview video will be posted on Saturday :)

    • @mohandass5030
      @mohandass5030 Před 6 lety +1

      And Finally....☺☺☺

    • @Hemel02
      @Hemel02 Před 6 lety

      can u make a vedio about mixing and mastaring plugging comes with fl studio?

    • @enricoreimann5609
      @enricoreimann5609 Před 5 lety +1

      I know, I'm a little late, but you know
      It came out on "Satur-Day" (you know, because of "saturation" 😅

    • @ACES-BRAZIL
      @ACES-BRAZIL Před 4 měsíci

      justin bieber cheap...no man

  • @tehsma
    @tehsma Před 5 lety +274

    If you duplicate the sound that you are applying saturation to- this one without the effect- you can invert the phase of this "bare" copy, and adjust its volume until it almost cancels the saturated copy. Almost, because the harmonic differences the saturation plugin introduced are left behind. Only the "effect" remains. This can be a useful way to compare or analyze different saturation or distortion plugins in an objective way. It may remove some of the mystery of some of these plugins.

    • @wreck2881
      @wreck2881 Před 5 lety +2

      👍

    • @BenjaminMJ
      @BenjaminMJ Před 5 lety +1

      you can also make an IR of their effect.. so u can make an IR of your fav settings or whatever.. as long as the effect is linear as in not changing for the duration of the IR sample.. like half a second or something.. right?? u seem to have expertise.. and im just repeating something i heard :D

    • @GeorgePiazza
      @GeorgePiazza Před 5 lety +12

      You are describing what is commonly called a Null Test - take an unprocessed audio signal (or file) and a processed version of the same signal, match the levels (rms or average), invert the polarity of one, then play or render them starting from the same sample position. To fully grasp this, take two identical audio files, invert the polarity of one, then play them together. They will cancel each other and you will hear nothing - silence. Be sure NO processing of any kind is applied to one or both - not even a miniscule gain change.
      Regarding your Null Test experiment between an unprocessed and processed signal:
      Yes, it is a good way to understand what these plugins are doing - what they are adding; but only if the applied saturation is static (doesn't change with the dynamics / level of the original signal), or if the plugin has complex non-linear interactions. With dynamic non-linear saturation plugins, it's better to adjust by ear - just don't overdo it (there is a reason engineers didn't add Aural Exciter to every track back in the 70s & 80s. Something has to be in the background, otherwise it's a wall of mush - piercing mush that will get fatiguing real fast.).
      Consider a few nonlinear analog systems:
      Tubes have a very smooth curve toward higher nonlinear saturation; transistors and op-amps tend to be more linear until they approach their clipping point with a smaller dB transition range to hard clipping; transformers vary with the given design topology and materials - their saturation type, amount and curve in relation to input fluctuations (level) vary greatly.. (they also exhibit EM field effect saturation); tape is a very complex non-linear system, between the input & output electronics, the magnetic heads, bias, tape formulation, particle domain concentration & polarization, etc..
      Older plugins (and some recent ones) typically applied 'static' saturation to a signal, regardless of average level or fluctuations in amplitude (a cheap way of simulating tube, tape, transformer and other analog non-linearities). These can easily be nulled to expose the added saturation.
      But many new plugins have dynamic implementations of saturation - e.g. the amount of saturation will fluctuate in relation to signal amplitude. Even with non-saturating dynamic processors, it can be hard to make sense of the 'delta' from a null ('delta': what is leftover - the difference between the unprocessed and processed files).
      Some plugins distinguish between transients and average levels as well (check out Physion from Eventide and the Unfiltered Audio plugins for examples). Sophisticated tape saturation plugins (especially deeply modeled multi tube devices like a good guitar amp emu or the Thermionics Culture Vulture) and other 'end-to-end' emulations combine numerous techniques to interactively generate varying degrees and types of saturation: the UAD SSL Console has numerous clipping points; their Distressor emulation is also highly reactive; the Manley Vari Mu tube mastering compressor & the Voxbox both have extremely complex non-linear interactive circuit topology, including the Input & Output tubes & transformers, the program dependent compression behavior, the tube amplifier and, with the VoxBox, the EQ inductors. multiple nonlinear dynamic systems interacting with each other, making an analysis by 'Null Test' almost meaningless.

