Amaranthe “365” Raw Tracks: Jacob Hansen’s Production & Mix Insights

Nail The Mix Staff

Alright, let's pull back the curtain on a modern metal banger! Eyal Levi from URM Academy and Nail The Mix recently unboxed the raw multi-tracks for Amaranthe's "365," a track masterfully produced and mixed by the one and only Jacob Hansen. These are the very tracks featured on the March 2019 edition of Nail The Mix, and they offer a goldmine of insights into crafting a polished, powerful metal sound.

We're talking about a session with an insane track count, especially when you hit those vocals. But even with just basic leveling and virtually no plugins engaged (we'll get to the one exception), the raw potential shines through. This is your chance to see how a top-tier production is built from the ground up.

The Sonic Blueprint: Raw Track Overview

First things first, what are we working with? The session for "365" is stacked:

  • Drums: A comprehensive setup designed for maximum impact.
  • Bass: A solid DI signal.
  • Rhythm Guitars: DIs ready for shaping.
  • Keyboards & Electronics: Layers of synths and textures.
  • Vocals: A LOT of vocals, courtesy of Amaranthe's three phenomenal singers.

The only plugin Eyal noted on the raw tracks was a stereo imager, specifically on the MS (Mid-Side) room mic for the drums – a clever touch for width control right at the source. Otherwise, it's pure, unadulterated performance.

Dissecting Jacob Hansen's Drum Production for "365"

Jacob Hansen is renowned for his drum sounds, and this session shows why. It's a fairly dense drum production, clearly recorded in a great space (likely Hansen Studios).

A Drum Mic Arsenal: Capturing Every Nuance

The mic list is extensive, offering incredible flexibility in the mix:

  • Kicks: Two bass drums, each with an "in" and "out" mic.
  • Snare: Top and bottom mics.
  • Toms: Four toms, all with top and bottom mics.
  • Overheads: Stereo pair.
  • Spot Mics: Hat, ride, left China, right China, splash, and a stack.
  • Rooms: An ambient room (sounding like a close room), an ambient far room, and that MS room setup.

A key takeaway, as Eyal points out, is that just because a mic is provided in the multi-tracks doesn't mean you have to use it, or that Jacob Hansen necessarily used all of them in the final mix. These are the tracking session files, giving you all the options.

Kick Drums: Foundation for Metal Mayhem

The raw kick drums sound like they're intended to be replaced or heavily augmented with samples, a common practice in modern metal to achieve that consistent punch and low-end weight. You can hear the real performance, though, which is perfect for triggering samples or carefully blending with the original to retain some natural feel.

The Snare: Punch, Crack, and Ghost Notes

The raw snare, on the other hand, sounds really good right out of the gate. The drummer clearly knows how to hit with authority and consistency. You can hear a lot of tasty ghost notes and subtle articulations. Even if you plan to use snare samples, make sure you bring out these performance details. This is where careful use of compression techniques can help make those nuances pop.

Overheads and Rooms: Creating Depth and Space

Don't underestimate your overheads! As Eyal highlights, a great drum sound isn't just about close mics. The snare sounds fantastic in the overheads here, contributing significantly to the overall picture. The various room mics (ambient, ambient far, and the MS room) offer different flavors of space and size. The MS room, in particular, sounds great for adding width and power.

Spot Mics and Clean-Up: Detail and Precision

The Chinas, splash, and stack mics are all about capturing those specific accents. The stack mic in this session was already helpfully cleaned up, with the silence between hits removed. You'll likely want to do the same for the splash and Chinas to avoid unnecessary bleed. The hi-hat mic provides that extra articulation and detail that might be more diffused in the overheads and rooms.

Toms: Power, Resonance, and Smart Gating

Jacob recorded tom tops and bottoms. Tom bottom mics can add a fantastic roundness and depth. These toms were also cleaned, but smartly, the sustain was allowed to ring out naturally over any gaps in playing, avoiding an unnaturally choked sound. In denser sections, the close tom mics might be cut shorter, letting the sustain carry through the overheads and room mics.

The Low-End Foundation: Bass and Rhythm Guitars

The rhythm section in "365" is a testament to tight, purposeful playing.

