18-08-2015, 01:34 AM
Honestly, the biggest thing that I think that I do is to mono everything out, and do all of my leveling and eq's (both surgical and tonal) while in mono. Then I space everything out (by panning), add some effects that I think the track could benefit from (I'll try effects out while monoed [mono'd?] as well).
Also, I learned this from reading Zen and the Art of Mixing by Mixerman: if the song is making you dance, you're on the right track. If i start getting into it and digging it, I'll take a bounce of it then. It may not be the final mix, but sometimes the early mixes end up beating the mix that you've tried to massage for hours, because you've lost perspective. The earlier mix may be able to help you with your mix as well, if you HAVE lost perspective, and need a reminder of where you came from. If a part sounds worse with all of the time you've spent on it, trash the effects and start over.
Also, I'm a live audio technician as my "day job", so that has made me confident in the (quick) decisions that often need to be made. If you make yourself make a quick decision, make sure that it is an educated one, based on enhancing the song, not just "making the part sound better."
Hope that gives a little insight!
Draper
Also, I learned this from reading Zen and the Art of Mixing by Mixerman: if the song is making you dance, you're on the right track. If i start getting into it and digging it, I'll take a bounce of it then. It may not be the final mix, but sometimes the early mixes end up beating the mix that you've tried to massage for hours, because you've lost perspective. The earlier mix may be able to help you with your mix as well, if you HAVE lost perspective, and need a reminder of where you came from. If a part sounds worse with all of the time you've spent on it, trash the effects and start over.
Also, I'm a live audio technician as my "day job", so that has made me confident in the (quick) decisions that often need to be made. If you make yourself make a quick decision, make sure that it is an educated one, based on enhancing the song, not just "making the part sound better."
Hope that gives a little insight!
Draper