What if I told you that the “pro studio sound” you’re chasing doesn’t come from some magical plugin or secret setting…
…but from a repeatable, intentional mix bus chain that shapes your entire mix from the very first fader move?
Over the past 12+ years, I’ve refined a 6-step hybrid analog/digital chain that I use on every single professional metal mix. It’s the backbone of that aggressive, punchy, crystal-clear sound that hits you right in the chest.
And in this week’s episode, I’m breaking down the exact mix bus chain I use on every metal mix. Hardware, software, settings, philosophy… everything.
The main topics I discuss include:
• Why top-down mixing instantly gives you a more cohesive, powerful sound
• The software tools I use to clean up muddiness and harshness before touching any analog gear
• How I shape the midrange and high end using hardware EQs to add aggression, clarity, and depth
• The analog coloration, saturation, and smoothing that make a mix feel “expensive”
• The compressor settings that create punchy, modern glue
• How I get competitive loudness without destroying dynamics
If you’ve ever wondered how to get that professional, explosive, modern metal sound, this breakdown will give you the exact blueprint I rely on for every record I mix.
🔥Need professional mixing for your metal project? I offer mixing services for bands that want to sound HUGE: https://liquidstudiosli.com/offer-video-2
Check Out Anas' Music...
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@anasabidofficial?si=p9BnoJWCviW4kaCq
Bandcamp: https://anasabid.bandcamp.com/
📥 Free Resources For Metal Bands: https://liquidstudiosli.com/resources
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What is Riff to Radio?
Welcome to Riff to Radio, the podcast where I discuss all things recording, producing, releasing, and promoting music for metal bands. I'm your host, Daniel Thabet. I'm a professional mixing engineer and owner of Liquid Studios. With over a decade of experience exclusively working with metal bands, I'm here to help your band produce aggressive sounding music you are proud to release!