▚ When building very complex layered sounds it’s helpful to think in linear terms — even for very short sounds, each important sonic event should have space to speak in the timeline. One after the other rather than all at once. If you can easily sing/vocalize your sounds that’s a good sign.
▚ While stacking multiple sounds for a single layer be mindful of what you want to accomplish with each individual sonic element: Is it boom? Punch? Presence? Crackle? Air? Texture? Space? Scale? Snap? It can be tempting to keep on stacking, but too much will only lead to muddy, unfocused, weak sound.
▚ The elements in your layers should not be competing for the same space in the frequency spectrum. this can be hard to avoid when the mix gets busy — don’t be stingy with volume+eq automation. carve space out, weave things together.
▚ Use your ears! Relying too much on visual representations like EQ curves, waveforms or automation curves can be misleading. Close your eyes every now and then and listen.
In the video:
1. Computer sounds
2. Engine sounds
3. Mechanical/body sounds
4. All together