4 Tips on How to Effectively Use Saturation in Your Mix

The Secret of Saturation

Although, in many cases, a misunderstood process, saturation in music production can enrich the sound in your mix. It refers to when music was produced and recorded strictly in the analog domain. Back then, mix and recording engineers had to be careful with the levels of the recorded audio signal fed to the tape machines. If the motion were too low, the type of noise called "Hiss "would overwhelm the entire mix. On the other hand, if the signal were too high, the phenomenon known as saturation would occur. Accordingly, this saturated type of sound produced by tape machines quickly became used in music production. It created a pleasant tone with natural compression and limiting characteristics. Today, we have a wide variety of digital tape recorder emulators available, which, more or less, accurately produce the same tape effect. Here are four tips to help you apply the saturation effect more effectively in your mix.  

1. The Use of Saturation on Drum Sounds
   The mentioned effect can be applied to a wide variety of audio signals. In my opinion, saturation sounds better when applied to certain types of sounds only. Drums are maybe one of the best sounds to be processed with it. You can not go wrong with recording live drums using the finest microphones and preamps, but even then, they could sound even better with some grit and attitude. Saturation can significantly help with that while not overcoloring the original sound of the drums. It will add a certain amount of harmonics, which sounds pleasing to the ear of the listener. Also, it will introduce a bit of natural compression and perceived loudness. You can go extreme with the overall amount of saturation. However, you'll get the best effect when you apply only reasonable, small amounts.  
2. Warming up Those Synths
   Another effective way of using the saturation effect would be by applying it to the synth sequences. So, you can push virtual emulations of the analog synthesizers a bit closer to the original. When used correctly on the soft synth sounds, it will add necessary harmonics grit, bring them more upfront, and finally make them louder.  
3. Effective on Vocals as Well
   You may think that saturation has no place in the treatment of the vocals. However, be sure that vocals can shine after being carefully processed by saturation. By placing the tape emulation effect on the vocal recording and increasing the drive parameter, you will instantly hear how the vocal sounds "fuller." Moreover, one more helpful aspect will occur. Harsh sounds in the vocal recording, like "S" and "C," will be softened and therefore sound more pleasant to the ear.  
4. Using It on the Master Bus
   Saturation will find a handy place on the master bus as well and introduce an analog quality to it. All in all, be very gentle with the amount you apply. If you use it too much, it can ruin your mix and eat up the transients.