Do plugins suck? Or is it how we use them?

Рет қаралды 25,497

3 жыл бұрын

➡️➡️Click here to learn more about why plugins suck: producelikeapro.com/blog/why-...
I have opened a lot of different sessions from lots of different people to mix over the years, and there are tons and tons of plugins all over it. Having access to tons of plugins can be a good thing, and it can also be a bad thing. You’ve heard us talk many times about how sometimes you just mute all the plugin and a recording actually comes to life. This doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen sometimes. We live in a world where we can now access many great plugins that can do anything we want, and sometimes that takes over our recording and it gets lost under all the plugins.
If you look around my studio, you will see tat I have acquired a lot of stuff over the years, including an SSL console, various speakers, mic pres, microphones, and more. What does all of this equipment do? It imparts a sound when I am recording.
So what is the use of plugins? Plugins can also impart a sound on your recordings, which is great when you are dealing with virtual instruments, or an inexpensive microphone without a nice mic pre or compressor. However, you must know your intention.
Intention is the most important element of any recording. If you are trying to get something that glues together and feels like a vintage recording, you need to apply that intention to it. Today, you have access to hundreds of plugins, compressors, EQs, delays, reverbs, and more - which can lead to a bad case of “optionitis”. But the reality is, that when those vintage recordings that inspired you were created, they did not have access to hundreds of plugins, they were very limited, and so it really is less about the options and the number of effects you apply, and more about the intention.
Before you even being recording, paint a mental picture of the sound you want to create, because this should be what is influencing you right from the beginning. For example, are you listening to a vocal acoustic sound? You could just generically record it, and then use all the fancy plugins to pull out any peaks and troughs and all that kind of stuff, or maybe you could pull the microphone back a bit on the guitarist and get a little bit of room tone in there, and create intention.
In the long run, this will make your recording sound that much better, and also make your mixing process easier. Many of us are mixing our recordings ourselves now, so if we begin our recording with intention and create the sound we are aiming for right from the beginning, that will mean we need to do less at the end, and won’t end up with too many plugins on our mix.
Whether you are recording classic rock, modern metal, country, EDM, or anything else, work with intention!
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Пікірлер: 631

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

How do you avoid using too many plugins on your recordings?

@caloss2 3 жыл бұрын

A plug-n is a tool, use it badly and things will not turn out the way you may have intended; also happy accidents can happen too. What's the old saying "A bad workman blames his tools" but truth be told the same workman can do a better job with the right tool and the knowledge of which tool is "right" for the job. Short version it's not just how.. it's where and when.

@Wil_Dsense 3 жыл бұрын

How not to get caught in an endless loop of using plugins on top of more plugins. When and where to use them is key, and for what specific things, as creative tools to achieve certain sounds. Great point about intention it’s probably the most important thing in production, as well as inspiration.

@schipbreukeling3 3 жыл бұрын

I bought analoge gear. just the basics tube amp,tube pre amp mixer,mics,re amp box and a di box.

@DarkSideofSynth 3 жыл бұрын

This morning someone tweeted about using 20 plugins on a single channel, and then this comes out... coincidence? I don't think so:)) Besides, is it really clickbait if you put it in the title? Or perhaps it's even MORE clickbait because you put it in the title. I don't know. Warren's playing Jedi mind tricks with us. Join the dark side, Warren... we have infinite plugins!:)))

@schipbreukeling3 3 жыл бұрын

and a tape machine and somebody is building me a driver pedal for my 8 ohms twin reverb tanks.

@davetbassbos 3 жыл бұрын

If you go to food store intent on steak and onions, it won't matter how many salad dressing options there are, you'll just walk right by them!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Very nicely put!

@BRIGGS2710 3 жыл бұрын

nom nom nom

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

@@BRIGGS2710 yes, very tasty indeed!

@timcanon5167 3 жыл бұрын

Words of wisdom from a guy who knows what he is talking about!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Tim!

@Soulnutriabeats 3 жыл бұрын

@@Producelikeapro you Warren are already a legend here on youtube..and you're a Brit so I am so proud of you :)

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

@@Soulnutriabeats you’re very kind! I’m happy to be able to help!