Bass DI: Power and Simplicity

The bass player is hitting hard, providing a killer DI signal. It's got that aggressive pick attack and solid fundamental. Of course, you’ll want to process this – reamping through a killer amp like an Ampeg SVT or Darkglass microtubes, or using a versatile amp sim plugin (think Neural DSP, Softube Eden WT800, or even a classic SansAmp RBI emulation) will bring it to life. The bass part here is a perfect example of "less is more" – holding down the low-end and locking in with the drums to provide a rock-solid foundation for the vocals. It's a powerful performance that feels like the true bedrock of the track.

Rhythm Guitars: Tightness and Tasteful Riffage

Like the bass, the guitars are all about serving the song. We get DI signals and an amp track for the two rhythm guitar parts. The playing is precise and impactful. It’s a great reminder that "simple" riffs are often the hardest to play well with conviction (try playing "Back in Black" and making it feel like AC/DC – not easy!). These guitars do exactly what rhythm guitars should: lock in with the bass and drums, create a powerful sonic wall, and set the stage for the vocals. The interplay between the drums, bass, and guitars, especially during fills leading into choruses, is super tight and effective. These aren't musicians on autopilot; every part is intentional.

Keyboards & Synths: Adding Texture Without Clutter

Amaranthe's sound is defined by its blend of metal and electronic elements, and the keyboard and synth arrangements in "365" are expertly done. We’ve got leads, pads, "keys," a fat synth bass, and subs.
The key here is that they complement the song without overwhelming it. Too often, keyboard layers in metal can become cheesy or overly busy. Here, they add atmosphere, enhance melodies, and provide crucial harmonic support, all while leaving plenty of space. Think of how classic Nintendo game soundtracks managed to be so epic with just a few voices – it's about smart arrangement and sound design.

Vocal Mayhem: Deconstructing Amaranthe's Layered Vocals

This is where things get really dense. With three distinct vocalists, the layering possibilities are immense, and Amaranthe takes full advantage. We're talking upwards of 30 tracks of vocals in the chorus!

Building the Wall of Sound: Doubles, Harmonies, and Octaves

The verse sections feature main vocals, doubles, and harmonies. But the chorus is a vocal onslaught. Eyal breaks it down:

  • The main melody line ("365") is sung by at least seven voices (tripled, plus octaves).
  • Then come the harmonies, also doubled, adding even more layers. We're talking 8+ layers for a single melodic idea in spots.
    This meticulous layering is what creates that massive, polished, and incredibly catchy vocal sound. The voices blend beautifully.

The Mixing Challenge: Clarity vs. Power

With so many vocal tracks, the mixing challenge is significant. The vocals need to be out front, driving the song. That chorus is designed to burrow into your brain. However, you can't let them get so loud that they obliterate the heaviness of the instruments or suck the groove out of the track. It’s a delicate balance. Finding the right EQ settings to ensure each vocal layer has its space without clashing is paramount. The growl vocalist also sounds fantastic and needs to cut through with aggression.

Creative Vocal Arrangements and Effects

Beyond the sheer number of layers, there are cool arrangement details. For instance, a non-lyric vocal line from Elize Ryd might be just a main and a double, providing a dynamic contrast to the denser sections. There’s also a super creative stripped-down vocal effect section towards the end of the song, featuring just vocals and a programmed drum beat – a really cool production choice.

Putting It All Together: The "365" Production Philosophy

What stands out most from these raw tracks is how meticulously every part is crafted to support the song, particularly the vocals. The drums are powerful and articulate, the bass and guitars provide a unified, driving foundation, and the keyboards add essential color and depth. Jacob Hansen's production ensures that even in their raw state, these tracks are brimming with energy and clarity. It's a masterclass in modern metal production where every element has a purpose.

Learn to Mix Tracks Like Amaranthe with Nail The Mix

Hearing these raw Amaranthe "365" multi-tracks is insightful, but imagine getting your hands on them yourself. With Nail The Mix, you can! Download these exact multi-tracks from Amaranthe (get them here!) and learn how to mix them from the ground up.

Each month, Nail The Mix provides members with a new set of multi-tracks from a major artist, along with a live-streamed mixing session where the original producer or a guest pro mixes the song from scratch, explaining every decision. Plus, you get access to a massive library of tutorials and a supportive community of fellow producers. If you're serious about elevating your metal mixes, it's an invaluable resource. Ready to transform your productions? Check out our guide on Unlocking Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets to get started.

Happy mixing!