Music Mixing Tips
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Mixing music is the process of meshing individually recorded tracks into a song. This is where your creativity really comes into play and you'll find that no two people will mix exactly the same way. It is possible, though, to be too creative and end up with something that sounds completely different than what you originally intended.
Following are a few simple tips to get the best results from your mix:
1. Understand the software. Read the documentation. Practice. Read the online user forums if there are any available.
2. Just make good recordings first. Don't worry about adding effects at this point. Be sure each track sounds the way you want it, so record and re-record until it does. You're putting a lot of effort into the recording process so be sure you keep a copy of each of the tracks backed up somewhere on your hard disk or on a CD.
3. Make sure you're using a good set of speakers. If you put together a mix by listening through some cheap computer speakers you'll likely find that you've ended up with way too much bass and who knows what else when you play the finished song on a good system. If you're really interested in doing high quality work, you'll want a set of studio monitors.
4. Start with the rhythm section, the "body" of the song, then add vocals. Next, add in the other individual instrument parts.
5. Stereo positioning is critical. It's ok to put almost all the sound of one instrument on the right and another instrument almost all on the left. However, main vocals, bass guitar and bass drums should be centered in the mix. Other drums can be on one side or the other but don't go too far. Background vocals can be off center also.
6. When two instruments seem to cancel each other out, use the EQ (equalizer) to bump up the high end on one and the low end on the other. This will give them some separation from one another.
7. Don't overdo the reverb. It's good to use some reverb with instruments, but don't go crazy with it. And don't try to fill in a void with reverb. If it sounds like you need another instrument to provide "fill", add one. As far as vocals go, try using delay instead of reverb.
8. Use compression. The peak volumes of most of the instruments and voices you'll record simply get too loud at different points. Compression will help even things out, but since it does lower the volume, you'll need to raise it in the compressor. Remember this increases the volume levels for all the parts, so again, things will be evened out.
9. Mixdown the tracks. Once you have all the individual tracks sounding the way you want them, mix them down (combine them) into a single stereo track.
10. Audio mastering is the final step. Add any overall effects, compression etc. necessary to your final mix. Just don't over- tweak. When you think it sounds good, it probably does, but play the song on several different systems just to be sure.
Following are a few simple tips to get the best results from your mix:
1. Understand the software. Read the documentation. Practice. Read the online user forums if there are any available.
2. Just make good recordings first. Don't worry about adding effects at this point. Be sure each track sounds the way you want it, so record and re-record until it does. You're putting a lot of effort into the recording process so be sure you keep a copy of each of the tracks backed up somewhere on your hard disk or on a CD.
3. Make sure you're using a good set of speakers. If you put together a mix by listening through some cheap computer speakers you'll likely find that you've ended up with way too much bass and who knows what else when you play the finished song on a good system. If you're really interested in doing high quality work, you'll want a set of studio monitors.
4. Start with the rhythm section, the "body" of the song, then add vocals. Next, add in the other individual instrument parts.
5. Stereo positioning is critical. It's ok to put almost all the sound of one instrument on the right and another instrument almost all on the left. However, main vocals, bass guitar and bass drums should be centered in the mix. Other drums can be on one side or the other but don't go too far. Background vocals can be off center also.
6. When two instruments seem to cancel each other out, use the EQ (equalizer) to bump up the high end on one and the low end on the other. This will give them some separation from one another.
7. Don't overdo the reverb. It's good to use some reverb with instruments, but don't go crazy with it. And don't try to fill in a void with reverb. If it sounds like you need another instrument to provide "fill", add one. As far as vocals go, try using delay instead of reverb.
8. Use compression. The peak volumes of most of the instruments and voices you'll record simply get too loud at different points. Compression will help even things out, but since it does lower the volume, you'll need to raise it in the compressor. Remember this increases the volume levels for all the parts, so again, things will be evened out.
9. Mixdown the tracks. Once you have all the individual tracks sounding the way you want them, mix them down (combine them) into a single stereo track.
10. Audio mastering is the final step. Add any overall effects, compression etc. necessary to your final mix. Just don't over- tweak. When you think it sounds good, it probably does, but play the song on several different systems just to be sure.
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Music Recording Software and Mixing Hardware