@corymiller9742 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad I'm not crazy for doing this. I've been intentionally limiting myself for awhile now trying to recreate some old signal chains from the 60s with plugins. It really helps you get creative when recording because you know you can't magically fix it later in mixing. If you want a good bass tone, well you better record a good bass tone and figure out the best mic placement, tone settings, etc. The more I've done that the more I've discovered my "sweet spots" and go-to mic placements.... Just like they did in the 60s.

@readaloud555 3 жыл бұрын

I'm 74 and been messing about with my hobby 'studio' for years. Now I know why most of my projects go unfinished and only semi-satisfying ... if you don't start knowing where you're going it's hard to know when you get there and far too easy to get lost. Thank you!

@wyshwood 3 жыл бұрын

Possibly the most inspiring commentary you have done, Mr H.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanks ever so much!

@JonnyLipshamStudios 3 жыл бұрын

There is one word to sum up this video, without "intending" to inflate your ego at all: BRILLIANT! A Cricket analogy - It's like one of Jofra Archer's slower balls. The intent is to deceive the batter. OR, a knuckle ball in Baseball.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Jonny!! You ROCK!

@edkrausmixengineer 3 жыл бұрын

What an enlightening perspective. Thanks Warren! What is has become clear to me over time is that better results will come from making decisions as early in the process and sound source as possible, starting with instrument selection, what model of bass. Then microphone and preamp selection. Mic positioning, etc. When mixing, don't fix things on the busses, but on the source tracks. What you are saying seems to dovetail with this nicely.

@Beatledave7 3 жыл бұрын

That is wonderful advice Warren! Agree all the big records were recorded with intention & the sounds they wanted were done at the time of recording & mixing was tidying it up at the end.

@strobelightstrobelight 3 жыл бұрын

Warren, the quality of your channel is incalculable. THANK YOU.

@ryanshreevedrums 3 жыл бұрын

Intentions in sound during the production and recording stage is something my band is currently working on and the results are incredible! Our rough mixes sound very close to finished! This is huge

@jacobwhite936 3 жыл бұрын

Warren, great quote!!! I'm constantly telling my daughter (same age as your son) that the trick to being productive is acting only with intention.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Jacob! You Rock! Yes, we are here to help them grow, indeed, with intention!

@warrenthomas1021 3 жыл бұрын

Great post mate. You explain mixing so easily to understand. Directly after your "intention" then "Commit to the sound", which I think is your best word of advice. Rock on brother!

@hazzardsound1505 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Warren thank you! I've been doing this recording thing for a while too and it still surprises me how many times I hear, "Don't worry too much about my sound while I'm tracking, I'd like to do all that in the mix".....??? Intension is missed and very often misunderstood during communication too! Thanks again Warren.....it desperately needed to be said, love your work! Ajay.

@chriscorral6365 3 жыл бұрын

That being said: it helps to know what "forest green" looks like before you reach for the crayon.

@TeamUltraSlow 3 жыл бұрын

Loved this. I think people definitely miss that some of their old favorites are not “perfect” audio. And like you said, that’s exactly what makes them what they were. Especially liked the tip of using specific EQ, compression, etc and not using an infinitely adjustable EQ when the sound was shaped with something basic.

@RC32Smiths01 3 жыл бұрын

I believe that the equipment is only as good as the person who uses it, which can apply to a multitude of ideas. Awesome work!

@BlueHouseSoundStudio 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, but when I need to hammer something... I like to use a hammer.

@joshdrewpic 3 жыл бұрын

right! I feel like having less actually makes people work more creatively

@DorianTwist 3 жыл бұрын

When I need to hammer something I usually use a rubber.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks RC32! And yes, agreed!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

@@DorianTwist haha that might be the problem...although I know the joke you are trying to make!

@scottakam 3 жыл бұрын

Your advice applies to many things in life beyond recording and mixing. Before can can decide which direction to go you need to know where you are and where you want end up.

@mkenny17 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video! I am still learning my self and most of the time i found my self to not know what MOST plugins do. I mix pretty fast and was left wondering why some people took it like its a nightmare or something. your video explains exactly what was going on. most of the time before recording i already have a sound in my mind and have an idea where to navigate and expect. I agree with the part of having an Intention or a sound in your head before doing recording / mixing. it makes the mix easy and saves time.

