mixing your own record...Yay or Nay?

[numrologst]

IM getting close to being done with a year long project. We have a really great producer coming to our studio (Elliot Mazer)... He's gonna bring a nice fresh perspective to the table. So we got him for 5 days and 18 or so songs.

Obviously we aren't gonna be able to mix all the songs.

SO what do you guys think about mixing your own record? Should I do it, or go to another studio and hire someone else to mix with us?

[lord_bunny]

Depends on who you are and who the guy is. That being said, I mix my own material and it gives me the luxury to spend more than eight hours a tune. Some people tell you can't wear all the hats. This is because they can't wear all the hats. I would still run my mixes by someone with more experience, and if I had the budget I would get someone better to do it.

Man what a circular argument. Maybe the best thing I can say is "i'm in your boat, I understand your problem."

Can you devote yourself to spending two days on each mix?

[picksail]

I just can't separate myself from the romantic affinity I have with my own music.

I can't see how anyone could. We become way too subjective about it.

Oh, I can do it. It would just take forever, because with my being the judge, it would never be right.

[numrologst]

Well I have the capability of mixing it... I'm not worried about capability or experience... I'm just worried that I should get more fresh ears...

I mean, I've been working on these songs non stop for the past year... I don't know if i have perspective any more... I mean I think I do, but I don't know for sure... There's just no telling.

We are finishing up tracking right now, and the tracks sound A+... I just can't figure out if I am gonna have the ear to mix these songs

[Tony Shepperd]

You should mix a track, then have someone else mix the same track.
If the mix you farmed out sounds unbelievably better than your mix, then you have your answer.
If it's only a little better, don't waste your time, finish the mixes off yourself.

[emkay]

I've been working on my project for almost a year and a half (road work and work for others), kept me away for awhile. I've been advised by a handful of friends that I should get someone else to mix. That being said, I've given this alot of thought and there are a few issues to consider. I agree with the post that "said" and I'm paraphrasing, that you can't "wear many hats" unless you can wear many hats! Makes sense to me, and I agree. If budget is not an issue, then I would definitely say get the best producer you can, who has a great track record, who's work you respect, but, most of all, someone "who gets" what you're about as an artist or band. Let him or her try to mix a track. You'll know if it works for you. But even at that--the old addage holds true here--"Nobody cares more about your project than you do", but more than that--"Nobody gets who you are as an artist more than you do". Ofcourse, I'm talking about an "artist" in the true sense of the word--"Singer,songwriter,performer etc.---not someone who works with writers to"give" them their "voice". I say this not to slam those that interpret other people's songs because that's viable too, but an "artist" does what they do "naturally" they have their inner voice, their direction etc, and as such, have a much clearer concept of their artistic direction etc. So, in a long winded way, what I'm saying that given enough time, perspective (distance yourself occassionally, listen to other music), a good sounding room, decent gear and decent ears--there's no reason why an artist couldn't mix him or herself! Don't forget, sometimes mixing is another person's artistic impression and interpretation of you with the expertise to realize and execute that impression and interpretation. Their impression might be way off the mark, or "interestingly" different and original. So, if you've got the time, energy and the "chops", why not try mixing your project yourself? Nothing to lose and you can always lean on the opinions of those around you that you trust. But don't forget, if given the opportunity, everybody is going to have something to say about your art once you put it out there and ask them to judge it!! Sorry for the long winded post. Hope it made some sense to you. By the way, I decided to mix my project (it's done now), but I am going to get it mastered by one of the many great guys available here in L.A., not sure who yet! Anyways-Good luck whatever path you choose.............peace...

[numrologst]

I haven't had a mix i didn't like in a long while... I mean the rough mixes I've been doing are fully capable of being final mixes...

I'm not worried about the mixes sounding BAD... I am just worried that maybe something else could be different... Yeah, that's it... Not better or worse, just different.

These songs aren't cookie cutter or anything... There's no template... These songs are very dense sonically... So there could be multiple variations of the mix that sound like different songs.


We're not just talking about bass, drums, guitar and vox...

