The Backwards Mix

Today's mixing concept is a simple one, but very effective. I call it the backwards mix. This is something that I've adopted recently and has really changed the way that I mix. It's simplified my mixing process and resulted in better sounding mixes. So let's get straight to the point.

Posted by willsterling23 0 comments

Read More

Keep it Simple

When I mix songs for clients, one of the biggest problems I encounter is that they simple have too many tracks. Now, as a mix engineer, it's my job to create balance and get these tracks to play nicely together. I like a challenge as much as the next guy, but this isn't about fighting for space in the frequency spectrum. Sure, it's a lot more work when I have to make ten electric guitar tracks play nicely together, but the problem I'm referring too is a problem musically. Today I want to encourage you to keep it simple, and it here's why. 

More tracks does not mean a bigger mix. 

One of the number one lies new recording artists or engineers buy into, is that more tracks will equal a bigger mix. They think that if they have ten guitar tracks and three bass tracks and eight vocal tracks that their mix will sound huge. The sad truth is this: most of the time, it wont. You can record as many tracks as you'd like, but that isn't going to automatically make your mixes sound huge. In fact, it will usually have the opposite effect. I know it's counter intuitive, but you would be amazed at how big a mix can sound that has a really small number of tracks.

I think one of the main reasons we do this is sometimes we hear albums from our favorite artists and there is a lot going on. We start noticing all these different instruments and we think that if we record a lot of tracks, then our recordings will sound like that too. Unfortunately that just isn't the case. You will get there, but you need to master getting huge mixes with simple tracks. It isn't the number of tracks that make the professional mixes sound huge, it's the talent behind the engineers recording and mixing the tracks. Work on getting your skill level higher before throwing in too many tracks, or you are just going to overwhelm yourself. 

Too many instruments can mean musical chaos. 

This is where it really gets frustrating as a mix engineer. I can't tell you how many times I get songs from clients, and the song is just all over the place. Quite frankly there is just way too much going on. All the instruments are fighting each other, there are too many lead parts, too many melody repeats in tracks, etc. Most songs I get I believe would sound better if I deleted half the tracks. And that's actually still leaving a lot. I was working on a song today that had around twelve guitar parts. It was as if every guitar was trying to be front and center and play the lead. It was musical chaos and no amount of mixing was going to make it right. 

Next time you start up a recording session, remember to keep it simple! You can and will create huge sounding mixes with a smaller number of tracks. It's easier to manage, it allows some parts to be up front, and it sounds bigger than you'd think. 

 I offer professional mixing and mastering at an easy flat rate. Head over to http://willsterling.net for more info. 

Posted by willsterling23 0 comments

Read More

The One Day Mix Break

This is probably one of the most simple tips I can give you for mixing and yet it can make a huge difference in the quality of your mixes. I know far too often we get bogged down in the complex aspects of mixing and forget to do the basics. I just wrote a post on that recently, and this is one of those basics that you really need to be implementing for better sounding mixes!

Posted by willsterling23 0 comments

Read More

The Foundation of a Great Mix

If you've ever googled or researched mixing and recording tips, you probably come up with some crazy and cool techniques. I know I've seen my fair share of really neat EQ trics, compressor stacking, crazy mic placement,and just all kinds of cool and fancy ideas to get better sounding mixes and recordings. I'll be the first one to say, these tricks are awesome! There is nothing wrong with implementing these and using these sort of ideas to better enhance your mixes or recordings. However, there is a problem that sometimes arises from this.

Posted by willsterling23 0 comments

Read More

The Secret to Returning Clients

I'm sure a lot of you are just getting into recording or mixing to better improve your own music and help yourself as a musician. That's how I started. Shortly after however, I realized that I really enjoyed this and potentially could turn it into a profitable business. And for some of you, this may happen or you may already be in the same boat. With that said, this post is directed mainly to those who want to run a profitable recording, mixing, or mastering business.

Today I want to share with you a way that you can keep clients coming back time and time again as well as get more referrals.

Posted by willsterling23 0 comments

Read More

Four Tips For Mixing Vocals

Most genres today have vocals as the primary and focal part of the song. It's no wonder we spend so much time trying to get our vocals to sound good and even more time being frustrated when we can't get them to sound the way we want. Every couple of months I like to revisit some concepts for mixing vocals and keep myself reminded of the tips and techniques that we can use to get a great sounding vocal track. These tips aren't anything new, but they are helpful reminders and will get you a more up front, clear, and professional vocal track.

Posted by willsterling23 0 comments

Read More