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SZÁRAD A SZÁJ

CHALGA

Released on Sep 24, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Jazz/Folk

  • Bass drum triggering multiple samples from personal library.
  • Initially both tom mics were hardly used, the drummer hit the floor tom twice in the beginning and called it a day, I was not happy with that decision, I lowered the pitch and the good old ctrl+c, ctrl+v did the trick. It’s like they’re creating their own rhythm in the background with the delay, and it emphasizes the low end and the groove.

WHAT I WANT

THE BREW

Released on Aug 23, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Idie rock

A little bit different take on the 2020 song, something of a blend of jazz fusion and rock, lovingly recorded at TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik’s studio back in 2017.

  • “During this R&D session THE BREW tracked one complete song from start to finish, while the process exclusively employed TELEFUNKEN microphones. Many of the microphones are stock production models; some were prototypes of new ideas in development. Most of the sounds were captured using multiple microphones providing countless tonal mix options.” – TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

  • Mics were used: U47, ELA M 260, M80 (Stock & prototype design), CU-29 copperhead, AK-47mkII, AR-51, ELA M 251, C12 and AR-70 Stereo with X/Y, Mid-Side (M/S), and dual mono recording configurations.

  • Bass and snare drums are being triggered with various samples from personal library.
  • The entire recording was done with one take live performance, all additional guitar takes were created by layering different mics, pitch manipulation, and copying identical sections.

THE WILD ONES

ME AND THE CITY

Released on Jul 1, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Indie pop/Country

If you’ve ever wondered what midsummer sounds like, this is it. Melting asphalt outside, a failed air conditioner, a country mix session in my home studio, and some ice water. What could be better? Uh, anything. But no matter what, we don’t stop and keep on crafting our sound, a whisper of coolness in a sunbeam’s gleam.

  • The wet/dry ratio of the compressor on the drum bus changes throughout the track, giving me control over the dynamic balance even in the most wild moments.
  • You’d be surprised what results can be achieved using primarily only SSL 4000 E channel strip with its on-board compressor, although as in most of my work all the magic happens on the Mix Bus.

Source (Multitrack/Stems): Produce Like A Pro

FALLING AWAY FROM ME

KORN

Released on May 28, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Nu metal

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Bringing back the nu metal classics and pushing it to its limit, at the same time maintaining an authentic image of focus on groove and emotions.

  • No additional samples were used in the mixing process.
  • 80% of all vocals are untouched and completely unmixed. If you feel it doesn’t need anything on top – it’s good enough as it is.
  • Small improvements to lead vocals here and there, saturating the “chest” range and controlling the sibilants on the main vocals bus did the trick, preserving the detail and uniqueness of Jonathan Davis’ performance.

Original mix by: Brendan O’Brien

IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK (SET)

PUBLIC ENEMY

Released on May 10, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Hip hop

One of the most significant hip hop albums of all time, returns in one piece, harsher, angrier, with a dark twist.

Original mix by: Steve Ett, Rod Hui, Nick Sansano, Matt Tritto

ANGER

MARVIN GAYE

Released on Apr 15, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Soul/Funk

The reworking of this composition is a great honor for me, as well as my own tribute to talent, spirituality and the constant battle with one’s mind. This release is my vision of modern soul and R&B.

In this mix I came up with interesting solutions, both technically and creatively, “inspirationally”. Instead of adding more layers, muting everything out and leaving the listener alone with the vocals is the next step in achieving a spiritual connection between the listener and the singer.

  • An original Fairchild 670 unit were used on both mixbus and the vocals bus as an experiment in how such hardware would respond to binaural audio.
  • This version contains all the original takes directly from the studio, as well as two verses, which for one reason or another were not included in the final version.
  • The bass drum triggering multiple samples, including sub bass and live drums.
  • A piece from the interview was added to the outro (Marvin Gaye & Alberta Gaye – Interview).

This release was meant to be on Marvin Gaye’s birthday, in honor of his 85th anniversary, but has been delayed for technical reasons. I guess, it’s Time To Get It Together.

Original mix by: Art Stewart

TOXIC GARBAGE ISLAND

GOJIRA

Released on Feb 26, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Progressive Metal

A fresh look at the 2008 record, that at the same time takes it back to the origins. Enjoy.

