what’s a good mid side EQ plug in?

Fabfilter Q3

If you're on Ableton I use stock EQ eight

the stock eq in your daw

Edit: voxego msed is also useful

I like Baxter EQ for group processing

Boughta be one of my favorite threads

Even though I have a great microphone that requires an audio interface (which I also have) - since moving into my new place, I can't be bothered to assemble it again. I feel like just buying a USB microphone to record some lofi songs. Which USB microphone would you guys recommend?

at2020 should suit your needs, i love mine
make sure you get the USB version since they also have XLR (which i use)

Any special advice on mixing kicks with 808's? Having a hard time and Youtube isn't really cutting it.

if you guys want a comprehensive mixing course search michael white on youtube, hes an acclaimed engineer with a lot of big creds and his philosophy really got me seeing mixing in a whole different way

Choose a different kick

If the 808 already has a super heavy initial transient don't bother putting a kick over it imo

when all else fails, volume automation

Thanks. Yeah I've noticed some trap songs literally just have a hybrid 808 kick which makes life so much easier.

But if I wanna mix the two how many hertz do you EQ out of the kick and 808 respectively?

If you don’t have studio monitors and you want to mix on headphones, buy Sonarworks Reference Headphone Edition.

It calibrates many different headphone models so that you are hearing the audio as flat as possible.

If you are a complete beginner, check out a book called ‘Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio’ by Mike Senior. It is a great starting point.

depends on the samples - there's really no answer. Use SPAN to see where things are conflicting

random bass design/distortion tip

Putting a reverb (with a filter keeping the low end on mono) before compressing the absolute f*** out of something/ distortion can have super interesting results, and create a "paper bag" like effect on the top end on your bass.

how do i get that really crunchy/phat sound to my low end? like so it sounds kinda like theres a***og distortion even though it still sits comfortably in the mix and isnt overbearing

examples:
youtube.com/watch?v=fp5RwtLMQ3Y
youtube.com/watch?v=Z6d3BofQqN0

saturate the high mids of the 808 in parallel

Is there a point in going to school for audio engineering? It has to be one of the vaguest fields that exist, most people it seems either knew somebody in their city or just went straight for an internship.

Not tryna waste money for an audio degree when I'm an autodidact who uses Youtube anyway. Internships are hard to find though.

I'm skeptical

You can pay for 1 to 1 tuition with producers who are successful and try to get tips off of them. It's relatively affordable, and wayyyyy cheaper than actual school. I'd suggest having a couple of tracks to show a studio, then ask if you can shadow for a bit.

Actual knowledge of music is most beneficial when looking for these gigs. Anyone can set a compressor on a drum bus after some practice. Not anyone can tell a producer/rapper to go up a fifth of change to another key to try and get the sound they are after.

about to buy some studio monitors. Do I need an audio interface for it or will I be okay connecting them to my laptop through a usb port? Will the sound quality be the same?

get an interface first imo. I don't recommend monitors if you have roommates + your room isn't sound treated. Most people produce on headphones, and then mixdown on a proper monitor setup. Monitors in an untreated room can create delay/reverb that isn't desirable.

I don't own an interface, but i've messed around with a friend's. Sound quality is easily 30% better. Way more responsiveness in 3k-7k range. Your computer's soundcard lies to you.

I'll hopefully pick up an interface after Christmas

Junkie XL produces and mixes on monitors in a terribly untreated room, he says that if he can create a clean mix in his room then it will be ultra clean in better rooms