knowing when "it's done" when mixing

[carlheinz]

Thanks Tchad!
I realize every artist will vary when it comes to this...but...Budget aside...With the seemingly endless options we have in the rec studio these days,It's easy to keep working on something till it's overbaked.When mixing,How or when do you come to the point where you say"this is done"...especially if like Peter Gabriel is down the hall after recording something over a 10 year period.Not an easy task to say"yeah,here it is Pete"...or mabie it is!Is there a specific sound you like to arrive at that you have in mind or is your approach to mixing more trial and error before you go back to things you know that have worked for you in the past.Is there a final inspection you go through before inviting everyone in to listen or sending a mix off.Do you put the mix on your ipod/earbuds and go for a bike ride?Or..(joking here)do you just say to the artist I didn't use the the other 96 tracks of ideas because they really compete that killer vocal" or.....and finally...what is the most time you've spent mixing a song?-Sorry if this got more involved!

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by carlheinz

Thanks Tchad!
I realize every artist will vary when it comes to this...but...Budget aside...With the seemingly endless options we have in the rec studio these days,It's easy to keep working on something till it's overbaked.When mixing,How or when do you come to the point where you say"this is done"...especially if like Peter Gabriel is down the hall after recording something over a 10 year period.Not an easy task to say"yeah,here it is Pete"...or mabie it is!Is there a specific sound you like to arrive at that you have in mind or is your approach to mixing more trial and error before you go back to things you know that have worked for you in the past.Is there a final inspection you go through before inviting everyone in to listen or sending a mix off.Do you put the mix on your ipod/earbuds and go for a bike ride?Or..(joking here)do you just say to the artist I didn't use the the other 96 tracks of ideas because they really compete that killer vocal" or.....and finally...what is the most time you've spent mixing a song?-Sorry if this got more involved!

All of the above and... I don't know. I get a mix finished to my ears then the artist has a go and usually improves on my mix. I like the collaboration.
When the artist is present, I feel freer to experiment. That said, with the PT's/DigiDelivery mixing in the box thing, it's easy to have five songs going at once so if the artist can't be there it's easy to back and forth with changes.
Longest mix time,
Five days running, not counting two recalls, is the longest I've ever spent on a mix, but it included re-arranging and recording new parts.
Just purely mixing, three days. A binaural mix done for Sam Phillips record Martinis and Bikinis, track was 'Black Sky'. All sounds were sent through 10-12 different guitar amps or p.a.'s set up around the room and recorded through a Neuman Head direct to two track. A lot of the balancing was done by physicaly moving the amps (some were in metal trash cans) around the room.
That was fun. I won't say it's a great mix, but it was fun.

[Timsplace]

Originally Posted by tchad blake

That said, with the PT's/DigiDelivery mixing in the box thing, it's easy to have five songs going at once so if the artist can't be there it's easy to back and forth with changes.

When juggling 5 mixes (ITB), how much is "in the Box"? Have you printed most of your outboard processing for faster recallability? Or are you restoring settings for each mix?

Thanks so much for your insight here! I've been a HUGE fan for many years.

Tim

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by Timsplace

When juggling 5 mixes (ITB), how much is "in the Box"? Have you printed most of your outboard processing for faster recallability? Or are you restoring settings for each mix?

Thanks so much for your insight here! I've been a HUGE fan for many years.

Tim

Anything outboard is recorded into the box so there's no set up time when recalling.

[pete]

how do you deal with D/A A/D delay when processing OTB?

(I think Tchad has PTHD which has Auto Delay Compensation built in - Jules)

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by pete

how do you deal with D/A A/D delay when processing OTB?

(I think Tchad has PTHD which has Auto Delay Compensation built in - Jules)

I couldn't use digital with the way I mix until they got compensation. That's why it's all happening now.

[Jules]

Are you completely happy with the performance of the compensation?

Thanks.

[paterno]

Originally Posted by tchad blake

Just purely mixing, three days. A binaural mix done for Sam Phillips record Martinis and Bikinis, track was 'Black Sky'. All sounds were sent through 10-12 different guitar amps or p.a.'s set up around the room and recorded through a Neuman Head direct to two track. A lot of the balancing was done by physicaly moving the amps (some were in metal trash cans) around the room.
That was fun. I won't say it's a great mix, but it was fun.

May I just add a bit of clarification -- you did not leave the studio for three days !!!!

Don't sell yourself short -- 'Black Sky' is a great mix, and I would bet the first of it's kind, if not the only one of its kind! In headphones it is quite incredible, and even as a stereo mix through speakers it sounds cool. I listened to that record a few days ago for the first time in ages. There are a lot of great things on it, Tchad. One of my favorites of yours...

Cheers and have fun!

John

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by paterno

May I just add a bit of clarification -- you did not leave the studio for three days !!!!

Don't sell yourself short -- 'Black Sky' is a great mix, and I would bet the first of it's kind, if not the only one of its kind! In headphones it is quite incredible, and even as a stereo mix through speakers it sounds cool. I listened to that record a few days ago for the first time in ages. There are a lot of great things on it, Tchad. One of my favorites of yours...

Cheers and have fun!

John

Hi John, boy am I glad you're here. Any chance you can spot me? Like the old days?

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by Jules

Are you completely happy with the performance of the compensation?

Thanks.

yes. And if it's not enough I region time shift.

[paterno]

Originally Posted by tchad blake

Hi John, boy am I glad you're here. Any chance you can spot me? Like the old days?

As always, whatever you need, my friend...

JP