@eljuanchosf 3 жыл бұрын

This is one of your best videos so far. Wisdom like this is priceless and so appreciated. Thank you so, so much!!!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much!

@mcsweet1966 3 жыл бұрын

The more I learn from great engineers like you, the more I realize that most of the time they don`t care about the technical side or witch plugins they use as long as it does the trick. I love when they just switch from one plugin to another looking for a sound, a vibe or just because they feel like it and that most of time they don`t know or care what was the specific setting it just sound and fell gooooooood . Thanks for another great Video

@int3533 3 жыл бұрын

Intention really is everything when it comes to production and mixing yet this might actually be the only video on it. Very important video for sure. If you can really wrap your head around this notion you will save years of your life. Once again Warren, thank you 🙏

@tepteemedia 3 жыл бұрын

Spot on Warren! I actually removed a lot of plug-ins a couple of months ago from my default list of plug-ins because of this reason. Used to spend too much time thinking of what plug-in to use. Now I have about three or four compressors, four or five EQs (one is sweepable) and a couple of reverbs and delays. All the rest is there but I have to actually search. to find them and I am to "lazy" to do it. Really helped to speed things up.

@mikeseder9385 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I tend to go into projects without a clear intention. When I do, the most effective solution is to fiddle around with plugins until something clicks, then scrap everything and start over -- recording and all -- with my new-found intention.

@KellyDavidMusic 3 жыл бұрын

Back in the day when I started in the music industry (1970’s), we had very limited equipment options. The creation of a good recorded song or album came out of imagination. Every sound we created was very deliberate as we searched to achieve what we imagined or what we heard from another band. Everything we did was intentional and often analytical. When there are limited equipment choices, you become very specific about how you use the equipment. Now here we are in 2020, with everything we ever dreamed of at our fingertips, and still, great music can only be created with intention, because we still have to know what we want to achieve. The 435 plugins in your folder are not going to create a song that resonates with the listener. That only comes from intention. Thanks Warren!

@johngallaghermusic9777 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Warren, This is really great. I work on an old Tascam 24 hard disc recorder and I don't have any plugins. I find using intention to be the best tool and always get the sounds I want even before recording but always have a sound of what I want it to sound like as a whole for the end product is the best thing to keep in mind. Thanks again.Invaluable

@skltnbeats8240 3 жыл бұрын

We are so lucky to hear you share your advice . That was very helpful .

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much!!

@jeanfredericmartin8954 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great perspective. I remember back when "I didn't know what I was doing but I knew what I wanted" recording was so much easier... recently I've been spending too much time "tweeking things" ... I need to stop with "optionizing" and get my intentions right !

@kalisblack2022 3 жыл бұрын

Great advice Warren. In regards to your comment about EDM producers mixing with more intention... I mix what some may call EDM... more specifically, Tropical House, and yes... I do mix as I go for this reason, although many videos online have led me to believe I'm doing it wrong by doing this. But as you say, things need to fit in a mix correctly, and ever since I started using reference tracks things really do become much easier. I've definitely found that mixing before going on to the next thing does help me make huge strides forward for making tracks. I think you're the only person to actually make this comment on youtube about making things sound the way you want it before moving on.

@CHRISMCCOMBS5150 3 жыл бұрын

I am firmly planted in analog style recording. I use a Midas M32 console, I love the pre's and I am using both console processing and plug in's to shape the sounds I am going after. I was using just plug in's until You, Warren reminded me of getting back to how to go for shaping the tone going into the date. You are the best at explaining things in a way us old school guys can apply and use with the new technology, THANK YOU for all you do in these videos.

@CHRISMCCOMBS5150 3 жыл бұрын

That would be DAW not date.

@aceedmond8053 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Warren for reminding us to stay focused on intention as that results in inspiration, something you cant add in the mix later.

@tombarnaby4842 3 жыл бұрын

Well I'm confused. I googled for the "Intention" plugin and found nothing.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Haha nicely done!

@adamsmith7058 3 жыл бұрын

Right now, it's just available on VCV rack. If you like, I can add you to the beta testing team for the vst though.