  • Instead of retriggering the bass drum, the original recordings of both mics were used, with a simple sub sample mixed in.
  • Both snare mics are grouped and sent to the AUX with an amp and a small room, for more precise ambience control.

Original mix by: Logan Mader
Source (Multitrack/Stems): URM Academy

POOLS

GLASS ANIMALS

Released on Feb 12, 2024 (Mastered, Post prod.)
Genre: Indie Rock/Psychedelic Pop

Stem-mastering session aimed at bring the track a little closer to the sound of the rest of the album, focusing on the low end and its translation, as well as a complete reworking of bridge section. With re-arranging and writing additional layers of synths, the mood of this “dark” passage changes completely.

  • Using just one KORG MS-20 unit, 9 layers of synths have been added, including two layers of bass, harmonic layers, raisers, and more
  • Sample triggering, small vocal improvements such as getting rid of unnecessary mouth clicks, etc.

I’m glad I’m not limited to the artist’s vision of this composition here, if they had heard this I would have been fired at that very moment.

Original mix by: David Wrench, Mandy Parnell

HOT BANANAS

CRASH CADET

Released on Jan 28, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Alternative Rock/Post-Punk

After upgrading my machine and finally transferring all my templates, presets and chains into Reaper, I have something important to share. This is a pretty old project that I rebuilt from scratch in a week with my new tools to the point where it gives me goosebumps.

  • The main synth is sent to a custom patch inspired by Tchad Blake’s “Buenas Noches” FX chain, which creates the very effect, as if indeed to mono and stereo there is something third, something weird, something almost alien.
  • Addictive Drums layered with live recorded drums from my library, breathing life into the whole drum set.

It’s a nice record, the pleasure I had working on it makes it hard to believe that it was recorded in a small basement studio.

Original mix by: Joshua Rathbun, Fab Dupont
Source (Multitrack/Stems): Puremix

TELL ME NICE

WOVEN HOLLOW

Released on Jan 17, 2024 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Folk/Acoustic

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A beautiful song by a beautiful band, was an unexpectedly enjoyable experience of bringing together professionally recorded acoustic instruments and layering them with 90’s hip hop samples. If I said it was no fun I’d be the biggest liar on earth.

  • Cajon, snare drum and shaker takes triggering BOSS DR-5 samples (Kick drum, snare drum, claps, etc.)
  • Added a second piano that plays the same bars as the original take, except for a few notes that are played an octave lower, panning the original keys with mine to fill the stereo image.

Original mix by: Woven Hollow
Source (Multitrack/Stems): Cambridge Music Technology

RELEASE

JESSE JOY

Released on Oct 23, 2023 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Alternative Folk

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My main goal with this track was to make it as “stereo” as possible. For this purpose such techniques as stereo panorama expansion, M/S processing, and binaural output were used.

  • Extreme levels of compression, saturation, and just a touch of transient-emphasizing delay opened up these drums to me in an unexpectedly new way, and I decided – they should sound like it’s an action movie.

I really enjoyed working with this high quality recording, and had a lot of fun experimenting with the sound of diligently recorded instruments.

Original mix by: Jesse Joy
Source (Multitrack/Stems): Cambridge Music Technology

LAVOS

Monuments feat. Mick Gordon

Released on Sep 08, 2023 (Mastered, Mixed)
Genre: Progressive Metal/Metalcore

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It’s worth saying that this is the one of the loudest and most dynamic tracks I’ve ever mastered. It is truly a masterpiece in terms of composition and production. But unfortunately the laborious process of creating the arrangement was neglected.

  • I wasn’t satisfied with the “plastic” nature of the drums in the original mix, they seemed boring, so instead of retriggering everything I used advanced techniques to breathe life into them.
  • Now the bass drum really accentuates the bass with its low end, and its energy knocking your teeth out just like the good old days.
  • I brought back extra lead guitars that you might not have heard in the original mix, worked on all the Mick’s harmonics from that were lost in the original mix. The textures and side channels were also processed.

This is a really unique experience for me, and tremendous amount of work has been done that I am proud of.

Original mix by: George Lever
Source (Multitrack/Stems): URM Academy