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Why I Don’t Use Plug-Ins When Mixing Music Live

I talk a lot about how I don’t use plug-ins.  I want to clarify a few things, and in this blog, I’ll explain why I don’t use any plug-ins when I am mixing live sound and how I use plug-ins when working in a DAW.

MIXING LIVE SOUND

If I’m mixing on an analog console, I’ll have a rack of outboard gear consisting of some gates and compressors, reverb, and delay.  I’m less is more kind of gal and I like to keep things simple.  If I’m mixing on a digital console, unless it is by the artist’s request, I use only the EQ, gates, and compressors on the console.

I do not use sound-shaping plug-ins to create the sounds I want.  I focus on using the right tool for the job starting with choosing the right microphone, using a great-sounding console, and minimal processing in the signal path. I rely heavily on good gain structure and proper use of EQ. I also work to make sure what I’m mixing sounds great before I put a mic on it.  When you start with great sounds from the source, it makes mixing that much easier.

I want to be able to mix my show on whatever console and equipment I have and when I’m touring all over the world with an artist, there is no guarantee that I will be able to have the exact gear that I request in every location.

When your show is built around layers of plug-ins, you will inevitably run into a situation where your server is down, your licenses don’t work, your console won’t speak to the waves rack, or there isn’t enough DSP to handle it.

I’ve watched so many sound people at festivals frantically on their phones with tech support trying to resolve issues with their plug-ins not working. They are super stressed because they cannot mix the show without the plug-ins.

They never learned how to properly use EQ or compression and rely on the plug-ins to do what they can’t.  Without plug-ins, their mix completely falls apart and they have a terrible show.

As the sound engineer for a band, you should be able to walk in and mix your show on whatever equipment you have.  Of course, some shows will sound better than others due to the quality of the sound system and equipment available, but you should never be in a situation where you can’t make the guitar sound good without your Maserati ACG or GTR3 ToolRack or you can’t get any warmth or thump from the PA without your OneKnob plug-ins.

When we start to rely too heavily on the tools, we lose our skills.  If you want to master your audio skills, make sure you start by learning the fundamentals.

MIXING IN A DAW

When I talk about mixing music in the studio without using plug-ins, I’m referring to sound-shaping plug-ins.  Things like OneKnob, Maserati, Clarity, etc.  Plug-ins that do things that you can do with proper EQ and compression.

When using a DAW it’s a given that you will need to use plug-ins.  Most DAWs come with basic EQ, dynamic, and effects.  These are all integral components of a mix.  Beyond the basic plug-ins available in your particular DAW there are many higher-quality options available.

The Neve, API, or SSL EQ plug-ins will sound better than the generic EQ included in your DAW.  Listen to compare and choose the one that sounds best to you.

As well, the UA audio, Empirical Labs, CLA, and SSL compressors will sound better than the ones included in your DAW.

Take your time in choosing what works best for your music and mix.

But when it comes to finding clarity in the vocal, getting that extra punch on your drums, or fattening up a thin acoustic guitar, etc. these are all things that can be accomplished with proper mic choice, good signal level, and EQ.

If you want a great-sounding electric guitar, take the time to dial in the sound of your amp before recording it.  Tuning and recording great-sounding drums will prevent the need for doctoring up with multiple plug-ins.

There is nothing wrong with using plug-ins to enhance your mix but it’s important to build a great-sounding mix with the basics first.

The skills of using critical listening to choose the right mic and position, tweaking the sound of the source to make it as good as possible before recording, setting proper input gain, and using EQ and compression properly will serve you far better than a toolbox full of single-use sound-shaping plug-ins.

If you’re getting started in Live Sound, CHECK OUT THIS BLOG, and if you’re recording and producing from your home studio READ THIS.

By: Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato MixingMusicLive.com

 

Mixing Music Live Course Discount

Looking for a quick start in Live Sound? Need to improve your mixing skills? Check out MixingMusicLive.com Created by veteran concert sound engineer and Soundgirls.org co-founder Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato, MixingMusicLive.com offers online video courses where you’ll learn the fundamentals of live sound with Mixing Music Live and real-world techniques for creating great-sounding mixes with LISTEN!

Soundgirls members receive a 50% discount email us for the discount soundgirls@soundgirls.org

Mixing Music Live course:

Mixing Music Live is an intro to live sound and mixing. Through this online video course, you’ll learn the fundamentals like signal flow, gain structure, microphones, dynamics, and effects, how to set up and operate a soundboard, and much more.  Created by veteran concert sound engineer and Soundgirls.org co-founder Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato, MML will teach you the essentials you need to get out there and start mixing live sound. Find out more here:

https://www.mixingmusiclive.com/mixing-music-live-course

SoundGirls members receive a 50% discount on courses email us for a discount at soundgirls@soundgirls.org

LISTEN!

Learn how to create great sounding mixes with LISTEN! Created by veteran sound engineer and Soundgirls.org co-founder Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato, LISTEN! is an online video course that teaches Michelle’s proprietary HIT production process.  You’ll learn how to really hear what’s going on with your mix, how to identify what needs to be adjusted in the mix, and how to tweak it to get the professional results you want.  Find out more here: https://www.mixingmusiclive.com/listen

SoundGirls members receive a 50% discount on courses email us for a discount at soundgirls@soundgirls.org

Mixing Music Live – 50 % Discount for SoundGirls Members

SoundGirls Co-Founder Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato has created a course on Mixing Music Live and will teach you the fundamentals and beyond of mixing live sound.

Special discount for SoundGirls Members – Get Mixing Music Live for 50% off! Email us for a discount code soundgirls@soundgirls.org.  You must be a member of SoundGirls to receive this discount.  You can register to be a member here.

The course will be open for enrollment April 15th

The course is usually $297 – With your SoundGirls Discount, the course is only $148.50.  This is a fantastic deal! Thanks, Michelle!

Would you like to learn about live sound and mixing from someone who has been the sound engineer for some of the most popular names in music?

Mixing Music Live is an introductory course on Live Sound and Mixing. The course was created by Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato who has had a career as a touring concert sound engineer for nearly 30 years. Michelle has worked with Gwen Stefani, Goo Goo Dolls, Styx, Melissa Etheridge, and many more.

Whether you are doing live sound as a hobby or a possible gateway into a career as a live sound engineer, Mixing Music Live will teach you the fundamentals and beyond of mixing live sound for a live event. Find out more here.

 

 

 

Mixing Music Live – Discounts Available to SoundGirls Members

SoundGirls Co-Founder Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato has created a course on Mixing Music Live and will teach you the fundamentals and beyond of mixing live sound.

Special discount for SoundGirls Members – Get Mixing Music Live for 50% off! Email us for a discount code soundgirls@soundgirls.org.  You must be a member of SoundGirls to receive this discount.  You can register to be a member here. This special offer is good until July 31st.

The course is usually $297 – With your SoundGirls Discount, the course is only $148.50.  This is a fantastic deal! Thanks, Michelle!

Would you like to learn about live sound and mixing from someone who has been the sound engineer for some of the most popular names in music?

Mixing Music Live is an introductory course on Live Sound and Mixing. The course was created by Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato who has had a career as a touring concert sound engineer for nearly 30 years. Michelle has worked with Gwen Stefani, Goo Goo Dolls, Styx, Melissa Etheridge, and many more.

Whether you are doing live sound as a hobby or a possible gateway into a career as a live sound engineer, Mixing Music Live will teach you the fundamentals and beyond of mixing live sound for a live event. Find out more here.

 

 

 

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