@shooten1st 3 жыл бұрын

Great discussion and definitely got me thinking. The thing I hear from great mixers is that they know how they want something to sound. As a novice mixer but long time musician, this is the hardest part for me. Intention. What do I want it to sound like and how can make all of these marvelous tools to sculpt it? Such a wonderful problem to have. Thank you Warren!

@BD-me4nk 3 жыл бұрын

Your intention was to deliver a message which when done successfully equates to great content and once again you knocked it out of the park. Great video.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanks ever so much my friend!!

@LukaszFrankowski 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Warren. So true. Lack of commitment is truly at fault here and mostly because we have no intention. That's probably the most valuable video you've released.

@KyriCB 3 жыл бұрын

So true Warren, recorded a Martin D35 into a TLM103 equed through a AMS 1073SPX and the intention should be slapping you in the face. The instruments do the talking and the talent should compliment, engage and enthrall. This can only be done with intention! Keep it simple, sweet and with mood and intention! You're absolutely spot on!

@markgueren9633 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly!!! This is perfect... I really try to get the best performance and try not to”fix” it in the mix... just ends up sounding like you said!!!! Thanks for encouraging this mindset!!!

@petesawchuk 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Warren. I’ve heard and read variations on the following from so many notable producers and engineers: “You are ALWAYS mixing.“ This can’t take place without clear intention. With a specific aim in mind, you’re focused and making decisions all the way through the process instead of putting them off for later. It’s just easier!

@svvvvaaa 3 жыл бұрын

your videos bring me comfort. I was just the other day at my friends. and damn...... he had the freaking most awesome pluggins and made everything sound very dope. well i have learned from your videos that, learn your own tools, master them and one does not need to have everything to achieve great stuff :) Even if is not crystal clear and everything is not placed excatly where they're supposed to be -- the track may translate better

@Dan-kb2oz 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Warren, perfect timing, I was just thinking earlier I have so many compositional options and that it leads me to not doing anything for fear of whatever I do not being good. It’s such a stupid mindset and an excuse for not having “intention” 😜 and going with it!

@jokerswearblack 3 жыл бұрын

Fascinating points which really made me think. I have found that the 'production' role in a process where I fulfil all roles, is the most difficult. It is, as you say, because I haven't really defined the intention. Each song leads its own process and approach and whilst the musicianship is bound by ability and the mixing by ability and kit, the production is the challenge I have realised as the most difficult, the one that fails me. Even selecting reference tracks is currently eluding me. I don't know who I want to sound like. Anyway, thanks for the video. I like the philosophical ones.

@karttick7 3 жыл бұрын

Intention! :D Love it! So much clarity right there! Thank you for yet another inspiring video Warren! Cheers!

@CyriltheWolfmusic 3 жыл бұрын

I don't watch a lot of interviews from older mixers, but the talk of intention made me realize I typically committed to sounds and dynamics at the recording stage before and often stuck with a polished off tracking mix. I think somewhere in there I got stuck in that mentality of "save mixing for the end" and my overall mixes and such suffered because of it.

@AndreiSora 3 жыл бұрын

There's this Joe Chiccarelli MWTM video where he records a band and I was shocked how well everything sounded during the recording stage. Barely did anything for the mix.

@BillyWrightLive 3 жыл бұрын

This was great Warren. Thank you so much! Hope you’re having a marvelous day ☺️

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks ever so much

@AlexanderLindo 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Intension is very important when it comes to creating great mixes.

@chriswalker4616 3 жыл бұрын

I was doing some session bass work with a drummer, and the engineer at the studio knew exactly what kind of sound to shoot for - certain parts of the kit going through 1073 preamps, other parts going through API, the bass going through a Coil Audio preamp... he knew exactly what was what, which mics to use, which preamps, compressors, and so on, and getting the sound right at source - very old school, and the end result is a sound that won’t need much processing afterwards. Ideal!

@polksalad77 3 жыл бұрын

Very well put Warren. Optionitis is a real killer, for me anyway. Having worked in the early 90's in local studios you only had a handful of options and sometimes the equipment was not up to scratch too so you really had to work on your intentions.

@paolotonolo1140 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing your insights on this Mr.Warren .

