I Paid 4 Mixers to Mix the Same Song... The Difference is Shocking

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  • Опубліковано 13 сер 2023
  • 1 song, 5 mix engineers ranging in price from $75 to $1000...and I'm one of them!
    Find out which one came out on top in this blind mix test.
    ☛ Learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes with my FREE Mixing Cheatsheet: mixcheatsheet.com
    Thanks to Matthew LeFevers for contributing the song & multitracks! open.spotify.com/artist/4Br4i...
    Watch the mastering shootout for this song next: • I Paid 3 Top Mastering...
    Music I’ve Worked On: open.spotify.com/playlist/6I7...
    Website: hardcoremusicstudio.com
    -------------------------
    MY FAVORITE GEAR:
    Computer / Interface:
    Mac M1 Studio Max sweetwater.sjv.io/anOMOo
    Avid Carbon sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQ6M6g
    Apogee Duet 3 sweetwater.sjv.io/y2qXqb
    Monitors / Headphones:
    Avantone CLA-10a sweetwater.sjv.io/WqyMyZ
    Audio Technica ATH-M50 sweetwater.sjv.io/PyOMON
    Microphones:
    Shure SM57 sweetwater.sjv.io/daOMy7
    AKG D112 sweetwater.sjv.io/Kj0MBy
    Sennheiser e604 sweetwater.sjv.io/DKyvWa
    Shure SM7b sweetwater.sjv.io/5g5vk3
    AKG C451b sweetwater.sjv.io/jre9Rv
    Shure SM81 sweetwater.sjv.io/eK1LnD
    Audio Technica AT4050 sweetwater.sjv.io/JzKMqr
    Preamps/Outboard:
    API 3124 sweetwater.sjv.io/eK1LRD
    EL8 Distressor sweetwater.sjv.io/XYmMd4
    Favorite Plugins:
    BSA Clipper blacksaltaudio.com/clipper
    Escalator blacksaltaudio.com/escalator
    Low Control blacksaltaudio.com/low-control
    Waves SSL Bundle waves.alzt.net/dMd4q
    Waves CLA Compressors waves.alzt.net/0va0P
    Waves Platinum waves.alzt.net/jxz2M
    Slate Trigger 2 sweetwater.sjv.io/MmAM53
    SoundToys Rack sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLgyd
    Auto-tune Pro sweetwater.sjv.io/OreMYr
    Vocalign Project sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLgyA
    Cranesong Phoenix II sweetwater.sjv.io/PyOMrz
    Instruments / Amps:
    Ludwig Black Beauty Snare sweetwater.sjv.io/1r9vDR
    Gibson Les Paul sweetwater.sjv.io/B0nvz1
    Evertune Guitars sweetwater.sjv.io/WqyM6P
    Fender Jazz Bass sweetwater.sjv.io/nLX5R6
    Sansamp Bass Driver DI sweetwater.sjv.io/OreM9Q
    EVH 5150 sweetwater.sjv.io/4PGvr9
    Mesa 2x12 cab sweetwater.sjv.io/75avGA

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,7 тис.

  • @jonr4651
    @jonr4651 Місяць тому +142

    Mix 5 sounds like I'm listening through laptop speakers across the room

    • @minhuang8848
      @minhuang8848 Місяць тому +11

      I'm sorry, but you're doing laptop speakers wrong by comparing this trash fire to them
      seriously, I just want to know what happened here

    • @basboerboom9328
      @basboerboom9328 Місяць тому +5

      @@minhuang8848 I think it is someone older with ear damage, who can barely hear high frequencies. So that why it sounds harsh. And there is no low end because either the speakers have no low end or there is a ton of low build up in the room.

    • @daou444
      @daou444 17 днів тому

      @@basboerboom9328yeap after 50 you gotta leave mixing

    • @adonisfernandez3425
      @adonisfernandez3425 14 днів тому +2

      @@basboerboom9328 It doesn't have to be older. I met a couple of producers who have lost most of their hearing by using headphones while working with raw audio for hours. And I am not talking about one or two, but almost a dozen. Most of them were self taugh and never learn about the risks. Some of them do not admit they have a hearing loss but you can tell by the crappy mix they do.

    • @basboerboom9328
      @basboerboom9328 14 днів тому

      @@adonisfernandez3425 fair enough

  • @daniellloyd6192
    @daniellloyd6192 4 місяці тому +575

    That $450 priced one is exactly what makes me do it on my own

    • @symbioticJ
      @symbioticJ 3 місяці тому +16

      Exactly i second that

    • @YogaWillDoIT
      @YogaWillDoIT 3 місяці тому +7

      LMAO

    • @distillednoise
      @distillednoise 3 місяці тому +30

      Agree! Same with masters. Some mastering engineers charge plenty of money to do a shitty job.

