Karnivool’s “Deadman”: Mixing Live Energy & Studio Depth

Karnivool. The name alone evokes images of intricate rhythms, soaring melodies, and massive sonic landscapes. Their track "Deadman" is a prime example of their prog-metal mastery, a sprawling 10-minute epic that shifts through multiple tempos and time signatures. But what makes the studio version, produced and mixed by the legendary Forrester Savell, sound so immense and captivating? We got a peek inside the raw multi-tracks, and let me tell you, it’s a goldmine for anyone looking to understand how to craft a truly dynamic and atmospheric metal mix.

If you’re ready to get your hands dirty with these very tracks, you can find them on Nail The Mix for Karnivool's "Deadman" session. For now, let's break down some of the key elements and Forrester Savell's approaches that make "Deadman" such a monumental piece of production.

The Magic of "Deadman": More Than Just a Song

Before we even get into specific instruments, it's clear that "Deadman" is special. It's not just a collection of parts; it's an experience. Forrester Savell himself described it as "three songs in one," and hearing the raw tracks, you understand why. The sheer amount of layers, the evolving song structure, and the quality of the performances are, frankly, astounding. This isn't just about slapping plugins on things; it's about understanding the song's journey and making sure every element serves that narrative.

Foundation First: The Power of Live Drums & Bass

One of the most striking things about the "Deadman" session is that the drums and bass were recorded live. In an era of sample replacement and isolated tracking, this is a bold move, especially in heavier styles, and it pays off massively.

When you solo the drum tracks, you’ll hear the bass guitar bleeding through. Similarly, the bass amp mic captures the thunder of the drums. This isn't a flaw; it's a feature. This shared space and energy create an undeniable cohesive glue right from the source. It’s that "band in a room" vibe that's so hard to fake. The pocket between the drums and bass feels incredibly natural and locked-in because, well, they were locked-in, playing together in real-time. This organic foundation is something you can leverage for a truly powerful and authentic-sounding mix.

Crafting Colossal Karnivool Drums: Raw Power & Room Tone

The raw drum sounds in this session are, to put it mildly, incredible. If you've ever struggled to get punch and life out of your drum recordings, these tracks are an education in themselves.

The Beauty of Raw, Natural Drums

These aren't sterile, overly processed samples. You're getting the full, unadulterated sound of a well-tuned kit played by a phenomenal drummer in a great-sounding room. There's weight, attack, and a natural decay that just feels right. For those who have spent hours trying to coax this kind of life out of their own drum recordings, you'll immediately recognize the quality here.

Key Drum Elements to Listen For

Beyond the main kit pieces, listen for the distinct character of the Roto Toms. They add a unique melodic and percussive flavor. But perhaps the biggest star of the drum show is the room sound. The ambiance captured is rich and spacious, providing a natural depth that many try to achieve with artificial reverbs. Learning to balance this natural room sound with close mics is key. For more strategies on carving out space for your drums and other elements, check out our EQ Strategies for Mixing Modern Metal.

Working with Bleed, Not Against It

That live bass bleed in the drum mics? Don’t rush to gate it out. Used judiciously, it can enhance the feeling of power and unity in the low end. Of course, you'll need to be mindful of phase relationships between the drum mics and the bass tracks, but the payoff is a rhythm section that truly breathes together.

The Bass Backbone: DI, Amp, and That Live Feel

The bass guitar in "Deadman" is a critical anchor. The session provides a fantastic set of options to craft the perfect tone: a clean Bass DI, a miked Bass Amp (sounds like an Ampeg from the track names), and even a Bass Amp Room mic.

Blending Bass Tones: DI, Mic, and Amp Room

The DI signal gives you the clean, fundamental low-end and consistent note definition. The miked amp track provides the growl, character, and midrange complexity that helps the bass cut through. The amp room mic can then be blended in to add more of that natural space and tie it in with the drums. Experimenting with the balance of these three sources is crucial for achieving a bass tone that is both powerful and articulate.

Embracing the Spill: Drums in the Bass Mic

Just as the bass bleeds into the drums, the drums thunder into the bass amp mic. Again, this isn't something to fight. It reinforces that live, energetic feel. Careful use of compression and gating can help control it if it’s too much, but often, a bit of this "spill" adds to the realism and excitement.

