which mix for mastering

[PistolP]

I have recently been working on a record with some good mixing engineers. The way they work is really different. Some like to mix it as 'ready sounding' as possible. The others deliver mixes that tend to sound really raw (but after mastering it gets very fine - puncy and clear).
for my future works which one do you prefer

a) mixes that need some fine tuning & limiting only

or

b) mixes that let the ME to really grab for compressor and stuff... and be 'creative'
(in this case I am not talking about problematic mixes)


hope you can give me tips what mixes are best to work with.


bstrgrds
PistolP

[PistolP]

one of the reason to ask this is - IMO mixing is getting more and more part of the production giving the song a specific signature.

what do you usually get to work with?

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by PistolP

what do you usually get to work with?

For us, it's all over the map.

We get mixes that are Almost Ready, to Good, to Raw, to Problematic.

Some days it's nice to just buff 'em up, other days it's fun to take out a few dents and dings before final polish.

I say get the mix sounding as good as possible, but don't push the level up.

JT

[20100db]

Without limiting it's more flexible.....

[MASSIVE Master]

Originally Posted by PistolP

which one do you prefer

a) mixes that need some fine tuning & limiting only

or

b) mixes that let the ME to really grab for compressor and stuff... and be 'creative'
(in this case I am not talking about problematic mixes)

Not that it isn't... fun (?) sometimes to really "make a difference" on a project (usually *problematic* projects), but I'd rather not *need* to make such a difference.

I was working on a project last night that needed a lot of "special attention" - That's fine, but it's usually things that could have been fixed in the mix (or the tracking for that matter) that turns the project into a "fix" instead of an "enhancement." On the contrary, I'm uploading a file right now for an engineer that I consistently get wonderful sounding recordings from - With those, the big job is to stay out of the way. Of course, "get it loud" is on the menu - But change it as little as possible along the way.

But as you've mentioned, if a mix is "fine" but "lacks personality" somehow, sure - It's nice to dig in once in a while to shape that personality. Still, I'd say it's unusual for most engineers to send in a project *expecting* such change.

[flatfinger]

" One key to a great master is to start with a great mix" B. Katz

: how do you want your M.E. to apply the alloted time that he has???..................

1)" Cleanup on asile 9"

OR

2) " Now to hand rub it out and buff it until it's a mirror gloss!"