Mixing

Natural Born Killer

Avenged Sevenfold

Andy Wallace

Song : Natural Born Killer

Duration:4h23 Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese

Description

Join the legendary rock engineer Andy Wallace at Platinum Sound recording studios in New York City! On a SSL 9000 K Series console, Wallace transforms the Pro Tools session of 'Natural Born Killer' by metal band Avenged Sevenfold into a thundering analog mix. Using no more than desk processing, outboard effects and stereo buss compression, the mixing veteran demonstrates his expertise in blending heavy electric guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. Observe how he achieves a clear, modern, punchy mix though the well-informed use of EQ, compression, gating, sample triggering, effects, and meticulous automation. He explains his every decision, and also elaborates on monitoring, aesthetic vision, gain-staging, and general workflow.

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11 min

Part 1

Monitoring, console, track layout, snare splits, effects sends, VCAs, mix compression
18 min

Part 2

Basic balance, shelf EQ, phase checking, kick sample, gate parameters & approach
27 min

Part 3

Sub kick, snare blend, notch EQ, phase, side-chain gating with a sample, reverbs
26 min

Part 4

Ambient kick sample, bass & electric guitar blending, phase, EQ
21 min

Part 5

Gain staging, rhythm section balance, sonic goals, level riding vs. compression
25 min

Part 6

Drum overheads & room signals, EQ, panning, snare tone, monitoring commentary
29 min

Part 7

Monitoring levels, guitar & vocal automation, flange effect, cymbals, growl vocal EQ
24 min

Part 8

Monitoring levels, guitar & vocal automation, flange effect, cymbals, growl vocal EQ
17 min

Part 9

Visualising the band, vocal EQ & dynamics, taming sibilance, adding presence
17 min

Part 10

Cleaning & panning tom tracks, resonance control, snare roll treatment
18 min

Part 11

Refining static levels for the whole mix, lowering occasional kick & snare hits
17 min

Part 12

Explanation of 'absolute' & 'trim' automation modes, vocal riding
07 min

Part 13

'Dimension D' processing on D.I. bass signal, final automation moves
Trailer

Comments

(27)

Felix Pabst September 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM

So much to learn here from a very likeable master! Thx Andy!
Diogo Tigre March 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM

Perfect masterclass! The real Samurai! We really need him back for one more masterclass, won't we?
Andy Macintyre June 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM

This is a definite : )

Diogo Tigre June 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM

🩵

Chester Oszustowicz July 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM

I would be in france for that !!!! lol
Diogo Tigre March 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM

Perfect masterclass! The real Samurai! We really need him back for one more masterclass, won't we?
Eric L March 4, 2025 at 10:59 AM

Taking notes and screenshots of this genuine master class
Alex October 14, 2024 at 2:52 AM

I love how he marks levels on the faders to have references when automating. Like an artist sketching the lines before drawing them in.
Wolfgang Frank October 7, 2023 at 8:40 PM

Once a year I need to re-watch this treasure and discover something new every time! Andy is just a fantastic teacher and engineer.
Dennis Busch September 20, 2023 at 1:41 PM

PLEASE! Bring him Back! Sepultura would be awsome or System of a Down or Linkin Park.
Alex November 24, 2024 at 4:23 PM

100% need one with an OG Linkin Park record

Eric L March 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM

+1

Ali Jasem October 10, 2025 at 9:36 AM

+1 on Llinkin Park first two albums
Jesse Cosgrove October 2, 2022 at 6:56 PM

this man is a treasure
Peter Kap December 25, 2021 at 7:01 PM

hope that the great andy will share how he mix the stage song too
Joey Ariemma February 16, 2021 at 2:27 AM

This is exceptional. I cannot thank Andy, Paul, MWTM, Mike and A7X enough. Thank you for making this available!
Gauthier November 16, 2020 at 3:59 PM