    • @Meteotrance
      @Meteotrance 3 місяці тому +7

      Actualy i know a pro studio with dedicated acoustic room, exclusively design for mix and recording, that practice that kind of Price and fee for 250 half day with all the fancy analog valve compressor you need. Thats the regular price, more than thousand it's for the very busy and kind of rock star sound engineer.

    • @4saken404
      @4saken404 3 місяці тому +17

      The $450 one was so bad it almost hurt to listen to. Sometimes he would switch to it from another version and I would reflexively recoil.

  • @DepressedCapitalist
    @DepressedCapitalist 4 місяці тому +611

    Mix 2 is, to my ears, by far the best. The scoop works very well and the "lack" of low mids and fat mid range enhances and gives more life to the other frecuencies. It sounds like a very conscious artistic decision. The synth line works wonders. The brightness in the 80's snare is spot on once again. Overall, the clarity and the "openess" of Mix 2 makes it a true winner for me.

    • @arlenmead7196
      @arlenmead7196 4 місяці тому +10

      I agree

    • @benfinesilver2250
      @benfinesilver2250 4 місяці тому +5

      Yes, reminded me of Fleetwood Mac.

    • @AlbertSirup
      @AlbertSirup 4 місяці тому +17

      i think no 2 is a very "modern" mix that puts emphasis on clarity on clarity and punch. It's like the mix your average artist would expect in terms of a professional sound - as opposed to adding (or retaining) warmth/midrange which is much more of an explicit aesthetic choice. It makes sense that a newer paramore album had been the reference for the warmer mix because arguably paramore made an effort to sound a bit less all-out-pop and more )for lack of a better term) analog. Overall, I agree with the idea that something in between the two might be the best option.

    • @RepentAtNightOfficial
      @RepentAtNightOfficial 4 місяці тому +7

      Mix 2 is great

    • @Nanooky
      @Nanooky 3 місяці тому +18

      Mix 4 almost sounded mono in comparison. Mix 2 had a nice stereo separation and placement of the tracks.

  • @JoshuaMRichard
    @JoshuaMRichard 3 місяці тому +251

    Dude, I just want to thank you.
    At an ungodly hour last night, I watched this video along with the "mastering engineers" one you did.
    Something you said completely changed the way I saw this profession.
    The moment you mentioned that there are people who are making worse mixes than I am and getting paid more - that was when I realized that I am more than capable of making money doing this.
    Not to mention just doing it for other people at all scared the hell out of me.
    You inspired me to take a step out into my dream and begin providing mixing services.
    My perspective radically shifted because of you, in a way that I've never been able to see on my own.
    Thank you.

    • @DavidAlexx
      @DavidAlexx 3 місяці тому +4

      You got this!!! 🎉😊

    • @JoshuaMRichard
      @JoshuaMRichard 3 місяці тому +2

      @@DavidAlexx thank you bro 🙏🙏🙏

    • @Farvadude
      @Farvadude 3 місяці тому +3

      but if everyone has that same revelation, then the whole profession is dead, because any producer worth a damn should be able to do their own mix and mastering. if they don't, then they were already a noob.

    • @audiomez
      @audiomez 3 місяці тому

      The vocal pocket is giving these folks fits. Mid/
      Mids as well.

    • @JoshuaMRichard
      @JoshuaMRichard 3 місяці тому +6

      @@Farvadude not everyone wants to be a producer and not everyone cares enough to try either. Hypothetical scenarios are great but they are only useful if they apply to reality.

  • @mansourbethoney
    @mansourbethoney 8 місяців тому +57

    You should give a shout out to the $75 guy. He's obviously new and could use the plug. I'd hire him

    • @capoman1
      @capoman1 8 місяців тому +8

      Agreed! That mastering engineer said he was busy after after Jordan plugged him.

  • @Osoch
    @Osoch 8 місяців тому +631

    For my taste, Mix 2 is perfect.
    I've always liked slightly scooped mixes more

    • @officialWWM
      @officialWWM 8 місяців тому +5

      Me too! I thought it was the best.

    • @SecretMetalFromAbyss
      @SecretMetalFromAbyss 8 місяців тому +4

      Glad to see an old friend here. :D Mix 2 definitely suited that song and the feel of it perfectly.

    • @ferienambalkon
      @ferienambalkon 8 місяців тому

      Same here!

