Faders Forever newsletter

Hey Reader!

We’ve got some exciting updates and community highlights to kick off your weekend, including valuable mix feedback, a replay of our recent compression webinar, and the second part of an in-depth interview on vocal production. Let’s dive in! 🌊

👂Compression by Ear: Webinar Replay Now Available!

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In this 90-minute webinar, I dive deep into the art of setting compressors by ear, focusing on practical techniques that go beyond just the numbers. This session is packed with hands-on demonstrations in Pro Tools, where I explore various compression settings, attack and release times, and different compressor plugins. Whether you’re a seasoned audio engineer or just starting out, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to achieve the perfect sound for your mixes. Plus, there’s a lot of interaction with our amazing community members, making this an engaging and informative hang!

Follow along with us as I share my go-to method for dialing in perfect compression on any sound source, using any compressor! We also discuss:

• How to manipulate attack and release to shape your sound.
• Why I love pushing compressor settings to the extreme to find the best sound.
• How to blend dry and wet signals for a balanced mix (aka parallel compression)
• Specific techniques for using compression on drum tracks.
• Strategies for compressing vocal stacks and groups.

If you’re a member, head over to our brand new Live Event Replays forum to catch the full replay.

Not a member yet? No problem! Join our community for free and gain instant access to this replay and much more. Act fast—soon, higher-tiered memberships may be required to access replay content like this!

🎙️ Vocal Production Mastery

Such a blast hanging with my friends Carl Bahner and Ben Wallick for episode 219 of their fantastic podcast, Secret Sonics! This Part 2 of our in-depth conversation focuses on a topic near and dear to my heart: vocal production. In addition to being wonderful dudes to hang out with, Ben and Carl are both busy, creative studio professionals themselves.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• My approach to vocal production and recording
• Techniques for getting the best performances from singers
• The importance of preparation in studio sessions
• Navigating different artist personalities and workflows
• Vocal comping and editing techniques
• Balancing technical skills with interpersonal awareness
• Working with high-profile artists like Adele and Ozzy Osbourne

Catch the full conversation and get inspired to elevate your production game! And if you missed Part 1 you can watch or listen to that episode here.

💬 Forum Highlights: Join the Conversation!

• Crafting Acoustic Warmth: Bar, a new member of the Mix Protege community, shared her beautiful track “Sultans Pool,” which features acoustic guitars and layered vocals. She’s seeking feedback on automation, tone, and final tweaks before mastering. Listen in and share your thoughts! 🎸 (Note: You’ll need to log in with your free account to access this forum discussion.)
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• Minimal Setup, Maximum Sound: Nate, also new to our community, has been working on his track “Old New Maps” and is looking for fresh ears to help him reach industry standards. Despite a minimalist setup, he’s committed to creating a mix that shines. Check out his progress and offer your insights! 🎶 ​(Note: You’ll need to log in with your free account to access this forum discussion.)

That’s a wrap for this week! Keep the creativity flowing and your mixes growing.

Got questions or just want to share your latest project? Hit me up anytime by replying to this email or better yet – ​message me on Mix Protégé!​​

Faders forever,

​Dana Nielsen​ Founder, Mix Protégé producer, mixer, engineer