Kyle Black mixes "Secrets" by State Champs

Mixed by Kyle Black (Paramore, Pierce the Veil, Comeback Kid), this session is a masterclass in high-pressure pop punk mixing. Kyle is known for his surgically pristine production style and his ability to manage dense arrangements without sacrificing punch. In “Secrets,” every layer—from the doubled guitars and rapid-fire drum fills to the stacked vocal harmonies—demands attention to transient shaping, spatial balance, and advanced automation.

The mix presents challenges across the board: fine-tuned drum editing to lock in a pinpoint rhythm section, tight low-end management between layered guitars and bass, reverb placement to keep roomy vocals front and center without muddying the high-mid information, and smart use of saturation and parallel processing to add urgency while keeping colors intact. There’s impactful use of upward compression on vocals, micro-automation across delays, and subtle distortion layering that pushes energy without sounding overblown.

Download the multitracks and dive into the details of a pro-level pop punk production. This session will level up your ear for layered arrangements, deepen your mixing decisions, and sharpen your command of front-loaded, clean-but-aggressive rock tracks.