Mixing Oceano’s ‘Mass Produced’: Taming Brutal Lows & Layers

Alright, let's talk about a real beast of a track: "Mass Produced" by Oceano. If you're aiming to mix modern metal that hits like a sledgehammer, this song is a masterclass in density, aggression, and sheer sonic power. We got a look under the hood at the raw multitracks for this monster, originally set to be mixed by the legendary Joey Sturgis and Nick Matcko for Nail The Mix, and it’s a fantastic case study in tackling extreme metal production. This isn't your pop or hip-hop mix with tons of space; this is a full-on assault where every element fights for its place.

Navigating the Low-End Labyrinth of "Mass Produced"

Right off the bat, the biggest challenge with a track like "Mass Produced" is undeniably the low end. With guitars tuned to the depths and a relentless rhythm section, getting clarity and punch without turning your mix into mud is paramount.

Guitar Onslaught: From DI to Devastation

You get two main guitar tracks, provided as DIs. This is awesome because it gives you full control to sculpt the tone. For a quick reference, Joel Wanasek in the unboxing threw on an amp sim – the Archetype: Gojira from Neural DSP, using just a stock setting – and it already sounded pretty decent. This highlights a crucial point: if the performance and DI capture are solid, even basic amp sim presets can give you a better starting point than a meticulously tweaked but ultimately unsuitable custom tone.

The real work with these low-tuned guitars comes from managing the sheer amount of low-frequency information, especially with fast, chugging riffs and intricate movements across the fretboard.

• Tuning & Articulation: The guitars are tuned way down. This means that the clarity between notes during fast passages and the tightness of palm-muted chugs can easily get lost.
• Dynamic EQ & Automation: You'll likely find yourself reaching for dynamic EQ or automating your EQ settings heavily. The EQ needed for a sludgy, sustained low chug will be vastly different from what's required for a rapid, higher-register riff.
• Multi-band Compression: To keep the low-end tight and consistent without sacrificing weight, multi-band compression can be your best friend, allowing you to control specific problem frequency ranges.

The goal is to maintain that brutal weight while ensuring each note and chug cuts through, a serious challenge when things are this fast and low.

Bass Bedlam: DI Meets MIDI Sub Precision

The bass guitar, much like the guitars, is tuned incredibly low and plays complex, fast lines. You get a bass DI, which, on its own, can sound like "chaos" as described in the unboxing.

Here’s where a cool production trick comes in: a dedicated sub-bass track created from a synth, with the MIDI provided. This X Sub track is essentially the entire bass part played as a pure sine wave.

• Consistency is Key: Blending this MIDI-triggered sine wave sub with your processed DI bass can provide an incredibly consistent and powerful low-end foundation that might be harder to achieve with just the DI, especially with such low tunings and fast playing.
• Blending: By itself, the sine wave sub might sound unexciting, but when carefully mixed with the tonal complexity of the amped DI bass, it anchors the bottom end, adding that deep, resonant energy without the inconsistencies that can come from string buzz or uneven dynamics on the lowest notes.

Getting the relationship between the low-tuned guitars, the DI bass, and this synth sub to sit right is a core part of conquering the low-frequency spectrum of "Mass Produced."

Conquering the Drum Kit Cataclysm

If the low-end wasn't enough, the drums on "Mass Produced" are pure, unadulterated insanity. We're talking relentless double-kick patterns and brutal snare hits that demand precision in the mix.

Samples, MIDI, and Shell Shock

The session comes well-equipped to tackle this percussive onslaught.

• Provided Samples: You get kick samples (Kick Shot, Kick) and snare samples (Snare, Snare Sample, Snare Shot), and even tom samples. This is a huge head start, giving you the producer's intended core sounds.
• MIDI for Flexibility: Crucially, MIDI is provided for all the drums. This means if you want to experiment with your own samples or reinforce existing ones, you have the exact performance mapped out.
• Separated Elements: Overheads, cymbals, and shells seem to be tracked or programmed separately, including dedicated symbol rooms. This separation offers great control over the balance and space around each kit piece. You’ll also find some auxiliary cymbals and drum effects.