    • @dumithegreat3892
      @dumithegreat3892 Před 5 lety +1

      Kekka dake da

    • @jakoby757
      @jakoby757 Před 5 lety +2

      I make broccoli with this technique

  • @heinrichsmit2
    @heinrichsmit2 Před 5 lety +10

    Finally a youtuber that doesn't waste my time and I can actually see results

  • @DavidDiMuzio
    @DavidDiMuzio Před 5 lety +69

    I'm loving your tutorials man. You're great at making complex ideas simple and easy to understand. Btw, if you ever come to Nashville I'd be happy to show you. You've always got a free place to crash here :)

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 5 lety +8

      Thank you! I really appreciate that David

  • @simonehanley2873
    @simonehanley2873 Před 3 lety +5

    As a 60 yr old who came from the wonderful world of analogue production I think this guy is a great teacher. Great descriptions and explanations, lovely voice and hair and a good knowledge of his subject. I've just subscribed.

  • @louisjans9450
    @louisjans9450 Před 6 lety +76

    It fills in the gaps between the frequencies, this is how I hear it. Very good explanation 👍

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 6 lety +9

      Louis Jans But does it press the space-bar to start? ;)

    • @louisjans9450
      @louisjans9450 Před 6 lety

      Only a wizard knows the answer 😜

  • @BenPotts
    @BenPotts Před 6 lety +190

    such a great channel, even as an experienced producer this is just top notch stuff, very very well done

  • @1998Cebola
    @1998Cebola Před 3 lety +4

    Having binged your videos over the last couple of days and going this far back really accentuates how much your presentation has improved. This is by no means bad, but compared to the quality of lighting, sound and overall visual presentation in the most recent videos the small changes make a huge difference.

  • @sc4rlotte456
    @sc4rlotte456 Před 2 měsíci

    whenever im looking to research a new topic, i always look for your videos, even if they're rly old. you explain things in a great way, thank you!

  • @NTayls80
    @NTayls80 Před 4 lety +4

    Man, thank you so much for doing this. Your videos are almost incredible in regards to their clarity and value! You are a gift among the youtube rubble. Lots and lots of respect 👏🏼

  • @QuintSEnce
    @QuintSEnce Před 5 lety

    Great explanation to saturation, a lot of people just have no idea of what saturation can do... but I think you really did clear up the question mark that appears over peoples heads when saturation is mentioned. Excellent info.

  • @LaScienceMusicale
    @LaScienceMusicale Před 6 lety +7

    that's just amazing ! Ty
    It is often used in post-rock and EDM also in contemporary music

  • @rjrmusic665
    @rjrmusic665 Před 5 lety +4

    The most eloquent and easy to understand explanation of saturation I've ever heard! BTW, I love everything about this channel! Top-notch stuff!

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 5 lety +1

      What a lovely thing to say. I really appreciate your comments :)

  • @crust5909
    @crust5909 Před rokem

    NOW i understand. The other people making videos about it did not gave good examples, or dived in too many details about the mathematics/geometry of the sound wave. Thank you for making this video easy to understand.

  • @Andydemelo
    @Andydemelo Před 4 lety +7

    Underrated channel. These lessons are like payed lessons! Learning alot here! Thanks bro.

  •  Před 4 lety +4

    Man, im from Poland and im watching your movies from quite a lot but i love your type of explaining everything :) I learn a lot from this movies :)

  • @salvadorcabezadevaca9560

    Really appreciate all the quality content that ITM delivers to all the community 🔥

  • @KaitavSapreMusic
    @KaitavSapreMusic Před 6 lety +3

    Very impressive tutorial. I like how you talked about "warmth" 3:10 and how companies market their plugins. :D Thank you so much!

  • @StrayMedicine
    @StrayMedicine Před 5 lety +1

    AHHH thank you for your informative videos! Very useful, you break down jargon a lot of people use without knowing what it means. Maybe I've been looking in weird areas on CZcams or something but your videos are a lot more informative and clear to me than other people's I've seen about mixing/mastering, and I feel like I'm finally getting a grasp on verbage and understanding things because of you.

  • @andrewryder1319
    @andrewryder1319 Před 4 lety +2

    That was an extremely clear and effective explanation. I'm finally beginning to understand saturation. I look forward to learning more from you. Thank you!

  • @Skejtboard
    @Skejtboard Před 4 lety

    Love your tutorials! The thing that makes you better than other music tutorials is that you often bring in visual so that you could really see and understand whats happening before I my self can wrap my head around it. I know its not good to make music with your eyes but its a wonderful teaching tool. Thanks! Will watch more.

