Dan's Mixes

I'm Dan. I mainly digitally mix and master metal for compact disc and digital distribution.
You can reach me at dansmixes AT protonmail DOT com.

Partial Credits:

Why Digital and "In the Box?"

Digital signal processing leapfrogged analog processing in functionality while surpassing it in cleanliness years ago.
Most of the clean, modern workhorse hardware was discontinued when live sound transitioned to disposable digital mixers.
Digital plugins replaced them for production. Most "new" equipment is now a clone of ancient, distorted analog hardware.
In short, it is meant to sound cool rather than solve problems. Constantly reconverting causes a distortion buildup too.
Keeping the signal in the box avoids that, allows for instant recall, and avoids equipment failure impacting later work.

Hardware Used:

• A top of the line and silent Digital Audio Workstation computer and various laptops.
• KRK 6000 and V6 monitors. The glorified boomboxes give these a bad name. These are accurate and coherent sounding.
• Fostex 6301 midrange microscopes.
• JBL LSR 305 mkII. Nasty workhorses of the digital era.
• Adcom amplification modded by the legendary Jim Williams for increased clarity.
• Various Apogee and MOTU converters.
• Various hi-fi systems for reference, e.g. JBL and Dynaudio.
• Various headphones for tracking and reference, e.g. Sennheiser and Koss.
• Various microphones for overdubs, e.g. Shure and Electro-Voice.
• Kensington Expert Trackball. The greatest DAW controller ever.

Software Used:

• REAPER Digital Audio Workstation.
• The complete Tokyo Dawn Labs, Sound Radix, GoodHertz, Massenburg DesignWorks, Klanghelm, and Fuse Audio Labs bundles.
• Various plugins from other developers, e.g. Acon, Izotope, PSP, Sonnox Oxford, Softube, and U-he.

References:

• Tsalal. Tsalal is a great drummer who is available for session work.

• Hessian Firm. Hessian Firm is a French label that specializes in melodic dark metal.

• Sirrohga. Sirrohga is a killer raw, melodic black metal band from the USA.

• Burning Hatred Productions. Web 1.0 black metal cassette mastering and dubs.

• Devil Machine. Black metal inspired dark techno, gabber, and industrial music.