Tracks with Jeff Sandstrom

Explore how to enhance a song’s key elements in a band mix. Focus on achieving clarity and presence in dense arrangements. Jeff Sandstrom emphasizes the importance of identifying the driving force behind each song. It could be acoustic guitar, piano, or tracks. The discussion takes a detailed look at using advanced plugins like Waves’ Vitamin.

Key Points:
  • Jeff begins by identifying the most interesting elements in the band’s arrangement. In this case, they come from keys and track layers.
  • The approach involves determining which instrument or track is ‘driving the bus’ for each song. This will guide the mixing process.
  • Give attention to signature licks or motifs. Focus on transitions like turnarounds, intros, and outros.
  • Focus specifically on the interplay between an electric guitar and a pulse synth. This requires careful mixing to ensure clarity.
  • Jeff demonstrates how to use the Waves Vitamin plugin. The plugin helps to enhance separation, width, and breadth in the mix. This is particularly noticeable in the mid to upper frequencies. The plugin expands the stereo field and adds presence to key elements. This makes them more prominent and lively in the overall mix.

Categories

Audio
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