14 Mixing Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started
EDM Tips・23 minutes read
Investing in quality headphones or studio monitors improves mixing results and career opportunities. Utilize tools like Spectrum analyzers and mono switches for better frequency analysis and balance levels effectively while prioritizing top-down mixing approaches for cleaner mixes.
Insights
- Investing in high-quality headphones or studio monitors can significantly improve mixing results and lead to career advancements in music production.
- Implementing top-down mixing by prioritizing core elements like kick, bass, clap/snare, and lead vocals/synths first, along with techniques such as volume reduction for comparison and utilizing spectrum analyzers, can enhance the overall quality and clarity of mixes.
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Recent questions
How can headphones or studio monitors impact mixing results?
Investing in quality headphones or studio monitors can significantly improve mixing results, leading to career advancements. By using accurate audio equipment, producers can better hear the nuances in their mixes, ensuring that each element is balanced and EQ'd properly. This attention to detail can result in cleaner, more professional-sounding tracks that stand out in the competitive music industry.
What is the recommended volume reduction for referencing music tracks?
When referencing music tracks similar to your genre, it is recommended to reduce the volume by -12 dB for comparison. This volume reduction helps prevent any distortion or interference from the reference track while still allowing you to hear the nuances and details that can inform your own mixing decisions.
How can a Spectrum analyzer like Voxengo Span aid in mixing?
Utilizing a Spectrum analyzer like Voxengo Span can help in analyzing frequency spreads for better mixing. By visually representing the frequency content of your tracks, producers can identify areas of overlap or imbalance in the mix, allowing for more precise EQ adjustments and overall clarity in the final product.
What is the benefit of implementing a mono switch on the master channel?
Implementing a mono switch on the master channel can aid in balancing levels and identifying frequency clashes more effectively. By listening to the mix in mono, producers can pinpoint any issues with stereo imaging or phase cancellation, ensuring that the track translates well across different playback systems and environments.
How does the top-down mixing approach prioritize elements in a mix?
The top-down mixing approach prioritizes mixing core elements like kick, bass, clap/snare, and lead vocals/synths first for a cleaner mix. By focusing on these foundational elements early in the mixing process, producers can establish a strong backbone for the track and ensure that each element sits well in the mix, leading to a more cohesive and professional sound overall.
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Summary
00:00
"Headphones, Reference Tracks, and Mixing Techniques"
- Investing in a quality pair of headphones or studio monitors significantly improved mixing results, leading to career advancements.
- Referencing music tracks similar to your genre aids in improving mixes, with a recommended volume reduction of -12 DB for comparison.
- Utilizing a Spectrum analyzer like Voxengo Span helps in analyzing frequency spreads for better mixing.
- Implementing a mono switch on the master channel aids in balancing levels and identifying frequency clashes more effectively.
- The top-down mixing approach prioritizes mixing core elements like kick, bass, clap/snare, and lead vocals/synths first for a cleaner mix.
- Anchoring the kick at -12 dbfs level and leaving it untouched throughout the mix simplifies the balancing process.
- Rolling off low frequencies below 120 Hz for most elements except the kick and bass reduces muddiness and clutter in mixes.
- Treating main bass and sub bass as separate instruments by duplicating the bass channel and EQing accordingly enhances low-end control.
- Utilizing buses or grouping in Ableton aids in processing multiple instruments together, with a focus on kick and bass for impactful results.
12:13
Enhancing Low-End Quality and Professional Sound
- Group the kick and bass together to create a K and B bus for enhancing low-end quality.
- Use compression and saturation on the K and B bus to blend them effectively.
- Apply saturation and compression using the drum bus from Ableton, reducing gain by 2.5 dB.
- Utilize grouping and effects to enhance the overall sound, ensuring peak levels are consistent.
- Grouping elements like keyboard stabs or vocals can result in a glossier, more professional sound.
- Use auxiliary channels for spatial effects like Reverb and Delay for better control.
- EQ Reverb separately on auxiliary channels to avoid muddying the mix.
- Employ side chain compression on Reverb to ensure lead vocals stand out.
- Incorporate room Reverb on auxiliary channels to unify elements in the mix and enhance cohesion.
