Weird way of doing Tonal & Stereo Balance (Patreon)

In this video, I share my personal method for matching the tonal balance of a track to a reference using Bitwig Studio’s native tools. Instead of relying solely on visual EQs, I use a combination of frequency splitting, peak limiters, and mid-side processing to analyze and adjust frequency content across low, mid, and high bands. This approach helps align my mix’s "busyness" and width with a reference track, ensuring it sits well in a competitive loudness and spectral range.

Steps I Follow:

Analyze the Reference Track:

Use EQ+ to visualize the reference track’s frequency spectrum (purple overlay) alongside my track.

Normalize the reference track with a Peak Limiter (target ~-1 dB) to ensure consistent loudness.

Split Frequencies with FX3:

Insert FX3 on my track and set crossover points to 0.5 (OTT-style splits):

Low: 0–88 Hz

Mid: 88–3520 Hz

High: 3520+ Hz

Measure and Adjust Band Levels:

Add a Peak Limiter to each FX3 band.

Lower the ceiling on each limiter until gain reduction occurs (e.g., -3.5 dB for lows, -1 dB for mids/highs).

Adjust input gain in each band to match the reference’s perceived "busyness" (e.g., reduce bass if the low band is overloading).

Optional Mid-Side Matching:

Use a Mid-Side Split to compare and adjust the stereo width of my track against the reference.

Apply separate limiters to mid and side channels for precise control.

Final Processing:

Add a clipper or compressor after the FX3 to glue the bands together and achieve final loudness.

Use EQ+ in mid/side mode to refine high-end or low-end balance if needed.

Why This Works:

The FX3+limiter combo acts as both a visual and dynamic guide, highlighting where frequencies exceed the reference’s balance.

Mid-side adjustments ensure the track’s width matches the reference without phase issues.

All tools are native to Bitwig, keeping the workflow lightweight and intuitive.