Question for Dave Otero

[Soundlurker]

Basically, how do you get that super smooth and clear midrange?
I've been listening to the songs on your site and it's always the things that strikes me most. It's very forward yet never honky or cloudy. Is it all in the source material or is it a result of experience, or perhaps those Barefoots

 

[ahjteam]

Why don't you ask him directly, the email adress is on the website http://www.flatlineaudio.com

 

[Soundlurker]

Because I think it's a thread from which more people can benefit.

 

[yarrick19]

Because I think it's a thread from which more people can benefit.

+1 I'd like to hear his response. Dave does great work!

 

[ahjteam]

does Dave visit these forums?

 

[K Odell]

yes he does. I bought a jsx off of him on this forum

 

[daveotero]

Hey dudes, just saw this thread.

Not sure exactly what your talking about. If it's the 800hz to 1.5k range I just try to not cut there much. Some of Borgen's later mixes have inspired me even further to embrace the mids

If its more the 3k to 4k range, I tend to be really sensitive to annoying or resonant frequencies in there. Especially on distorted guitars and sometime overheads and drum room mics. I end up using a lot of ultra precise cuts to neutralize those with out affecting the overall tone to much.

Aside from that I guess it just how I wanna hear things.

 

[Soundlurker]

Thanks!
I was talking more about the 800-1.5khz range. Since I got my A7s I hear a lot of nasty things in that range and after I cut them out of the mix it usually ends up pretty scooped. If you're not using a lot of eq in that range then my guess is you just get the source right, which is obviously the right thing to do, but not really an option if you are mixing someone else' recording.

I see what you mean about the 3khz-4khz range, I do this myself and what's more with distorted guitars and OHs I would sometimes go as high as 10khz

 

[daveotero]

Yea man, the Barefoots do help too. They fucking rock in that range. Seriously when Watershed came out I was floored with how powerful the midrange was and it sounded beautiful on the Barefoots, not a claim many productions can make. I referenced with that for a long time and it helped push me in that direction. I think I've backed off a little lately but its still there for sure.

 

[Soundlurker]

Yeah, I can hear a resemblance.

I am also wondering about the bass guitar and also the low end in your mixes but I guess there's nothing magic going on, it's the monitors, the person in front of them and the room.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions

 

[Executioner213]

Hey Dave, got a question.

Only recalling for sure with the Martriden - Unsettling Dark recording, do you normally just pan cymbals hard L&R? Or was that kinda just on that album?

 

[coldthrn]

And another question? What interface are you using spacificly AD/DA? I know you have a Crane Song Spider for some pres. http://twitpic.com/4scqz

 

[Soundlurker]

^

I have plenty of nice pres and DI boxes all through crane song A/D, Signal path isn't an issue.

 

[daveotero]

Hey Dave, got a question.

Only recalling for sure with the Martriden - Unsettling Dark recording, do you normally just pan cymbals hard L&R? Or was that kinda just on that album?

Yep, almost always hard pan OHs. There's enough bleed from my tiny little drum room and I strive for every bit of separation I can get. Sometime I'll bring HH and ride in a little but they're usually hard panned too.

 

[daveotero]

And another question? What interface are you using spacificly AD/DA? I know you have a Crane Song Spider for some pres. http://twitpic.com/4scqz

Haha, the "mighty fist" pic

Yep all A/D conversion goes through the Spider. For drums I'll have to prioritorise and pick the most important 10 channels. Some will spill over to shittier units but after drums it all CS Spider.

As for my computer interface, up until recently I was using a Presonus Firestudio which pretty much sucks. Just upgraded to a RME FF800 which pretty much rules.

 

[Metaltastic]

Holy shit Dave, do you just have your Barefoots sitting right on the desk, with no decoupling? Or do they have some sort of built-in decoupling? Still, I'd think you'd want 'em on stands! (even if the ones made for them cost as much as some low-end monitors themselves :Smug: ) And are they as close to the back wall as they look in that pic?

 

[daveotero]

The Barefoots don't really need any decoupling. Many people put them right on their boards (if that can handle the weight). The subs are joined inside the cab and cancel each other out in a way similar to phase cancellation. Its actually really strange to get them cranking and touch the cab. No movement at all.

They're about 2.5 feet off the back wall. I definitely have issues in my room and the massive range and power of the Barefoots just exposes them more, but I can live with it for now. No choice really until I can start construction.

 

[musickey]

Martriden album is fucking amazing Dave! been jamming on that for awile now.