    • @realonethreesevens3640
      @realonethreesevens3640 8 місяців тому +3

      What do you mean by “scooped?”

    • @officialWWM
      @officialWWM 8 місяців тому +22

      @@realonethreesevens3640 more bass and treble, less midrange.

  • @timbelgarde1752
    @timbelgarde1752 7 місяців тому +74

    As soon as I heard Mix 2, I said, "That sounds like something from the radio. Boom." It just has THAT sound (whatever that magical sound is). The clear winner but yours is very close.

  • @kitchenspider
    @kitchenspider 2 місяці тому +10

    Man, mix 2 was perfection. That snare was killer. The stereo field was so airy and open, it just had this clarity to it.
    Hearing this comparison made me realize how much I like that crisp, open sound, particularly on conventional/vintage/rock instrumentation. Honestly, I think you can really only have one or two low-mid/mid-forward elements and even then, those lower bands need to duck a little for kick/bass and maybe even for a low-tuned snare in sections where you want a little more rhythmic groove or movement. I'm thinking like a deadmau5 type sidechain for edm or djenty chug guitars for harder rock and metal.

  • @thomjohn98
    @thomjohn98 7 місяців тому +220

    Mix 2 sounds great.. vocals sit in the mix correctly, and the use of effects is spot on..

    • @neighbourhoodmusician
      @neighbourhoodmusician 3 місяці тому +3

      I felt like the vocals could have done with more body after the chorus or second half or the verse kicked in. They felt a little telephone-like.

    • @rodolpheseror7501
      @rodolpheseror7501 2 місяці тому +1

      I found the voice was too bright, almost changed the voice of the singer but great mix overall

    • @cobejuelomiguel6104
      @cobejuelomiguel6104 2 місяці тому

      2

  • @williamfaith6007
    @williamfaith6007 8 місяців тому +181

    Mix 2 for me. The low end punch coupled with the top end sheen made it a clear winner. I also liked his kick drum sound, which felt appropriate to the style. Nice!

  • @gdofred
    @gdofred 4 місяці тому +31

    While Mix 2 gets the nod, I do like your treatment of the bass better and also the intro pianos. Thanks for sharing!

  • @CodyBarnette-GNARK
    @CodyBarnette-GNARK 4 місяці тому +35

    mix 2 just had a great balance of the kick and vocals. i also really liked how nice the presence was on the ears. i think because of those few thing id choose mix 2.

  • @loganunknown
    @loganunknown 8 місяців тому +326

    I would like to see a studio room vs vocal booth vs closet filled with clothes and whatever else out there for us budget guys to see if you can notice any difference when vocals are compressed. Sm58 or sm57 mic?

    • @Rhuggins
      @Rhuggins 8 місяців тому +20

      @HardcoreMusicStudio - longtime viewer and viewer of the mixing community on YT. I dont think this has been done, certainly not recently by anyone. Its a fantastic idea. Would you be open to making this happen?

    • @EthanRom
      @EthanRom 8 місяців тому +2

      Those videos exist already

    • @Rhuggins
      @Rhuggins 8 місяців тому +5

      @@keithbranch9871 to me its about the character of the vocal and the tone, rather than background noise specifically. That stuff always leaves artifacts too, but throw it in the mix just to see- you never know!

    • @philippgrunert8776
      @philippgrunert8776 8 місяців тому +5

      Maybe with that GOYO vocal separator plugin... Which is free... Would be interesting. But yes, the character is a mayor difference. Yet again, so many great songs have been recorded with a sm58... IST must not always be a U87

    • @_universe_in_a_ball_
      @_universe_in_a_ball_ 8 місяців тому +3

      58 and 57 shares the same capsule. Of course the 58 is ore suitable for vocals, it has a sponge inside its grill that works as a anti-pop.

  • @benjamenkovalev2259
    @benjamenkovalev2259 7 місяців тому +101

    Mix 2 for sure, it's not just the brighter top end, but it also sounds way more open stereo image wise. Great video!

    • @jaamman
      @jaamman 7 місяців тому

      Mix 2.

    • @user-nd1ef8xj6d
      @user-nd1ef8xj6d 2 місяці тому

      Yeah, It also doesn't have the typical radio sound, which is also because of the brightness. I also liked the one which was put on place 3, because it had the old school raw style. I miss mixes that sound like they were recorded in the garage or in a fabric hall.

  • @jadedragon469
    @jadedragon469 4 місяці тому +7

    I really love how you got the background guitars to sit just right without messing with any other elements in the song! Most listeners just hear vox bass and drums after all but I think your stereo field balance was fantastic!

