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Mix Bus Compression: How to Find the Pocket
Mix bus compression isn’t about finding the right settings. It’s about finding the point where the track starts to move as one. Here’s how attack, ratio, threshold, release and sidechain filtering work together to create glue without losing the bounce.
Leiam Sullivan
1 day ago4 min read


Why So Many Great Club Kicks End Up Around G
G kept appearing when I analysed the kicks in records whose low end really worked. Not every time, but often enough to investigate. The reason has less to do with a magic note and more to do with where deep bass meets the limits of playback systems.
Leiam Sullivan
2 days ago2 min read


Why Great Synth Presets Don’t Always Fit Your Mix
Great synth presets are designed to impress on their own, not necessarily fit your mix. Before reaching for EQ, check the effects already shaping the sound.
Leiam Sullivan
Jul 292 min read


The Bass Bump: Why Tape, Pultecs and Filters Make Bass Feel Bigger
Tape machines, Pultec EQs and resonant filters all create the same surprising low-end shape. Discover the bass bump, why it works, and how to use it in your own mixes.
Leiam Sullivan
Jul 84 min read


What Does Reverb Pre-Delay Do? A Simple Explanation for Better Mixes
Confused by reverb pre-delay? Learn how it works, why it improves clarity, and when to use it in your mixes.
Leiam Sullivan
Jun 233 min read


What Compressor Ratio Really Does (Think of It as a Lens)
Stop thinking about compressor ratio as maths. Think of it as a lens that brings sounds into focus without losing their life.
Leiam Sullivan
Jun 223 min read


Why Your Mix Sounds Cluttered (And How to Fix It with a Clear Leader)
If your mix feels cluttered, it’s usually because nothing is leading. Here’s how to create clarity by giving your track a focus.
Leiam Sullivan
Apr 144 min read


Monitor Your Mix on Your Phone in Real Time with a Free Plugin
Monitor your mix on your phone in real time. No bouncing, no interruption – just instant translation while you’re still in the session.
Leiam Sullivan
Apr 83 min read


SSL G3 MultiBusComp Review: How I Use It on My 2-Bus for Structure and Glue
How I’m using the SSL G3 MultiBusComp on my 2-bus to shape structure, control dynamics, and add confident glue.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 244 min read


The 7 Jobs of Delay in Electronic Music Production (Beyond Echo & Reverb)
Delay isn’t decoration. It fills gaps, drives rhythm, adds width, and builds tension in electronic music production.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 204 min read


Clipping vs Compression: What Each Tool Really Does in Electronic Music Mixing
Clipping contains peaks. Compression reshapes movement. Understanding the difference makes mixes louder, cleaner, and more stable.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 184 min read


The Hidden “Legacy” Folder in Logic Pro
Logic Pro still hides Grooveshifter in its Legacy folder. Here’s how to find it and why it’s still useful today.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 172 min read


Slap Delay in Electronic Music: What It Does and How to Set It.
Slap delay isn’t about echo. It’s about placement. A short reflection that makes a mix feel finished without being heard.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 132 min read


EQ Filter Slope Myths: Why Steeper Isn’t Always Better
EQ slope isn’t just about numbers. Here’s what 6, 12, 24 and 48 dB/oct filters really do to your mix.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 114 min read


Drum Replacement in Mixing: Using Trigger & DrumXchanger Effectively
Drum replacers aren’t shortcuts. Used properly, they add tone, weight, and control to drums that already work.
Leiam Sullivan
Feb 103 min read


Bus Routing in Music Production: How to Use Buses (and When Not To)
Bus routing isn’t about rules. It’s about control, cohesion, and intent – and knowing when not to bus is just as important.
Leiam Sullivan
Jan 304 min read


Stop Smashing the Master: Using Clipping for Modern Loudness
Modern loud mixes aren’t made on the master bus. Here’s how clipping and gain staging create loudness without killing the mix.
Leiam Sullivan
Jan 295 min read


The First Mix vs. the Finished Mix: Knowing When to Leave It Alone
Some tracks capture a moment. Others need time. The real skill is knowing when to stop – and when to keep listening.
Leiam Sullivan
Jan 273 min read


How to Get Your Sound as a Beginner (Without Drowning in Plugins)
Finding your sound isn’t about more plugins. It’s about learning a few tools properly and building confidence as a beginner.
Leiam Sullivan
Jan 164 min read


Types of Reverb Explained: Choosing Space, Depth, and Perspective
Reverb is the space a track lives in, not a finishing touch. A guide to choosing the right one by feel and intent.
Leiam Sullivan
Jan 146 min read
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