Buster Odeholm: Mixing 'In Solitude'

Buster Odeholm, a leading figure in contemporary extreme metal production and mastermind behind Humanity’s Last Breath and Vildhjarta, showcases his innovative approach to mixing 'In Solitude'. Known for his signature tones and unconventional workflows, Odeholm’s mix embodies the dense, heavy, and hyper-processed aesthetics of modern deathcore.

🎵 Access the multitracks, stems, and audio exports for free: https://huddersfield.box.com/s/8gren2...
This interview is part of Heaviness in Metal Music Production (HIMMP), a research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), grant reference AH/T010991/1. Hosted at the University of Huddersfield, UK, the project was led by Dr Jan Herbst and Dr Mark Mynett.
Learn more about HIMMP at www.himmp.net.

📢 Watch now to explore Otero’s innovative techniques and his approach to balancing natural dynamics with modern heaviness.

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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Session Approach
01:46 - Kick Drum Processing
05:18 - Snare Processing
10:20 - Parallel Processing Approach
15:04 - Tom Processing and Bleed Reduction
20:07 - Room Mic Processing
26:41 - Bass Processing Approach
38:15 - Low-End Management
43:25 - Guitar Processing
55:28 - Vocal Processing Chain
01:05:00 - Orchestral Elements Processing
01:18:32 - Master Bus Processing

Detailed Timestamps
00:08 - First approach to the multitrack and assessing different performance sections
00:43 - Template approach and routing structure
01:15 - Instrument bus compression and master bus routing
01:54 - Initial approach to kick drum processing
02:17 - Using Drum Leveler for dynamics control
02:42 - Sample selection approach
03:15 - Demonstration of kick samples
03:36 - Phase relationship importance
04:17 - Kick EQ and tone matching approach
04:49 - Compressor settings for kick attack
05:18 - Kick reverb approach
05:46 - Room blend for ambient depth

06:00 - Snare drum processing approach
06:43 - Sample selection for snare
07:29 - Snare bus processing and EQ strategies
08:12 - Using distortion to thicken snare tone
09:14 - Multiple EQ stages explanation
10:20 - Parallel processing buses explanation
10:59 - Parallel "sustain" bus demonstration
11:45 - Distortion parallel approach
12:29 - Focusing distortion in mid-range frequencies
13:09 - Dry bus explanation

13:39 - Routing other drums to parallel processing
14:06 - Tom sample blending approach
15:04 - Handling bleed in tom microphones
15:29 - Bow San technique for bleed reduction
16:15 - Transient designer for bleed control
17:20 - Tom reverb sends

19:29 - Using multiple tom samples
20:07 - Room mic processing approach
20:39 - Room EQ and tone matching
21:33 - Using transient designer instead of compression
22:23 - Room mic stereo imaging approach
23:39 - Room reverb approach

26:26 - Snare replacement in breakdown sections
26:41 - Bass processing approach
27:21 - Sub bass processing chain
28:21 - Distortion on low frequencies
29:29 - Side-chain approach for kick priority
30:36 - Side-chaining only low frequencies
32:11 - Grit channel processing

36:20 - Stereo bass approach
37:40 - Bass bus processing
38:15 - Multiband compression on bass
40:10 - Bass tone and compression philosophy
41:40 - Phase alignment with Pi plugin

43:25 - Guitar processing approach
44:02 - Using three different guitar tracks
44:50 - Guitar signal chain
45:48 - Parallel overdrive before amp
47:21 - Guitar amp settings
48:50 - Stereo width philosophy
50:24 - Mid/side EQ processing for guitars
52:30 - Guitar tone matching approach
53:54 - Attack shaping for palm-muted guitars
55:28 - Tape saturation for guitars

55:56 - Vocal processing chain
56:41 - Vocal bus processing
58:23 - Dynamic EQ for vocal consistency
59:48 - Vocal Rider automation
01:00:55 - Vocal effects sends
01:02:58 - Multiple reverb approach
01:04:26 - Vocal delay and widening effects

01:05:00 - Synth and orchestral processing
01:06:04 - High-pass filtering approach
01:07:20 - Using Gullfoss for sustained sounds
01:14:00 - String and brass processing
01:16:34 - Reverb approach for orchestral elements

01:18:32 - Master bus chain
01:19:13 - Master bus compression philosophy
01:22:31 - EQ moves on the master bus
01:24:30 - Multiband compression approach
01:27:07 - Master bus distortion
01:29:43 - Distortion impact on low end
01:31:03 - Gullfoss on master bus
01:33:17 - Limiting approach and loudness targets