Mixing Lesson Please

[joseph]

Hi all, I'd like to start my mixing experience and lesson. I'm self-learner about audio. Curently I'm working in a Studio using ProTools HD3, Control24, genelec 1030A, Dynaudio M2, Avalon VT737sp, ISA110, Distresor El8x, Fzcsrite Blue Compresoor, dbx160A, Lexicon380L+LARC, Standar Plugins (HD Pack).
Anyone can tell me what lesson I should first learn for Mixing? and please give me some examples/steps.
(sorry, my english not perfect :) )

Thank you all.

[Fletcher]

Yeah... stop trying to make "mixing" a sport... sit back, listen to the music, tweeze it until it sounds right and works for you on an emotional level... when you hear what you want to hear... then it's mixed.

On your first few [hundred] attempts you should try to reference your mixes in a bunch of different environments [the house, the car, your friend's house, your friend's car, the HiFi shop, etc.].

It ain't rocket surgery though there are many would like to try to make you believe that it is...

Best of luck with it.

[joaquin]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Yeah... stop trying to make "mixing" a sport... sit back, listen to the music, tweeze it until it sounds right and works for you on an emotional level... when you hear what you want to hear... then it's mixed.

Fletcher........................You ROCK!!

Joseph, my only suggestion, is that you read all the manuals at hand...it'll facilitate the implementation of your Ideas. Best of luck

[lasso]

Read every post on this forum

A strong, punchy center, panning and carving out freq. to make space for the key instruments and the vocal could be a starting point. I dunno - still learning

[max cooper]

I think that for everyone who likes to "armchair quarterback" anything at all, mixing is the perfect outlet...

[daaronhoffman]

Get this book!
www.mixingwithyourmind.com

Very eye opening and easy to read. It has made the most positive change in my mixing and recording quality.

Focus on perfecting how you tailor your low end(bass, kick...etc).
I'd rather have a song that's too bright or not bright enough, but is tight as a rock in the low end. Muddy music sucks! I'm still trying to figure it out.

Verb is very important. Try keeping as much away from the center as possible.
Example- Pick a verb you like, send it's L/R signal hard LEFT. Make another channel of the same verb send it's signal hard RIGHT. Now you have verb on both sides and the center is clean and clear so your vox, bass... won't get lost.

Read these forum posts for lots of tricks...etc. Free knowledge!!!

Aaron

[5down1up]

send all your gear to my place and start with an 4 track tape recorder ...

if u dont have some already , try to get some pt session to mix . best way of doing it is doing it ? ... i guess

GOOD LUCK

[seb37000]

Anyone can tell me what lesson I should first learn for Mixing? and please give me some examples/steps.

To get a good mix you need a good take, start with that and your mix will sound good, the rest is just balance and aragements.

[Lawrence]

Lawrence

[Jules]

I HATE mixing! But in the spirit of comradeship, I will let this post stay in this forum.

[Punchmo]

Originally Posted by Jules

I HATE mixing! But in the spirit of comradeship, I will let this post stay in this forum.

Jules, I've read this from you for years now. What is it about tracking (if you even like that) compared to mixing that you like and/or dislike...what's the button that is pushed?

IMHO, and for me only, if I'm after a natrual, live studio archive of the performance, than an unprocessed sound is an interesting challenage. If it's a production mix, then it becomes a different challenge. Both keep my brain working into the wee hours.

You have the gear to make either or other scenarios happen.

Wazup

[joseph]

Thank you guys...
FYI, I live in Indonesia. Almost 99% recording here not record in live setup. Basically we're tracking one by one, ussually start with Drum, Metronome and Guided Track.
Because of budgeting and financial problems (our music industry not big) we tend to "fix in the mix".
So we spent much time in "mixing" process than sound searching process in tracking session.
Almost 90% recording process here not using producer. Players/Artist/Band record with no "sound" guidelines, they really depend on their limited knowledge about recording techs, available mics and sure label's money and time schedule.
Communication between Engineer and Musician significanly IMPORTANT! We have to translate their "language" about what they want to technical manner.
We rarely brain stromming about the sound character, quality etc,so if it's sound "ok enough", we track it.

I'm feel I have to believe: if we track good, it will be good in mixing. I almost believe, after that only balance and arrangement.

Back to the topic,
I already prepare about 20 my favourite songs and I burn it to CDs. I'm starting to hear and learn from that. But please advised What goals should I achieve? Frequencies? Balance? Dimension? or what? (they already thru mastering process, right?).

