Mixing the Synths

Introduction to Synth Mixing

In synthwave music, synthesizers serve as the heart and soul of the composition, providing lush textures, driving leads, and nostalgic soundscapes. Properly mixing synths is essential to achieving that iconic sound while maintaining clarity and depth within your track. This chapter will offer guidance on best practices for mixing various types of synthesizers to ensure they sit well within the mix.

1. Layering Synths

  • Create Depth and Complexity: Layering different synth sounds can add richness and depth to your tracks. Combine a warm pad with a bright lead or layer bass tones to create a fuller sound.
  • Diverse Timbres: When layering, choose synths with complementary timbres. For instance, pair a smooth analog synth with a more digital or percussive sound to create a unique sonic signature.
  • Panning: Utilize stereo panning to spread layers across the stereo field, providing a sense of space and preventing clashing sounds.

2. EQ Techniques

  • Frequency Carving: Each synth can occupy different frequency ranges. Use EQ to carve out unnecessary frequencies from each synth layer. This helps avoid muddiness, particularly in low-mids, ensuring clarity for lead and supporting layers.
  • High-Pass Filtering: Use high-pass filters on non-bass synths to remove unnecessary low-end frequencies. This allows bass synths and kick drums to retain their punch without interference.
  • Boosting Presence: For leads and key elements, gently boost frequencies around 2-4 kHz to enhance presence and clarity without making them harsh.

3. Compression for Synths

  • Dynamic Control: Compression is essential for controlling dynamics and ensuring consistency in levels. Apply it to leads and bass synths to help them cut through the mix effectively.
  • Setting Parameters: For bass synths, try a ratio of 3:1 to 5:1 with a moderate attack time (10-20 ms) to retain punch. For lead synths, a higher attack time (25-30 ms) can help preserve transients while maintaining sustain.
  • Parallel Compression: Consider using parallel compression for synths to enhance depth while keeping dynamics intact. This allows you to blend a compressed version of the sound with the original, leading to a richer result.

4. Reverb and Delay

  • Building Atmosphere: Reverb is integral in making synth sounds feel expansive, especially for pads and ambient sounds. Experiment with longer decay times and set early reflections to create a sense of space.
  • Delay for Movement: Use delay effects to add rhythmic interest to lead lines and synth melodies. Sync delays to the tempo of the track and consider using ping-pong delay to fill stereo space.
  • Avoiding Muddy Mixes: Be cautious with the amount of reverb and delay used on synths. Too much can cause a loss of focus and clarity. Use pre-delay to maintain the integrity of the initial sound.

5. Automation Techniques

  • Dynamic Evolution: Automate key parameters such as volume, filter cutoff, and effects levels to introduce interest over time. This technique is valuable for building momentum in synth-heavy sections of a track.
  • Filter Sweeps: Create dynamic builds by automating filter sweeps on synth lines, gradually increasing resonance or reducing cutoff frequency as the track progresses, enhancing tension.
  • Volume Automation: Use volume automation to highlight certain synth layers in key moments, such as during choruses or climaxes of the track, allowing them to shine.

6. Final Tips for Synth Mixing

  • Referencing: Regularly compare your synth mix to popular synthwave tracks to understand how volume, EQ, and effects are applied. This can offer valuable insights into achieving desired clarity and presence.
  • Listening Environment: Ensure you are mixing in an acoustically treated space or use quality headphones to accurately monitor your synths’ sound, helping prevent issues later in the mastering stage.
  • Take Breaks: Step away from your mix periodically. Fresh ears can provide new perspectives and reveal issues with balance or clarity that may have gone unnoticed.

Conclusion

Mixing synths effectively is essential for creating the evocative soundscapes and melodies that define synthwave music. By focusing on layering, proper EQ, compression management, and using appropriate effects, you can ensure that each synthesizer element contributes to a cohesive and polished mix. In the following chapter, we will explore mixing techniques for other elements in synthwave, such as drums, bass, and vocals, to enhance the overall sound of your productions.

Now that you have a guide to mixing synths, let’s move on to discuss how to integrate drums and bass into your synthwave projects for a comprehensive mix!