ONYX Hip Hop Mixing Techniques: Plugins in Action

In my new documentary “ONYX – 90s Hip Hop Sound | Boom Bap & Old School Rap [4K]”, I broke down some of the in-the-box mixing techniques I use to capture that raw, gritty vibe of the ’90s.
Here’s a rundown of the main plugins featured (with time-stamps) so you can dive deeper into the process.

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🔌 09:17 – In-the-Box Hip Hop Routing & Mixing Techniques

This section introduces my routing workflow inside the DAW. Setting up proper buses, groups, and sends is essential to keep control of the mix while leaving room for compression and saturation.

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🎛️ 09:48 – Waves Abbey Road Vinyl

Perfect for that old-school patina, emulating the tone and imperfections of real vinyl. Essential for Boom Bap: it adds crackle, noise, and a warm analog character that’s hard to fake.

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🔊 10:01 – kHs Bitcrush (FREE)

A free but powerful tool. Used subtly, bitcrushing brings a lo-fi texture, giving beats that dusty, cassette-or-sampler vibe straight out of the 90s.

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🎚️ 10:38 – Waves F6

A dynamic EQ that lets me carve frequencies with precision. Great for taming harsh vocal tones while keeping their natural aggression intact.

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🎚️ 10:56 – SSL EV2 Channel

A classic channel strip with EQ and compression that instantly pushes the mix into a punchy, defined space. The EV2 emulation nails the vibe of vintage SSL consoles.

🔒 11:31 – SSL G Buss Compressor

The ultimate glue compressor. On the master bus, it ties the whole mix together, delivering that “finished record” feel. A must-have for authentic old-school hip hop.

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📼 11:34 – UAD Studer A800

Tape still works magic for rounding out tones and adding warmth. The UAD Studer A800 brings smooth harmonics and natural compression, giving the mix that true ’90s studio flavor.

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🎤 Conclusion

Each plugin plays a role: from the dusty vinyl vibe, to the lo-fi grit of bitcrushing, to the glue of buss compression, and the warmth of tape. Together, they recreate the essence of golden-era hip hop — all inside the box.

👉 Check out the full documentary on my YouTube channel @Sheeninthebox to hear it in action.