Mixing Animals As Leaders ‘Red Miso’: Prog Titans’ Multitrack Insights

Alright, let's talk Animals As Leaders. These guys are undisputed titans of instrumental prog metal, and their track "Red Miso" is a masterclass in technicality, complex rhythms, and innovative tones. Ever dreamed of getting your hands on the raw multitracks from a band like this? Well, buckle up, because we're diving deep into what makes "Red Miso" tick and the awesome challenges (and opportunities!) you'll face when mixing it. This month, Nail The Mix is giving you exactly that chance, with the incredible opportunity to learn from not one, but two mixers – Nick Sovick and the band's own Javier Reyes – as they tackle this beast.

Taming the Low End: Extended Range Guitars in "Red Miso"

First things first: those guitars. Animals As Leaders are synonymous with extended-range instruments, and "Red Miso" is no exception. We're talking about guitars that go low, seriously invading the sub-bass territory. This is awesome for that earth-shattering impact, but for a mixer, it's Challenge Numero Uno.

The Sub-Bass Rumble

Those low-tuned strings (think 8-strings plunging into the depths) inject a massive amount of energy into the 30Hz-60Hz range, and even lower. This can quickly muddy up your mix, fight with the kick drum, and make your low-end sound undefined.

• Actionable Tip: You'll need surgical EQ strategies here. Think high-pass filters, but be careful not to thin out the fundamental weight. Multi-band compression can also be your friend, controlling just the unruly sub frequencies without squashing the life out of the guitar tone itself. The goal is power and clarity, not just a flabby boom.

The Ever-Shifting Wall of Sound: Dynamic Guitar Tones

Unlike some metal tracks where you dial in one crushing rhythm tone and call it a day, "Red Miso" is a dynamic landscape. The guitar tones morph and evolve throughout the song, presenting a unique and fun challenge.

Section by Section Tonal Adventures

Each part of the song almost demands its own guitar treatment. You've got super low, deep, distorted chugs, then these incredibly cool, almost glassy clean tones, and, of course, Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes' signature lead work, complete with printed effects.

• What this means for your mix: You can't just set and forget. The way the guitars sit with the bass and drums will need finessing in each section. This is where automation becomes crucial – not just for volume, but for EQ, effects sends, and maybe even different bus processing for different parts. The band themselves noted they spent as much time dialing in the raw tones as they did mixing the entire song, which tells you how critical these sounds are.

Beyond the Amp: The Power of DIs and Reamping

One of the coolest things about the "Red Miso" multitracks available through Nail The Mix is the inclusion of pristine Direct Input (DI) signals for the guitars.

Your Tone Playground

This is where you can really put your producer hat on.

• Reamp and Conquer: Got a favorite amp sim like a Neural DSP Archetype, a STL Tonesuite, or perhaps you own a Kemper or Axe-Fx? Now's your chance to craft your own versions of these iconic tones. Can you beat the original? It’s incredible practice.
• Baked-in Inspiration: There are even DIs with effects like whammy pedal movements printed right in. This is pure gold for understanding how these complex sounds are constructed from the ground up.
• Skill Building: Many producers struggle when they have to create a guitar tone from scratch. Working with these DIs is an invaluable exercise in tone-shaping and will directly improve your mixing and production chops.

Precision Drumming: Capturing Matt Garstka's Intricacy

Matt Garstka's drumming is, simply put, phenomenal. "Red Miso" is packed with intricate patterns, ghost notes, and a plethora of accent cymbals – little stacks, splashes, the works.

Making Every Hit Count

Mixing drums this complex requires finesse.

