How to Mix Metalcore

Mixing metalcore is like balancing on a tightrope between the aggressive punch of metal and the melodic intricacies of hardcore. If you’re ready to take on the challenge, this guide will help you shape those sonic elements into a cohesive track that hits hard and resonates emotionally. From capturing the energy of the instruments to ensuring the vocals sit perfectly, let’s break down the process of mixing metalcore.

Understanding Metalcore’s Unique Sound

Metalcore is a hybrid genre that borrows the intensity of metal and the melodic, emotional impact of hardcore punk. At its core, it’s about contrast. You have the heavy, chugging riffs and pounding drums juxtaposed with melodic breakdowns and clean vocal sections. This duality demands special attention during mixing to ensure that each element shines without overshadowing the other.

Consider the guitars, for example. Metalcore guitars need to be both aggressive and clear. You want the chugs to feel like a punch to the gut, but you also need the higher notes to soar without getting lost. Drums, on the other hand, are the heartbeat of metalcore. They drive the energy, so getting the right balance between the kick, snare, and cymbals is crucial.

Vocals are where metalcore truly stands out. The genre often features both harsh screams and clean singing, sometimes even in the same song. The challenge is to make the screams cut through the mix without drowning out the melody of the clean vocals. It’s a dance of balance and contrast that defines the genre.

Capturing the Perfect Guitar Tone

Getting the right guitar tone in metalcore is all about aggression and clarity. You want a tone that’s both thick and articulate. Here’s how you can achieve that:

• Choose the Right Amp and Settings: Metalcore thrives on high gain, but too much can turn your sound into a muddy mess. Dial back the gain slightly to preserve clarity.
• Use a Noise Gate: To keep the signal clean, especially during fast palm-muted sections, a noise gate is essential. It cuts off any unwanted noise when you’re not playing.
• EQ the Guitars: Scooping the mids is common, but don’t go overboard. You still want the mids to give your guitar presence in the mix. Cut unwanted frequencies below 80Hz and above 10kHz to clear out mud and fizz.
• Double Track and Pan: Record each guitar part twice and pan one hard left and the other hard right. This creates a wide stereo image, making the guitars sound massive.

For more detailed lessons on achieving killer guitar tones, Riffhard offers lessons from top guitarists who share their secrets to getting the perfect metalcore sound.

Crafting the Perfect Drum Mix

Drums in metalcore are the backbone of the mix. They need to be punchy and powerful to drive the song forward. Here’s how to get that sound:

• Kick Drum: The kick should have a solid thump and a clear click to cut through the mix. Use EQ to boost around 60Hz for the thump and around 3kHz for the click.
• Snare Drum: The snare should be bright and present. Boost around 200Hz for body and 5kHz for snap. A touch of reverb can add depth.
• Toms: Toms should have a full, resonant sound. Cut some mids to clear up the sound and add a bit of low end for warmth.
• Cymbals: Cymbals should shimmer without being overpowering. High-pass around 300Hz to remove low-end rumble and let the shimmer through.

Balancing these elements will ensure that your drum mix supports the rest of the track without overshadowing it. For those looking to refine their drum mixing skills, courses on Riffhard include insights from industry pros on crafting the perfect drum mix.

Making Bass Guitar Work in the Mix

The bass guitar in metalcore often gets overshadowed by the other elements, but it plays a vital role. It adds depth and power to the mix, bridging the gap between drums and guitars. Here’s how to make it work:

• Use Compression: A good compressor will keep the bass levels consistent, making it more present in the mix.
• EQ for Clarity: Boost around 100Hz for warmth and body, and around 2kHz for definition.
• Blend with the Kick: The bass and kick should work together. Use sidechain compression to make the bass duck slightly when the kick hits, keeping them from clashing.

With the right approach, the bass can add a powerful foundation to your mix, ensuring the low end is as tight and aggressive as the rest of the track.

Balancing Vocals: Screams and Cleans

Vocals are a defining element of metalcore, often featuring both harsh screams and melodic singing. Balancing these two styles can be challenging, but here’s how to make them work together:

• Screams: Use distortion or saturation to add grit and presence. EQ to cut harsh frequencies around 3kHz to 5kHz and boost around 250Hz for body.
• Clean Vocals: These should be clear and sit on top of the mix. Use compression to control dynamics and EQ to boost presence around 3kHz.
• Use Reverb and Delay: A touch of reverb can add space, while a short delay can create depth without muddying the mix.

Finding the right balance between screams and cleans allows each style to shine while maintaining the track’s energy and emotion. If you’re looking to enhance your vocal mixing techniques, Riffhard offers resources to help you fine-tune this process.

Creating Space with Panning and Effects

Panning and effects are like the seasoning in your mix. They add flavor and help create a sense of space, ensuring each element has its own place. Here’s how to use them effectively:

• Panning: Panning elements like guitars hard left and right creates a wide stereo image. Keep vocals and bass centered for a strong core.
• Reverb: Use reverb to add a sense of space, but keep it subtle to avoid muddying the mix. Short, bright reverbs work well for vocals and snares.
• Delay: A slapback delay can add depth to vocals without making them swimmy. Use delay on guitars to create a larger-than-life sound.

These techniques help to create a mix that feels spacious and dynamic, allowing each element to breathe while contributing to the overall impact of the track.

Achieving Loudness Without Losing Dynamics

Loudness is important in metalcore, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of dynamics. Here’s how to maximize volume while preserving the energy of your mix:

• Use a Limiter: A limiter can help increase the overall volume of your mix without clipping. Set the threshold to catch peaks and adjust the output to match the desired loudness.
• Parallel Compression: This technique allows you to add punch without squashing the dynamics. Blend a compressed version of your track with the original to retain the best of both worlds.
• Dynamic EQ: Use a dynamic EQ to tame harsh frequencies that pop up when the mix gets louder, ensuring a smooth listening experience.

Balancing loudness and dynamics is crucial for a professional-sounding mix, ensuring your track hits hard while maintaining clarity and punch.

Final Thoughts

Mixing metalcore involves a careful balance of aggression and melody, ensuring each element contributes to the overall impact without overshadowing the others. Whether it’s crafting the perfect guitar tone or balancing harsh screams with clean vocals, each step is crucial to achieving a powerful mix. At Riffhard, we offer resources and lessons from some of the best in the business to help you perfect your metalcore mix. Dive into our library and take your mix to the next level.