Mastering the Transient Tsunami

The sheer speed and density of the drumming, especially the double-kick, present a massive mixing challenge.

• Clarity & Punch: Each kick drum hit needs to be defined without sounding clicky or getting lost in the wall of guitars and bass.
• Snare Impact: The snare needs to crack through with authority.
• Dynamic Control: Managing the immense transient activity is key to avoiding a mix that feels cluttered or fatiguing. Careful use of compression and transient shaping will be essential.

Honestly, if you can make drums this fast and brutal sound clear, powerful, and exciting, you're well on your way to mastering metal mixing.

Weaving in Cinematic Post-Production Mayhem

Joey Sturgis is known for his ability to turn songs into "Michael Bay movie trailers," and "Mass Produced" is no exception. The session is loaded with post-production elements.

The "Michael Bay" Effect: Risers, Hits, and Sub Drops

You'll find a ton of epic risers, impacts, and sub-drops designed to add cinematic flair and gut-wrenching depth.

• Integrating the Extras: The challenge here is to weave these elements into an already dense mix. You've already got a complex low-end from the guitars, bass, and synth sub; now you need to make space for earth-shattering sub drops without completely demolishing your headroom or clarity.
• Paying Attention Down Low: This reinforces the need to be hyper-vigilant about what’s happening in your sub-frequencies. Careful EQ and sidechaining will be crucial to ensure these moments hit hard without destroying the overall balance.

Unleashing Demonic Vocal Fury

The vocals on "Mass Produced" are as intense and layered as the instrumentation.

A Choir of Chaos: Layering for Impact

The session includes a wealth of vocal tracks, all clearly labeled:

• Core Layers: Mains, doubles, and throws provide the foundation.
• Effects & Character: You'll find distortion effects and unique layers like yells and even a track labeled "Ogre," which sounds as monstrous as you'd imagine.
• Textural Variety: The performance combines talking, whispering, and guttural screams, creating a dynamic and terrifying vocal landscape. These layers, when blended, contribute massively to the song's aggressive energy.

Sculpting Aggression: Vocal Processing

Getting these vocals to sit right and sound appropriately demonic will involve careful processing.

• Compression: To control the dynamics of the aggressive delivery and help them cut through the dense instrumentation.
• EQ: To shape the tone, remove any muddiness, and enhance the aggressive frequencies.
• Effects: Strategic use of reverb, delay, and distortion can further enhance the demonic quality and help the vocals sit within the mix.

The combination of performance, layering, and processing is what will make these vocals truly leap out of the speakers.

Why Deconstructing a Pro Mix Matters

Working with multitracks like Oceano's "Mass Produced" on a platform like Nail The Mix isn't just about the act of mixing. It's a deep dive into the minds of successful producers. You get to see their sound choices, how they layer elements, how they structure parts for maximum impact, and the raw ingredients they work with before the mix even begins. This reverse-engineering process—understanding the why behind their decisions—is invaluable for anyone serious about audio production. The synth pads, for example, were noted for being clean, well-chosen, and placed in the right octave so as not to clash with the guitars – a testament to thoughtful production.

Want to get your hands on these very Oceano "Mass Produced" multitracks and learn directly from Joey Sturgis and Nick Matcko as they mix the song from scratch? You can do exactly that by heading over to Nail The Mix and grabbing the Oceano session.

Beyond this incredible session, a Nail The Mix subscription unlocks a vast library of bite-sized Mix Lab tutorials (like how to properly use dither in mixing), tons of Portfolio Builder tracks across various genres to practice your skills, and a super supportive community of producers from beginners to seasoned pros.

If you're ready to take your audio production and mixing skills to the absolute highest level, consider exploring how to Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets with our more advanced options. These can include access to our Fast Track library—an incredibly deep dive into every audio topic imaginable—one-on-one consultations, and Mix Rescue, where a pro helps elevate your own mixes.

Don't miss out on the chance to tackle Oceano's "Mass Produced" with Joey Sturgis and Nick Matcko. Check out the session here and happy mixing!