Mixing Practice for Free?

[BrandRecordingCo]

Hi guys,

I have a strange request. I am currently mixing my first full length album and I am on the first song. I cannot seem to get it to sound the way I want and it is getting sooo frustrating!!! I think at this point, since I played all of the instruments and sang, wrote all the songs and recorded all the songs myself, I am so tired of the songs and almost at a point where I may not be able to mix this thing b/c I have been hearing it for too long. I have done 6 mixes now of the first song, and still am not happy with a single one of them.

I was wondering if I were to upload the Pro Tools file somewhere, if some of you fine guys or gals could mix it, just a quick mix job, to maybe open my ears to something I am not doing or have lost touch with at this point. I would not use your mix for the final project and would go back and re-mix the song myself, (unless I really love it and get the ok with you, and then I would pay you as well), but I would love to hear how one of my songs would sound mixed by a fresh set of ears.

I am not offering to pay right now, I am just curious if anyone wants to mix a song for free for practice and to help me out? If I am an idiot for asking, please just let me know. The album is a Rock / Pop album along the lines of Something Corporate or Dashboard Confessional and I want a very smooth and open sound. Let me know if anyone is willing???

Thanks guys!

[jaydeluca]

you cant just upload the pro tools file.. you would have to upload all the individual audio files too. This would be huge and take a long time to upload/download

[NobleWordz]

I'm up for it. Honestly I'm no expert but I'd like to give it a shot.

Originally Posted by jaydeluca

you cant just upload the pro tools file.. you would have to upload all the individual audio files too. This would be huge and take a long time to upload/download

If he uses winrar he could almost cut the size in half.

[Mr.HOLMES]

I can tell you out of my own experience that it is very difficult to mix the song you have arranged and composed by yourself etc.

You will need several weeks distance to clean (reset) your ears.
After you heard this stuff so often you are not objective to the song any more.

All the stuff I compose myself I let do the mix by a friend of mine.
All the stuff I mix I let do the mastering by this friend too.

Do a ZIP of the best 30 Seconds of all files of the best song as MP3.
Keep the BPM and Sample-Rate Information in it as read me file.

Post the link maybe some people are willed to give you a mix example.

This helped me when I was doing my first mastering.
I took some short examples of my friend and learnd a lot thourgh this way what mastering is.

I think it will work with mixing too.

[henryrobinett]

You know the postal service is still a great way to send files. You don't frustrate yourself or the receiver with long loads. The person can even get it the next day, sweat free!

[BrandRecordingCo]

Hey guys thanks for the comments. I am not really sure about how to upload the session??? I thought I would just be able to upload the whole folder or something...so how could I do this? I can also send through the postal mail also, but that will cost me so I only want to do a few that way.

As mentioned, it is VERY hard for me to mix these songs after hearing them for so long. I can mix other music much easier than my own stuff. I have taken a few weeks off and still struggle with it. If anyone knows a good way to get these uploaded for download, please fill me in???

Thanks a bunch!

[henryrobinett]

Cost is a consideration, certainly if 20 people are going to try their hand at it. But since you aren't paying anything AT ALL for this you might consider picking 5 or 10 people and suck it up, -- just send it to them.

[Pasta4lnch]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

I can tell you out of my own experience that it is very difficult to mix the song you have arranged and composed by yourself etc.

I agree! I hate having to do it. I'm so invested w/ the parts everything ends up louder than everything else.

to the OP I was thinking of this once. I thought it would be a good thing for someone fresh out of school who didn;t have their own set up and just wanted to turn some knobs to keep their chops up . . . still haven;t found anyone willing

[rackdude]

post it on rapidshare and give us the link. Make sure you rar it though, makes it much smaller. you might need to split the rar into a few parts.

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by rackdude

post it on rapidshare and give us the link. Make sure you rar it though, makes it much smaller. you might need to split the rar into a few parts.

How do I rar it? And what do I upload, just the entire folder of the song? I think I am going to need a step by step "how to" on this. Sorry I have never done this, I thought it was easier.

[rackdude]

'Use a program called winrar. It compresses it into one file thats smaller. All you upload is that file. Then we can get it and uncompress it

[Mr.HOLMES]

...

[Mr.HOLMES]

OK.

1. Look out for the best song you have.
2. Cycle the best 30 seconds in it. Maybe the best chorus.
3. Bounce every single track (use the solo mode button) as MP3 to an folder on your Desk-Top.
Name the tracks correctly before you bounce them (guitar;lead vox;backing vox etc.)
All faders at 0 db all pan knobs in the middle position!!!!
No effects no compression just the raw files.

4. Write a Word File with the BPM Info and Sample rate Information put it in the folder too.

Upload this folder at a free hosting service like rapidsahre or others.
There are many on the Internet.

There is no need for packing MP3 because it is already compressed.

Post the link here.
Hope that some people give you a mixing example... when you have the exeampels open up your ears and try to imitate waht you hear in the mixed files.

[surflounge]

Check the list of mix engineers listed on
Digidesign | Products | DigiDelivery
Digidesign | Products | DigiDelivery

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

OK.

