Dance Gavin Dance “Young Robot”: Inside Kris Crummett’s Raw Multi-Tracks

Alright, let's talk about a band that consistently pushes creative boundaries: Dance Gavin Dance. And if you're diving into their track "Young Robot" from the album Mothership, you're in for a wild ride. We got a chance to peek inside the raw multi-tracks, produced and mixed by the one and only Kris Crummett (who also mastered it!), and man, it's a goldmine for any producer looking to up their game. This isn't just about hearing isolated parts; it's about understanding the art of capturing killer sounds at the source and setting up a mix for success. These very tracks were featured on Nail The Mix, where Chris Crummett himself walked through his entire mixing process.

The first thing that hits you when you load up these 83 tracks (yep, 83!) is that even with no plugins and just some basic balancing, the raw material sounds incredible. This is classic Kris Crummett: an old-school ethos of getting it right at the source, using the right gear, and then applying that to a modern production. The result? Polished, modern, yet incredibly natural-sounding tracks. Let's break down what makes this session so special.

The Kris Crummett Philosophy: Great Sounds Start at the Source

If you follow modern heavy music, you know Kris Crummett is a legit engineer and producer. His productions shine because he focuses on capturing everything perfectly during recording. This means less "fixing it in the mix" and more enhancing already great sounds. "Young Robot" is a prime example. The clarity and power are there from the moment you hit play, providing an amazing foundation to build upon.

Deconstructing the "Young Robot" Drums: Natural Power

Man, when drums are recorded this well, you could just listen to them soloed all day. Kris mentioned this song has a lot of different sections, almost like unique scenes that need to be treated differently while still feeling cohesive. The drum sounds provide the flexibility for this.

Kick & Snare Foundation

Let's start with the core: the kick is incredibly solid, and the snare top mic captures a fantastic, crisp sound. These aren't thin, plinky direct mics that rely entirely on samples or rooms to sound good. The direct mics themselves are already punchy and full.

The Power of Overheads and Rooms

While the direct mics are great, the overall drum sound truly comes alive with the overheads and room mics.

• Overheads: Adding these to the kick and snare immediately gives you a more complete picture of the kit.
• Room Mics: Chris provided a "Low Ribbon Room Front" and a "Room Top." The "Room Front" track, in particular, adds a ton of length and character to the shells – it’s the kind of track that’s just begging to be mangled with some creative compression or saturation. The "Low Ribbon" mic is fantastic for enhancing the power and body of the shells. Blending these in judiciously brings the whole kit to life.

Tom Grooves and Sustain

Chris was cool enough to provide pre-cut toms. An interesting detail is that he likes to retain a good amount of natural sustain in his cut toms, rather than just capturing the transient and relying on samples or room ambience for the decay. When the natural toms sound this good, why wouldn't you? Adding in the overheads and rooms makes them sit perfectly. Proper EQ can further shape their punch and resonance.

Hi-Hat Detail

There's a dedicated hi-hat track, which is super useful. While the hi-hat will bleed into other mics, the intricate and important hi-hat patterns in "Young Robot" benefit from having a separate track you can bring in for detail, ensuring those nuances don't get lost once all the other instruments are layered in.

Natural vs. Samples

Honestly, these drums sound so good you could probably get away without using any samples. Given the dynamic nature of the track and the space in the mix (it's not fighting a wall of super heavy guitars), focusing on the natural drum sound is highly recommended. If you do use samples, think reinforcement, not replacement.

Bass Tones: DI & Amp Blending for Versatility

Next up, the bass. We've got a bass DI and two distinct bass amp tracks.
The DI is solid and provides everything you need for a great foundational bass tone. Turning it up reveals a clean, full signal.

But then we have the amps!

• Amp 1: This one is much more full-frequency with a significantly bigger low end.
• Amp 2: Offers a different character. After some level balancing, you can hear it’s a distinct flavor from Amp 1.

Those little noises and clanks you might hear in a soloed distorted bass amp track? Don't sweat 'em. Once the drums are in, they often just add to the character and grit. The beauty here is the options. With a song like "Young Robot" that goes through so many changes – from sparse sections to full-on assaults with drums, flutes, and vocals – having multiple bass tones allows you to tailor the bass sound to each specific part. Maybe you want that huge low-end from Amp 1 for a chorus, or a more defined tone from blending DI and Amp 2 for a busier verse. It's awesome when producers provide such great-sounding amp tracks, as often you just get a DI and have to build the tone from scratch. These are ready to go. And with such a funky, active bassline, you can't just bury it; it needs to be heard.