  • @lisah1922
    @lisah1922 Před 6 lety +22

    I love saturation knob. It works really well on my lead bus. Thanks for this video! You make amazing content! Keep it up! ♥️

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 6 lety +5

      Lisa H Thank you, I've used it on countless distorted leads, it's definitely got something magic going on behind the simple one dial because it sounds great!

  • @tresilloproductions
    @tresilloproductions Před 4 lety

    I’ve been watching a lot of your videos, not really by choices, but out of utility. They have been greatly helpful. Thanks for your work. I’m subscribed

  • @thesethreekings
    @thesethreekings Před 4 lety +1

    One of the very best mixing tutorial channels on CZcams 🔥

  • @BeansGalaxy
    @BeansGalaxy Před rokem

    You’ve connected parts of my brain with this video. I’ve always left my “analog” plugins in the red and subtlety used clippers but I could never understand why my saturation sounded flat

  • @skygazer3696
    @skygazer3696 Před 2 lety

    Only Mike can help us better than none. Bless having this channel .

  • @MabawaVocal
    @MabawaVocal Před 3 lety

    ONE OF THE EASIEST EXPLANATIONS EVER,I UNDERSTOOD YOU 100%

  • @streetlord5592
    @streetlord5592 Před 6 lety +44

    This my first time commenting on your video and I must say I have learnt a lot from you over this few months. God bless you and continue giving us your best. Bless up

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 6 lety +8

      Street Lord Thank you! I'll keep trying my best :)

  • @NRTKDNB
    @NRTKDNB Před 2 lety

    Best Tutorial channel of all times !

  • @kurupt8929
    @kurupt8929 Před 4 lety

    Really appreciate your efforts put into your videos,the way you explain everything in detail and in a way that makes sense, is top notch and very professional and I'm getting results instantly !! Thanks heaps mate

  • @aiyleatom2211
    @aiyleatom2211 Před 6 lety +1

    Learnt a lot from you ...and you'll be blessed for being helpful for the ppl who cant afford music classes...thank u bro

  • @OloffMusic
    @OloffMusic Před 4 lety +2

    These tutorials are incredibly clear.

  • @heclairsful
    @heclairsful Před 5 lety

    I have been away from a while but thanks for all tutorials to keep me update, you guys are awesome

  • @dariofromthefuture3075

    Clearest sound communicator on youtube. Your videos are SATURATED with knowledge :)

  • @i-AMsorrow
    @i-AMsorrow Před 4 lety

    Subbed! after a 5 year break away from production, I came across one of your videos and now watched many!, Very informative and I've learnt a load more than I already knew from your vidz! Keep up the damn good work 👍🏻

  • @iamGoldy
    @iamGoldy Před 6 lety +178

    Man your voice is so relaxing. Can you start an audiobook series or something

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 6 lety +50

      Kreate Yeah I want to make that happen. Let's do it.

    • @iamGoldy
      @iamGoldy Před 6 lety +6

      looking forward to it

    • @nervz3837
      @nervz3837 Před 6 lety +5

      Do it!

    • @AudioReplica2023
      @AudioReplica2023 Před 5 lety +5

      he just wanna hear you moan...lmfao!

    • @nenissaK
      @nenissaK Před 4 lety

      @Nobby Heads So warm it's heated up

  • @rafaelkumoto
    @rafaelkumoto Před 5 lety

    This is the best video about Saturation I’ve seen! Thank you!

  • @JojoWoori
    @JojoWoori Před 4 lety +1

    You explained so easily! Thank you so much! I was always feeling something was missing. my tracks sounds kinda empty, you made me realize why. 👍

  • @zimzimmaberlin
    @zimzimmaberlin Před 3 lety

    Thank you for explaining so good. And also for sharing your experiences to emphasize with a little amount on relevant channels.

  • @neoncut
    @neoncut Před rokem

    This was a really nice intro for me. The side-by-side comparisons were really helpful and had the right length.
    Made me excited to make music. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

  • @nuttzbeats5667
    @nuttzbeats5667 Před 3 lety

    Always got great content man! You've made my productions sound so much better by what you've taught!

  • @lawrencevaughan5373
    @lawrencevaughan5373 Před 5 lety +1

    Nailed it. Seriously great explanation. Top quality content mate!

