Learning to mix music takes time, patience, and practice. However, with the right mindset and tools, anyone can become a skilled music mixer. Here are some tips to get you started on your journey to mixing mastery.
Understand the Goal of Mixing
Mixing is the process of taking multiple recorded tracks and blending them into a cohesive song. The goal is to balance the levels, EQ, effects, and panning so that no single track overpowers another. Everything works together seamlessly to create the overall sound you want for the song.
So in essence, mixing helps transform your individual vocal, instrument, and other tracks into one unified piece of music. With great mixing, each element can be clearly heard while also blending nicely with each other. The mix creates the soundstage and vibe you want listeners to experience.
Learn Mixing Fundamentals
To get started with mixing, you need to understand some key fundamentals. These core concepts include:
- Setting track levels – Using faders to get the volume balance between tracks right.
- Panning – Placing tracks left, right, or center in the stereo field.
- EQ – Boosting or cutting frequencies to shape the tone.
- Compression – Controlling dynamic range.
- Effects – Using reverb, delay, saturation etc. to add space and color.
- Automation – Changing volume, panning, and more over time.
Learn what each of these tools does and how to use them to shape your mix. With practice, you’ll intuitively know how to sculpt the sound with these core mixing techniques.
Train Your Ears
A trained ear is essential for mixing. You need to be able to critically listen and identify issues in the mix like masking, poor EQ, conflicting frequencies, etc. Develop these listening skills:
- Learn how certain instruments should sound and sit in a mix.
- Train your ears to hear subtle frequency differences.
- Listen on different speakers to understand how your mix translates.
- Take frequent breaks so you have fresh ears.
- Compare your mix to professional references.
Trust your ears over your eyes when mixing. The meters can guide you, but how it sounds is what matters most. Refine your aural skills with focused practice.
Choose Your Mixing Tools
Having the right mixing tools is crucial. Here are the essentials to get:
- DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) – Where you’ll mix, like Ableton Live or Pro Tools.
- Monitors – Studio speakers for accurate mixing.
- Headphones – Additional pair for mixing on the go.
- Audio interface – Connects mics, instruments, and monitors to your computer.
- Plug-ins – EQ, compressors, effects, and more to process your sounds.
Invest what you can in quality gear – it makes a difference. But you can start mixing with very basic equipment if needed.
Understand Signal Flow
When mixing, it helps to have a grasp of basic signal flow. This is the path the audio takes from input to output. A simple example signal chain would be:
Mic > Preamp > Audio interface > DAW track > Insert FX (EQ, compression, etc.) > Output bus FX (reverb etc.) > Master bus (final EQ/compression/limiting) > Monitors/headphones
Knowing how the audio flows through your system allows you to troubleshoot issues and structure your processing properly.
Set Levels First
The foundation of any mix is getting the track levels balanced. This usually entails:
- Bringing down clipping tracks.
- Bringing up quiet tracks.
- Setting lead vocals loud enough to be clearly heard.
- Adjusting music tracks to sit well behind vocals.
Get the volume basics right first before you begin EQing, compressing, etc. This provides a solid starting point.
Shape Tone with EQ
EQ is one of the main tone sculpting tools in mixing. Use it to:
- Brighten or darken sounds.
- Warm up thin tracks.
- Cut harsh or muddy frequencies.
- Boost sweet spots in sounds.
- Create space by notching out competing frequencies between tracks.
Apply EQ subtly and mainly to enhance the good qualities already there. Drastic EQ changes often sound unnatural.
Use Compression Thoughtfully
Compression helps shape dynamic range in mixes by:
- Tightening up uneven vocals.
- Adding punch and presence to instruments.
- Controlling erratic dynamics.
- Providing overall mix glue and cohesion.
Be careful not to overcompress though – let the natural dynamics shine through as well. Use your ears to find the sweet spot.
Add Space with Reverb
Reverb helps place sounds in a realistic space by simulating room reflections and decay. Use it to:
- Add live room ambience to drier tracks.
- Set instruments further back in the mix.
- Glue elements together for cohesion.
- Create unique reverbs for special FX.
Be subtle with reverb amounts – you generally want it more felt than heard. Also EQ the reverb returns to focus the tone.
Pan for Clarity and Width
Panning helps separate elements in the stereo field so they have their own space. Follow these panning tips:
- Pan kick, snare, bass, and lead vox center typically.
- Guitars, keys, backing vox, and more can be L/R.
- Overheads and rooms often sound good panned slightly off center.
- Create width with additional L/R panning, delays, etc.
- Avoid extreme panning which sounds unnatural.
Balance your panning to create clarity while still having a wide, immersive soundstage.
Mix to the Lead Vocal
The lead vocal is often the most important element in pop/rock songs. So mix with the vocal in mind:
- Carve space for the vocal by dipping competing frequencies in other tracks.
- Use compression, delay/reverb auxes on the vocal for clarity and presence.
- De-ess to tame harsh sibilance.
- Automate vocal level rides around consonants.
- Highlight and enhance the storytelling in the lyrics.
Let the vocal shine while still blending well with the music bed. Everything else supports the vocal in most mixes.
Check Your Mix in Mono
Checking your mix in mono is important, because:
- It reveals phase issues or masking you may not hear in stereo.
- You can ensure the low end is solid without stereo trickery.
- It allows you to focus just on the sonics, not the panning.
- Many people will hear your song in mono on phones, clubs, etc.
Master your mix to sound great in mono first, then use stereo imaging for added width.
Compare with References
Referencing your mix against professional tracks in the same genre is tremendously helpful. A/Bing allows you to:
- Learn how your mix stacks up and what issues need addressing.
- Hear how pro mixes are balanced, EQ’d, compressed, etc.
- Determine how loud and wide your master should be.
- Gain inspiration from production elements and ideas.
Reference unfinished mixes so you can match the vibe. Don’t over-scrutinize trivial details though.
Take Regular Breaks
Mixing for long periods can cause “ear fatigue” where you become less objective and critical. Avoid this by:
- Taking 5-10 minute breaks each hour to rest your ears and brain.
- Checking your mix on fresh ears the next day.
- Walking away when frustrated rather than forcing it.
- Coming back to tricky parts later with a cleared mind.
Effective pacing maximizes your focus and keeps your perspective fresh. Marathon mixing rarely yields the best results.
Master for Distribution
Mastering is the final polish on a mix in preparation for distribution. Mastering often includes:
- Subtle overall EQ balancing.
- Light compression for added glue and loudness.
- Peak limiting to prevent clipping.
- Fades, spacing between tracks, and stereo width adjustments.
- Conversion to distribution file formats.
While you can self-master, getting a professional master will take it to the next level sonically. This provides valuable objective ears and technical expertise.
Conclusion
Learning to mix music takes regular practice across many years. Be patient with yourself. No mixer started out skilled. With the right foundation though, your mixes will continuously improve. Stay open minded, keep training your ears, learn from mentors, and enjoy the journey. Mixing mastery awaits with dedication to the craft.