Suicide Silence: Two Masters, Next-Level Metal Mix Tricks

Getting a metal mix to sound both brutally heavy and crystal clear is the holy grail, right? You want those guitars to chug, the drums to punch through, and the vocals to soar, all while hitting commercial loudness without turning into a squashed mess. It’s a balancing act that can stump even seasoned producers. When it comes to a band like Suicide Silence, known for their intense and sonically powerful releases, you know the bar is set high.

What if you could peek behind the curtain and see how pros tackle these challenges? In the Nail The Mix session featuring Suicide Silence, we got to see exactly that, with insights from two distinct mastering perspectives. Let’s dive into some killer techniques you can try in your own metal productions, inspired by the approaches showcased. And if you're serious about elevating your mixes, Nail The Mix is where you can learn directly from the best in the business.

The "Total Outsides" Bus: Keeping Your Snare Punchy

Ever had your snare drum just vanish once the master bus limiters kick in? It’s a classic problem. As your mix gets louder and compression clamps down, that crucial snare impact can get buried. One super clever solution discussed is the "Total Outsides" bus.

Problem: The Disappearing Snare Act

When your mix hits the main bus compressor and subsequent mastering limiters, elements that were perfectly balanced can suddenly lose their punch. The snare, with its vital transient information, is often a prime casualty, getting pushed back and losing its attack. This is where creative routing comes into play. You can learn more about taming dynamics on our metal compression secrets page.

Solution: Send It to the "Total Outsides"

Think of the "Total Outsides" as a VIP lane for certain elements in your mix. Instead of everything funneling through your main stereo bus compression, you create an auxiliary bus that bypasses this stage and sends signals directly (or with different processing) towards the final mastering limiters.

• How it works: You can send a portion of your snare track (or even other elements like specific vocal phrases or effects) to this "Total Outsides" bus.
• The benefit: This allows your snare to hit the mastering limiters with more of its original impact intact, as it hasn't been squashed by the main sum compression. It's a way to "add back" punch that might otherwise be lost. It’s not just for removing things; it’s a powerful tool for strategic additions.

This technique ensures that even with heavy master bus processing, your key elements retain their clarity and punch.

Enhancing Width and Character on Your Master Bus

Once your core balance is feeling good, a few strategic moves on the master bus can add that final polish, width, and character.

Expanding the Stereo Field with M/S EQ

A wide, immersive stereo image is a hallmark of modern metal. One powerful tool for achieving this is a Mid/Side (M/S) capable EQ, like the Brainworx bx_digital V3.

• The Technique: Instead of just standard stereo EQ, an M/S EQ allows you to process the "Mid" (center) information of your mix differently from the "Side" (stereo width) information.
• Application: You can gently boost certain high frequencies on the Side channel to enhance stereo width and detail, or even subtly attenuate problematic frequencies in the Mid channel without affecting the width. The bx_digital is fantastic for this kind of sum and difference processing, adding that extra dimension. For more on EQ, check out our EQ strategies guide.

The Magic of Subtle Master Bus Distortion

Distortion on the master bus? Sounds risky, but a tiny, almost imperceptible touch can do wonders. The trick is subtlety.

• The Plugin: A tube distortion emulator like the Soundtoys Little Radiator (or similar) is perfect for this.
• The Setting: We’re talking minimal amounts. Think 1% wet (or even less) on the Radiator.
• The Effect: When applied sparingly, this adds a subtle layer of harmonic richness, presence, and "glue" over the entire mix. It’s not about audible crunch; it’s about a slight lift and character that can make the mix feel more cohesive and exciting. A/B testing this will often reveal a surprising enhancement to the overall presence.

Tue Madsen's Blueprint: Quick Checks & Tasteful Aggression

Another perspective, often seen in sessions like the Suicide Silence NTM feature, involves quick, decisive mastering moves and a keen ear for the right kind of aggression.

Fast Mastering Evaluation with T-RackS

Sometimes you need a quick reality check on how your mix will hold up under mastering. Using a mastering suite preset can be a great starting point.

• The Tool: IK Multimedia T-RackS, specifically a preset like "Loud and Clear" (which can then be tweaked).
• The Goal: Slap it on your mix bus to quickly hear if it’s translating well. This can instantly reveal issues, like a lack of "air" or if certain frequencies are poking out too much.
• The Insight: This quick check often highlights areas that need attention, such as a "claustrophobic" feeling that can be opened up with some careful high-frequency adjustments.

Sculpting with "Air" and Taming Harshness

Many mixers, including Tue, find themselves mixing a bit darker than the final desired sound, especially after long hours of listening. This is because ears fatigue to high frequencies.

• Adding "Air": In the mastering stage (or with a quick mastering chain like the T-RackS setup), you can then judiciously add back some of that top-end sparkle or "air." This involves finding the right places to boost high frequencies to open up the mix without making it harsh.
• Tackling Nasty Frequencies: Mastering is also the time to hunt down and neutralize any remaining harsh or unpleasant frequencies that might have slipped through the mix. For more on this, dive into our EQ strategies for modern metal.

Finding the Right Flavor of Aggression

Metal isn't one-size-fits-all. The desired guitar tone and overall aggression can vary wildly.

• The Spectrum: Do you want that raw, almost old-school "Dismember type sound," or are you aiming for a more polished, "American smooth metalcore guitar sound"?
• Taste is Key: This often comes down to personal preference and the song's demands. For instance, a certain mastering approach might make the drums sound incredible, but you might then decide the guitars need a bit more bite or "nastiness."
• Balance: If you boost high-end for aggression, be mindful of the low-end. You might need to compensate to maintain overall balance.

The Crucial Final Step: Listen, Bounce, Reflect

One of the most important, yet often overlooked, parts of the process is stepping away and listening with fresh ears.

The "Phone Test" and Dodging "Too Much"

It’s easy to fall in love with a processing chain, especially when it makes things louder or more exciting. But "too much of a good thing" can quickly become horrible.

• Be Quick, Then Reflect: On the first pass, especially with mastering ideas, it's good to be somewhat quick and try things out.
• Bounce and Walk Away: Bounce your mix/master. Put it on your phone, listen in the car, take a break for a few hours.
• The Verdict: When you come back to it, does it make you go "hell yeah!" or do you cringe and think, "ooh, that was way too much"? This fresh perspective is invaluable for making final judgments.

Bring These Pro Techniques to Your Mixes

The journey to a killer metal mix involves smart routing, tasteful enhancements, and critical listening. Techniques like the "Total Outsides" bus, subtle master distortion with plugins like Little Radiator, M/S EQ with bx_digital V3, and quick evaluations using T-RackS are all powerful tools in your arsenal.

These insights from the Suicide Silence "One Band, Two Masters" session are just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine having access to the full multitracks and watching renowned producers mix iconic metal tracks from scratch, explaining every decision. That’s what Nail The Mix delivers every single month. If you're ready to move beyond presets and truly Unlock Your Sound in Modern Metal, then experiencing sessions like the Suicide Silence 2019 mix breakdown is the perfect way to learn from the best.