Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - What was the most important technique/trick that put our mixes to the next level?

not_so_new · 19th October 2005

What was the most important technique/trick that put our mixes to the next level?

No one trick here, lots of little things over the years tend to add up. The ones that come to mind are in two categories.

1) Mental non-physical. Actually listening to the song to get a mental picture in my head of what I think the song is looking for, where it is going and what I think the client is after. Also trying to keep my personal preferences out of the picture (for instance I don't like reverb but some clients do so I need to find a way to use reverb in the mix in a tasteful way). Lastly knowing when the mix is finished as well, too much can be too much.

2) Physical stuff. Learning to not use the solo button much. Parallel compression. The best monitoring chain I can get. Monitor at lower levels and take the mix down to almost nothing every now and again to get a new feel for it.

19th October 2005	#40
not_so_new Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,695	What was the most important technique/trick that put our mixes to the next level? No one trick here, lots of little things over the years tend to add up. The ones that come to mind are in two categories. 1) Mental non-physical. Actually listening to the song to get a mental picture in my head of what I think the song is looking for, where it is going and what I think the client is after. Also trying to keep my personal preferences out of the picture (for instance I don't like reverb but some clients do so I need to find a way to use reverb in the mix in a tasteful way). Lastly knowing when the mix is finished as well, too much can be too much. 2) Physical stuff. Learning to not use the solo button much. Parallel compression. The best monitoring chain I can get. Monitor at lower levels and take the mix down to almost nothing every now and again to get a new feel for it. __________________ Michael