Deep house music is a genre that has its roots in Chicago house music, combining the pulsing 4-on-the-floor signature beat of traditional house music with harmonies and bass lines inspired by jazz and funk. In this video, we will cover the fundamental tools and basic techniques of mastering deep house music. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to master deep house tracks that sound polished and professional.

Introduction to Deep House Music

Deep house music is known for its unique identity and distinct sound. It incorporates elements such as 4-on-the-floor kick drums, winning hi-hats, gospel cut vocal samples, bouncy chord progressions, and funk-infected bass lines. Originating from disco, house music has evolved into various genres and subgenres of electronic music, influencing pop music, hip hop, and other modern music styles. The cultural impact of house music continues to inspire new generations of fans, music technology, and innovations.

Understanding the Deep House Track

In this tutorial, we have a stylish and punchy deep house track with EDM synth, vocal chops, muted guitars, bass, piano, and groovy bits. Before we dive into the mastering techniques, let’s first have a listen to the track before and after mastering to understand the transformation.

Mastering Chain and Techniques

  1. EQ Techniques:

    • Using the “Smart Orange EQ,” cut out the very low frequencies up to 25Hz in the midsection, as well as the low end up to 110Hz on the sides.
    • Cut certain frequencies in the 180 and 500Hz range in the midsection to reduce boxiness and enhance punch.
    • Cut the ringing frequency at around 1.6kHz in the percussion area for a cleaner sound.
    • Clear out the base frequencies on the sides to create space for the kick drum and bassline.

  2. Adding Warmth and Punch:

    • Use the “Mod Blue EQ” to add warmth and punch by boosting at 160Hz in the mid-section.
    • Boost the mid-frequency region (around 800 to 1kHz) to bring out the piano and synth lines.

  3. Enhancing the High-End:

    • Give the high end a lift by boosting the high frequencies in the upper range (around 8kHz) to bring out the percussion and give the kick more attack.
    • Boost around 6.8kHz on the sides to enhance the presence of the synth.

  4. Compression Techniques:

    • Apply glue compression using the “Vertigo VCS3” compressor to bring the kick drum closer to the bassline and improve presence without crushing the peaks.
    • Utilize multiband compression on the low mids (around 300-600Hz) to control dynamics and focus that frequency range.
    • Use parallel compression for power and punch, using extreme settings like a ratio of 10:1, short attack time, and blended back subtly in the mix.

  5. Harmonic Enhancement:

    • Apply harmonic processing using the “Aroma Harmonic Processor” to add bigness, mid-range bite, and enhance the low-mid frequencies while maintaining a natural and cohesive feel.

  6. Loudness and Limiting:

    • Use a limiter to increase the overall loudness of the track and bring it up to a commercial level, while preserving the dynamics and power.
    • Aim for a loudness level around -9 LUFS for deep house music, but for YouTube purposes, around -12 LUFS is sufficient.

By following these mastering techniques and using the right tools, you can achieve a polished and professional sound for your deep house tracks. Remember, the main goal of mastering is to ensure the music translates well on different sound systems while retaining its quality, punch, and energy.

Conclusion

Mastering deep house music requires a combination of technical knowledge, a good set of tools, and a keen ear for detail. By employing EQ techniques, adding warmth and punch, utilizing compression, enhancing harmonics, and applying effective limiting, you can elevate your deep house tracks to a professional level. Remember to experiment, trust your ears, and always strive for a balance between loudness and dynamics. With practice and experience, you’ll become an expert at mastering deep house music and creating tracks that sound great on any playback system.

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