MixWithTheMasters Shawn Everett The War On Drugs, Victim Deconstructing A Mix #42

Our third series with the fearlessly creative producer and engineer Shawn Everett is here! Brought to you from Motorbass Studio in Paris, this twelve-part installment presents a detailed example of how he tackles an ‘in the box’ mix from scratch. The project at hand is the song ‘Victim’ by The War on Drugs, which Everett mixed previously for its 2021 release. In this case he begins with a blank canvas, opening the production session and crafting a mix from zero. He provides an overview of the session, discusses the lengthy recording process, and conveys how experimentation with tape was an essential foundation of the record. He proceeds to give a comprehensive walk-through of his unique approach that comprises frequency band analysis, reference material, and mix buss alteration as a first step. Following the essential groundwork, Shawn demonstrates how he enhances individual tracks and groups with a variety of tools and techniques!

PART 1
Project overview, working with the band, inspiration, recording process, experimentation, arrangement

PART 2
Master aux & fader, reference tracks, mix buss chain, analyzing frequency structure, dynamics, EQ

PART 3
Soloing bands, monitoring environment, expansion, transient design, reducing rumble, snare sound

PART 4
Kick drum, master EQ, multi-band compression, midrange expansion, accentuating high end

PART 5
Drum distortion, taming harshness, adding more punch, tape emulation, loops, reverbs

PART 6
Analog modulation tools, percussion through vocoder, digital delay, toms, section transitions

PART 7
Adding more “air”, imaging, stereo field manipulation, tape saturation, gain structure, headroom

PART 8
Master aux automation, vocal buss, preamp emulations, resonance suppression, binaural recording

PART 9
Vocal EQ, bass guitar treatment, sampling, parallel processing, lead guitar focus

PART 10
Multiband dynamics, keyboards, electric guitar parts, loops, effects, levels

PART 11
Equalizing drums, sample edits, level automation, crossfades, bass guitar focus

PART 12
Piano EQ, guitar edits, final tweaks, working into a “harmonic ceiling”, usual approach, mix buss recap