Mixing in the music industry used to be an exclusive practice that only audio engineers with a wealth of expensive studio gear could perform. Nowadays, digital audio workstations (DAWs) let artists and music lovers dive into the world of mixing themselves from the comfort of their homes.
While it’s easier than ever for anyone to mix music, mixing is an art form whose requirements and extensive toolsets can be easy to get lost in. We’ll go over the foundational aspects of mixing, so you can set off in a good direction in the pursuit of mixing perfection.
What Is Mixing?
Mixing can be described as the practice of generating clean, clear, and defined audio from multi-track recordings. In other words, each musical element and instrument in a mix will have its level (volume) and position balanced out in relation to all the other sonic elements in a given track.
A good mix will give the listener a clear idea of the space each musical aspect occupies; the sum of the parts creates a greater cohesive whole. A bad mix often includes washed-out sounds and a lack of clarity as multiple instruments and effects compete for the same space.
Mixing represents one of the key stages in the process of music production. Typically, it occurs after composition, arranging, and sound design/production have taken place, but most creators use mixing tools throughout the production process.
Now that we have a basic idea of what mixing involves, let’s go over some of its core tools.
1. Toggle the Volume Faders and Panning Dials
While you may think that high-quality mixing relies primarily on expensive plugins, never underestimate the role of volume faders and panning dials.
No matter how you dress up an instrument with fancy plugins, sometimes all you need for an instrument, drum kit, or vocal to “pop” is the right volume balance. Certain plugins can then be used to further polish and refine the sound.
Similarly, one of the key challenges in mixing is to avoid multiple instruments competing for the same space, such as vocals and guitars. There are a variety of methods you can use individually or collectively to resolve this issue. However, sometimes the simplest road is the best one; identify instruments whose fundamental frequencies are similar, and try separating them in the stereo field via panning.
It’s worth mentioning that some producers like to leave panning for the latter stages of the mixing process. This gives them the challenge of making each musical element sound defined while they all sound down the center. Whether you’re suited to this technique or not, it can be invaluable in showing you which instruments clash as some can become almost inaudible.
2. Use Equalizers
Among the first plugins mixing engineers reach for are equalizers (EQs). EQs are frequency-editing tools that allow you to sculpt the frequency content of your instruments. This is important as most instruments emit unnecessary frequencies in their high- and low-ends.
In addition, most instruments, particularly live-recorded ones, produce harsh ringing resonances. EQs are a great tool for surgically removing such unpleasant tones. For more in-depth info on EQs, look intohow to use EQs to improve your audio.
You may also want to look intothe different types of EQs, as dynamic EQs, for example, can allow you to cut or boost certain frequencies only when they become problematic. This means the rest of your audio will be unaffected by those EQ filters.
EQs are vital in slimming down the space your instruments occupy. Another tool that works in the same vein is compression.
3. Apply Compression
Compression plugins primarily serve to reduce the gain of a given audio source by lessening the difference between its loudest and quietest parts (dynamic contrast). In a sense, they tighten up the audio they work on, and some compressors add desirable sonic colors too.
Compressors can be quite intimidating at first, especially as there are varioustypes of compressorsthat perform in different ways. Look intohow to use compression pluginsto remove the mystery and seeming complexity behind compressors.
4. Use Reverb and Other Effects
Reverberation plugins, or reverb for short, provide the space in which your musical elements live and breathe in. Without reverb, audio sounds completely unnatural. Finding the righttypes of reverbfor different instruments is part of the challenge and joy of mixing.
For effects such as reverb, delay, and distortion, it’s best to set up sends/aux tracks and send your chosen instruments to them. This allows you to mix in the effect to your liking, and place other effects like EQ to avoid accumulations of unwanted frequencies. Conversely, EQs and compressors often work best as insert plugins (inserted directly onto a given channel strip).
If you feel overwhelmed when you attempt to decide what to do with your effects and all their sonic possibilities, try and remember that less is more. Follow your instincts, let accidents inspire you, and try not to add more new without good reason.
Bear in mind that each additional effect is another element in your mix, and space must be carved out for it in some way or another.
5. Use Automation
Automation is one of the best tools to avoid a static mix and add dynamism to your music. It helps add contrast which is one of the most valuable and desired aspects of art and music in all its forms.
While automation is most commonly used to dynamically change volume levels of diverse instruments, you can also use it to boost the strength of your reverb or delay at the end of a phrase, or cut the highs or lows of a synth in an intro.
Learn to use automation in your DAW, and you’re able to automate any parameter in your mix. Limit yourself to a few aspects at first, such as volume, panning, and EQ, and slowly build up your focus according to your style.
6. Make the Final Tweaks in Your DAW
The aim of the mixing process is to produce a final error-free mixdown that is ready for mastering. You will want tofade all of your audio regionsto avoid pops and clicks, and go through each track to make sure no unnecessary noises are present. Make full use of your DAW’s arsenal of editing tools to clean up and fine-tune all that you’re able to, such as pitch and timing aspects.
Before sending your mixdown to a mastering engineer, or starting the mastering process yourself, check and see whether you can hear each sonic element in your mix. Don’t get bogged down in perfectionism, and when it’s good enough, it’s time for the final stage of mastering.
Create a Clear Mixdown
Mixing is a creative and technical process of balancing out all your musical elements into a defined, gripping, and cohesive whole. Use volume faders and panning dials to set the balance of levels between instruments and effects as well as position them in the stereo field. Then, tighten up the frequency content and dynamic contrast of your audio with equalizers and compressors.
Add effects like reverb and automation to add space, contrast, and vitality to your mix. Finish up with fine-tuning edits in your DAW, and your musical work is ready for the final stage of music production.