• Cymbal Clarity: With so many cymbals, a standard overhead pair (which, by the way, are recorded audience perspective – hi-hat on the left if you’re watching the drummer) might not capture every nuance. Luckily, there are spot mics for the stacks, which will be crucial for making those accents pop without overwhelming the kit or getting lost in the bleed.
• Bleed Management: With many open mics, bleed is inevitable. Careful gating or manual editing (like stripping silence on toms if you choose) will be necessary to keep things clean.
• Dynamic Range vs. Consistency: The raw drum tracks are incredibly dynamic. This is great for feel, but you might want more consistency in some sections. While you can use these beautifully recorded live drums, MIDI tracks are also provided. This means you can use drum samplers like Superior Drummer 3 or GGD Modern & Massive to augment or even replace elements if you want that ultra-consistent modern metal punch.
• Room to Breathe (or Explode): You get a wealth of room mic options: a main stereo room, a parallel processed version of it that sounds "explosive," and even a couple of mono room mics. These are fantastic for blending in different ambiences and vibes for various song sections. Don't be afraid to use compression creatively on these room mics to bring out sustain and character.

Layered Bass: Crafting Foundational Weight and Aggression

The bass guitar in "Red Miso" isn't just a single DI track. There's a carefully constructed set of tones to work with.

Multiple Personalities for the Low End

You'll find a DI, but also miked signals, likely from an amp, using mics like a Beta 52 (a kick drum mic often used on bass cabs for its low-end capture) and a Heil PR20. There's even a layer labeled "Okta," suggesting an octave pedal for added sub-harmonic depth.

• Sectional Bass Tones: Just like the guitars, the bass tones shift. Cleaner, more defined tones support sparser sections, while more distorted, clanky, and aggressive tones are brought in for the heavier parts. This is a pro move: different bass tones help different sections of the song feel distinct and hit harder. If a producer hasn't provided this, it's often something mixers add themselves via reamping or parallel processing.

Synth Strategies: Finding Space in a Dense Instrumental Mix

Adding to the complexity and sonic richness are layers of synths.

Mid-Range Melodies and Textures

Many of the synths in "Red Miso" occupy the mid-range.

• The Placement Puzzle: With the guitars often tuned so low, placing synths in the mid-range makes sense from a frequency spectrum standpoint – they aren't directly fighting the guitars' fundamental frequencies. However, this creates its own challenge: carving out space for these synths to be heard clearly amidst dense guitar layers and complex drums, all without vocals to naturally leave a pocket for. Careful EQ choices and perhaps subtle sidechain compression triggered by other elements can help these synths shine.

Deconstructing Genius: Learning from AAL's Arrangement

Beyond just mixing, the "Red Miso" multitracks offer an incredible learning opportunity in songcraft.

The Blueprint Revealed

The band has generously included MIDI for the synth parts (and drums, as mentioned).

• Analyze and Absorb: This is your chance to peek behind the curtain. Load up the MIDI and see how these complex parts are composed. Analyze the chords, the voicings, the rhythmic interplay, and the way layers are stacked. You can literally see the arrangement on the grid. This is invaluable insight that you can then apply to your own productions and songwriting. You could even try loading your own synth sounds onto their MIDI to see how different textures work.

Ready to Mix "Red Miso" and Elevate Your Skills healthful

Tackling a track like "Red Miso" by Animals As Leaders is an incredible learning experience. From managing extreme low-end from extended-range guitars to balancing intricate, dynamic drums and weaving synths into a dense instrumental fabric, the challenges are immense, but so are the rewards.

Want to see how seasoned pros, including Javier Reyes himself, approach these very multitracks? That's exactly what Nail The Mix offers. Every month, you get access to raw multitracks from huge bands and watch top-tier producers mix them from scratch, explaining every decision along the way. Plus, with your subscription, you get access to Mix Labs for quick tips, Portfolio Builder tracks to hone your craft, and a super supportive community.

If you're serious about taking your production skills to the next level, exploring concepts like advanced EQ, compression, and full song workflows in even greater depth, check out how you can Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets.

Don't miss out on the chance to mix Animals As Leaders' "Red Miso" and learn directly from the source. Head over to the Animals As Leaders Nail The Mix page to get started. Happy mixing!