01-02-2018, 10:06 PM
Hi Dave, I'm Perpetual Escape's drummer and original mix engineer
Ok so I'll be honest and by that I mean try to make you progress, with all due respect of course
First, it's really important to use reference tracks while mixing. so you simply add a similar song, already mixed and mastered, in your session routed to your output (so it's not affected by your plugins) and your goal is to try to imitate that pro mix as much as possible. So you have to listen to a lot of things : general tone (bassy ? midrangy ? agressive ? airy ?), the overall balance of each track (what's the most important element in that pro mix ? Vocals ? Drums ? Guitars ?), which element is the most upfront ? Which is the most behind ? What panning was used ? Etc....
When mixing, start with the most important element (usually drums for the instruments and vocals) and try to match your reference track. What your kick needs ? Less mids ? More subs ? More attack ? Grab an EQ, and fix that kick, and compare with and without your EQ (at the same volume). If it's better, cool, move on to the next track (let's say snare), if not, keep working on it.
Once all your tracks are EQed, time to use compressors. Listen the dynamics of your reference track. Try to match it one more time. If you don't really know how to use a compressor, go check on youtube, you'll find tons of great tutorials.
At the end, everything must sound BALANCED : can you hear each instrument ? Are they properly placed, for example your bass must not be in front of your vocals ? Etc...
One more tip : mix in mono. If everything sounds great on mono, than it will be stellar on stereo
Keep practicing, watch tutorials, make mistakes (as we all do), learn, fix, and finally happy mixing
Cheers !
Florian
Ok so I'll be honest and by that I mean try to make you progress, with all due respect of course
First, it's really important to use reference tracks while mixing. so you simply add a similar song, already mixed and mastered, in your session routed to your output (so it's not affected by your plugins) and your goal is to try to imitate that pro mix as much as possible. So you have to listen to a lot of things : general tone (bassy ? midrangy ? agressive ? airy ?), the overall balance of each track (what's the most important element in that pro mix ? Vocals ? Drums ? Guitars ?), which element is the most upfront ? Which is the most behind ? What panning was used ? Etc....
When mixing, start with the most important element (usually drums for the instruments and vocals) and try to match your reference track. What your kick needs ? Less mids ? More subs ? More attack ? Grab an EQ, and fix that kick, and compare with and without your EQ (at the same volume). If it's better, cool, move on to the next track (let's say snare), if not, keep working on it.
Once all your tracks are EQed, time to use compressors. Listen the dynamics of your reference track. Try to match it one more time. If you don't really know how to use a compressor, go check on youtube, you'll find tons of great tutorials.
At the end, everything must sound BALANCED : can you hear each instrument ? Are they properly placed, for example your bass must not be in front of your vocals ? Etc...
One more tip : mix in mono. If everything sounds great on mono, than it will be stellar on stereo
Keep practicing, watch tutorials, make mistakes (as we all do), learn, fix, and finally happy mixing
Cheers !
Florian