The session was mixed by veteran rock engineer Chris Baseford, whose credits include Nickelback, Rob Zombie, Avril Lavigne, and Shinedown. Known for his meticulous approach to vocal processing and seamless integration of live and programmed elements, Baseford’s mix brings clarity and impact to a densely arranged, sonically aggressive production. From saturated guitar stacks to tight-sidechained kick/snare alignment, every element in this mix has to fight for space without sacrificing size or immediacy.

This session presents a deep dive into balancing a wall-of-sound arrangement while maintaining articulation and energy. The dual-guitar layering, bass saturation, and highly stylized vocal mix each reveal different strategies for retaining dynamics and avoiding frequency clashes. There’s real value in examining the interplay between low-tuned string tracking, modern rock drum programming, and vocal spatial effects. The vocal tracks, in particular, leverage fader rides, selective distortion and detailed automation to maximize impact.

Download the multitracks for “San Quentin” and study how Chris Baseford shaped this modern heavy rock track. It’s a great opportunity to refine vocal chain workflows, explore multi-bus guitar routing techniques, and dig into a well-executed, radio-ready rock mix.