Not only a great mixer but a great teacher too. Great AV work, very pleasant to watch. Just wondering if he is using the SC filter on his Alan Smart C2 to roll off lows before compressing. ("150Hz -6dB/octave High Pass filter".)
Andy Macintyre February 14, 2022 at 9:08 AM

Was wondering that as well. Sounds pretty full in the mid-bass and low end. He might be using the C2 splitter cable.
ignacio martin quiroga August 17, 2020 at 6:09 PM

Andy Wallace best teacher I ever had! A really master!!
Tim Shadgett June 12, 2020 at 9:05 AM

This is a fantastic series. Wonderful to understand the workflow and decision making process in such depth - a real treat! My only criticism (if I may be so bold...) is that it is a very well recorded production to start with - which, don't get me wrong, is useful to learn from too, but I don't think most of the people watching would have the benefit of such a well recorded piece of program material. It would be great to see how someone of Andy's experience and skill would tackle something with a few more real-world issues (less budget/time and facilities to record in). I could easily probably say the same about any of these style of tutorials though...
Dakotah Haken January 5, 2022 at 4:28 AM

If I may be so bold. While your point is fair, I would take a look at your comment the other way around. Working to make your productions better before mixing, during the tracking and editing phase. Why could you not achieve similar results in the "real world'. Sessions at any level can be plagued with "real world " issues. Its just learning and knowing how to work around them, especially with today technology! I wish you luck on your journey!
Travis Sickler December 23, 2019 at 5:14 AM

When he does his fader rides won’t the signal boost also drive all the compressors harder? Would he have to go back and automate the level changes to all the compressors then?
Emil Shayeb April 18, 2020 at 4:00 PM

all the eq/compression is pre fader ;) . Only the stereo buss is post program material faders

Zak Sipe July 1, 2020 at 3:23 AM

The compressor's part of what he's already monitoring

Zak Sipe July 1, 2020 at 3:24 AM

The compressor's part of what he's already monitoring
Jeff Jones March 29, 2018 at 12:37 AM

Andy is simply great. In my humble opinion, one of the best. Very thorough, methodical with detailed explanations of the process he uses. A true master . Holds nothing back, shares everything. Extremely grateful to have the benefit of his knowledge and experience. Thanks Andy. JJ

About Andy Wallace

Andy Wallace’s name is synonymous with a successful and active career, and calls to mind many classic records such as Nirvana, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Buckley, Slayer, Alice Cooper, Prince, The Cult, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, Sheryl Crow, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Rush, and Rage Against The Machine. Wallace has been awarded eight Grammy Award nominations and one Grammy Award, in 1999, for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (shared with Tchad Blake and Trina Shoemaker) for Sheryl...

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11 min

Part 1

Monitoring, console, track layout, snare splits, effects sends, VCAs, mix compression
18 min

Part 2

Basic balance, shelf EQ, phase checking, kick sample, gate parameters & approach
27 min

Part 3

Sub kick, snare blend, notch EQ, phase, side-chain gating with a sample, reverbs
26 min

Part 4

Ambient kick sample, bass & electric guitar blending, phase, EQ
21 min

Part 5

Gain staging, rhythm section balance, sonic goals, level riding vs. compression
25 min

Part 6

Drum overheads & room signals, EQ, panning, snare tone, monitoring commentary
29 min

Part 7

Monitoring levels, guitar & vocal automation, flange effect, cymbals, growl vocal EQ
24 min

Part 8

Monitoring levels, guitar & vocal automation, flange effect, cymbals, growl vocal EQ
17 min

Part 9

Visualising the band, vocal EQ & dynamics, taming sibilance, adding presence
17 min

Part 10

Cleaning & panning tom tracks, resonance control, snare roll treatment
18 min

Part 11

Refining static levels for the whole mix, lowering occasional kick & snare hits
17 min

Part 12

Explanation of 'absolute' & 'trim' automation modes, vocal riding
07 min

Part 13

'Dimension D' processing on D.I. bass signal, final automation moves
Trailer