1. Look out for the best song you have.
2. Cycle the best 30 seconds in it. Maybe the best chorus.
3. Bounce every single track (use the solo mode button) as MP3 to an folder on your Desk-Top.
Name the tracks correctly before you bounce them (guitar;lead vox;backing vox etc.)
All faders at 0 db all pan knobs in the middle position!!!!
No effects no compression just the raw files.

4. Write a Word File with the BPM Info and Sample rate Information put it in the folder too.

Upload this folder at a free hosting service like rapidsahre or others.
There are many on the Internet.

There is no need for packing MP3 because it is already compressed.

Post the link here.
Hope that some people give you a mixing example... when you have the exeampels open up your ears and try to imitate waht you hear in the mixed files.

Sounds good! Thanks a bunch. I will do that maybe tonight and have it up for download. Couple quick questions:

-Why bounce as mp3's? Just to save room?
-Why only 30 seconds? Also just to save room?
-You explained a good way to do it, but just curious, could I also clean out all of my extra un-needed files to get the entire session down in size, then just upload the entire session folder? I think your way is WAY better I am just curious if this other way is a possibility as well?

[Mr.HOLMES]

Originally Posted by $uper$tar

Sounds good! Thanks a bunch. I will do that maybe tonight and have it up for download. Couple quick questions:

-Why bounce as mp3's? Just to save room?
-Why only 30 seconds? Also just to save room?
-You explained a good way to do it, but just curious, could I also clean out all of my extra un-needed files to get the entire session down in size, then just upload the entire session folder? I think your way is WAY better I am just curious if this other way is a possibility as well?

I guess you like to learn how you can do the mixing by your self?

So take 30 seconds because no one is going to mix the whole song for free.
MP3 saves space on the disk and downloading time and is enough to show you how it could sound.

All the Outtakes do not deliver them with it.
It makes no sense!!! Just deliver the MP3 files so you can go sure that it fits to all the hosts.
Another afford is the mixing guys do not have to search in a confusion folder of a recording session.
Also uploading the whole project folder would make it way to big.

If you give files away for mixing take it clear and proper for the mixing engineer.
Most files I get are a bunch of confusion. I charge money for searching the song together.

Give the best example you get back an work order for the whole album mix ....if you like.
Mixing a whole song takes minimum 8 h. So you got to pay people for this.
It is hard work...

I charge for an whole Album Mix 1.400$

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

I guess you like to learn how you can do the mixing by your self?

So take 30 seconds because no one is going to mix the whole song for free. MP3 saves space on the disk and downloading time and is enough to show you how it could sound.

All the Outtakes do not deliver them with it.
It makes no sense!!!

If you like a whole mix give the best example you get back an work order for an album mix.

Mixing a whole song takes minimum 8 h.
So you got to pay people for this.
It is hard work...

I charge for an whole Album Mix 1.400$

Thanks! Just curious for future projects that I may get from people that may want to upload things for me to mix for them. I want to know the best way to do that so I can advertise that to people who may have recorded their stuff but just want it mixed by me. I will do as you said tonight if possible and upload it. Thanks for the help!

[Mr.HOLMES]

This is just one way to do it.
I guess big studios just give away their PT recoding session to the mixing studio.

MP3 is a bad file format for mixing..... yes.
WAV or AIFF would be better.

But for a short example just for you to hear what it could sound it is enough.

I always give my recording sessions to my friend only the takes which I love clear named.
I never give away the whole project even if we both use Logic 8 because I know that he will change a lot in the working environment anyway.

If you later mix songs for people always prefer WAV or AIFF Files....because MP3 isdfegad

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

This is just one way to do it.
I guess big studios just give away their PT recoding session to the mixing studio.

MP3 is a bad file format for mixing..... yes.
WAV or AIFF would be better.

But for a short example just for you to hear what it could sound it is enough.

I always give my recording sessions to my friend only the takes which I love clear named.
I never give away the whole project even if we both use Logic 8 because I know that he will change a lot in the working environment anyway.

If you later mix songs for people always prefer WAV or AIFF Files....because MP3 isdfegad

haha...I would never request something in mp3...I hate mp3. For this it's fine but for an actual album or song for release I wouldn't dare.

I look forward to hearing what some of you guys can do. I am hoping it will open up my ears to some more possibilities as I have lost touch with these songs. I am just afraid I am going to love someones work, want them to do the entire album, and not be able to pay. I am a college student with no money, so I am forced to mix my own project which is not ideal at all!!! Yikes!

[DontLetMeDrown]

I'll mix it. Upload the files using yousendit.com and I'll give it my best.

[Mr.HOLMES]

Originally Posted by $uper$tar

haha...I would never request something in mp3...I hate mp3. For this it's fine but for an actual album or song for release I wouldn't dare.

I look forward to hearing what some of you guys can do. I am hoping it will open up my ears to some more possibilities as I have lost touch with these songs. I am just afraid I am going to love someones work, want them to do the entire album, and not be able to pay. I am a college student with no money, so I am forced to mix my own project which is not ideal at all!!! Yikes!

