Hello dear,

Today, I want to talk about certain tips you often see in tutorials that I never actually use in my tracks. Despite skipping these, my music still sounds good. Let’s dive in!

Disclaimer: I don’t mean that these techniques are wrong or that you shouldn’t use them. They’re popular for a reason. The only reason why I don’t use them is that I prefer to keep things simpler or to avoid mistakes. Everyone’s process is different, so always experiment to find what works best for you.

1. Grouping Kick and Bass: many tutorials recommend grouping kick and bass for easier processing and a tighter low end. While this can be effective, I’ve been happy with the results by keeping them separate, applying only sidechain compression to the kick. Recently though, I saw Luca Pretolesi grouping the bass line with all the drums and applying a glue compressor to the group with a strong and fast compression, but setting the dry/wet to 10% to create parallel compression. This enhances the movement of the drums and bassline, and it’s something I plan to try. There is aways space for new techniques in my workflow.

2. Layering Multiple Bass Sounds: layering bass sounds is another popular tip. The concept here is to combine different bass tones to create a fuller, richer sound. While this technique can work, I prefer to design a single, well-crafted bass sound that carries the weight of my track. By focusing on the sound design and processing of one bass sound, I can achieve the desired depth and presence without the complexity of managing multiple layers. This simplifies my workflow and helps maintain a clear low end. I’m sure you also know that layering multiple sounds can create phase issues, especially if those carry low end frequencies. So if you want to use bass layering, make sure one takes care of the low frequencies and the other has a low cut and serves the higher end of the spectrum.

3. Low Cuts on Every Sound: low cuts are often suggested to clean up the mix by removing unnecessary low frequencies from all elements. The rationale is to prevent muddiness and ensure clarity. Instead of applying low cuts universally, I selectively filter only those elements that truly need it. This approach preserves the natural warmth and fullness of my sounds, maintaining the track’s richness. By carefully choosing which elements to cut, I keep the mix balanced and dynamic.

Experiment with what works for you and don’t feel pressured to follow every tutorial tip to the letter. Your unique approach can lead to great-sounding tracks.

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Best, Francesco (Distilled Noise)

P.S. What unconventional tips have worked for you? Share your experiences, and let’s keep learning from each other!