When it comes to mixing EDM (Electronic Dance Music), achieving the right balance and proper levels is crucial for making your track sound professional, dynamic, and clear, while also ensuring it translates well on various sound systems. EDM typically involves multiple layers of sound—kick drums, basslines, synthesizers, effects, and vocals—all of which must be carefully managed to fit together in a cohesive and dynamic way.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to mixdown levels in EDM to help you achieve a clean, punchy, and balanced final product:
1. Start with Proper Gain Staging
Proper gain staging ensures that each element in your mix is recorded or set at the right level, avoiding distortion or clipping while maintaining a strong signal.
- Set initial levels: Start with all faders at unity (0 dB) or slightly below, and adjust from there. You want to ensure that no track is too hot (i.e., above 0 dBFS) or too quiet to avoid losing detail.
- Leave headroom: Aim to leave around -6 dB to -3 dB of headroom for the mix bus, which will allow for proper mastering later on without clipping.
2. Kick and Bass Levels (Low End)
The kick drum and bassline are the foundation of most EDM tracks, so it’s essential to get the right levels and balance between them.
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Kick drum: The kick should generally be the loudest element in your mix, but not overpower the bass. Set the kick at -6 dB to -3 dB in your mix and adjust based on the track’s energy.
- For techno, house, or bass-heavy genres, the kick might need to be a bit more prominent, but always ensure it’s punchy and not distorting.
- For progressive house, trance, or more melodic genres, the kick can be less prominent but should still punch through.
- Bassline: The bassline should complement the kick without clashing. The bass should usually be 1-3 dB below the kick drum (depending on the genre). In terms of frequency content, sub-bass (below 60 Hz) is typically the domain of the kick, while bass (60-200 Hz) can sit more comfortably with the bassline.
Tips:
- Sidechain compression is often used to make space for the kick by having the bassline duck in volume each time the kick hits, creating a rhythmic breathing effect and helping prevent muddiness.
- Keep sub-bass frequencies mono to avoid phase issues.
3. Drums and Percussion Levels
In EDM, drums (especially percussion like snares, hi-hats, claps, and cymbals) are crucial for groove and energy. They should be clear and punchy but not overwhelm the other elements.
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Snares/claps: These typically sit in the midrange and should be loud enough to provide energy and drive, but not overpower the kick. Set snare/clap levels around -6 dB to -3 dB.
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Hi-hats and cymbals: Hi-hats, crashes, and other cymbals are often used for brightness and groove. They should be placed around -10 dB to -6 dB, depending on how prominent they are in your track. Hi-hats shouldn’t dominate the mix—just provide a crisp, subtle presence.
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Percussion elements: Other percussion elements (shakers, toms, etc.) should be mixed lower, around -12 dB to -10 dB, to add texture and rhythm without crowding the primary elements like the kick or bassline.
Tip:
- Be mindful of the stereo spread of drums. Many EDM tracks pan hi-hats, cymbals, and percussion to the left or right to create width, but the kick and snare should remain centered for a tight, focused rhythm section.
4. Lead Synths and Melodic Elements
Melodic elements like lead synths, pads, and other melodic layers are the "hook" of most EDM tracks and need to be clear and present without overstepping the rhythm section.
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Lead synths: The lead should sit slightly above the drums and bass, often around -6 dB to -3 dB, depending on how prominent you want it to be. In certain genres like big room house, the lead may be louder, but in more ambient or deep house styles, it might be softer.
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Pads and atmospheric elements: These usually serve as a backdrop and should sit around -12 dB to -8 dB, providing texture without interfering with the lead or rhythm section.
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Arpeggios and melodic synths: These should sit between -12 dB to -8 dB, depending on how they interact with the other melodic elements. Be careful not to let them clash with the lead synth.
Tip:
- When mixing lead synths, EQ them to avoid frequencies that clash with the bass (typically 100-250 Hz) or with the kick. Make space for the lead by cutting slightly around 200-300 Hz.
5. Vocals (If Applicable)
Vocals are often one of the most important parts of an EDM track, especially in genres like house, pop, or future bass.
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Lead vocals: Vocals should generally sit at -3 dB to 0 dB, ensuring they’re loud and clear in the mix. You want the vocals to be upfront but not overwhelming the instrumental elements.
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Backing vocals/harmonies: These should be blended lower than the lead, around -6 dB to -3 dB, depending on how they sit in the mix.
Tip:
- Use reverb and delay to give vocals space and depth, but make sure not to drown them in effects. The goal is to maintain clarity.
6. High-Frequency Elements and FX
In EDM, high-frequency elements like sweeps, risers, white noise, FX, and build-ups help create tension, excitement, and energy.
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FX elements like sweeps, risers, and impacts should be mixed subtly, around -12 dB to -6 dB, ensuring they don’t dominate but still add to the atmosphere and excitement.
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White noise or FX loops used for transitions can be louder during builds, but always ensure they don’t clash with the melodic or vocal elements.
7. General Mixing Levels: Reference and Automation
After adjusting the levels for each element, it’s time to step back and take a more holistic approach to the overall mix.
- Check in mono: Make sure your kick and bass still sound solid in mono (especially the low end), and ensure there’s no phasing or muddiness.
- Reference tracks: Compare your mix to commercially released tracks in your genre. This will give you a good benchmark for the kick/bass relationship, the clarity of vocals, and the overall energy.
- Volume automation: EDM is all about energy and dynamics. Use volume automation to add movement to your track. For example, subtly increase the volume of the snare or percussion during the build-up, or raise the lead synth as the drop approaches.
8. Final Headroom
When all the levels are set, ensure that the master fader is not clipping (peaking at 0 dBFS), and leave enough headroom for mastering. Aim to have the mix bus level peak around -3 dB to -6 dB.
In Summary: EDM Mixdown Levels
- Kick: Set around -6 dB to -3 dB, ensuring it’s punchy and prominent.
- Bass: Usually 1-3 dB below the kick, around -6 dB to -4 dB, and be mindful of sub-bass (below 60 Hz) and bass (60-250 Hz).
- Snares/Claps: Around -6 dB to -3 dB.
- Hi-hats/Cymbals: Around -10 dB to -6 dB.
- Lead Synths: Around -6 dB to -3 dB, depending on genre.
- Pads and Atmosphere: Around -12 dB to -8 dB.
- Vocals: Lead vocals at 0 dB to -3 dB; backing vocals at -6 dB to -3 dB.
- FX/White Noise: Around -12 dB to -6 dB, adding movement without overpowering other elements.
- Final Mix: Keep the mix bus level at -3 dB to -6 dB for mastering.
By carefully adjusting levels, using EQ, and applying compression, you’ll ensure that your track has balance, clarity, and punch, making it ready for the final mastering process!
By the Stealify Team!
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