Starting a mix

[Local 47]

Hello Tchad,
How do you start a mix? Like a lot of folks starting with the rhythm section, à la B Clearmountain (starting with vox or bass)?
Do you spend a lot of time dissecting individual drums? Soloing the kick, the snare, whatever? Or more the approach of bringing up all the (drums) faders at once and taking it from there?
And finally: is automation part of the whole mix process or rather the last step in the mixing process?
Thank You, Doug

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by Local 47

Hello Tchad,
How do you start a mix? Like a lot of folks starting with the rhythm section, à la B Clearmountain (starting with vox or bass)?
Do you spend a lot of time dissecting individual drums? Soloing the kick, the snare, whatever? Or more the approach of bringing up all the (drums) faders at once and taking it from there?
And finally: is automation part of the whole mix process or rather the last step in the mixing process?
Thank You, Doug

I put the vocal up then immediatley push ALL other faders up to see how the music fits together. Solos are for troubleshooting only. Always get EQ with as much instrumentation and vocal IN as possible. What good is a solo'd sound that will never be heard solo'd except by you?
I usually get all tracks up, EQ'd/compressed and effects in, trying to make everything work together, without any moves. Then I start automating with cuts and levels.

[Local 47]

Thanks Tchad.
Do you have any default 'strategies' where you start wilt filtering out frequencies: like taking out all the subs out of the vocals, rolling off highs of horns etc.?
Thank You, Doug

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by Local 47

Thanks Tchad.
Do you have any default 'strategies' where you start wilt filtering out frequencies: like taking out all the subs out of the vocals, rolling off highs of horns etc.?
Thank You, Doug

Of the cuff, wing and a prayer most of the time.
Sorry, no strategies.