Saosin’s “The Silver String”: Deconstructing the Raw Multi-Tracks

Ever cracked open a session from a band like Saosin and just marveled at the raw tracks? We recently got a look at the multi-tracks for their killer song "The Silver String," originally mixed by the legendary Bo Burchell for a Nail The Mix session. Eyal Levi from Nail The Mix and URM Academy unboxed these, and man, they sound incredible right out of the gate. This isn't just about hearing cool sounds; it's about understanding how these parts are constructed and how you can approach mixing them. Let's dive in!

Diving into Saosin's "The Silver String" Raw Tracks

Right off the bat, these tracks are a testament to great recording and performance. As Eyal pointed out, with tracks this good, it's almost "yours to mess up." But that’s the fun part, right? It’s a fantastic starting point for you to put your own spin on things and learn a ton in the process. We're talking about Anthony Green's iconic vocals, beastly drums, and intricately layered guitars.

Building a Foundation: Saosin's Drum Mix Strategies

The drums on "The Silver String" are pure power. The drummer is an absolute machine, and you can hear the intensity in every hit.

Kick Drum Power: Samples and Choices

You're not just getting one kick mic here. It looks like Bo Burchell provided a few options to blend:

• Q Drum Print: Likely a specific sample or processed mic capture.
• BB Kick Print: Another distinct kick sound, probably Bo's go-to or a specially crafted sample.
• Mega Room Print: This sounds like a heavily processed room sample blended with the kick to give it that explosive character.
  Having these options means you can really dial in the punch, sub, and click of the kick drum to fit the mix perfectly.

Snare Impact & Taming Hi-Hat Bleed

The snare hits HARD. It’s got that crack and body you want in a modern rock mix. Now, with a hard-hitting drummer, hi-hat bleed into the snare mic can sometimes be a challenge. While Eyal noted the bleed here wasn't excessive, it's a common issue. If you want to see a masterclass in dealing with hi-hat bleed in snare mics, Bo Burchell dropped an "atom bomb of a knowledge bomb" on this exact topic during his Nail The Mix session for "The Silver String". Seriously, gold-star info there.

Overhead Philosophy & Cymbal FX

Interestingly, the overheads are labeled "Overhead Hat" and "Overhead Ride" instead of the usual Left/Right. This is a smart move to avoid confusion depending on whether you're thinking drummer's perspective or audience perspective. It’s a simple but effective labeling trick. You’ve also got dedicated hi-hat and ride mics. And keep an eye out for a "Reverse Swell" track within the drums – a cool reverse cymbal effect to add some ear candy.

Crafting Colossal Toms

The tom tracks are nicely cut and ready for you to make them sound huge. Remember, massive tom sounds don't just come from the close mics. You'll want to artfully blend the direct mics with the overheads, the "Room Violet" stereo room mic, and any ceiling mics (if present in the full session bundle) to get that thunderous, well-rounded tom sound. Don't be afraid to get creative with some tasty distorted compression on that "Room Violet" track to bring out the crunch and feel.

Anchoring the Low End: Saosin's Bass Approach

The bass guitar is crucial in a band like Saosin, where the guitars are often playing complex, distorted parts.

The Bass Trinity: DI, Amp, and FX

You get three distinct bass tracks to work with:

• Bass DI: This is your clean, solid foundation that runs throughout the song. It's got everything you need if you want to re-amp or process from scratch.
• Bass Amp: Why wouldn't you want to use this? It sounds "nasty and cool," providing grit and character.
• Bridge Bass FX: A special effected bass track that comes in during the bridge, adding a unique texture.

Why a Solid Bass is Non-Negotiable

With guitars playing intricate chords and layers of distortion, a strong, defined bass is essential to keep everything grounded. It locks in with the drums, outlines the root notes, and prevents the wall of guitars from turning into an undefined mess. The bass provides the clarity and foundation that allows the complexity of the guitars to shine.

Layering Saosin's Guitars for Clarity and Aggression

Saosin's guitar work is known for its melodic complexity and heavy tones. The way these parts are arranged and recorded is key to their impact.

Smart Chord Voicings for Distorted Guitars

Here’s a pro move: instead of one guitar playing massive, full-neck chords with heavy distortion (which can easily become a muddy nightmare), the parts are split. You'll find guitars playing the core power chords, and then separate overdubs playing the upper extensions or melodic voicings. This layered approach, combined with thoughtful EQ strategies, is how you get clarity and richness from distorted guitars.

Textures and Leads: Ebows and Beyond

Beyond the rhythm chunks, there are lead lines and some cool "Noise" tracks, which Eyal speculated could be an Ebow – a favorite effect for creating sustained, atmospheric guitar sounds. These layers add depth and interest.

Dynamic Bridge Construction

The bridge section showcases some dynamic guitar work. You'll find almost-clean tones, likely with that Ebow soaring over them, building into what’s labeled "Bridge Blowout" left and right tracks. This signals a huge, climactic moment in the song, and these tracks are designed to deliver that impact.

Anthony Green's Iconic Vocals: Layers and Learning Opportunities

Anthony Green is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable and emotive vocalists in modern heavy music.

Capturing a Unique Vocalist

The raw vocal tracks showcase his incredible range, power, and unique timbre. You get to hear all the nuances that make his performances so captivating.

The "Problem Solver" Tracks: Bo Burchell's Educational Twist

Here’s something super interesting: you might hear some clicks and pops in the raw vocal tracks. These aren't mistakes! Bo Burchell intentionally inserted them. Why? He felt the original session was almost too perfect for a learning environment. In the real world, engineers constantly solve problems. Bo wanted Nail The Mix members to get their hands dirty with a bit of repair work, making the experience more true-to-life. Being a pro isn't just about mixing; it's about being a pro problem solver.

Dissecting the Vocal Harmonies and Effects

You'll find a wealth of vocal material:

• Lead Vocals: Multiple takes or sections.
• Yells: For those intense, aggressive moments.
• Harmonies: Labeled "Harmony 1, 2, 3," these tracks show how the vocal layers are built, with some harmonizing the main lead and others supporting the yells.
• Backwards Stuff: Expect some cool reversed vocal effects, especially over those huge instrumental sections.

Mix "The Silver String" Yourself with Nail The Mix

These Saosin multi-tracks are a goldmine. You have everything you need to craft a massive-sounding rock song, from bone-crushing drums to soaring vocals and intricate guitars. This session was a bit of a departure for Nail The Mix at the time, showcasing a different facet of heavy music, and it's packed with learning opportunities.

If you're itching to get your hands on these incredible tracks and see how Bo Burchell himself mixed "The Silver String" from scratch, explaining every decision and dropping knowledge bombs along the way, head over to Nail The Mix and grab the session.

Being able to work with raw tracks of this caliber is invaluable. You get to experiment with different EQ techniques, dial in your compression settings, and really understand how a professional production comes together.

Want to take your mixing skills even further? Nail The Mix offers monthly sessions with world-class producers, giving you access to real multi-tracks from iconic bands. Plus, if you're looking to truly elevate your productions, check out our comprehensive course, "Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets".

Happy mixing!