  • @brandonmalela2506
    @brandonmalela2506 Před 3 lety +1

    one love and salute to all your learners , we should pay this guy for learning us thse things

  • @23thkr
    @23thkr Před 4 lety

    This is a really informative channel with quality content. Here i feel welcomed rather than other mixing channels on youtube, where the host would respond to your questions and comments in a very condescending and arrogant way. I dont understand why some mixing engineers believe they are superior to anyone else in the same field.
    So being a cool guy towards your clients or potential clients is as important as the mixing skills to grow your business
    Big fan of this channel and keep up the good work :)

  • @JonathanChivon
    @JonathanChivon Před rokem

    Thank you so much, your video is really helpful! I've been curioused to know about what Saturation do to the mix for a long time.

  • @lioneyebeatz
    @lioneyebeatz Před 4 lety

    Just started making beats like a month ago and i have been learning a lot from your videos thank you

  • @emiel333
    @emiel333 Před 6 lety

    Another great video, Michael! I do use saturation sometimes on specific parts of my tracks. You explained it correctly, the warmth that comes along the sound is nice. I'm looking forward to the next video, and have a great week with producing and making music! Greetings, Emiel.

  • @danboniface914
    @danboniface914 Před 4 lety

    Another great video. One of the best mix teachers out there.

  • @ezdmusic
    @ezdmusic Před 6 lety +3

    i never saw videos clearer than yours, well done !

    • @inthemix
      @inthemix  Před 6 lety

      Eliot Hantute Thanks Eliot :)

  • @chokichocat3083
    @chokichocat3083 Před 4 lety

    I love this guy. covers many topics, gets straight to the point, knows what he's talking about and explains it in a way that even a kid could understand, and he doesn't ANNOY ME WITH PLUGS OR BUNDLES AND SHIT LIKE ALL THESE OTHER GUYS! GET THE SPLICE PACK GET CYMATICS NO DUDE I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE ANOTHER CLONE STFU! oh and that smooth buttery voice is 10/10

    • @rubenwardlaw7806
      @rubenwardlaw7806 Před 4 lety

      Chocat Hey y’all, Im giving away Ozone 8 master suite to anybody that messages me on instagram for literally free. Its cracked but its the full version. Instagram handle ruben_0215

  • @cjlaws2341
    @cjlaws2341 Před 4 lety

    This channel is so informational always learn something new here thanks for being so detailed and easy to follow I love your videos

  • @hleet
    @hleet Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for the explanation. Way easier to understand than most of "teachers" over internet.

  • @lumpyfishgravy
    @lumpyfishgravy Před 6 lety

    Since getting hold of Waves Scheps Omni I've been hooked on saturation, and especially intrigued with the difference between Even and Odd. The former (which you get from asymmetric hardware like Class A) seems to lift and sweeten a part. The latter (from symmetric hardware like Tape) tends to add weight and sometimes darkness. Fun stuff. Most analogue gear has a bit of both. So what I'd really like in the next Omni release are mix controls for the 3 types of saturation on offer.

  • @dj_Kzas
    @dj_Kzas Před rokem

    Great tutorial as always Mike.

  • @halseyballistic
    @halseyballistic Před 6 lety

    Awesome. Thanks for your time to post this video for us all in the recording world

  • @thugfife9176
    @thugfife9176 Před 6 lety +1

    Saturation was a real game changer for me

  • @JulyTheGinny
    @JulyTheGinny Před 5 lety +2

    You just changed my life

  • @NikkiWiley
    @NikkiWiley Před 4 lety +1

    I could listen to you talk all day ☺️☺️☺️

  • @MiaAmareMusic
    @MiaAmareMusic Před 5 lety

    really helpful video - thank you for all your work Michael

  • @neimaddnilb
    @neimaddnilb Před 4 lety

    Awesome video man, thanks for the explanation on using saturation in the mix

  • @crowlsyong
    @crowlsyong Před 2 lety

    Bro your videos are informative and soothing

  • @Table-Top
    @Table-Top Před 6 lety +1

    another great video, thanks Michael.

  • @suadaselimovic2697
    @suadaselimovic2697 Před 4 lety +1

    You are so motivational and that really keeps ms going

  • @OUTSS1
    @OUTSS1 Před 5 lety +1

    This video was REALLY informative! Always kinda thought of saturation as a meh kind of thing to add in the mix. But this really makes sense

  • @iranoutofideas3422
    @iranoutofideas3422 Před 6 lety

    This was a very easy to understand saturation video unlike the others I have read/watched.