@robertkerr8601 3 жыл бұрын

Warren, I did this with some music recently. I had my sound in mind, and I spent a bit of time getting my drum sound before mixing. By that I meant just to blends of various parts without eqing or any other processing. I use Addictive etc with samples over it to thicken it out and It's really nice and beefy (as far as samples etc go). And I purposefully made sure performance in singing was better than good. Worked on my voice, worked on getting precision double ups (I wasn't working on that much which caused so much editing headaches). Worked with mic placements etc and was blown away by how my song sounded "mixed" before mixed. Basically, by taking all the right steps, you can get a recording where you can visualize the road map for mixing when you RECORD with intention, you know right away where to go, and mixing becomes quick and creative and FUN. This is a lesson I learned after spending so long wondering why recordings were so muddy and provided no road map where to go. So yes, intention, arrangement, blending etc, and performance. Get it ALL together before mixing. Mixing will simply compliment an already great recording. If its bad, mixing is only going to highlight how bad you recorded. So record well and with intention!

@tisbonus 3 жыл бұрын

Haha great question. Whenever I'm recording (usually other people/artists) once I get what we need, I move on. Probably been doing it wrong, as they say but time is and was always a factor. That includes the desire to finish the project/recording too. Glad you've been staying safe down there in Socal!😁

@matthewjones8510 3 жыл бұрын

I like how you wrapped that back around to EDM and the sense of ‘intention’ that’s there. Not my cup of tea, but that was a mind opening notion.

@demodeiowa 3 жыл бұрын

you sir said a WHOLE lot revolving our problems in this relatively short video. Amazing advice!

@chrispinelli 3 жыл бұрын

Such great wisdom man, I love hearing this. Get a great sound with intention, instead of searching for a sound with convolution

@richardhall361 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video again! This is how I view everything I record. I’m a mix as I go chap. Great video Warren!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Richard!

@ethanviglione 3 жыл бұрын

Really helpful stuff Warren! I particularly like the illustration about the AC/DC sound...I’d love to see a vid from you about how you might, in theory, achieve other classic sounds. I think in modern music there is a general lack of a sonic ‘fingerprint’... and I suspect it’s party due to the fact that there are a lot of people (myself included) who are producing and mixing music but have never had any experience using real analog gear (consoles, character pre amps, tape machines ect.). So when it comes to using references to achieve a sound it ends up being a lot of guess work... which in some cases can be a good thing! But I’d love to just be able to reference a classic song and instantly know what analog emulation to pull up.. or at least have a framework for finding the right plug in! Love your stuff warren..! Learning heaps Ethan

@jamesangusmusic 3 жыл бұрын

Another great point I think that comes from what you're saying is that while the records we love didn't do or use a plethora of gear, the QUALITY of what they had access to was amazing. It's better having one great preamp and eq than having 600 average plugs. Same with one great musician and one guitar is better than 300 amp sims and pedals. You made some great points in this.

@commontimeproductions 3 жыл бұрын

You're awesome Warren! You always have such a great way to touch on subjects that are crucial to music and also core values. We must all know ourselves and our intention. Know Thyself! Thanks for the wonderful reminder to just have confidence in ourselves and the work we pour our hearts into.

@chrisibbetson 3 жыл бұрын

:-)

@petesawchuk 3 жыл бұрын

Yes indeed!

@crown00music 3 жыл бұрын

Huge clickbait, but one of the most important suggestions ever!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Haha Exactly! Thanks ever so much!

@relaxmax6808 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice . I understand what you mean. You have to try to be creative from the first track therefore. I will try!

@scottydogg278 3 жыл бұрын

Great video - I recently decided to stop picking up new 'great' plugins mostly to start saving money until I start making return on the 'investments.' An intended but great benefit you've helped me understand is that I'll also avoid optionitis and work on developing more of the intention (and improving on the work I do too!)

@uweschmidt8772 3 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the message of this video, for I am working as a live-sound-engineer (well, not quite at the moment, because of that special situation we‘re in), and it is all so much about gear and not so much about intension in my scene. It started all about analogue vs digital and now we have a what I called „brand-war“. So, at last, the intension is the weapon of choice, because gear will led you nowhere without intension. I never claimed to be a technical genius as mor loving music itself as the driving force. I don‘t know too much about all the machines and physics involved, but I always try to fulfill my vision of a sound as FoH-mixer. Sure, you learn a lot about all the other stuff working in the scene nearly 25 years. But the center of all my effort is knowing where to go with it. So , I am thankful of hearing this from a respected and experienced person like Warren about this and having the feeling to be in the right place with this channel.

