The Pro’s Mix Buss: How Grammy-Winning Engineer David ‘Yungin’ Kim Crafts a Clean, Powerful Sound
Mastering the Mix Buss is a crucial step to achieving a professional, clear, and powerful mix that stands out on any platform. In this article, we’ll explore the Mix Buss setup of Grammy-winning mix engineer David “Yungin” Kim, known for his pristine, punchy mixes across genres like pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Let’s dive into his approach, including the plugins he uses to bring that signature clean and defined sound to the final mix.
1. Knif Audio Soma: Precise EQ for a Clear, Defined Sound
The first plugin in David’s Mix Buss chain is the Knif Audio Soma, a passive tube EQ that delivers clean, modern mastering precision. David uses it in Mid/Side mode, enhancing stereo clarity and spatial depth.
Key settings:
- For the Mid section, he boosts 2 dB at 39 Hz in low shelving mode to give depth without overloading the low end.
- In the Side section, he cuts 1 dB at 47 kHz in shelving mode, controlling high frequencies and keeping them from becoming too harsh.
- He applies the Mono Maker at 150 Hz, centering low frequencies to stabilize the mix.
- Adds a 0.5 dB boost at 3 kHz with a peaking filter, enhancing vocal clarity and intelligibility—essential for vocal-centric genres like pop and R&B.
2. UAD SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor: Smooth, Transparent Compression for Cohesion
David turns to the UAD SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor for transparent compression, known for delivering that cohesive, “glued” mix sound.
Key settings:
- Gentle compression with only a few decibels of gain reduction, preserving the mix’s natural dynamics.
- An attack time of 1 ms to let fast transients pass through, and a 2:1 ratio for smooth control.
- Release is set to Auto for responsive dynamics.
- Sidechain enabled up to 150 Hz, preventing the compressor from overreacting to low-end frequencies.
Free Alternative:
For those without this plugin, The Glue compressor offers similar characteristics and is a great, accessible option for creating a cohesive sound.
3. MixHead Tape Saturation: Adding Analog Warmth and Depth
Next, David uses the MixHead Tape Saturation plugin to add warmth and depth that emulates analog tape, enriching the mix’s texture.
How he uses it:
- Adds subtle harmonic content, enriching the mix’s depth without overwhelming it or introducing excessive distortion.
4. The Good Particle Plugin: Adding Texture and Definition
Following the saturation, David incorporates The Good Particle Plugin with a 50% mix level and disables its limiter feature. This allows him to introduce subtle texture without further limiting.
This plugin adds clarity and precision that enhances the mix’s sonic complexity while maintaining spatial depth.
5. Gold Clipper: Aggressive Peak Control
A critical element in David’s chain is the Gold Clipper, which applies controlled peak clipping for a more polished and punchy sound.
Why a clipper?
- Clipping helps manage extreme transients, creating a compact, punchy sound without overly aggressive peak management. This allows the mix to sound full and clear without compromising musicality.
6. Limitless Plugin: Final Limiting for Volume Consistency
To wrap up the chain, David uses the Limitless Plugin, an advanced limiter that provides control over the final output level without sacrificing dynamics.
Key settings:
- Sets the threshold to -5 dB, maintaining a consistent volume across the mix.
- The ceiling is fine-tuned to prevent unwanted clipping.
- Release is set to 200 ms, ensuring a controlled response that avoids pumping and preserves the mix’s natural flow.
7. FabFilter Pro-L2: Final Precision Limiting
David’s final plugin in the chain is the FabFilter Pro-L2, providing precision limiting to achieve a balanced, professional sound.
Why Pro-L2?
The Pro-L2’s advanced limiting and dithering control allow fine adjustments to maximize loudness while retaining quality. It’s intuitive and highly customizable, letting David fine-tune his mix for the optimal balance of clarity and loudness.
Here are some Waves Audio plugins that serve as alternatives for the ones you mentioned:
- Knif Audio Soma (Precise EQ)
- Alternative: Waves F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ – A dynamic EQ with precise control and flexibility, suitable for transparent and detailed equalization.
- SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor (Smooth Compression)
- Alternative: Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor – Part of the Waves SSL 4000 Collection, it offers the same style of smooth, cohesive compression that’s iconic for mix bus applications.
- Mix Head Tape Saturation
- Alternative: Waves J37 Tape – Emulates the analog tape saturation from the classic Abbey Road Studios’ tape machines, adding warmth, harmonics, and subtle saturation.
- God of Particle
- Alternative: Waves Vitamin Sonic Enhancer – Adds presence, warmth, and depth to a mix. It works similarly by enhancing clarity and density, useful for modern mixes.
- Gold Clipper (Aggressive Peak Control)
- Alternative: Waves L1 Ultramaximizer – A peak limiter that provides aggressive peak control and maximization. It’s great for adding loudness while maintaining punch.
- Limitless Plugin (Final Limiting)
- Alternative: Waves L3 Multimaximizer – A multi-band limiter with adaptive threshold control, designed for transparent limiting and consistency across the final mix.
- FabFilter Pro-L2 (Precision Limiting)
- Alternative: Waves L2 Ultramaximizer – A well-known limiter with precision controls, great for achieving clear, final limiting while preserving the mix dynamics.
These Waves plugins offer similar features and functions, making them effective alternatives within the Waves ecosystem.
Conclusion
With this carefully crafted plugin chain, David “Yungin” Kim creates mixes that are clean, cohesive, and ready for release across any platform. By combining EQ, compression, saturation, clipping, and limiting, he’s able to capture a professional sound that brings out the best in each track.
Plugheads, try experimenting with these plugins and settings in your own Mix Buss chain. With some practice, you can add a professional touch to your mixes and get closer to the polished sound of top engineers. Happy mixing!