5 Simple Ideas That Changed My Mixing Forever

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares five essential mixing tips to improve music production. First, they recommend starting with a static mix, balancing tracks without plugins to create a solid foundation. Next, busing instruments together for efficient processing is highlighted, followed by the importance of using familiar plugins to speed up workflow. They also discuss EQing studio monitors and headphones for accurate sound translation, and focusing on key mix elements like vocals, drums, and bass first. Finally, they introduce reference tracks as a guide to ensure mixes stay in the right ballpark.

Takeaways

• 😀 Static mix: Start by balancing the tracks with faders before adding any plugins. This creates a solid foundation for mixing and speeds up the workflow.
• 😀 Busing instruments together: Group related tracks (e.g., drums, guitars, vocals) into buses. This approach allows for better overall control and simplifies the mixing process.
• 😀 Top-down mixing: Focus on processing whole groups of instruments together before dealing with individual tracks. This can speed up the process and improve the overall mix.
• 😀 Work with familiar plugins: Stick to the plugins you know best to avoid distractions and maintain focus while mixing. This helps maintain consistency and speeds up the workflow.
• 😀 Plugin folder organization: Use your DAW's plugin folder feature to categorize plugins and make it easier to find and use your go-to tools quickly.
• 😀 EQing monitors and headphones: Calibrate your studio monitors and headphones to ensure a more neutral sound. This helps improve mix accuracy and translation across different playback systems.
• 😀 Focus on key elements of the mix: Prioritize mixing the most important elements (e.g., lead vocals, kick, snare, bass) to create a strong foundation before refining the rest.
• 😀 Reference tracks: Use reference tracks to guide your mixing decisions. Don’t copy them but analyze their tone, effects, panning, and other elements to align your mix.
• 😀 Organize your session: Group tracks into categories (e.g., drums, bass, vocals) and use automation to streamline your workflow and make it easier to manage your session.
• 😀 Bonus idea - Experiment in a separate test mix: Test out new plugins or techniques in a separate session, so you're not distracted from the task at hand during a real mix.

Q & A

What is the static mix (rough mix) and why is it important in the mixing process?

The static mix, also known as the rough mix, involves balancing the tracks by adjusting the faders for each instrument before adding any plugins. It helps to establish a solid foundation for the mix, ensuring the key elements like drums, bass, and vocals are balanced and aligned. This approach significantly speeds up the mixing process by providing a clear starting point and guiding future decisions.

How does busing instruments together help with the mixing process?

Busing instruments together allows you to group similar elements, like drums or guitars, into their own channels for easier management and processing. It provides more flexibility and helps you focus on the sound of the entire group rather than individual tracks. This approach, often referred to as top-down mixing, can simplify mixing by applying processing to groups instead of individual instruments.

What is 'top-down mixing,' and how is it used in the script?

'Top-down mixing' refers to the method of processing groups of instruments first (e.g., drums, bass, vocals) before diving into individual tracks. The speaker uses this approach by applying effects and processing to bussed channels for groups like drums or guitars, which streamlines the process and provides a cohesive sound.

Why is it important to work with familiar plugins while mixing?

Working with familiar plugins helps speed up the mixing process because it reduces distractions and ensures you can focus on the music rather than learning new tools. The speaker stresses the importance of using tools you know well to avoid wasting time and to maintain a consistent workflow.

How can organizing plugins into folders improve the mixing process?

By organizing plugins into folders, you can easily access your most-used tools without being distracted by a large number of plugins. The speaker shows how organizing plugins into specific folders within the DAW helps streamline the process, allowing you to quickly find and apply the tools you're most comfortable with.

What is the purpose of EQing studio monitors and headphones?

EQing studio monitors and headphones helps to calibrate them for more accurate sound reproduction, ensuring that the mix translates well across different systems. The speaker discusses using calibration systems like Arc Studio and Harmon curve EQing to improve mix decisions by providing a more neutral and accurate listening environment.

How does EQing headphones to the Harmon curve impact mixing decisions?

EQing headphones to the Harmon curve ensures that they simulate the sound of speakers in a flat, controlled environment. This gives a more accurate representation of the mix, improving the decision-making process during mixing and ensuring that the mix translates well to other systems.

What is the main goal when focusing on the most important elements of a mix?

The main goal is to prioritize the key elements of a mix, such as lead vocals, drums (kick and snare), and bass. These elements usually occupy the center of the stereo field and play a crucial role in modern music. By focusing on these elements first, the rest of the mix will fall into place more easily.

How should you approach mixing when working with different music genres?

When mixing for different genres, the speaker recommends selecting reference tracks that match the style you're working on. For example, mixing a jazz track requires different references than mixing an EDM track. The goal is not to copy the reference track but to study elements like tone, effects, and panning to ensure your mix is within the same ballpark.

What is the purpose of using reference tracks, and how do you use them effectively?

Reference tracks are used to guide your mixing decisions by comparing your mix to professionally mixed songs in the same genre. The purpose is to understand the general tone, effects, panning, and overall balance. While you should never copy a reference track, studying these aspects helps ensure your mix is in line with industry standards.