10 Years of Mixing Advice in 10 Minutes

Summary

In this reflective video, the creator marks a decade since purchasing their first MIDI keyboard, sharing hard-earned lessons and common mistakes from their journey into music production. They discuss the importance of arrangement and production over mixing for a cohesive sound, the limitations of full-range presets, and the significance of phase checking in sample layering. The creator also emphasizes the importance of efficient software use, the end of the loudness war, and the value of context when mixing tracks. They debunk the myth that 'it's all about the ear, not the gear,' and caution against online advice, urging viewers to discern truth from nonsense in the pursuit of mastering their craft.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The speaker has been involved with music production for 10 years, starting as a hobby and evolving into a full-time job with their own studio.
• 🔨 The importance of fixing arrangement and production issues before mixing, as they cannot be fully resolved in the mix alone.
• 🎚️ The challenge of mixing competing tracks and the need for elements to groove around each other for a natural mix.
• 🌐 The full-range nature of many presets and the necessity to make compromises to allow the song to breathe.
• 🔁 The significance of checking phase when layering samples, especially in the low end, to avoid cancellation.
• 🔍 The 'five click rule' for optimizing workflow in DAW software to avoid unnecessary clicks and streamline processes.
• 📊 The end of the loudness wars, with professionals often disregarding streaming service specifications in favor of song-specific loudness.
• 🎚️ The misconception that soloing channels is beneficial during mixing; it's more efficient to work in context with other tracks.
• 🛠️ The acknowledgment that while 'it's about the ear, not the gear,' having the right tools and equipment is crucial for accurate music production.
• 🤔 The caution against taking online advice at face value, as it can often be misleading or incorrect without context.
• 🚫 A warning against any 'formulas' or 'methods' for music production, emphasizing the creative and individual nature of the process.

Q & A

How long has it been since the speaker bought their first MIDI keyboard?

It has been exactly 10 years since the speaker bought their first MIDI keyboard.

What initially inspired the speaker to start making beats?

The speaker was inspired by some of their favorite artists to start making beats.

What was the speaker's approach to learning music production when they started?

The speaker bought the cheapest MIDI keyboard they could find, loaded up free software, and started making beats in their bedroom for fun.

How did the speaker's music production evolve over the years?

Over the years, the speaker evolved from a hobbyist to running their own studio and turning music production into a full-time job.

What is the speaker's view on mixing competing tracks?

The speaker believes that the issue with mixing competing tracks should be fixed in the arrangement and production, not just in the mix.

Why does the speaker suggest that the mindset of allowing tracks to groove around each other is important?

This mindset shift helps tracks sound more confident, have more purpose, and groove well, which can make them mix themselves more easily.

What is the issue with using full-range presets according to the speaker?

Full-range presets can make it difficult to stack other elements on top of them, requiring compromises to let the song breathe.

Why is checking the phase of samples important, especially in the low end?

Checking the phase of samples is crucial to ensure that waveforms reinforce each other rather than cancel out, which can happen if they are out of phase.

What is the 'Five Click Rule' mentioned by the speaker?

The 'Five Click Rule' is a personal guideline the speaker uses to find a more efficient way to do tasks in their DAW if they require more than five clicks.

What has the speaker observed about the loudness war and mastering practices among professional engineers?

The speaker has observed that the loudness war is over and loudness has won, with most professional engineers disregarding streaming service specifications in favor of what's best for the song.

Why does the speaker advise against soloing channels when mixing?

Soloing channels can slow down the mixing process and lead to ear fatigue, as it's easy to make things sound good in solo but then have to adjust when they don't fit with the rest of the mix.

What is the speaker's stance on the importance of having the right equipment for music production?

The speaker believes that while skill is important, having the right equipment is also crucial and should not be dismissed as unimportant.

What misconception does the speaker want to clear up about online advice and formulas for music production?

The speaker wants to clear up the misconception that there are formulas or exact methods for producing a hit song or a perfect mix, emphasizing that music production is a creative process without such formulas.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to connect with the community and offer value?

The speaker suggests sharing advice and insights, like the ones in the script, to connect with the community and offer value, especially to those starting out in music production.