Layered Guitar Grandeur: Amps, Rooms, and Unique Textures

Karnivool's guitar work is legendary for its complexity, layering, and atmospheric textures. The "Deadman" session showcases this beautifully, with a wealth of guitar parts and tones.

Diverse Amp Tones: Lewis and AC30

You'll find tracks recorded through different amps, including what appear to be a Lewis Amp and a Vox AC30. This variety allows for a broad palette of tones, from heavy, articulate rhythm chunks to more shimmering, ambient layers. The AC30, for instance, is renowned for its chime and midrange detail, which can be perfect for cutting through or adding a different color to the guitar soundscape.

Forrester Savell's Secret Weapon: Guitar Room Mics

A signature of Forrester Savell's production style, evident here, is his use of room mics on guitars. He believes this captures a unique sound and adds a dimension to the mix that you can't get any other way. Many of the guitar tracks in this session come with their own dedicated room mic tracks. Blending these in can take a direct, sometimes sterile, guitar sound and give it breath, depth, and a sense of place. It's a fantastic way to make guitars feel bigger and more integrated into the overall sonic environment, rather than just being panned hard left and right.

Tight Performances, Rich Tones

It goes without saying that the guitar performances are incredibly tight. Combined with these well-captured amp and room tones, you have an amazing starting point. Your job in the mix will be to balance these layers, ensuring each part has its space and contributes to the overall impact. Skillful EQing will be vital to prevent muddiness and enhance clarity.

Vocals That Soar: Performance, Harmonies, and Space

Ian Kenny's vocal performance on "Deadman" is nothing short of breathtaking. The raw vocal tracks are a testament to his skill and the quality of the recording chain.

The Power of Performance and Recording

These vocals are incredibly well-performed and recorded. Even soloed, quiet vocal lines sound fantastic, without the cringeworthy artifacts you sometimes hear in raw tracks. This highlights a crucial lesson: a great recording of a great performance makes the mixing process infinitely easier and more rewarding.

Layering Strategies: Mains, Doubles, and Intimate Singles

You’ll find main vocal lines, doubles for impact, and also single-tracked vocals. This variation is key – not every line needs to be doubled. Sometimes a single, more intimate vocal take can draw the listener in more effectively, especially in a dynamic song like "Deadman."

Crafting Lush Harmonies

The vocal harmonies are a standout feature. They are intricate, perfectly tuned, and add incredible emotional depth. Mixing these requires care to ensure they are audible and impactful without cluttering the lead vocal.

Vocal Ambiance: Echoing the Guitar Room Concept

Interestingly, some of the gang vocals and harmony sections sound as if they were either reamped through a room, recorded with significant room ambiance, or processed with reverb to create a similar effect. This approach to vocal ambiance mirrors the use of room mics on guitars, creating a cohesive sense of space across the entire mix. You'll even find a "Man Choir" track, adding another unique textural layer.

Bringing It All Together: Mixing "Deadman" with Forrester Savell

So, what are the big takeaways when approaching a mix as complex and layered as Karnivool's "Deadman"?

• Build a massive foundation: Get that big bass sound and those powerful, natural drums working together.
• Create space for everything: With so many layers, careful EQing is essential to ensure each instrument has its own place in the sonic spectrum.
• Work the dynamics: This song ebbs and flows dramatically. Your mix needs to follow that journey, using automation to build intensity and create contrast between sections. Effective compression will be key here.
• Embrace the space: Perhaps the most important lesson from these tracks is the power of natural ambiance. Really try to bring out the sound of the space the instruments were recorded in. Use those room mics!

This is your chance to dive deep into these incredible multi-tracks and learn Forrester Savell's exact techniques by grabbing the Karnivool "Deadman" session on Nail The Mix. Imagine having access to these raw recordings and watching Forrester himself mix them from scratch, explaining every decision.

If you're serious about leveling up your mixing skills and learning how the pros craft these kinds of epic productions, Nail The Mix is where you want to be. And for a broader look at modern metal mixing techniques, be sure to check out our comprehensive course, Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets.

Get ready to have some serious fun with these Karnivool tracks – they're a masterclass in modern prog metal production!