Voice – Male Spoken Word (Lav Mic)

Recording

  • Mono / 24-bit PCM / 44.1kHz
  • Peaks: –10 to –12 dB
  • Hard ceiling: –6 dB
  • Mic: 6–8" below mouth, off-axis
  • Environment: block laptop noise

Processing Order

  • 1. Amplify: Normalize to –3 dB peak
  • 2. HPF: 80 Hz / 12 dB
  • 3. Noise Reduction: 6–9 dB
  • 4. EQ: –2 dB @ 250 Hz / +3 dB @ 3.5 kHz / +1 dB @ 9 kHz
  • 5. Compressor: –18 dB / 2.5:1 / 10ms / 200ms
  • 6. Limiter: Soft Limit / –1 dB
  • 7. Loudness: –16 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Primary focus element
  • Maintain clarity 2–4 kHz
  • Preserve emotional dynamics
  • Avoid over-compression

Steel Tongue Drum

Recording

  • Mono / 24-bit / 44.1kHz
  • Accents: –12 dB
  • Groove: –20 dB
  • Internal mic placement

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB peak
  • HPF: 60 Hz
  • EQ: –3 dB @ 180 Hz / –2 dB @ 2 kHz / +1 dB @ 6.5 kHz
  • Compressor: –20 dB / 1.8:1 / 30ms / 300ms
  • Limiter: –1.5 dB
  • Loudness: –24 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Keep –18 to –24 dB under voice
  • Avoid masking vocal body
  • Support emotional pacing

Kick Drum

Recording

  • Mono
  • Peak: –10 dB
  • HPF: 40 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: +4 dB @ 70 Hz / –3 dB @ 300 Hz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 4:1 / 5ms / 120ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –18 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Anchor low end
  • Leave room for bass guitar

Floor Tom

Recording

  • Mono
  • Peak: –10 dB
  • HPF: 50 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: +3 dB @ 80 Hz / –3 dB @ 350 Hz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 3:1 / 20ms / 250ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –20 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Low-mid body instrument
  • Do not crowd bass range

Acoustic Guitar (Mic)

Recording

  • Mono
  • Peaks: –12 dB
  • Mic at 12th fret
  • HPF: 80 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: –2 dB @ 200 Hz / +3 dB @ 5 kHz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 2:1 / 15ms / 200ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –20 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Rhythmic texture
  • Maintain clarity without harshness

Guitalele (Mic)

Recording

  • Mono
  • Peaks: –12 dB
  • HPF: 90 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: –2 dB @ 250 Hz / +2 dB @ 5 kHz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 2:1 / 15ms / 200ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –20 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Bright texture
  • Avoid competing with vocal presence

Guitalele (Direct / DI)

Recording

  • Mono DI
  • Peaks: –12 dB
  • HPF: 80 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: –2 dB @ 300 Hz / +2 dB @ 4 kHz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 2.5:1 / 10ms / 180ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –20 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Controlled transient tone
  • Use sparingly under narration

Tuning Fork

Recording

  • Mono
  • Peaks: –15 dB
  • HPF: 100 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: Narrow boost at fundamental frequency
  • No Compression
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –26 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Atmospheric accent
  • Use sparingly

Electric Bass (DI)

Recording

  • Mono DI
  • Peaks: –10 dB
  • HPF: 40 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: +3 dB @ 80 Hz / –3 dB @ 250 Hz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 4:1 / 15ms / 200ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –18 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Low-end foundation
  • Balance with kick drum

Console Piano

Recording

  • Mono or Stereo
  • Peaks: –12 dB
  • HPF: 60 Hz

Processing

  • Amplify: –3 dB
  • EQ: –2 dB @ 200 Hz / +2 dB @ 5 kHz
  • Compressor: –18 dB / 2:1 / 20ms / 250ms
  • Limiter: –1 dB
  • Loudness: –20 LUFS

Mix Context

  • Harmonic support instrument
  • Avoid clashing with vocal midrange