Maddox "MaddMix" Chhim is a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum Mixing Engineer who worked with impressive names like Tyga, 21 Savage, Labrinth, DA Got That Dope, Famous Dex, Kid Ink, Poo Bear, and many more.
Learning audio production on SSL consoles at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles Maddox now works mainly In The Box using BX consoles a lot. Check out the interview to learn about his production work, his thoughts on the bx_console AMEK 9099, and how a young French horn player became a major Hip Hop mixing engineer.
Find his FREE bx_console AMEK 9099 presets in the Download section below!
Starting out playing trumpet and French horn, what’s your story of becoming a multi-platinum mixing engineer?
First off, how did you find this out? HAHA! I tried out for band when I was in 6th grade, and I initially tried out for the drums. I did good but when I tried out for trumpet, I had an excellent audition according to my band instructor. I played trumpet for about a year and was promoted to French Horn since we didn’t have any French horn players in the band. 2 years later I quit because I thought it was kinda nerdy and wasn’t really into it anymore. Little did I know my whole career as a mix engineer would be way more technical and nerdier. Lol! Like any other kid who wanted to become an audio engineer, I went to a recording engineering school in Florida “Fulsail University.” Shortly after I graduated, I moved to Los Angeles where I landed an internship at Larrabee Studios. Did the usual intern stuff for about a year then landed an assistant gig with the goat Jaycen Joshua! Jaycen's mix bootcamp is where I learned all the mix techniques and secrets that would help me find my way to become the multi-platinum mixing engineer I am today. Thanks Jay!
You mentioned working at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles, which is a well-equipped studio with lots of large format consoles. How did your time there shape your workflow?
When I got to Larrabee every room had an SSL 9000J and one room had the G. Intimidating if you didn’t know your stuff...and I did not know much at the time. When I was an assistant, I specifically learned Jaycen's workflow. Of course, I didn’t tell him I had no idea what I was doing. I just figured it out. I built my workflow off his. I started out with analog summing and had an SSL fusion 2 bus processor and mixed with that for a while. But with plugins like the BX console collection from Plugin Alliance I am completely in the box now.
One big project was mixing 21 Savage. Can you tell us a bit about how did this come about?
In 2018 I decided to move from LA to Atlanta. Right when I got here, I got a phone call from an A&R at the label to come to the studio. That’s where I met Savage and his team, and they wanted to bring me on for the project. The had a very tight deadline and it would be best if they could work with a local mixer which was me. I was luckily at the right place at the right time. This was my moment I’ve been preparing for my whole mix career. All I had to do was execute and deliver the mixes. Everything worked out thank god! The song “A Lot” that I mixed won a Grammy for “Best Rap Song.”
For the track ‘A Lot’ you used the Black Box HG-2, and the bx_digital V3, right? Any other plugins from Plugin Alliance that you use regularly, and if so, why?
I’ve been using the BX console collection for the analog channels. All you need to do is run it through the plugin and go through the random channels and this can sit your vocals or music in the mix a way you would’ve never thought of. Also, SPL IRON, Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, SPL Transient Designer, Millennia NSEQ-2, and many more.
You also prepared some custom presets for the latest bx_console AMEK 9099. What do you think about the console plugin?
The AMEK 9099 is another Plugin Alliance weapon I've added to my mix arsenal. Being in the box and having the analog channels at my fingertips allows me to have the width you get from a real console, but in the box! The smooth EQ is great on my vocals and I can get flabby kicks and bass nice and tight with the compressor. One of my favorite features on the AMEK is the stereo width knob. I'll be using this on a lot of my future mixes! Hope you guys enjoy the presets! I use them a lot!
Can you tell us a little bit about the presets you created and how you use them?
I created a few for the AMEK 9099. My favorite ones are the wide synth and wide vocal preset. For the wide synth preset it works great when you need to add space and depth to your synths. The wide vocal preset is the same concept. What I love about the analog channels is that you can run them through different channels by clicking the random channel button and since the left and right side of the channels are slightly different it creates this nice stereo image. The Dbrooks bass, snare, and guitar preset makes the sound pop and come to life!
MaddMix bx_console AMEK 9099 Presets
Any projects that stand out for you?
I get a lot of mix inquires in my email. My personal favorites are the talented undiscovered artists. It's always fun to find and craft their sound. Sonically that sound being me as a mixing engineer. It's pretty satisfying.
Can you tell us anything about current or future projects?
A Latin album I mixed for an artist named Camilo titled “Mis Manos” is out now! He’s HUGE in the Latin world. Plugin Alliance was definitely used in the process! The album and songs will potentially be recognized at this year's Latin Grammy! Wish us luck! :)
Due to the high level of interest, the BX team is working hard to make the dark version of AMEK 9099 available to you as soon as possible. Please stay tuned!
Download
MaddMix bx_console AMEK 9099 Presets
To use the MaddMix bx_console AMEK 9099 presets included in this *.zip file, please follow these steps:
- Download the *.zip file and unzip it to your computer
- Locate the artist presets folder on your hard disk and copy the unzipped presets to the folder
Depending on your operating system, the folder location may vary:
WINDOWS
VST3:
User\Documents\VST3 Presets\Plugin Alliance\’Plugin’
TFX (ProTools):
User\Documents\Pro Tools\Plug-In Settings\’Plugin’
MAC OS
AU + VST 3:
User\Library\Audio\Presets\'Plugin'
TFX (ProTools):
User\Documents\Pro Tools\Plug-In Settings\'Plugin'
The presets are now installed, and you can access them via the bx_console AMEK 9099 plugin.