Base Volume

Base Volume in Cryo Mix

TL;DR: Base Volume sets the loudness target for an individual track in Cryo Mix. It gives you precise ±dB steps when the normal volume slider isn’t enough - without changing tone or EQ.

Base Volume controls overall loudness, not “bass” (low frequencies). It doesn’t change highs/mids/lows or EQ - Base Volume simply tells Cryo Mix how loud that track is allowed to be overall.

It’s most useful when your regular volume slider is already at 100%, but the track still feels too quiet compared to the rest of your mix.

You can use Base Volume on any audio source - vocals, drums, guitars, synths, or full mix stems. (Stems = separate exported tracks like “drums”, “bass”, “vocals”.)

---

When to Use Base Volume in Cryo Mix

Use Base Volume when you need to push a track slightly louder than the standard fader allows, without changing its tone.

Typical situations:

• A very dynamic recording of a vocal, guitar, piano, or synth etc. needs an extra boost to sit better in the mix.
• Your drum bus (a group channel that holds all your drums) or 808 feels too soft even with the volume slider maxed.
• You want to rebalance stems inside Cryo Mix without re-exporting from your DAW.

Think of Base Volume as a “hidden extra fader” that nudges a track up or down a few dB so the balance feels right.

---

Pro Tips & Creative Uses

• Use Base Volume before chasing overall Loudness
  If one track feels weak, try increasing the Base Volume on that track instead of increasing overall Loudness for the whole mix.

• Shape How Processing Reacts Increasing Base Volume drives more level into the processing chain, causing compression, saturation, and other dynamics-based tools to react more aggressively. This can result in punchier drums, denser instruments, or more upfront vocals.

  To prevent clipping, Cryo Mix automatically applies a transparent limiter when Base Volume is pushed high. This allows Base Volume to be used creatively - driving into the limiter for added impact and density, then reducing the final Volume slider to set a clean output level.

  Used tastefully, this can enhance impact and cohesion; pushed too far, it may reduce dynamics or sound over-processed.

• Create “feature moments”
  For a guitar solo, lead synth, or hook vocal, raise Base Volume slightly so that section pops more in the mix.

---

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mistake 1: Confusing Base Volume with “bass” (low frequencies)

• Problem: You try to make the mix “bassier” using Base Volume.
• Fix: Base Volume changes loudness, not bass. For more low-end, adjust Lows / EQ instead.

Mistake 2: Turning Base Volume up too much (distortion or pumping)

• Problem: Pushing Base Volume too high can drive compressors/limiters too hard, causing:

  • Distortion (harsh, gritty sound)
  • Pumping / squashed dynamics (unnatural volume movement or overly flat sound)

• Fix:

  • Back Base Volume down a slightly and compare.
  • Aim for small adjustments rather than extreme boosts.
  • If you need a lot more loudness, also check recording level and your Compression/Dynamics settings.

Mistake 3: Using Base Volume to fix a bad mix balance by itself

• Problem: Cranking Base Volume on one track instead of balancing multiple tracks can still lead to a messy mix.
• Fix: Use Base Volume to fine-tune, not to correct a totally unbalanced mix. Make small moves across vocals, drums, bass, and main instruments so they work together.

Mistake 4: Raising Base Volume on too many tracks at once

• Problem: If everything is louder, nothing sounds louder - and you lose headroom.
• Fix: Choose which elements should be in front (lead vocal, main melody) and boost those slightly. Keep supporting elements lower so the mix stays clear and dynamic.