It’s easy to get a good mix going if you have a set idea of what you’re trying to accomplish. Going from one action to another can quickly create a chaotic music mixing situation.
You might start out doing levels, then switch to panning and then think about some distortion tips you want to try. Then all of a sudden you don’t really know where your mix is going. I like structure when working, so it’s good for me to have some sort of work flow when mixing.
Instead of bouncing from one music mixing idea to another, follow these tips here below and you’ll be well on your way to that mix that’s in your head. It’s a typical 80/20 setting, 80% of the results with 20% of the techniques.
1. Volume
You can’t have your tracks all over the place. And you can’t have all your tracks at the same volume either. You need to keep instruments and the elements in the mix at a steady and balanced level, without abnormal level changes popping out all over the place. Pushing up the faders and getting a balanced mix is the first order of business after you’ve recorded and edited your tracks.
2. Panning
Stereo is important. You don’t want all of your tracks fighting for the center. For instance, panning out the drum-kit is an important way to expand and establish the stereo spectrum.
If you have all sorts of different elements and instruments, you need to find a place for them in the stereo spectrum. Pan everything around until you’ve found a good balance.
Keep in mind that you don’t want to tip the balance of instruments too much to the right or left either.
Instead, try to find a good equilibrium and balance between the left and right speaker.
3. EQ
The first music mixing tool after leveling and panning. Equalization is an incredible useful tool for enhancing the sonic colors of your instruments. Cutting out unwanted frequencies and boosting the fundamental characteristics of instruments is what EQ is all about. Repair by cutting, and enhance by boosting.
4. Compression
Compression is what makes your mix breathe. It can also squash your mix and choke out the naturalness of it. Depending on genre, instrument and other considerations, the approach to compression varies.
We could decide to completely squash down a room microphone for a punchier drum sound, but we would never compress a beautiful vocal to such an extreme. Your approach to compression is a big factor in how your mix will end up.
5. Depth
Just like we put instruments from left to right with panning, we need to position elements from front to back. By using effects, like reverb, delay and chorus we create depth in a mix. You can’t distinguish any space in your mix if all the elements are dry and in your face.
You won’t enjoy listening to a two dimensional sound picture as much as a three dimensional mix filled with interesting effects creating depth and diversity in your mix. Just like some elements deserve to be in the middle of the stereo spectrum, and aren’t panned, there are also some elements that deserve to be dry and up front.
Which elements? That’s mainly up to you and your taste.
Plus a little creativity
Between these five tips and a little extra creativity on your part, I’m positive your next mix will be a solid blend of well balanced and panned tracks, correctly carved EQ and steady compression.
Sprinkled with a subtle blend of interesting effects, you might just have created your greatest mix yet.
What do you think? Am I forgetting anything or will this (mostly) get the job done?
For more mixing tips like these, as well as an in-depth guide on planning the perfect mix, check out Mixing Strategies right here.
Image by: Eyeliam
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5 Comments on "The Only Music Mixing Tips You’ll Need"
hi i enjoy your tips and i congratulate you because of your accuracy. i havea quastion : How can i learn to use DEPTH in my mixes ? i undrestand it in professional musics but can not do it . yhanks because of your help. please send me if you can : rasband.m@gmail.com
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