Mix Saturation Tips with Slate VMR (Virtual Mix Rack) 

Saturation is different compared to let's say EQ, where you can "trick" your ears by increasing the nominal level that is measured by the DAW. In such cases a level match is needed to really tell the difference apart from the level boost. However, one of the main purposes of saturation simply is increasing the perceived loudness while leaving the level meter unchanged or even decrease the peaks. Therefore it's not really the same as this loudness effect is wanted. For your personal mixing this means: Just turn the dial until it's sounds good for you and take the loudness as granted. Only after you applied ALL your saturation where you wanted to, you should check the overall perceived loudness balance between the instruments. Maybe it really got out of hand and you can correct with faders or output level on plugins. But maybe it sounds better when the snare is hitting louder than before, when the vocals are more audible than before etc.; maybe the loudness increase of saturation indeed improved the overall balance. Just remember to automate at the end because that will give you the most control over loudness throughout the whole song. TLDR: Don't obsess with level matching, do what sounds good, correct afterwards if needed. Greetings from Germany

Yes! In Ableton I use a rack with a knob that adds gain going into the saturation and cuts the exact same amount on the output. I turn this knob until I can hear what the saturation is doing. At very low levels, there's no perceptible change. Higher up the signal starts to get a bit thicker. If I keep cranking it, the signal eventually gets weaker, and eventually distorted and quieter. One knob and no signal boost makes it easier to find the sweet spot! (The same concept with RMS matching would be useful, what plugin does this?)

“Blah blah blah blah” What professional mixes are you working on? How’s your day job?

While you are correct, he's actually a professional. He knows theres a volume difference. He's not listening to that. He's listening to the frequency difference.

I think that's just myth. You don't need to volume match to hear what's better.

CraneSong Phoenix

Soundtoys Decapitator

Same question here. I mainly use the drive knob of the Console 1 but sometimes use Waves NLS and Arturia preamps. Still on the look for more good saturators tho.

Song is called Bad Motivator

there's not one single answer. I got a yamaha p2500s and I'm happy with it.

Bryston is the go-to amp to power NS10's in top studios. But their hella expensive!!!! About $2500 new(the Bryston 4b, any of them they have different models or used 3b's). Find one used for $1000 if you going for the top of the line power amps to really make your NS10ms do what they do! After that is Hafler(which is what I've got). They do an exceptional job and you can find one used for about $300 or so if you're lucky! www.soundstagenetwork.com/revequip/bryston_4b_st.htm www.bryston.com/products/power_amps/4B-3.html www.ebay.com/itm/Hafler-XL-280-Excelinear-Amp-Vintage-Original-Version-Good-Cond-Pre-Owned/143197448634?epid=1404520521&hash=item21573ba9ba:g:OhUAAOSwEaxconOI If you're still looking this Hafler XL 280 if awesome for the price and it has been modded to have that nice low end that the Bryston is known for, so that is a huge plus! Bryston is the very best for NS10ms. Older Hafler's sound better than the newer ones! So go used if you can. With that though make sure you got a guy who can fix shit! Haven't had a problem with my Hafler but bought a few things used, one being an original Urei 1176 Revision B blue strip and it crapped out on me right after I bought it. Couldn't return it so had to get it fixed at Deltronics in Chicago.

Tomasz Puzzel using analog in is way easier than using analog during a mix. You need extra channels, quality reamp and/or di boxes (and probably pairs thereof), correct delay compensation, and the guts to commit. For anyone but knowledgeable and experienced mixers, I feel your insight leads amateurs further down the gear lust and self-defeating trains of thought.

Use the tools ya got, nah mean?

@@ASJerrell i just told about quality.

Maybe, but I don't even see a point in comparing. I mix ITB so this is how I do it, I don't really care how it compares to analog!

Yeah, but have you seen prices of hardware?