Slaves ‘Star Explode’ Raw Tracks: A Mix Engineer’s First Look

Ever get that buzz cracking open a new set of multi-tracks from a killer band? That's exactly the vibe we got diving into Slaves' "I'd Rather See Your Star Explode," a track originally produced and mixed by the one and only Eric Ron. We’re about to take a peek under the hood of this session, just as Eyal Levi did in a recent Nail The Mix unboxing. These aren't just any tracks; they're a goldmine for anyone looking to hone their rock mixing chops, available for you to mix yourself over at Nail The Mix.

This unboxing revealed a session packed with well-recorded, impactful sounds, offering a fantastic starting point for a massive mix. Let's break down what you'll find.

Monster Drums: The Foundation of the Fury

The drum setup is pretty standard (kick, snare, two toms, hat, ride, china, overheads, rooms), but the sounds themselves are anything but. This is an excellent foundation for a massive drum sound, and your main job will be to harness their power.

H3: Kick Drum Powerhouse

You’re working with a potent combination for the kick. There's a Kick In mic, presumably capturing the direct beater attack. Alongside it, you'll find Eric Ron's own kick sample, delivering that signature modern rock impact, almost like a gunshot. To round it out, a Kick Out mic provides a substantial amount of low-end. Balancing these three elements will be crucial for achieving a kick drum that is both punchy and weighty.

H3: Snare: Realism Meets Sample Punch

The snare sound is a classic pairing: a snare top mic that contributes natural pitch and a sense of realism, blended with a powerful sample. This sample, likely one of Eric's own creations, is where that polished, impactful quality comes from, giving you that explosive crack essential for modern rock.

H3: Cymbals and Overheads: Clarity and Space

The overheads offer clear separation between elements. Importantly, the snare also sounds great in these mics, which will be a big help in gluing the entire kit sound together cohesively. You'll also find a dedicated hi-hat mic, probably there to capture articulate detail during specific hi-hat-focused sections of the song.

H3: Toms: Clean and Ready

Here's a bit of good news for your workflow: the toms already appear to be edited or gated. Thanks to Eric Ron for that bit of prep work, allowing you to dive straight into shaping their tone!

H3: The "Nasty" Room Mic Gold

This is where the drum sound gets particularly exciting. The session features a single room mic, but it's an absolute powerhouse. It possesses an aggressive character and a ton of attitude. It sounds like it’s already treated with some serious compression, expertly dialed in by Eric Ron himself. This mic isn’t for subtle ambience; it adds an explosive quality, sustain, and a significant energy boost to the drums. Unlike sessions that might leave you guessing with multiple room options, the purpose of this one room mic is incredibly clear and vital to the overall drum sound.

The Bass Trinity: DI, Amp, and Distortion Power

When it comes to the bass, you're given three distinct tracks that form a perfect tonal blend: a DI, an Amp track, and a Distortion track. This isn't a situation where you have to guess how they fit together; each plays a vital role, and removing any one of them upsets the balance.

The DI provides the solid, clean foundation. The Amp track offers clarity and definition (and you might even be able to coax a little more articulation out of it with some careful EQ). Then, the Distortion track brings what Eyal Levi aptly called that "meat grinder" sound – pure aggression and bite. This setup is a textbook example of how to build a powerful, multi-faceted bass tone that can stand its ground and lock in perfectly with those huge drums.

Guitars: Huge Rhythms and Atmospheric Layers

The guitars in this session are, as expected, big and impactful. You've got your main Left and Right rhythm guitars that already sound great and powerful.

Your mission with these will be to maintain their massive sound while ensuring they don't completely swallow everything else in the mix. This is where thoughtful EQ strategies will be essential, allowing you to carve out space for other elements while retaining the guitars' inherent power.

Beyond the core rhythms, there's a wealth of textural and lead guitar parts. You’ll find cool tapping sections, clean atmospheric layers that add depth, and a distinctive bridge lead. Many of these parts come with effects like delays and reverbs already printed on them. Some might argue this is "premixed," but it’s actually a sign of strong production. These effects are often very specific to the song's vibe and were carefully crafted by the artist and producer. There's no need to reinvent the wheel if the sound is already dialed in; your job is to make these produced elements sit perfectly within the larger mix.

Johnny Craig's Vocals: The Undisputed Centerpiece

If you're familiar with Slaves, you know that Jonny Craig's voice is a force of nature. He's a star vocalist with one of the most recognizable and powerful voices in modern rock.

This means one thing for your mix: his vocals must be front and center. Every decision you make should ultimately serve to provide a clear and compelling stage for his performance to soar. The session includes fantastic vocal arrangements, with lead vocals, overdubs, filtered vocal effects, and lush harmonies – that upper octave is particularly classy. The quality is there; your job is to present it impeccably.

Synths, Samples & FX: The Sonic Seasoning

This track isn't just a traditional rock band setup. It's also loaded with electronic and atmospheric elements that contribute to its modern sound. You'll find loops, samples, various synths, a trap kick, trap hats, filter drums, pads, and a selection of swells and impacts.

These elements offer everything you need to craft a chart-topping production. However, be wary of the "cool factor" trap. Many of these additional sounds are incredibly interesting on their own – like the piano melodies or the crisp trap hats. The danger lies in getting carried away by how cool they sound in isolation and turning them up too loud, which can easily clutter the mix and, most importantly, obscure Jonny Craig's vocals. Remember the priority!

The Mixing Challenge: Balancing Power and Clarity

With so many high-quality, powerful, and sonically interesting elements, the primary challenge in mixing "I'd Rather See Your Star Explode" is to get everything to work together cohesively. The goal is a balanced, impactful mix where every part has its place and, crucially, nothing overshadows Jonny Craig's vocals.

Fortunately, the song boasts a great arrangement, meaning the parts are generally designed to fit together. Your task is to enhance this existing synergy, using your mixing skills to bring clarity, punch, and emotional impact. Tackling a mix like this, with its layers and dynamic range, is an excellent way to unlock your sound and mix modern metal beyond presets.

Your Turn to Mix a Modern Rock Anthem

Getting your hands on raw multi-tracks like Slaves' "I'd Rather See Your Star Explode" is an incredible learning opportunity. These aren't sterile DI signals; they're professionally recorded, production-ready tracks brimming with character and intention, thanks to Eric Ron's vision. You've got everything from punchy, sampled drums and perfectly blended bass, to massive guitars and, of course, Jonny Craig's stellar vocals.

Want to take on this challenge yourself and see how your mix compares? You can grab these exact multi-tracks and watch Eric Ron mix the song from scratch, explaining his every move, exclusively on Nail The Mix. It's the ultimate way to see how a pro tackles a session packed with this much heat. Good luck, and happy mixing!