@MartinLuxen 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Warren! I love limiting myself because it makes me more creative and record the way I want to hear it. Like you said: track through plugins! I love doing this. I record the dry signal, but leave the plugin there so I know what my sound is going to be. One of the reasons why I've spent a bit more on my computer, less latency! Like you said... The great thing about recording the way you want to hear it: you don't have to do a lot of mixing!

@timbomba9478 3 жыл бұрын

This is great!! We grew up on API EQ 560 graphics, and some Pultecs. Limited selection. Excellent approach 'Intention'.

@adambaran5022 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. When I started recording/mixing, I put too many effects etc and made it hard for myself, I also used to record from start to finish and leave it until the end, which made it difficult. 13 years later and I've found that less is more and I record in sections and eq and mix as I go. It's no surprise that thing's are a lot easier now.

@joejurneke9576 3 жыл бұрын

Great discussion relating intention and final production

@eimidioskouroi 3 жыл бұрын

GREAT video! I was just talking to a friend about the limited outboard gear that wa the reality “back in the day”!

@bumcrackhole1 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your sincerity and will use this advice for life thank you for insight into the reality of making a good song

@ColonelRPG 3 жыл бұрын

So true. Across so many artistic fields as well! Great video!

@mantis834 3 жыл бұрын

Been watching your videos for while now (and all are great!), but this one hits home like no other. How often do we hear cliché analogies comparing mixing too cooking or painting, well they must stem from some form of truth. For example; something that greatly helped improve my cooking was watching Gordon Ramsay's Master Chef shows some years ago, and how he often commented about the 'hero" of the dish getting lost, buried in a gamut of ingredients that don't even blend well. The dish lost its identity, its hero, as there were too many things going on, I truly believe same goes with mixing. The "intention" behind the sound and tone you're after is the sonic hero. ie: If someone wants that Massive Attack-style fat, dark, brooding synth bass tone, then focus on that from the very beginning. Start with the right synth, the right patch, preset/programming, and tweak away until your intention to get that sound is there (or very close to it). That bass tone and pattern is your hero, at the forefront, and everything else in the mix are merely its allies. Find your sun - whether it's a bass, a vocal, a synth hook, etc, then start adding your planets, your moons, your stars and comets to orbit around it. Shape them, color them, whatever you do, but let the sun be the hero, the one that engages the listener right away. Your Pretenders bass sound example is spot on, as well as the AC/DC drum tones. Get that tone first, anchor down on the intention, and everything else can be mixed around it with more ease and efficiency. Really starting to love these videos with no audio nor screenshots of a DAW, only explaining the philosophies behind what we do. Brilliant, love this one, Warren.

@Robil63 3 жыл бұрын

Experience, Wisdom, Logic, Generosity. This video should be every aspiring recording artist's first instruction. Thanks so much WH. What I have learned so far in watching many of your your vids is not just what I'm doing wrong, but also what I thought was 'my silly little way' of doing things - are actually right!!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much I really appreciate your kind words!

@counterw8 3 жыл бұрын

Man Warren, Great video and highly thought provoking. I have put a post it note on the monitor, "Intention". Thanks, Karl

@roarproductionsstudio 3 жыл бұрын

This video is literally what i realise in my 5 years of my experience. I started producing long back when i didnt had any idea what is mixing and mastering is i just used to produce on the DAW and never compared with other professional tracks it just sound good to me. Then i met a " sound engineer" and he told me that he would make my music sound good and then he made it worse with all the cracked plugins he had. And he asked me to remove all the FX plugins which i had done it with some intention at that time. So the song was ruined by this SE.. I wish this video was posted long long back. Thanks dear warren sir for this marvelous video.

@nunomagalhaes6362 3 жыл бұрын

This is one of the most precious videos I've seen about music production!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanks ever so much Nuno!

@jackguy7551 3 жыл бұрын

Great great topic!! Commitment is such a important thing to push ! Good work!!

