Ninja Sounds: The Invisible Weapons of Top Producers

Ninja sounds are background sounds in music that don't want to have attention but often receive it due to producer insecurities trying to impress listeners.

• Clear distinction between lead sounds and ninja sounds is super important • Intentionally directing focus to listener's ears is crucial • Example: when Madonna sings, everything else stays in the background

In a mix with one singer and other elements, the vocalist is the lead sound and everything else becomes the ninja sounds that shouldn't draw attention.

Anything can be a ninja sound and anything can be a lead sound depending on how you mix it.

The loudness level is the first and most obvious tool for creating ninja sounds - make elements you want in front louder than any singular background element.

• Vocals can reach -7.2 dB quite loud • All background elements combined shouldn't reach the loudness of the lead vocal • Individual elements like percussion should be significantly quieter

Clear volume difference immediately shows which sounds are leads and which are ninjas in your mix.

Adjusting volume levels creates immediate distinction and helps listeners focus on what matters most.

Equalizing and filtering affects both the loudness and brightness of sounds - opening the filter makes sounds louder and brighter, like a lead sound.

• Ninja sound brightness typically sits around 1 to 10K Hz • Be careful not to eat up midspace • Avoid fighting with your lead sounds

In track drops, ninja sounds can transform into lead sounds by removing filters and opening up frequencies to become brighter and more prominent.

Background rave chords become lead sounds when the drop hits by simply filtering and cutting frequencies to control brightness.

Delays and reverbs diffuse sounds and push them into the background, making everything more ambient and less like a lead sound.

• Heavy reverb on a vocal immediately makes it sound distant and blurry • Reverb and delay diffuse clarity • These effects create ambient, spacious qualities

The same vocal with a heavy reverb effect sounds completely different - blurrier and more blurred compared to the original clear vocal.

Using reverbs and delays is one of the most effective ways to easily turn lead sounds into ninja sounds by pushing them back in the mix.

Starting with a track where loudness and placements are all over the place, requiring strategic decisions about which sounds should be leads and which should be ninjas.

• Vocals as obvious lead sound • Beautiful arpeggiator as second lead sound • All other elements designated as ninja sounds

Making the two lead sounds relatively loud while pushing all other elements down in volume so they don't disturb the primary focus.

When two lead sounds fight each other, use EQ to cut lows, adjust brightness, and create balance so competing elements become ninjas.

Cut super lows, open up mids slightly, and adjust brightness to create more balanced sounds that don't compete with lead vocals.

• Hats can be bright but consider listener age - older audiences prefer brighter, younger prefer darker • Ambient elements need air removed to sit properly • Arpeggiators can be too bright and require pushing back

As vocals fade in a section, the arpeggiator takes on more lead-like qualities, then gets pushed back to ninja status by reducing brightness.

Opening up frequencies slowly creates emphasis on role changes and provides variation while maintaining clear focus on lead sounds.

• Duplicating lead vocals creates more presence but uses more CPU • Making vocals more angular and darker adds character • Adjusting reverb levels on leads enhances transition smoothness

Quick ninja sound decisions bring immediate focus to your track and prevent listener confusion about what matters most.

Vocals deliver emotional and romantic ambience while leads create the main dreamy song impact - clear role distinction strengthens overall message.

A comprehensive mixing masterclass with almost 15 hours of classes covers advanced tricks and tips beyond these fundamental ninja sound concepts.