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.

What is backwards mixing? 

Basically, it's starting from you busses (or aux sends) and mixing backwards from there. Let me give you a scenario. Let's say you are mixing drums. If you have all of your drums going to an aux buss, and you probably do, you should start with EQ and compression on your buss before you start on your individual tracks. Do what you can hear to make your drums sound great, then if necessary, move onto your individual drum tracks. This in effect, is backwards mixing. 

Backwards mixing involves applying mixing techniques like EQ, compression, etc. to your tracks as a whole, and then working backwards from there to the individual tracks. What you will find when you start mixing this way is that often times, you don't even need to add inserts on an individual track! It saves you processing power and simplifies your mix, often resolving the problems in a much faster way. 

I've seen a lot of mix engineers start with their entire mix buss. They will add some light compression or something of that sort and then go to their busses and work backwards from there. This is perfectly fine too. I don't personally work this way, just because I don't like to mess with master buss until I master. But there is no "wrong" way here. 

This is a wonderful technique to start implementing into your mixing workflow. It will not only simplify your mixing process but will get you better sounding mixes in the process.