We are talking about Bass, Drums, Guitar, Vox and all sorts of weird noises and sounds...IN addition to that, there are multiple synths, organs, piano, elec piano, bajo, mandolin, mellotron, toy piano, sitar, bantar, bird noises, crowd noises, strings, backwards orchestras, ambient textures and pads, drving leads, whispers, talking, feedback, noise making, crowds, trumpets, basoons, kazoo, nintendo 64.

Some drums have only one mic and sound huge, some drums have 10 mics and sound huge... Some drums are supposed to sound thin. Multiple bass lines.

So we aren't talking about the run of the mill mix... You could literally have 3 or 4 different songs depending on what instruments you bring up in the mix... It's weird I know.

That's the only thing I am worrying about... LIke there are songs which sound fantastic without all the weird noise and feedback winding in and out... Some songs need it and some songs it bogs them down...

I just question whether i can really look at these songs and make the decisions anymore.

[numrologst]

I mean the save all is that we have Elliot Mazer coming to the studio for 5 days..> He could help us with the really dense mixes..

Elliot's awesome he produced Neil Young Harvest, as well as many other Neil Young records... He did alot of the Band's stuff, and he was chief engineer on the Last Wlatz... He worked with the eagles, Janis Joplin, Linda Ronstadt, and tons and tons of other artists... ANd he is really hip..

So that is good for us to have him come in and mix with us.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by numrologst

I just question whether i can really look at these songs and make the decisions anymore.

Well...everyone is kinda saying the same thing and you seem to keep shooting it down. I like Tony's idea where you mix one with the "hired gun" producer and let someone else(a pro) try to give you there spin on it without any influence.

If you still feel yours more than you know where to go. If you are feeling someone else's even without your nudging than maybe its better to go there and work with them to give you what you want.

Remember is not about who does it or who's feelings get hurt.

Its about getting it done and it sounding its best.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by numrologst

We're not just talking about bass, drums, guitar and vox...

We are talking about Bass, Drums, Guitar, Vox and all sorts of weird noises and sounds...IN addition to that, there are multiple synths, organs, piano, elec piano, bajo, mandolin, mellotron, toy piano, sitar, bantar, bird noises, crowd noises, strings, backwards orchestras, ambient textures and pads, drving leads, whispers, talking, feedback, noise making, crowds, trumpets, basoons, kazoo, nintendo 64.

Some drums have only one mic and sound huge, some drums have 10 mics and sound huge... Some drums are supposed to sound thin. Multiple bass lines.

So we aren't talking about the run of the mill mix... You could literally have 3 or 4 different songs depending on what instruments you bring up in the mix... It's weird I know.

That's the only thing I am worrying about... LIke there are songs which sound fantastic without all the weird noise and feedback winding in and out... Some songs need it and some songs it bogs them down...

I just question whether i can really look at these songs and make the decisions anymore.

Sounds like a cool project!

Sure, you probably could mix it yourself, but should you?! Obviously the idea of mixing one song yourself and having someone (or a few people) mix the same song for comparison purposes is a good one and will most likely to help answer this... But, if all the songs are that different then it might be real easy to start second guessing everything.

Have you asked Elliot Mazer about having him the record? If he's producing...then certainly he might be the "right" guy for the gig. There's a reason you hired him in the first place yes?

About 97% of the time I mix something that I've had absolutly no prior involvement with, I get the rough mixes and use those as the 'guideline' for my mixes. I'll ask the artist what they do & don't like about them, what they've been referencing etc. and get a general feel for where things might want to go. Beyond that, I've NEVER had an artist NOT be involved with mixing. Even remotely, via FTP and with things like Skype there's no reason anymore to just 'blindly' hand things off and hope for the best.

But ultimately... I guess it depends on what's in your head and your ability, or lack of ability to get that out. If you know EXACTLY what it should all sound like when it's done, then you should probably mix it yourself. But if the perspective & direction is fuzzy after a year of work...well, maybe it's time to hand the wheel over and navigate for a while.

BTW...have you seen the Wilco DVD 'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart' about the making of Yankee Foxtrot Hotel? If not, go pick it up. Besides being a GREAT watch they address this kinda thing..mixing. They like what Jim O'Rourke did because rather then adding more noise, they said he stripped away & shaped what was there into music.

Peace.