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  4. How to mix cymbal? (reverb? eq?)

  • How to mix cymbal? (reverb? eq?)

    Xander S.X
    Xander S.X

    Does anybody else have the impression that of all the instruments in the orchestra the cymbal is one that is fairly difficult to get right in the mix? My cymbal

    1. always sounds as if it were positioned right before the audience instead of in the back of the orchestra (whereas the rest of the percussion section using the same reverb bus sounds ok), and on the other hand it

    2. lacks some "width" or - I don't know how to describe it, perhaps - "majestic-ness". I wouldn't say it sounds thin, but definitely not as "grand" as a real cymbal which has the power to lift the whole orchestra.

    Any suggestions on how to make the cymbal sound "grand" and more "indirect"?
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
    last edited
    last edited

    Hi,

    I'd check out MIRx for such tasks, easy with a free demo license (available for each MIRx Venue separately).

    Here is a quick video that shows how it works.

    Best,
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL
  • Xander S.X
    Xander S.X
    https://forum.vsl.co.at/topic/36481/MIR PRO V S MIR X/224338
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
    last edited
    last edited

    Hi,

    Sorry for the confusion!

    Of course you can also achieve good results with "traditional" FX for percussion instruments.

    I just checked your account and as you have the Special Editions and Vienna Suite, our Special Edition Tutorial files should be a good source for mixing ideas, along with our Special Edition Video Tutorials.

    Regarding MIRx, the product descriptions will help a lot in understanding the concept. And of course the video link I added to the previous comment.

    In short words, MIRx is a smaller version of MIR PRO/24.

    MIR PRO lets you position instruments freely in the available venues in a separate software module, while MIRx offers optimized fixed positions for all instruments of the orchestra, within VI and VI PRO.

    Hope that helps!

    Best,
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL
  • Xander S.X
    Xander S.X

    *lol*. You guys are so fast replying. Thanks, Paul, for the explanation. (I've just figured it out while reading the other thread.)
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD
    last edited
    last edited

    @quioloy said:

    Does anybody else have the impression that of all the instruments in the orchestra the cymbal is one that is fairly difficult to get right in the mix? [...]

    Hi Quiloy,

    the approach is always the same: Roll off all overpowering low frequency information; get rid of any resonances that would give the cymbal an untuned, but "tonal" character; finally, add some reverb with reflection patterns that tell the ear "this signal source is in the back of the stage", and make sure that the wet signal is loud enough to get this information across. 😊 

    ... and yes, MIR can do this for you all by itself (if used properly). 😊

    Kind regards,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • Xander S.X
    Xander S.X

    Thanks, Dietz, I'll give that a try! Sounds fairly easy, I bet it isn't. ;)