In this extract from PureMix, Fab Dupont discusses tracking bass using a DI versus using an amp.

Al Schmitt

Al Schmitt has mixed records for some of the world’s most influential artists, such as Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Barbra Streisand.

Now it is your turn to sit next to one of the greatest mixing engineers of all time and see how it’s done in the control room of the world famous, Studio A at Capitol Studios.

See how Al’s assistant, Steve Genewick, sets up the Neve 88rs and patches Al’s favorite outboard gear, then see how Al crafts the mix with Compression, Automation, barely any EQ, and a variety of reverbs, including the famous chambers at Capitol Studios, to create the perfect space.

After you've watched, download the stems, recorded by Al Schmitt, and try it yourself!

Chapters

• 00:00 - Start
• 00:15 - Mix Setup
• 08:08 - Mixing Day By Day
• 08:58 - Console Layout
• 10:48 - Setting Up The Groups
• 12:58 - Setting Levels
• 17:51 - Working With Artists
• 19:42 - Bringing Up The Horns
• 22:37 - Thoughts On Processing
• 25:18 - Automation Pass 1
• 27:56 - Thoughts On Compression
• 28:46 - Mic Technique
• 29:24 - Not Fixing It in The Mix
• 31:07 - Thoughts On EQ
• 32:01 - Automation Pass 2
• 35:10 - 2 Bus Processing
• 37:06 - Adding More Chamber To Vocal
• 38:42 - Printing The Mix
• 44:14 - Mixing Make You Dance
• 58:29 - Al's Thoughts

Hardware

• Neve 88RS Console
• Capital Live Chamber 4
• Lexicon 480L
• EMT 250
• Fairchild 660
• Summet TLA-100
• Bricasti M7
• Lexicon PCM 96
• TC Electronics TC 6000
• NTI EQ
• Tube-Tech 2SMC 2B Compressor

How To Watch The Full Video

This video tutorial is available to Pro PureMix members and can be accessed by signing up to a PureMix subscription for $29 a month.

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