Intervals ‘Lock And Key’ Raw Tracks: Mix Prep & Tone Choices

Alright, let's kick things off with some serious excitement! Nail The Mix is starting the year strong, and for instrumental prog-metal fans, January 2021 brought a real treat: the raw multi-tracks for "Lock And Key" by the one and only Intervals. And guess what? The incredible producer Sam Guana is the maestro taking the helm for the live NTM mixing session with these very tracks. If you're ready to dissect a killer instrumental session and pick up some pro-level insights, you're in the right place.

We got a sneak peek into the session, and there’s a lot to get stoked about, especially for those of us who love diving deep into pristine recordings. So, grab your headphones, and let's unbox what makes these Intervals tracks a dream to work with.

Deconstructing the "Lock And Key" Session: What's Inside?

First impressions? This session is clean. We’re talking beautifully edited, well-organized tracks ready for you to sink your teeth into. The layout is pretty standard: drums up top, a bit of percussion, then bass, the massive guitar section, and finally, some synth work to round it all out.

The Rhythmic Foundation: Real Drums & Grooving Bass

In a world often dominated by samples, seeing a full kit of real, beautifully recorded drums is like a breath of fresh air. The tracks look impeccably edited, meaning less time spent on tedious cleanup and more time on shaping that perfect drum sound. Think punchy kicks, cracking snares, and shimmering cymbals, all captured with clarity. This is your canvas to craft a modern metal drum mix that breathes. For ideas on how to make these drums pop and sit perfectly, you might want to explore some advanced metal compression secrets to really make them hit.

And let's not forget the bass guitar. Throughout "Lock And Key," the bass is an absolute powerhouse, laying down seriously groovy lines that are both foundational and melodic. In an instrumental track, the bass often has more room to shine, and these tracks are no exception. Getting that bass to sit right with the kick drum while cutting through the dense guitar layers will be a key mixing challenge. You'll need to employ some smart EQ strategies to define its space.

Guitar Paradise: Layered Tones and DI Flexibility

It's Intervals, so naturally, the guitars are the star of the show. The sheer amount of guitar work here is immense, offering a fantastic opportunity to work with complex layers and intricate melodies. What’s particularly cool is the approach to guitar tones:

• Printed Tones: Some of the lead sections come with their tones already printed. These are likely sounds that Aaron Marshall and the band painstakingly crafted during tracking, giving you an instant taste of their intended vibe.
• DI Tracks: For a majority of the guitar parts, you also get the clean DI (Direct Input) signals. This is where the real fun begins for tone tweakers!

This DI flexibility is huge. You can choose to:

1. Match the Album: Try to recreate the tones from Intervals' official release.
2. Craft Your Own: Dive in with your favorite amp sims and IRs to build completely unique guitar sounds from the ground up.

This freedom allows you to put your own stamp on the track, whether you're aiming for a familiar sound or something entirely new.

Synths & Percussion: Adding Texture

Rounding out the session are some percussion elements and synth tracks. These add crucial layers of atmosphere and texture, filling out the sonic landscape and supporting the main melodic themes. Integrating these subtly but effectively will be key to a polished, professional-sounding mix.

Your Mixing Approach: Strategies for Tackling "Lock And Key"

With such a rich set of multi-tracks, the mixing possibilities are vast. Here are a few things to consider as you dive in:

To Re-amp or Not To Re-amp? Guitar Tone Decisions

The DIs are your playground. Got a favorite Neural DSP Archetype? (Hint: they're part of the epic prize pool for the mix contest!). Now's the time to fire it up. Experiment with different amp models, cab simulations, and impulse responses. You could even blend the provided pre-printed lead tones with a subtly re-amped DI version for extra depth or character. Don't be afraid to try parallel processing or layer different amp sim flavors for rhythm guitars.

Bringing Out the Groove: Focusing on Drums and Bass

With instrumental music, the rhythm section has to be undeniably locked in and powerful.

• Drums: Ensure your kick and snare have serious impact. Parallel compression can be your friend here. Consider how the room mics (if provided and detailed) can add size and glue.
• Bass: As mentioned, the bass is super active. You’ll want it to be audible and articulate, even when the guitars are dense. This might involve careful EQ to carve out its own frequency space, and potentially some multi-band compression to keep it consistent. Check out how a pro like Sam Guana might tackle this on Nail The Mix.

Making the Melodies Soar: Lead Guitar & Synth Treatment

The lead guitars in Intervals tracks are iconic. They need to cut through clearly without being harsh.

• Lead Guitars: Whether you're using the printed tones or crafting your own, pay attention to the midrange frequencies that give leads their voice. Automation will be crucial to ensure they sit perfectly on top of the rhythm parts.
• Synths: Use delays and reverbs to give synths their own space and depth, ensuring they complement the guitars rather than clashing with them. Sidechain compression triggered by lead guitars can also help create clarity.

Get Your Hands on These Tracks (And Win Big!)

Want to try your hand at mixing "Lock And Key"? By joining Nail The Mix, you not only get these incredible multi-tracks but also a shot at winning an absolutely insane prize package in the associated mix competition. We're talking:

• JZ Microphones Black Hole BH2
• Empirical Labs Arousor & Big FrEQ
• Three Neural DSP Archetypes of your choice AND one Neural DSP bass plugin
• The entire Kuassa audio collection license
• A license for Audible Genius and Sonarscore The Orchestra Essentials
• The RS Drums Library
• Two plugins of your choice from JST (Joey Sturgis Tones)
• Two plugins of your choice from Drumforge
• The Impact Studios Bass Bundle
• A Bogren Digital IR pack
• A free master of your winning mix from Mike Kalajian himself at Rogue Planet Mastering!

Seriously, that's a studio upgrade right there. This is a fantastic opportunity, especially since the last time NTM featured an instrumental band was Plini (with Nick Sampson mixing) way back in 2017 or 2018. It's been a minute!

Learn from the Pro: Sam Guana Mixes Intervals Live

Beyond the raw tracks and the contest, the real magic happens when you watch a world-class producer like Sam Guana mix "Lock And Key" from scratch, live. As a Nail The Mix subscriber, you get a front-row seat to his entire process, seeing every plugin choice, every fader move, and hearing his thought process in real-time.

Imagine learning exactly how Sam tackles those DIs, how he makes the real drums slam, and how he brings out the best in that groovy bassline. This is your chance to go beyond presets and truly unlock your sound.

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Nail The Mix, grab these Intervals multi-tracks, and get ready to create something awesome. Have fun, and happy mixing!