[Drumsound]

Mixerman posted this years ago on R.A.P when he used to talk about music and audio.

Originally Posted by Mixerman

Mixerman's 10 Steps To Better Mixing.



1. Mixing is an attitude
2. If the song sucks, the mix is irrelevant.
3. Working the room, keeping people entertained, happy, and relaxed is half of mixing successfully.
4. Putting everything proportional in a mix is going to make a shitty mix.
5. Gear are tools in a mix that make life either easier or more difficult,
they are not what makes a mix good or bad.
6. A mix can be GREAT and not have great sound.
7. If nothing about the mix annoys someone in the room, the mix is often times not done.
8. Mixing can not be taught, it can only be learned.
9. The overall vibe of the track is much more important than any individual element.
10. Just because it was recorded, doesn't mean it needs to be in the mix.
11. Be aggressive.

Oops that's 11!

[six_wax]

awesome!

[C.Lambrechts]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

On your first few [hundred] attempts you should try to reference your mixes in a bunch of different environments [the house, the car, your friend's house, your friend's car, the HiFi shop, etc.].
.

gosh ... I still do that and I'm definately past a few hundred.

[kennyd03]

Originally Posted by joseph

Thank you guys...
FYI, I live in Indonesia. Almost 99% recording here not record in live setup. Basically we're tracking one by one, ussually start with Drum, Metronome and Guided Track.
Because of budgeting and financial problems (our music industry not big) we tend to "fix in the mix".
So we spent much time in "mixing" process than sound searching process in tracking session.
Almost 90% recording process here not using producer. Players/Artist/Band record with no "sound" guidelines, they really depend on their limited knowledge about recording techs, available mics and sure label's money and time schedule.
Communication between Engineer and Musician significanly IMPORTANT! We have to translate their "language" about what they want to technical manner.
We rarely brain stromming about the sound character, quality etc,so if it's sound "ok enough", we track it.

I'm feel I have to believe: if we track good, it will be good in mixing. I almost believe, after that only balance and arrangement.

A great mix really starts with great tracking. Without great tracking, the mixer's job is one of the most difficult and frustrated jobs in the world.

The oft-said studio phrase "shine-ing up a turd" applies not just to the quality of a song, or musicians, but to the recorded tracks as well.

After you get great tracks: practice practice practice until your mixes sound like the albums you like.

-KD03

[joseph]

gearslutz rocks! People here very helpfull,
I got 2 session for me to practice. I think it's a good starting point.
One of them will be release as DVD Live. It's belong to one of Indonesian Diva who performed in Java Jazz Fest 05. It's a live recording session, 7 songs, more than 1 hour Live performance, record in 48k 24bit Pyramix System thru Digico Console (MADI). A pop jazz style.
The other is Indie Hardcore Metal band. My friend gave me permission tu use his project/song for my practice. This song will be release in a Soundtrack album (indie movie).
Hope I can upload and get comments,Critics etc from all the Audio Masters in Gearslutz!!
Thanks Guys...thanks for "talking & learning"
Anyone have any idea?

Salam

[stedel]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

On your first few [hundred] attempts you should try to reference your mixes in a bunch of different environments [the house, the car, your friend's house, your friend's car, the HiFi shop, etc.].

Absolutely. Totally agree. AND if it don't work on a car's sound system it aint gonna work anywhere. Get used to the idea that your ears are portable and get used to the qualities of different sytems to help guide you in the mixing. Well MHO anyway.
Kind regards

[aio9]

Great advice guys! Thank you.

Joseph, there are a few Indonesians here on the forum. We do meet informally once in a while to discuss gear and rec/mixing techniques. So if you are interested to hang out with us, you can PM me. I am based in Jakarta.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by kennyd03

A great mix really starts with great tracking. Without great tracking, the mixer's job is one of the most difficult and frustrated jobs in the world.

The oft-said studio phrase "shine-ing up a turd" applies not just to the quality of a song, or musicians, but to the recorded tracks as well.

After you get great tracks: practice practice practice until your mixes sound like the albums you like.

-KD03

I would have to disagree.

I don't care how well tracked a song is. if the individual parts themselves are lame, you'll still ahve a lame soundign turd of a song.

I would rather have a mediocre tracked, but well produced song. Than an amazing sounding badly produced, song to mix. Because I know that with enough work, the sounds can be made to sound pretty good, and that together with a great arrangement and great parts it will shine.