@chrisibbetson 3 жыл бұрын

And that's why the multitracks inside the academy sound great and are great to mix, a good proportion have gone through this lovely analogue gear when tracking! Along with careful choices when doing so. It's a vaulable resource to learn from and try to impart "that" sound onto your own recordings when mixing. Great video!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Chris!! You Rock my friend!

@petesawchuk 3 жыл бұрын

I completely agree. Inspiration is more easily found when you’re working with inspired tracks!

@dreamcat4 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful video this one.... Intention - I get it!! Thank you so much for saying all this. It really resonated with me and how I should approach using my DAW. Otherwise it would all be far too overwhelming! Your best video since I recently joined / started watching your channel. Thank you so much, and bid you good day.

@richiesmith6376 3 жыл бұрын

Especially appreciated this particular video!. 1000% agree with everything you said here. Thanks for being wonderful!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much

@ravingsofa...6 3 жыл бұрын

Taking this topic in slightly different direction; I researched how different types and models of compressors work and common applications for them. It’s amazing now that I now can choose a compressor with intention. Whereas before I’d cycle through different compressors hoping it would work. My compression has gone from good to great! Next up, learning different reverbs.

@joejurneke9576 3 жыл бұрын

Great discussion on intention vs final outcome

@arkistriph1 3 жыл бұрын

Would love to hear a typical interaction between you and a client, just to get a look into that side of the process of making a record. Thank you once again Sir.

@akshaydabhadkarmusic7026 3 жыл бұрын

This is probably the best clickbait ever! Thanks Warren for existing! Intention it is then! What happens for me is this --- suppose I'm trying to mix a strummed acoustic guitar I often try to compare it with other songs with strummed acoustic guitars and make a judgement on my session. I recently learnt that this is the opposite of what I should be doing. The gritty but gorgeous sound of ac guitars from Trains by Porcupine Tree might not work In my mix's context. Maybe it needs that imprecise room tone with some low-mid emphasis! Generalising how certain elements of my mix should sound like is taking away the character the mix would otherwise have.

@tssitcom 3 жыл бұрын

I was fortunate, having started recording in the 70s, to be forced to have intention right from the start because I had so few tracks to work with. My first recorder was a Teac A3440 4 channel. So every sound was processed as it was recorded and, as you said, everything else was fit around it. Today, we are so spoiled with the options we have. And yet, with all the plugins I own, I find myself turning to the same 5 or 6 because that's all I need. The 70s were good for my discipline.

@zacharyhill8405 3 жыл бұрын

This is the type of Mr. Miyagi wisdom that I really appreciate! Thank you for always keeping it real, much respect.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Zachary! That's very kind of you!

@TheSpokenWord38 3 жыл бұрын

thanks Warren... always a pleasure to hear from you... "Intention"...i caught some nuggets in that...Wm.

@emiel333 3 жыл бұрын

Limit yourself when producing music. Limitations sparks creativity.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much!

@emiel333 3 жыл бұрын

@@Producelikeapro No problem. Thanks 🙏 for the reply!

@timball8429 3 жыл бұрын

Really appreciate this vid, Warren. Makes total sense.

@miked5487 3 жыл бұрын

I like these recording philosophy discussions. Great vid Warren. Cheers!

@grahamwarnes7147 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all the you tube videos you do Warren. I’ve learnt and become a so much better songwriter and producer from your wisdom😎🙏

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Graham!

@pascaldeshayes5459 3 жыл бұрын

Wisdom! Thanks for sharing. Vision/intention is so important!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Pascal!

@junkawakami3193 3 жыл бұрын

great video! reminds me of my intention to only use a single channel strip emulation and few analog style plugins, i only do it on a drum mix so far but it sounds close to what i usually do with

@graywyot 3 жыл бұрын

This is absolute amazing video. Thank you Mr. Huart!

@adamsmith7058 3 жыл бұрын

If my software was realised as a hardware studio it would be the size of Versailles. Lol. Just took a listen to this after tearing my hair out looking for a synth to provide a mid range layer for another synth bass part I'd written . You know what? It sounds good as it is. Not every bass part needs to be arranged or processed in that way. Just fell into a habit with that one. A behavioural impulse that often acts contra to intention, especially with of all stuff we have available to us right now. You can really forget what you're trying to achieve. Nice talk man.

