Devin Townsend’s “Genesis”: Tackling Epic Raw Metal Multitracks

Nail The Mix Staff

Alright, let's talk about a musical experience that’s less of a song and more of a dimension-hopping journey: Devin Townsend's "Genesis." If you've ever stared at a DAW session that looks like a roadmap to another universe, you’re starting to get the picture. We got a peek at the raw multitracks for this monster, and "epic" doesn't even begin to cover it. This isn't just about heavy riffs; it's about navigating a sonic landscape that shifts, morphs, and completely reinvents itself multiple times. So, how do you even start to mix something this wild? Let's dive in.

Deconstructing the Chaos: First Impressions of "Genesis" Raw Multitracks

Imagine pressing play and not knowing if you’re about to enter a mosh pit, a serene beach (with kittens, no less!), an 8-bit video game, or a full-blown orchestral movement. That's "Genesis." The raw session is a testament to Devin's boundless creativity, packed with an insane amount of production. We’re talking:

  • Dynamic Intros: The track doesn't just start; it evolves, growing from subtle textures into monumental soundscapes.
  • Genre Gymnastics: One minute you're headbanging, the next you're hearing what sounds like a Star Trek score or a Danny Elfman-esque cinematic piece. Then, bam! Disco. Then prog. It's a wild ride.
  • Sound Design Galore: From quirky samples like literal "kittens" and "beach" ambiences to "grody synths" and even an "Atari section," the track is brimming with unique sonic signatures.
  • Seamless Transitions: The most mind-blowing part? Despite the sheer variety – think video game bleeps morphing into crushing rock, or a disco groove leading into a Latin-tinged solo – it all flows. The song maintains its identity through a journey that would give most producers a headache just looking at the track count.

This is the kind of organized chaos that makes Devin Townsend a legend. It's intimidating, sure, but also an incredible playground for any mix engineer.

Streamlining the Workflow: Devin's Pre-Processed Elements

When faced with such complexity, a little help from the artist goes a long way. Devin, in his wisdom, provided some elements that are already "massaged," letting the mixer focus on the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in foundational sound shaping for every single track.

Stereo Drum Stems: Ready to Rock

One of the first things that stands out is that the main drum kit is delivered as a single stereo track. For a song this dense, having a powerful, pre-balanced drum sound as your foundation is a massive time-saver. Instead of tweaking individual drum mics for days, you can focus on how this cohesive drum sound interacts with the literally hundreds of other layers.

Processed Vocals and Choirs

Similarly, some of the numerous vocal layers, including epic choir sections, come with a degree of processing already baked in. This means less corrective work and more focus on creative fader balancing and ensuring they sit perfectly within the ever-shifting sonic tapestry.

The Mixer's Role: Blending and Enhancing

With these core elements somewhat "pre-baked," your job shifts. It becomes less about micro-managing individual sounds and more about macro-level blending, ensuring all these disparate parts – from the powerful drums to delicate samples and everything in between – talk to each other. This is where the real art of mixing a track like "Genesis" comes in, guiding the listener through its many moods and textures. Mastering these complex arrangements is a key skill, and something we delve into deeply at Nail The Mix.

Taming the Beast: Guitars in "Genesis"

Devin Townsend's guitar tones are iconic, and "Genesis" is no exception. What’s particularly interesting here is the approach to the guitar tracks.

Printed Power: Working with Pre-Amped Tones

Forget DIs for this one. The guitar tones are all printed, meaning what you get is what Devin intended. This presents a cool challenge: you’re working with the artist's vision from the get-go. The main rhythm guitar track, labeled "EVH Crunch," sounds fantastic right out of the box – thick, articulate, and undeniably heavy.

Layering for Impact: AxeFX, Kemper, and Creative Effects

Beyond the core EVH sound, there are additional layers, reportedly crafted with an AxeFX on one side and a Kemper on the other. This stereo widening and tonal variation adds serious depth.

But here’s a classic HevyDevy twist: one of the guitar parts features a distinctly "bit-crushed" or heavily filtered effect. It’s a super cool, almost lo-fi texture that, when combined with the cleaner, more powerful tones and the rest of the arrangement, actually helps everything else sound bigger and more defined. It’s a subtle but brilliant move that shows how unconventional guitar processing can elevate a mix. Making these varied guitar textures sit right often comes down to smart EQ strategies for mixing modern metal, carving out space for each layer to shine.

The Art of Flow: Automation as a Key Mixing Tool

With a song that traverses more genres than most entire albums, how do you maintain coherence? Automation, automation, automation. "Genesis" isn't just mixed; it's conducted.

Devin himself has mentioned using a lot of "manual compression" – essentially, meticulous volume automation or fader riding. For a track this dynamic, which feels more like a film score at times, your automation lanes are going to be your best friend. This isn't just about subtle rides; it's about crafting the dynamic journey of each section and ensuring smooth, impactful transitions between wildly different parts. Think about guiding the listener from that "Atari section" break back into a full-band assault, or from a disco beat into a soaring guitar solo. This level of dynamic control is crucial, and understanding metal compression secrets beyond just making it loud (which absolutely includes automation!) is key.

The "HevyDevy" Signatures: Samples and Sound Design

It wouldn’t be a Devin Townsend track without those unique, often humorous, and always perfectly placed sound design elements. We’re talking:

  • The infamous "Beach and Kittens" sample: Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, and it works!
  • A "Cow" sample: Because, why not?
  • "Grody Synth" lines: Adding unique textures and character.
  • Steel Drums: Popping up in a prog section, just to keep you on your toes.

Integrating these non-traditional elements seamlessly into an already dense metal mix is a challenge that defines this kind of production. It’s about finding their space, making them impactful without being distracting, and ensuring they contribute to the overall narrative of the song.

Your Chance to Mix Devin Townsend with Nail The Mix

Hearing about these tracks is one thing, but imagine getting your hands on them. The "Genesis" multitracks were featured in a past Nail The Mix session with Devin Townsend, giving producers the incredible opportunity to dissect and mix this masterpiece themselves.

At Nail The Mix, this is what we do. We provide you with the actual multitracks from massive songs by artists like Devin Townsend, Periphery, Gojira, and many more. Then, you get to watch the original producer or a guest pro mix the song from scratch, explaining every plugin, every fader move, and every creative decision.

If you're looking to elevate your mixing game, understand how complex arrangements are tamed, and learn the techniques used on chart-topping metal albums, this is your chance. You’re not just getting presets; you're getting a deep dive into the why behind the how.

Ready to tackle mixes as epic as "Genesis"?

Mixing a song like "Genesis" is more than a technical exercise; it's an adventure in sound. It's about embracing the chaos, respecting the artist's vision, and using your skills to bring an incredibly ambitious piece of music to life. Good luck, and have fun in the sonic multiverse!