June 18, 2024
Pop and club music used to be the anthems of good times. From the infectious beats of the late '90s and early 2000s to the party-ready hits that defined the early 2010s, these genres once...
Read moreJune 18, 2024
“YOU BLEW ME to stardust,” Glass Animals lead singer Dave Bayley sings on the U.K. band’s latest single “Tear in Space (Airlock).” The tantalizing track swirls with synths over a pulsating beat as...
Read moreJune 18, 2024
A couple of months ago, Blackpink’s Lisa signed a solo deal with RCA, and now it looks like she hopes to release new music soon. An Instagram Story on her official account links to pre-save links...
Read moreJune 15, 2024
UK rapper Central Cee has made headlines with his latest single, "Band4Band," achieving the fastest-selling rap single of the year. This milestone not only cements his status as one of the most...
Read moreJune 15, 2024
Forty years after they ran away with our hearts and into rock history, Bon Jovi is back with a reflective new album, Forever, taking stock of all the boys from New Jersey have accomplished.
Read moreJune 15, 2024
A decade on from his breakthrough Boiler Room DJ set, Canadian producer Kaytranada has cemented himself as a dance music powerhouse. His work blends the worlds of underground electronic sounds and...
Read moreJune 15, 2024
Central Cee, born Oakley Neil H.T. Caesar-Su on June 4, 1998, in Shepherd's Bush, London, has swiftly emerged as one of the most prominent voices in the UK drill scene. With his raw lyricism...
Read moreJune 15, 2024
Believe it or not, it’s already been a decade since the SoundCloud rap era first ignited, and we’re seeing the lasting impact of the moshpit-dwelling artists who defined the movement...
Read moreJune 15, 2024
Norwegian alt-pop sensation AURORA is set to release her highly anticipated fifth album, "What Happened To The Heart?" Following a series of successful projects—2016's "All My Demons Greeting Me....
Read moreJune 7, 2024
Tate McRae, born on July 1, 2003, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has swiftly risen to fame as one of the most exciting young talents in the music industry today...
Read moreJune 7, 2024
Beyoncé has once again proven why she is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry with the release of her latest album, "Cowboy Carter."
Read moreJune 7, 2024
In a bold move to redefine how we discover and interact with music, Spotify and Amazon Music have each introduced groundbreaking AI-powered playlist generators...
Read moreWhen it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel too loud or muddy. It can be frustrating when you've nailed the mids and highs but can't seem to get the bass frequencies to sit just right. If you're wondering how to properly compress the low end for a tighter mix, you're not alone.
In this article, we'll dive into how to compress the low end effectively and explore an example of a famous producer who overcame similar challenges.
Before jumping into compression, it's important to understand why the low end can be so tricky. Low-frequency sounds, like bass guitars, kick drums, and synths, tend to have more energy, which can make them difficult to control in a mix. The human ear is also less sensitive to low frequencies, which can cause producers to initially perceive the low end as balanced, only to find it overwhelming after repeated listens.
The key to controlling the low end lies in compression. Compression helps smooth out the dynamic range, ensuring that the bass elements don't overpower the rest of the track while still retaining their punch.
Here are some steps to compress your low end effectively:
Electronic music producer Skrillex faced similar low-end issues early in his career. His mixes would sound great in the studio but would translate poorly on other systems, with the low end either being too dominant or not cutting through. After trial and error, he mastered the art of compressing the low end, often using a combination of multiband compression and sidechaining to keep the bass powerful yet controlled.
In his track "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites," for instance, Skrillex uses multiband compression to ensure the sub-bass sits tightly in the mix without overshadowing the mids and highs. He also uses sidechain compression to create that signature "pumping" effect, giving the track its rhythmic drive while keeping the low end in check.
Mastering the low end is a challenge for many producers, but with the right compression techniques and some trial and error, you can achieve a well-balanced, professional-sounding mix. If producers like Skrillex can overcome this hurdle, so can you! Remember, it's all about finding the sweet spot where the bass is controlled yet impactful, allowing all the elements in your track to shine.