  • @symple1889
    @symple1889 Před 2 lety

    This guy is a legend yo.

  • @IgansF
    @IgansF Před 3 lety

    So well explained

  • @VoidloniXaarii
    @VoidloniXaarii Před 4 lety

    Finally somebody explained it rationally. Thank you

  • @tylerrobblee8038
    @tylerrobblee8038 Před 2 lety

    The exact video I needed. Cheers!

  • @paxtecum8699
    @paxtecum8699 Před 5 lety

    Thanks for explaining everything in a really simple and understandable way

  • @Insideranon
    @Insideranon Před 6 lety

    Im trying this. I make metal and this may have been what I have been looking for to get that sunk in all together feel I've been looking for

  • @SaintGabriel111
    @SaintGabriel111 Před 4 lety

    Thank you, Michael! Great content as usual!

  • @justdougbrand
    @justdougbrand Před 2 lety

    You just taught me a lot within the first 3 minutes. Sheeesh. Thanks a lot man!!!

  • @bluevioletmoon
    @bluevioletmoon Před 2 lety

    You explain really well. Thank you.

  • @jabobihlman541
    @jabobihlman541 Před 3 lety

    Another great one! Thanks Michael.

  • @fredscalliet
    @fredscalliet Před 5 lety

    Simple, straightforward and instructive. Thanks !

  • @2190studio
    @2190studio Před 5 lety

    Your smartness frightens me.

  • @Mooreeezy
    @Mooreeezy Před 5 lety

    You did an amazing job explaining this - thank you!

  • @IgorMeshcheriakov
    @IgorMeshcheriakov Před 5 lety

    Thank you! This video is helpful to understand the basics of saturation.

  • @DrVilest
    @DrVilest Před 6 lety +4

    Very helpful and interesting video

  • @davidleeroth357
    @davidleeroth357 Před 4 lety

    AS ALWAYS, Great videos. Very detailed. Keep up the good work

  • @housethis3567
    @housethis3567 Před 5 lety

    I liked the examples you made, thank you again for the excelent job you doing! 👍

  • @eldowns
    @eldowns Před 4 lety

    Outstanding video. Very well explained and produced.

  • @NineToes821
    @NineToes821 Před 5 lety

    This is wonderful. Being a beginner myself, it's always confusing and off-putting to hear people using unrelated adjectives to describe properties of sound; "warm lows", "chewy mids". I'm glad someone finally explained *something* to me about it.

    • @izvarzone
      @izvarzone Před 4 lety

      My rule of thumb warm means saturation or distortion in lows/mids and cold saturation in high/presence/air frequencies. So it depends what frequencies you actually saturate rather what type of saturation you use (tube, tape, etc)
      What other people mean by it, I dont know.

  • @roadtonever
    @roadtonever Před 4 lety

    I can't believe you've done this!

  • @marcolicata5169
    @marcolicata5169 Před rokem

    Definitely useful and practical!

  • @cheslinscheepers2547
    @cheslinscheepers2547 Před rokem

    Thanks man your videos are really to the point and insightful. Much appreciated.

  • @flamingsoundsofficial8730

    bro really Love your tutorials🔥. Thanks

  • @gkfhigh2253
    @gkfhigh2253 Před 5 lety

    Your videos are always helpful

  • @ka-zen648
    @ka-zen648 Před 6 lety

    really high quality tutorial and well explained. thanks!

  • @ArnaudKenfack
    @ArnaudKenfack Před 5 lety

    Don't hope it helped, my friend, because it did hugely! Thank you man

  • @pratikshah5049
    @pratikshah5049 Před 4 lety

    Really great video, Thanks.

  • @mateocalle__
    @mateocalle__ Před 4 lety

    Thank you for the advises!

  • @prajwal_bagewadi
    @prajwal_bagewadi Před 2 lety

    the concept of Saturation is clear sir

  • @gavinmiller1756
    @gavinmiller1756 Před 5 lety

    Great demonstration

  • @Quintopia1
    @Quintopia1 Před 2 lety

    thank you for this breakdown

  • @d-rockanomaly9243
    @d-rockanomaly9243 Před 4 lety

    Ferric IMO is the best saturation VST, free or paid. Been using it for years, never lets me down. Fabfilter Saturn is pretty cool too for a more coloured sound.

  • @stefanodincecco
    @stefanodincecco Před 2 lety

    Really thanks, mate!