Guitars: Crafting Scenes with Tone and Arrangement

The guitars in "Young Robot" are a whole world unto themselves, creating distinct "scenes" throughout the song.

Rhythm Guitars: The Intended Tone

Interestingly, there are no DIs for the rhythm guitars. This is because the tones, complete with printed effects, are exactly what the band and Chris Crummett intended. You're meant to work with these sounds. It's more of a dynamic rock tone than you might expect in some heavier subgenres, which, again, leaves space for other elements.

Clean Guitars: Setting the Mood

The clean guitars, particularly in the intro, create a distinct atmosphere, showcasing the song's dynamic range right from the start. They’re crisp and articulate.

Lead Guitars: Intricate Layers and Printed Effects

There's a lot of lead guitar work throughout the entire song, not just traditional solos but intricate, layered parts that weave in and out. Like the rhythms, these often have effects printed directly on them. These aren't arbitrary effects; they are integral to the composition. For example, a pre-chorus section features heavily stacked leads with effects that are clearly part of the song's DNA. You wouldn't be expected to recreate these; they're part of the artistic vision. The interplay between left and right, and how different lead lines stack up, creates a rich tapestry, especially when heard with the drums.

Beyond the Core: Flutes, Claps, and Creative Surprises

"Young Robot" isn't afraid to throw in some unexpected textures.

• Flute: There’s a cool story here. The guitarist's girlfriend was visiting the studio, played a flute part, and they recorded it on the spot! It's a great example of being open to creativity. The flute often matches guitar lines, adding a unique timbre.
• Claps & Tambourine: These elements pop up, adding more rhythmic layers and character, especially in sections where the flute is prominent. That flute/clap section with the underlying guitars is a masterclass in cool arrangement.

Vocal Production: A Masterclass in Layers and Dynamics

If the instrumentation wasn't intricate enough, the vocals on "Young Robot" are absolutely stellar and incredibly layered. Tilian Pearson delivers an amazing performance.

• Layering Techniques: You'll find a lot of doubled main vocals, often with an upper octave layered on top. Quad-tracking also appears.
• Harmonies and Unique Timbre: The harmonies are fantastic, showcasing Tilian's distinct tone and impressive command.
• Screams and Falsetto: The song seamlessly blends clean singing, powerful screams, and soaring falsetto lines, sometimes creating an almost robotic, otherworldly effect that fits the song's theme. The falsetto harmonies in the chorus are particularly noteworthy, almost Michael Jackson-esque in their vibe.
• Ad-libs and Choirs: Don't forget the "oohs" and "aahs" choirs and various ad-libs that fill out the vocal arrangement.

There are multiple vocal lines weaving in and out, creating complex patterns. You’ve got your work cut out for you with these vocals, ensuring every layer has its place and impact.

The Mixing Challenge: Balancing Intricacy and Impact

Mixing "Young Robot" is a fantastic challenge. The raw tracks sound amazing, but the sheer number of layers and the dynamic song structure mean you can't just set it and forget it.

• Dynamic Mix: Each section needs to be treated almost like its own scene, requiring automation and careful balancing as elements enter and exit.
• Clarity is Key: With so many intricate guitar parts, drum patterns, and vocal layers, maintaining clarity is paramount. This is where careful use of EQ and panning becomes crucial.
• Vocals Up Front (But Not Alone): The vocals are a clear focal point and need to sit up front. However, the music is so rich and detailed that it can't afford to get lost. Finding that perfect balance where every part shines is the goal.
• Space Management: With instruments like flute and clean guitars, alongside the core rock elements, managing the frequency spectrum and creating space for everything to breathe will be a fun puzzle to solve.

Want to Mix "Young Robot" Yourself?

This deep dive into the "Young Robot" multi-tracks showcases the brilliance of Chris Crummett's production and the creative power of Dance Gavin Dance. These are the kinds of sessions that can teach you so much about professional music production.

If you're itching to get your hands on multi-tracks like these and learn directly from the pros who recorded and mixed them, you should definitely check out Nail The Mix. Imagine watching Chris Crummett himself mix this very song, explaining every decision, every plugin, every technique. That's the kind of access Nail The Mix provides. You can unlock your sound and learn to mix modern metal beyond presets by seeing how the best in the business do it.

Getting to explore sessions like Dance Gavin Dance's "Young Robot" is invaluable. Happy mixing!