Asking Alexandria “Into The Fire”: Mixing Raw DIs, Synths & Vocals

Alright, let’s dive into a mix that’s an absolute beast: Asking Alexandria’s “Into The Fire.” We got our hands on the raw multitracks, and trust us, this one’s a masterclass in modern metal production, particularly when it comes to balancing a symphony of synths and vocals with a hard-hitting rock band. If you’ve ever wondered how to tackle a track with a truly massive track count, this is your playground. This isn’t just about slapping plugins on; it’s about strategic balancing and understanding how each element serves the song.

First off, you’ll notice there’s a ton of stuff here. We’re talking layers upon layers of synths, extensive vocal production, a solid foundation of DI guitars, and a surprisingly minimalist live drum setup. This song is all about the balancing act. Check out the full session right here. Let’s break down what you’re up against and how you can approach mixing these killer tracks!

Taming the Vocal Monster: Pre-Baked Effects & Epic Layers

The vocals in “Into The Fire” are front and center, and producer Taylor Larson provided a wealth of vocal tracks, including some with effects already printed.

Pre-Baked Vocal Goodness (Handle With Care!)

You’ll find tracks like “Delay Tail,” “FX one,” “FX two,” and “FX three.” These are seriously cool, specific vocal effects. Why are they printed? Likely because they’re so integral to the production of the song, they’re almost part of the arrangement itself rather than just a mix flourish.

Check out these effects solo’d – they sound immense. The challenge here is to integrate them without letting them overwhelm the lead vocal or the mix. They’re powerful tools, but with great power comes great responsibility. Don’t get carried away just because they sound awesome on their own; make them serve the vocal and the song.

A Universe of Vocal Textures

Beyond the printed effects, you’ve got the full spectrum of Danny Worsnop’s performance:

• Main Lead Vocals: The core of the melody and emotion.
• Doubles: Plenty of these to thicken things up.
• Harmonies: Intricate layers adding depth and richness.
• Falsetto Bounces: A really cool, distinctive layer that adds a unique character.
• Screams & Scream Harmonies: Bringing that classic Asking Alexandria aggression.

Basically, you’ve got everything you need to build a colossal vocal sound. Happy vocal mixing!

Building a Behemoth: Drums from a Minimalist Core

Interestingly, for a song this huge, the live drum setup is pretty streamlined. We’re talking all microphones, no pre-mixed samples here:

• Kick In & Kick Out
• Two Snare Tops & a Snare Bottom
• Three Toms (which look like they’ve had some cleanup already)
• Hi-Hat (also cleaned)
• Overheads
• Small Room Mic

It sounds like these were tracked in a fairly small room. So, how do you get that massive, final record sound?

Sample Reinforcement: The Secret Weapon

You guessed it: samples. To get these drums to punch through and sound as epic as they do on the record, you’ll need to beef them up. This track is actually perfect for honing your sample blending skills because:

1. It’s not overkill: The core kit isn’t overly busy.
2. Space between hits: This gives you room to really focus on the tail of your samples, especially for the snare. That tail is what gives you the sense of a huge space, which Taylor Larson definitely achieved in his mix.

This is your chance to learn how to make a modest drum recording sound like thunder. You get the raw, clean acoustic drums, offering a fantastic canvas to blend with your favorite samples.

Laying the Low-End Foundation: DI Bass & Sub Bass Synergy

For the bass, we’ve got a classic modern metal combo:

• Bass DI: A clean, direct signal from the bass guitar.
• Programmed Sub Bass: This is often used when you want an almost inhumanly consistent and deep low-end that a real bass guitar might struggle to deliver perfectly on every note.

The typical approach here involves a crossover:

1. High-pass the Bass DI somewhere around 100Hz or 150Hz. This cleans up the mud and lets the DI focus on the mid-range definition and attack.
2. Let the Sub Bass track handle everything below that crossover point, providing that deep, foundational rumble.

The real trick is balancing these two so they sound like a single, cohesive instrument. Some love this technique, some don’t, but here it is for you to master.

DI Guitars: The Art of Supporting Power

Aside from a cool affected lo-fi print of the main line in the intro, the guitars are all DIs. And they’re very well-recorded DIs, providing a clean slate.

Supporting Role, Not Lead Instrument

Here’s a crucial point for a track like “Into The Fire”: the guitars are largely a supporting element. Many of us metalheads are used to guitars being the dominant force, but in this song, they need to sit back a bit.

• Don’t swallow the vocals: The vocals are king.
• Don’t overpower the synths: The synths are a massive part of this song’s identity.

The riffs themselves aren’t overly complex; it’s more about their contribution to the overall song and how they lock in with everything else. This means exercising restraint. It’s a different kind of challenge than mixing a guitar-hero-centric track. You’ll need to carefully sculpt their space so they provide power without masking the key melodic and atmospheric elements.

The Synth Tsunami: Navigating a Sea of Sound

And then there are the synths. Lots and lots of synths. We’re talking:

• Synth Orchestra elements
• Various Risers and Impacts
• And the mysterious “Woe Synth” (which sounds incredibly cool, by the way!)
• (Plus an ominously named track called “Ear Grenade” – you’ve been warned!)

Listen to these synths on their own, and you’ll hear just how massive the arrangement is. The synth and vocal arrangement alone sounds colossal. Your job is to then fit an entire rock band – drums, bass, and guitars – into this sonic landscape.

The Balancing Act Perfected

This is where your mixing chops will truly be tested.

• Be Sparing with EQ: With so many layers, big EQ boosts can quickly lead to a muddy or harsh mix. Think surgical cuts to make space. For more on carving out room, check out these EQ Strategies for Mixing Modern Metal.
• Focus on Balance: Levels are paramount. Every dB matters when you’re juggling this many elements.
• Holistic Thinking: Don’t get lost tweaking one sound for hours. Constantly check how it fits with everything else.

Even the synths in the chorus, when soloed, sound so cool you’ll be tempted to push them way up. But remember, you still have stacks of vocals and a full band to contend with.

Ready to Tackle the Challenge?

Mixing “Into The Fire” is no walk in the park. It’s a complex, layered production that will challenge your balancing skills, your ability to make elements sit together, and your restraint. But successfully navigating this mix? That’ll definitely put some hair on your chest and arm you with skills applicable to any dense, modern production.

These are the kinds of real-world mixing scenarios you get to deconstruct with Nail The Mix. Imagine getting these exact multitracks and watching the original producer (or a seasoned pro) mix them from scratch, explaining every decision. That’s what NTM is all about – taking you beyond presets and into the mind of pro mixers. You can grab these very Asking Alexandria multitracks and the full mixing masterclass right here: Nail The Mix – Asking Alexandria “Into The Fire”.

If you’re serious about taking your metal productions to the next level, it’s time to Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets and see how the pros do it.