Mix character
Reggaeton is built on the dembow rhythm: kick on the quarter notes, snare or clap on the 3+3+2 pattern (sixteenth notes), Latin percussion, tempo 88–100 BPM. The vocal is very present, close and dry. Modern Latin pop blends reggaeton, pop, Latin trap, dancehall and traditional elements (guitars, horns, percussion, cumbia, bachata). The mix is warm in the low end, clear on the vocal and has spread-out percussion.
Typical balance
| Element | Level relative to the mix |
|---|
| Vocal | −4/−6 LU |
| Kick | −7/−9 LU |
| 808/bass | −6/−8 LU |
| Dembow snare/clap | −8/−10 LU |
| Percussion (timbales, congas, shaker) | −11/−14 LU |
| Harmony (synths, guitars, piano) | −9/−12 LU |
EQ
- Kick: 50–80 Hz, click 3–5 kHz; steady and powerful on the quarter notes.
- 808/bass: mono fundamental 40–80 Hz, follows the rhythmic pattern; light sidechain (1–3 dB) from the kick.
- Dembow snare: body 200 Hz, crack 2–5 kHz; it must clearly mark out the pattern.
- Vocal: HP 80–120 Hz, presence 2–5 kHz, moderate air; very close.
- Percussion: HP 200–400 Hz, bright but not harsh.
Dynamics
- Vocal: compression 6–10 dB, dry, consistent level.
- Drums: moderate compression and a light clipper.
- Mix bus: glue 1–2 dB.
Space
- Strong center: kick, 808, snare, vocal.
- Percussion at the sides (30–70%).
- Vocal with rhythmic delays (1/8, dotted 1/8) and short reverbs; ad-libs and doubles at the sides.
- Latin pop with guitars and horns: wide guitars, horns as a section.
Layering
- Layered clap and snare on the dembow pattern.
- Lead vocal + tight doubles in the choruses + ad-libs.
Reference loudness
Master −8/−6 LUFS, true peak −1 dBTP, crest factor 6–8 dB.
Reference tracks
Daddy Yankee "Gasolina", J Balvin & Willy William "Mi Gente", Bad Bunny "Tití Me Preguntó", Karol G "Provenza", Rosalía "Despechá".
Common mistakes
- Distant vocal with long reverbs: the genre wants a close vocal.
- Dembow smeared by reverbs on the drums.
- 808 that doesn't follow the rhythm and masks the kick.
- Percussion too loud and harsh.
Starting settings
| Parameter | Value | Why |
|---|
| Vocal | −4/−6 LU, 6–10 dB, dry | Close and present. |
| Percussion | Pan 30–70% | Wide groove. |
| 808 sidechain | 1–3 dB from the kick | Kick always clear. |
| Reverbs | Short, 1/8 delay on the vocal | Defined dembow. |
| Master loudness | −8/−6 LUFS | The genre's level. |
Frequencies to watch
| Range | What to do |
|---|
| 40–80 Hz | Kick on the quarter notes and 808 following the pattern: separation. |
| 200 Hz | Dembow snare body. |
| 2–5 kHz | Snare crack and presence of the close vocal. |
| 6–10 kHz | Percussion and shaker: bright but not harsh. |
Example chain
| Step | Tool | Settings | Why |
|---|
| Drums | Dembow → EQ → bus → light clipper | 1–2 dB | Marked rhythm. |
| 808 | Saturation → sidechain | 1–3 dB | Rhythmic low end. |
| Vocal | EQ → compression → de-esser → delay | 6–10 dB | Close vocal. |
| Percussion | EQ → bus | HP 200–400 Hz | Groove. |
| Master | Glue → limiter | −8/−6 LUFS | Level. |
How to check the result
- Master crest factor 6–8 dB.
- Sub and Bass bands Side/Mid at −20 dB or lower.
- High-mid band: the vocal stands out in every section.
- Correlation +0.3/+0.8.