The final Mixdown before mastering

[Parisyte]

Hey guys, I finally registered to this grand forum, as I use it every day to look up fabulous topics that aid me in my electronic music production.

So first off, thank you for takin the time to hear me out. Haha

I have a couple questions regarding the final mixdown with electronic music production, so here is what I do and please tell me if I am doing it wrong because it seems as if I am.

I produce and write my productions in FL Studio (I love it, hands down), but of course the DAW is pretty unstable and cannot compete with Pro Tools and such in the mixing process, which is why I am getting that today.

But anyways, after writing the song in FL Studio, I have already put compressors and EQ's on almost all of the channels because it sounds better when writing. But I do spend a lot of time messing with the EQ's and Compressors to make it sound good, so can the mixdown be done while you're writing the song? or is it best to wait til you're completely done writing? Also, I apply limiters when I am completely finished writing, and then I export each individual mixer track as a .wav file and reimport them into FL studio to complete the mixdown/start the master. So I guess my question is, would you export each mixer channel as a .wav file without the Compressors, EQ's, and Limiters so its completely dry, or would you do as I did and export them with all their effects on and proceed to import them into a mixing program. Thank you so much, as this has been making me go crazy when mixing but i've tried doing it both ways and just can't seem to figure out which is best.

Your slutty gear friend,
Parisyte.

[fader8]

Originally Posted by Parisyte

So I guess my question is, would you export each mixer channel as a .wav file without the Compressors, EQ's, and Limiters so its completely dry, or would you do as I did and export them with all their effects on and proceed to import them into a mixing program.

The simple answer is, do both. You'll never know what you're going to need come mixdown time. I have a couple of electronic music clients I mix for who work the same way you do, mixing and effecting as they go, and there's nothing wrong with that. But I ask them to provide both track versions, with one caveat that they leave the EQ settings live on the "dry" track to avoid phase issues if both versions end up getting used. Once the project is in Pro Tools it's a simple matter to disable and hide tracks that aren't needed.

Good luck.

[Parisyte]

Originally Posted by fader8

... they leave the EQ settings live on the "dry" track to avoid phase issues if both versions end up getting used. Once the project is in Pro Tools it's a simple matter to disable and hide tracks that aren't needed.

Good luck.

Thank you very much for your response as I highly appreciate the time taken to respond to me.
One thing I need clarification on (as i'm messing around with it right now) is should I leave limiting out until I am doing the final mixdown or export the tracks with limiters still enabled. Is it part of the mixdown or part of the mastering stage? or both? I understand what a limiter does (to an extent) and I was wondering if it is part of the final mixdown or if that too (along with compressors) is normal to use in productions. I agree that both techniques may/do work though. Just wondering about the limiters and such,

thank you so much fader8 and hope to hear back!

[fader8]

Originally Posted by Parisyte

is should I leave limiting out until I am doing the final mixdown or export the tracks with limiters still enabled. Is it part of the mixdown or part of the mastering stage? or both?

If you're talking about a limiter inserted on a track channel, then leave it in the "wet" rendering of the track as it's likely part of that instruments sound design. Conversely, if it's a limiter on the mix bus or sub, then remove it for the rendering, as that's something you'll want control over in the mixing process.

Note that none of what we're discussing has anything to do with the "mastering" process. These issues only facilitate the mixing stage. I think you may have what I call "Musicians Mastering Syndrome" where you put a mastering type signal chain on the output strip and then compose/mix into that. I always recommend against this as it tends to hide/mask problems with the mix itself or the sound design of each track. It also constrains what can be accomplished dynamically with those tracks during mixing if they've been rendered that way.

When in doubt, always leave the options open.

[Parisyte]

Oh I definitely keep any mastering plugins OFF while producing, especially mixing, because I do know that it skews what your mix is actually doing with the master plugins working. But I guess I've had my question answered, but through FL I never send anything, I just mix through the track channel. That's something I'll probably have to stop doing and start sending my instruments through the send channels. THank you for your help, I appreciate it.

[Plugin]

I never mix with compressors or limiters plugged in. I mix with eq - if needed on certain tracks - until I get the balance I'm aiming for. The limiter I leave for the end - before commiting the music to whatever format is required for the project.