Mixing Oceano’s ‘Lucid Reality’: MIDI Drums, DIs & Crushing Vocals

Tackling the Rhythmic Foundation: MIDI Drums & Bass

One of the first things you'll notice when you open up the "Lucid Reality" session is the approach to the rhythm section: it’s all MIDI, baby! This isn't a drawback; it's an opportunity.

MIDI Drums: Your Sound, Your Choice

Instead of pre-recorded acoustic drums, you get MIDI drum tracks. This means you have total freedom to choose your weapon. Load up your favorite drum sampler – whether it's Superior Drummer 3, GetGood Drums, Slate Drums, or anything else in your arsenal – and sculpt the exact kit sound you envision for this monster track.

To make life easier, a MIDI drum key map is provided, so you won't be guessing which note triggers what. Just map it in your sampler, and you're good to go. The session also includes a drum print as a reference, giving you a ballpark idea of what the programmed drums could sound like, but the real magic happens when you start auditioning your own samples.

Pro Tip: When working with MIDI files, especially from another source, always ensure you import any tempo information or tempo maps included. "Lucid Reality" has some cool tempo shifts – for instance, around the 2:30 mark (bar 68), it jumps from 80 BPM to double-time. If you don't import the tempo map, your grid will be off, and things will get messy fast.

Crafting the Low End with MIDI Bass

Just like the drums, the bass in this session is MIDI. This gives you the same creative control. You can slot in your go-to virtual bass instrument. Given Buster Olsson's history, one might speculate he’d reach for something like his own Nuclear Bass plugin, known for its aggressive and mix-ready tones. The MIDI performance itself is killer, with some seriously fast and intricate runs that will be a blast to pair with a powerful bass sound. Again, a MIDI bass print is there for reference, but you’ll be crafting the final tone.

Dialing in Crushing Guitar Tones from DIs

Moving onto the guitars, you get two clean Guitar DI (Direct Input) tracks – a left and a right for the main rhythms. This is standard practice for modern metal production, offering maximum flexibility.

Starting with Raw DI Signals

Working with DIs means you're not locked into a pre-recorded amp sound. You can re-amp through physical gear or, more commonly these days, use amp modeling plugins to find the perfect tone.

Amp Sims: The Fortin Nameless Example

For the unboxing preview, the Fortin Nameless Suite plugin was slapped onto the DIs, and honestly, it sounded pretty gnarly right out of the gate. Fortin plugins are renowned for their tight, aggressive character, which suits Oceano's sound perfectly. Buster Olsson is also known to favor the Nameless, so it’s a solid starting point if you have it.

Of course, your options are endless. Whether it’s Neural DSP, STL Tones, Softube Amp Room, or any other high-gain amp sim, the key is to find a tone that complements the programmed drums and bass. Don't be afraid to experiment with different amp models, cabinets (IRs are your best friend here!), and a touch of strategic EQ to carve out space and enhance clarity.

Handling Oceano's Intense Vocals

The vocals on "Lucid Reality" are, in a word, monstrous. Adam Warren is an incredible vocalist, and his performance on this track is top-tier, especially those signature guttural lows.

Pre-Processed Power

When you look at the vocal waveforms, you'll notice they're pretty "sausaged out." This indicates a healthy amount of compression was applied during tracking. This isn't a mistake; it's an intentional production choice common in this genre to achieve an aggressive, in-your-face sound right from the source. It means a lot of the initial dynamic control is already baked in.

Making Them Sit in the Mix

Even with the upfront processing, you’ll still need to finesse the vocals into the mix. This might involve further compression to smooth things out, saturation for character, and careful EQ to ensure they cut through the dense instrumentation without becoming harsh. The quality of the raw performance is so good that a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of tone is already done for you. You might hear artifacts of extreme compression, perhaps something akin to an Empirical Labs Distressor (or two!) being pushed hard, which contributes to that aggressive, modern metal vocal sound.

Adding Synths & Production FX for Depth

Beyond the core band elements, "Lucid Reality" features some tasty production extras that add layers and impact.

Layering with Synths

There are a few key synth tracks, including a cool "synth guitar" patch, that weave in and out, adding atmosphere and texture. These aren't overly dominant but serve to enhance the overall sonic landscape.

Impactful Ear Candy

You'll also find a selection of production effects: cymbals swells, impactful hits, booming 808s, and shakers. These elements are crucial for adding excitement, reinforcing transitions, and generally making the track feel larger than life. Sprinkling these in tastefully can elevate your mix from good to great.

Key Considerations for Mixing "Lucid Reality"

This track, while seemingly straightforward due to its track count, presents some fun challenges and opportunities:

• Drum Selection is Paramount: With MIDI drums, your choice of samples and how you process them will massively define the track's impact. Aim for that "slamming, in-your-face" drum tone that modern metal demands.
• Nail Those Tempo Changes: As mentioned, pay close attention to importing tempo map data. This ensures your grid-based edits, time-based effects (delays, reverbs), and overall groove stay locked in.
• Maintain the Energy: This song is relentless. Your mix needs to capture that raw energy and excitement from start to finish. Think about automation to keep things dynamic and engaging.

Get the Oceano "Lucid Reality" Multi-Tracks & Learn from Buster Olsson

Feeling inspired? Want to try your hand at mixing these monstrous Oceano tracks yourself? You absolutely can. Head over to the Oceano "Lucid Reality" session page on Nail The Mix to sign up. You'll get access to these exact multi-tracks and watch Buster Olsson himself mix the song from scratch, explaining his every move.

Plus, by joining Nail The Mix, you get a shot at winning an epic prize package from sponsors like Kali Audio, JZ Microphones, Neural DSP, and many more. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business and hone your heavy mixing skills. If you're serious about unlocking your sound and mixing modern metal beyond presets, this is where it's at.

The "Lucid Reality" session offers a unique chance to work with MIDI-driven heaviness, DIs begging for tonal shaping, and world-class aggressive vocals. It’s a fantastic learning ground for any aspiring metal producer. So, grab the Oceano multi-tracks and get ready to make some noise! Happy mixing!