@AironExTv 3 жыл бұрын

I mix dialogue, music and effects for film, television and streaming. Intention is our time saver. Foley is ALWAYS recorded with intention as you put it Warren. In fact, the less money/time we have, the more focused on the intended result we have to be during recording. That goes for foley, effects all the way to foreign language dubs. One of my first gigs in post was working on a daily soap opera. The production sound mixer had already shaped the sound to be almost ready to go. That was easy to mix. That‘s one of the reasons I‘ve never recorded an uncompressed bass guitar. „Do we at least have a DBX166? 3:1, let‘s go.“ At what point would I not know what I want ? And what’s wrong with re-recording a take because you didn’t get what you needed ? Mic choice, position, preamp selection, perhaps comp, perhaps eq , ON the recording. Now I WILL sometimes record with nothing but mic, mic position and preamp selection, but only because I know what to reach for on my DAW by now to get my intended sound. It takes time to build your palette so get cracking! Try, fail, learn and apply until the day they nail the coffin shut. Yuck, what a cliche, but also a reason I still love it after over 20 years.

@trevornokesmusicltd5357 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic 'Focus' Video Warren.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Trevor!

@sirwanmusic 3 жыл бұрын

Whenever i watch your videos idk why makes me happy.

@heartshinemusic 3 жыл бұрын

I think one key element is the change of mindset from first demoing your songs to construct the final version of the song right from the start. Skip the demo part. Abandon that whole idea of a demo and develope the song from the blank DAW session. Or better, create the song in your head first and only start recording if the melody, lyrics and song structure are 75% ready in your mind. (The moments between day and dream, with cell phones turned off, are best to meditate on the end result.) If you have the vision ready, the rest is so much easier to finish. Hope any of this makes sense, it's hard to translate creative process into words. That's why I hope to see more video's on songwriting and pre-production. Thought of a cool new phrase: the intention span! Besides intention, the other powerful word is urgency. A nice pair, if you ask me.

@patkelly3966 3 жыл бұрын

I find the ' intention ' aspect of the process some of the most fun. I'm always trying to tell a story with my music and part of that is deciding what sonic flavour I wish to bring to it. Do I want to go bright and sparkly? Ok, call up that SSL emu on my guitars and piano. Am I trying to invoke a feeling of nostalgia for those who, like me, were kids in the 1980s? Right, lets put a gated Lexicon plate on my drums, etc etc. Surely without the intention we are just stumbling round in the dark?..another great vid. Cheers Warren.

@OdinOfficialEmcee 3 жыл бұрын

I totally agree with Warren - use intention! Also, limitations is why I use nearly exclusively analog and analog emulation gear. Minimal controls, minimal things to mess up. It just makes things move quicker, smoother, and easier when you do less but you do big things and know what direction you are heading! For example, my favourite de-esser is on the BSS DPR 402 (and the other similar DPR units). It is 2 controls: frequency and attenuation. No matter what I run through it, it always gives me perfect high end. Every other de-esser I have used either has too many parameters, or just doesn't sound as good. Same thing with an LA2A on vocals or bass. There is just so little you can do you'd have to be *trying* to make it sound bad.

@PJBonoVox 3 жыл бұрын

I don't have the space or budget for that but I did deliberately strip down my VSTs to the bare essentials only and I actually finished a track for the first time in years :)

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Odin!! You Rock!!

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

@@PJBonoVox great stuff!! Thanks ever so much for sharing!

@PJBonoVox 3 жыл бұрын

@@Producelikeapro Thanks dude. It really helped me to focus on what I was trying to create and not get too worried about tones and suchlike. The end result might not be very polished, but it's a complete track which is a step up for me. Keep these great videos coming man, you're a fantastic teacher.

@joristimmermans5058 3 жыл бұрын

Completely unrelated, or maybe not, I love the children's artwork on your desk... I have that too, and it re-grounds me in *my* intention to enjoy what I do, and to keep me honest about what's truly important in life.

@Producelikeapro 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Joris! I really appreciate it! Yes, our kids give us so much motivation!