In this case you have to learn it.
It took me 4 years to do constant good work and hard work to create a good listening room here.

But I know a lot of people which have done good mixes without a lot of Plug Ins and with a minimum of room treatment. Listen to tons of music at your monitor system. So your brain can notice how it has to sound.

Stay calm it takes so many hours before you do a professional sounding mix.
I did my first good mix when I was about to capitulate.

And see you lucky guy some one will mix the album for free WOW

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

In this case you have to learn it.
It took me 4 years to do constant good work and hard work to create a good listening room here.

But I know a lot of people which have done good mixes without a lot of Plug Ins and with a minimum of room treatment. Listen to tons of music at your monitor system. So your brain can notice how it has to sound.

Stay calm it takes so many hours before you do a professional sounding mix.
I did my first good mix when I was about to capitulate.

Thanks for all the support! Yeah, I have been mixing for a few years and will graduate in may with a bachelor in audio. I have done a few mixes that sound pretty good, but it is not consistent all the time and I still have yet to do a really great mix! I am hoping it will come soon as it is very frustrating trying so hard, practicing, and still never being satisfied.

[Mr.HOLMES]

I have been mixing for a few years and will graduate in may with a bachelor in audio

I hope this is a technical education?
Otherwise throw away the bachelor attest.

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

I hope this is a technical education?
Otherwise throw away the bachelor attest.

The bachelor means nothing as far as how good my work is. That will only come with experience. I look at the actual degree part as letting people know I am serious and willing to learn this craft. That is really all.

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by $uper$tar

Hi guys,

I have a strange request. I am currently mixing my first full length album and I am on the first song. I cannot seem to get it to sound the way I want and it is getting sooo frustrating!!! I think at this point, since I played all of the instruments and sang, wrote all the songs and recorded all the songs myself, I am so tired of the songs and almost at a point where I may not be able to mix this thing b/c I have been hearing it for too long. I have done 6 mixes now of the first song, and still am not happy with a single one of them.

I was wondering if I were to upload the Pro Tools file somewhere, if some of you fine guys or gals could mix it, just a quick mix job, to maybe open my ears to something I am not doing or have lost touch with at this point. I would not use your mix for the final project and would go back and re-mix the song myself, (unless I really love it and get the ok with you, and then I would pay you as well), but I would love to hear how one of my songs would sound mixed by a fresh set of ears.

I am not offering to pay right now, I am just curious if anyone wants to mix a song for free for practice and to help me out? If I am an idiot for asking, please just let me know. The album is a Rock / Pop album along the lines of Something Corporate or Dashboard Confessional and I want a very smooth and open sound. Let me know if anyone is willing???

Thanks guys!

What kind of music is it??

[Mr.HOLMES]

I do not want to attack you.
But you have a lot of beginner questions for a graduate in audio!!!!!

How many years does it take to get the bachelor in audio???

[s.d.finley]

I'll mix one! PM me!

[Mr.HOLMES]

By the way yes I would do a sound preview too.... so post the files ...nothing for bad......I just was surprised when you wrote that you are going to have a degree in audio.

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

I do not want to attack you.
But you have a lot of beginner questions for a graduate in audio!!!!!

How many years does it take to get the bachelor in audio???

That is not an attack on me, but may be on the school I go to. I agree that they need to get with the times and teach us how a real studio will work, which would include uploading files and things that I have been posting about. They do not teach pro tools and do not teach about uploading files from pro tools or any software really, which I feel is a HUGE mistake on the schools part. We have pro tools, but that is not the main platform as they use RADAR. It is really not until your last semester or two that you really even get into the recording and mixing classes.

The degree is a B.A. in Audio Production, takes 4 years, and focuses more on providing a well rounded education in media communications as well as basic audio, recording, and mixing. Nobody is an expert when they leave school for sure, as it is more of a starting point to get you going. I wish they would focus more on recording and the real world things like what we have been talking about, but they don't.

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful I have the opportunity to learn at this school, as it is a fine school and I have learned a bit. However, most of the actual useful things I have learned, I have learned on my own through experience with my own clients and practicing, not from their textbooks. I wanted to get a college degree and I did it doing something I love, so I am happy. I will be going back to school in the fall for a 2nd degree in Graphic Design so I can afford to eat, and plan to do freelance work with audio and gain experience through my own practice.

Besides, that's why there is gearslutz...for all of my stupid questions.

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by Mr.HOLMES

By the way yes I would do a sound preview too.... so post the files ...nothing for bad......I just was surprised when you wrote that you are going to have a degree in audio.

The only real question I had was about uploading a session and the best way to go about it, as I have never done that before. I have used free servers to send finished mixes, but never a session or anything. The reason I asked about why you wanted mp3's was I didn't understand why you would want to mix with mp3's as they are poor quality. I figured it was just b/c of the size, space, and time factors, but wanted to clarify.

I'm no expert for sure, but I feel I know more than most 22 year old college kids about audio in general. A degree in audio is just a starting point to my career and nothing more really. Now the real learning begins as I go through my audio journey.