Author Topic: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw? (Read 18309 times)

natre · « **on:** January 07, 2016, 04:38:06 am »

Hey guys!
Had a quick question that's causing hell to my drops... or so I think?
Here's a sample of a drop:

https://soundcloud.com/natremusic/drop/s-v5mb9

I don't like the way the leads sound. I feel like the quality isn't very good and how raw the leads sound, makes it seem like the drop sounds kinda bad.
I would appreciate any kind of pointers! Even if it doesn't have to do anything with the leads!
Thanks so much!

MifzanHerawan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2016, 04:42:45 am »

hm not a pro, but i think you could do with a bit more reverb ? + i think there's something in the sound that makes it peak a bit too much if seen on an EQ, probably mid~midhi
(btw this doesn't belong here, i think it's in WIP)

Scribit · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2016, 12:20:29 pm »

Yeah, this is a post for the WIP section. Im sure it'll be moved in good time

myda · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2016, 12:50:11 pm »

Yeah I agree this is for the wip section. but to answer your question, proper eqing is a huuuuge part of getting a smooth sound. along with subtle uses of chorus, phasers, and reverb. also if you sidechain a delay/reverb to your lead, it can make it more interesting and sound smoother

edit: btw I didn't listen to the example because I'm in school atm, those are just some general tips that I thought would help

Scribit · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2016, 01:00:57 pm »

Before this does get moved, and I lose where it is, can I just say that the preview is sounding really sweet Natre!

FRISSONT · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2016, 01:30:34 pm »

OTT your main chord stack/ distort them to taste with fabfilter saturn

the synths playing chord notes could be raised in level/made stereo.

if you're using nexus the LD angel one preset is airy enough to occupy your mid-top end. space it with valhallaverb.

you could definitely flesh out a more interesting bassline with regards to midi - try going up an octave with portamento in the last 1/4 of each bar.

don't underestimate using a distorted saw bass instead. it adds meat to the mix

kavanaka256 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2016, 02:55:03 pm »

I find that applying a bit of compression to the lead bus helps them sound a bit more uniform. Also its in the EQing, I have read and practiced some mid/side eqing and I must say it helps alot! For example, if you have low mids in the drop then EQing out the side to make space for the high leads can really clean your drop and make it sound more cohesive. And I like your track btw!

Syrant · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2016, 03:07:58 pm »

I'd suggest trying to use very basic wavetables that are not too harsh as an initial patch, then I'd apply all my post processing eqing out the lows and taming the high end. If my synth still sounds way too harsh in the high end. I may resort to compressing it or sending the signal to reverb, if all else fails I'll resort to using a different patch or creating a new one

natre · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2016, 09:23:02 pm »

Quote from: Scribit on January 07, 2016, 01:00:57 pm

Before this does get moved, and I lose where it is, can I just say that the preview is sounding really sweet Natre!

Thanks so much! Working on a remix, but having trouble with some sound design things, as you can see.

natre · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2016, 09:25:53 pm »

Quote from: FRISSONT on January 07, 2016, 01:30:34 pm

OTT your main chord stack/ distort them to taste with fabfilter saturn

the synths playing chord notes could be raised in level/made stereo.

if you're using nexus the LD angel one preset is airy enough to occupy your mid-top end. space it with valhallaverb.

you could definitely flesh out a more interesting bassline with regards to midi - try going up an octave with portamento in the last 1/4 of each bar.

don't underestimate using a distorted saw bass instead. it adds meat to the mix

Appreciate the tips! Will definitely apply them.

natre · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2016, 09:28:07 pm »

And thanks to all the others that responded!
Looking forward to more tips if anyone has any! Thank you:)

Zenkrey · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2016, 09:33:56 pm »

My suggestion is layer it with other sounds and also add reverb for wideness.

Bjorn_Akesson · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2016, 02:47:02 am »

Compression can smooth things out and make it sound bigger. But I think one of the best tricks is to add white noise. It will go a long way!

natre · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2016, 03:46:05 am »

Quote from: Bjorn_Akesson on January 08, 2016, 02:47:02 am

Compression can smooth things out and make it sound bigger. But I think one of the best tricks is to add white noise. It will go a long way!

Yeah, I used Glue compression and had white noise:)
I definitely agree with the importance of both!
But something's still off... Having trouble how to get my leads right still.
Thanks for the response!!

Kinesthetics · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2016, 07:39:38 am »

Sounds counter-intuitive, but give removing some of the high end a try.
In a lot of cases where sounds like this are stacked, removing some the high end with either a low-pass filter or shelf filter helps alleviate all that treble stacking up, which is what it sounds like is happening in the clip.
If you're using white noise to carry the very highs (10khz and up), try cutting that area and above back on the other layers. You'd be surprised how often this works (especially on pads) to let the highs breathe a little, but still shine through.

Author Topic: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw? (Read 18309 times)

natre

How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

MifzanHerawan

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

Scribit

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

myda

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

Scribit

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

FRISSONT

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

kavanaka256

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

Syrant

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

natre

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

natre

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

natre

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

Zenkrey

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

Bjorn_Akesson

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

natre

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?

Kinesthetics

Re: How do I make my leads sound more smooth and not so raw?