Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
🔥 FREE GUIDE : "THE FUNDAMENTALS of COMPRESSION"
👉 https://mixdown.online/compression
Stop overthinking your mix bus levels!
In this video, I break down the truth about mix bus gain staging and why you don’t need to stress over hitting specific dB levels.
I’ll walk you through my approach to mix bus levels, show you when and how to adjust your signal, and clarify how analog-modeled plugins play a role in gain staging.
Whether you're mixing fully in the box or using analog gear, this will help you keep things simple and effective.
All You Need to Know About Gain Staging:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHfS_0liDLIOFjYS3pNMbFuPdDZ_Z8OSy
CORRECTION: I mentioned in the video that Klanghelm VUMT is a free plugin, but it’s actually a paid plugin. It was free sometime back, but it’s since become a paid product. Sorry for the confusion!
This video is NOT sponsored.
Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links, you're supporting us in creating more free content.
Thank you for your support! :)
=================================
ELEVATE YOUR SKILLS NOW ➜ JOIN OUR COURSES
=================================
FOR CUBASE
➡️ THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CUBASE - Get FULL CONTROL over CUBASE
👉 https://mixdown.online/cubase
FOR MIXING
➡️ The Ultimate CUBASE MIXING Masterclass - Craft Professional, Radio-Ready Mixes Using Only the Tools Available to You in CUBASE
👉 https://mixdown.online/mix
FOR RECORDING
➡️ PRO HOME RECORDING WITH CUBASE - Discover the secret to recording amazing sounding tracks, in the comfort of your home studio, with the gear you already have.
👉 mixdownacademy.com/recording
FOR MASTERING
➡️ The EASY PATH to PRO Home MASTERING - Learn how to master your music like a pro with simple, effective techniques — no expensive gear required.
👉 mixdownacademy.com/mastering
=================================
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
=================================
Instagram: instagram.com/mixdownonline
Facebook: facebook.com/mixdownonline
Tik Tok: ➡︎ tiktok.com/@mixdownonline
Website: http://mixdown.online
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Why You Should Avoid Peaking Your Mix Bus
01:18 - Should You Gain Stage Your Mix Bus?
02:25 - Digital vs. Analog Plugins: What You Need to Know
03:36 - Understanding Vu Meters & dBFS Levels
04:51 - FREE Guide: The Fundamentals of Compression 📢
05:27 - How Mix Bus Levels Differ from Individual Tracks
06:48 - Using Analog Modeled Plugins on the Mix Bus
08:47 - Adjusting Levels for Analog Gear
10:00 - Keep It Simple
Compare CUBASE Versions: new.steinberg.net/cubase/compare-editions
=================================
Some of the gear and plugins I use in the studio:
=================================
CUBASE 13 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/DKa04a
DAW CONTROLLER Presonus Faderport 16 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/5bXnGn
STREAM DECK ➜ amzn.to/3OFVHaO
MONOGRAM CC ➜ monogramcc.com/shop
SPEAKER CONTROLLER ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/gbvG75
MICROPHONE ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/b3WVKB
STUDIO MONITORS:
KALI Audio IN-8 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/XxQVBM
HEADPHONES:
Audeze MM-500 ➜ audeze.com/products/mm-500
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/vno7MN
Beyer Dynamics DT770 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/LPzQ6O
STUDIO MONITOR CONTROLLER ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/gbvG75
#mixdownonline #chrisselim
🔥 FREE GUIDE : "THE FUNDAMENTALS of COMPRESSION"
👉 https://mixdown.online/compression
Stop overthinking your mix bus levels!
In this video, I break down the truth about mix bus gain staging and why you don’t need to stress over hitting specific dB levels.
I’ll walk you through my approach to mix bus levels, show you when and how to adjust your signal, and clarify how analog-modeled plugins play a role in gain staging.
Whether you're mixing fully in the box or using analog gear, this will help you keep things simple and effective.
All You Need to Know About Gain Staging:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHfS_0liDLIOFjYS3pNMbFuPdDZ_Z8OSy
CORRECTION: I mentioned in the video that Klanghelm VUMT is a free plugin, but it’s actually a paid plugin. It was free sometime back, but it’s since become a paid product. Sorry for the confusion!
This video is NOT sponsored.
Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links, you're supporting us in creating more free content.
Thank you for your support! :)
=================================
ELEVATE YOUR SKILLS NOW ➜ JOIN OUR COURSES
=================================
FOR CUBASE
➡️ THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CUBASE - Get FULL CONTROL over CUBASE
👉 https://mixdown.online/cubase
FOR MIXING
➡️ The Ultimate CUBASE MIXING Masterclass - Craft Professional, Radio-Ready Mixes Using Only the Tools Available to You in CUBASE
👉 https://mixdown.online/mix
FOR RECORDING
➡️ PRO HOME RECORDING WITH CUBASE - Discover the secret to recording amazing sounding tracks, in the comfort of your home studio, with the gear you already have.
👉 mixdownacademy.com/recording
FOR MASTERING
➡️ The EASY PATH to PRO Home MASTERING - Learn how to master your music like a pro with simple, effective techniques — no expensive gear required.
👉 mixdownacademy.com/mastering
=================================
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
=================================
Instagram: instagram.com/mixdownonline
Facebook: facebook.com/mixdownonline
Tik Tok: ➡︎ tiktok.com/@mixdownonline
Website: http://mixdown.online
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Why You Should Avoid Peaking Your Mix Bus
01:18 - Should You Gain Stage Your Mix Bus?
02:25 - Digital vs. Analog Plugins: What You Need to Know
03:36 - Understanding Vu Meters & dBFS Levels
04:51 - FREE Guide: The Fundamentals of Compression 📢
05:27 - How Mix Bus Levels Differ from Individual Tracks
06:48 - Using Analog Modeled Plugins on the Mix Bus
08:47 - Adjusting Levels for Analog Gear
10:00 - Keep It Simple
Compare CUBASE Versions: new.steinberg.net/cubase/compare-editions
=================================
Some of the gear and plugins I use in the studio:
=================================
CUBASE 13 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/DKa04a
DAW CONTROLLER Presonus Faderport 16 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/5bXnGn
STREAM DECK ➜ amzn.to/3OFVHaO
MONOGRAM CC ➜ monogramcc.com/shop
SPEAKER CONTROLLER ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/gbvG75
MICROPHONE ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/b3WVKB
STUDIO MONITORS:
KALI Audio IN-8 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/XxQVBM
HEADPHONES:
Audeze MM-500 ➜ audeze.com/products/mm-500
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/vno7MN
Beyer Dynamics DT770 ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/LPzQ6O
STUDIO MONITOR CONTROLLER ➜ sweetwater.sjv.io/gbvG75
#mixdownonline #chrisselim