  • @ErikSeverinson
    @ErikSeverinson 2 місяці тому +6

    You did a great job planning and presenting this. There were a thousand ways to mess it up, or do it unfairly, and you navigated it super well!

  • @jessegrisham
    @jessegrisham 8 місяців тому +66

    I preferred Mix 2 slightly, but the difference between yours and Mix 2 is honestly really down to artist preference - do you like it darker/warmer or slightly more energetic? We can't forget, we are serving the artist's needs when we mix.

  • @jorgenlandhaug663
    @jorgenlandhaug663 8 місяців тому +111

    Mix 2 for me. It was the one i thought suited and served the song best, in my humble opinion:)

  • @999GNG
    @999GNG 7 місяців тому

    your mix is definitely my fav

  • @airwavv7054
    @airwavv7054 3 місяці тому +2

    Videos like this are great to listen to and watch considering that we are always wanting to grow and evolve so that we can do more and better work. I myself am only just starting out in the freelance world and seeing things like this is great to learn, as you are clearly someone with a trained ear and can explain what a mix may need or if it is a great mix. Great video :)
    Would have said mix 2 and 4 are very close, but it really comes down to artist preference at that point. I prefered the 4th mix the most but I love that darker sound and tones.

  • @strayingwill
    @strayingwill 7 місяців тому +36

    I like the vocals on your mix better but the energy and top end on Mix 2 really get me going. I was really vibing to that. Mix 2 for me, although yours certainly makes it clear that Mix 2 could be better.

  • @francoisparent6478
    @francoisparent6478 8 місяців тому +11

    I like how balanced yours is. Going between #2 and yours there’s a big noticeable difference in the snare. The snare in yours is more prominent. And I love that!

  • @AzureSky_Music
    @AzureSky_Music 4 місяці тому +1

    Very cool! Just subscribed. This was a fun experiment. I liked the choices you made in your mix. I am a sucker for highlighting bass lines. Your vocal sounded the best to my ear. Second place was definitely mix 2.

  • @pallibj
    @pallibj 5 місяців тому +2

    For me, mix 2 is definitely the best one. And I totally agree with you; adding the brightness on the bass from your mix to mix 2, then it would be perfect 👌

  • @jim_merk
    @jim_merk 8 місяців тому +4

    I love the role the synth bass is playing the choruses on mix 2. Great pulse without compromising the kick energy. And the top end of the snare is sweet. Mix 2 is my pick.

  • @martijnvanbeek4387
    @martijnvanbeek4387 8 місяців тому +19

    I like the second mix the best: there's more clarity and headroom in the mix. Very good delays also like yours.

  • @1soundart
    @1soundart 3 місяці тому +2

    Mix 2 gets my vote. This is a good training video for those who are learning track mixing for sure. Thanks for sharing

  • @AllgoodAsylum
    @AllgoodAsylum 2 місяці тому +4

    we are a band using old skool analog mixing and recording. love this video. It helps a lot to show the guitar players how and where the guitar and bass fits in the mix. we also have the issue of sounding like a blanket is over the entire mix. we write, record, mix and master all our on songs. got some good audio info from this video instead of trying to explain in engineer's terms. it was like "guys" just listen to this video maybe he can explain it better. thanks and just subscribed.

  • @Venemoth666
    @Venemoth666 8 місяців тому +54

    You have Done great Job :) mix nr2 is winner for me, so Warm, Closer to Ear, Clear and Punchy :) / Love💜 this series hope to listen more of this 🙃

    • @dans5529
      @dans5529 8 місяців тому +1

      Mix 2 sounded a little too thin and bright to me. I definitely wouldn't describe it as a warm mix. It's interesting how we all perceive things differently!

    • @Venemoth666
      @Venemoth666 8 місяців тому

      @@dans5529 yea its Amazing! Which monitors/headphones u use to listening? I listen with dt770

  • @manikraina2154
    @manikraina2154 8 місяців тому +8

    Quite surprised to see the similarities in the vocal processing between Mixer 2 and your process. I like the energy of the drums in Mixer 2’s mix.

  • @martyc8699
    @martyc8699 2 місяці тому +3

    My humble opinion 😅A few were lacking bass to match the drums. The song itself could have used a female backing vocal to break up the one vocal monotony. It was between two and four and listening on my JBL's it was hard to pick one. I used fiver once on a song I could not get the drumming down. Found a drummer from Italy and she knocked it out of the park. Another drummer on Fiver said: Don't you use a metronome? I said: It aint natural. 🤣😂If there is even a hint that they don't like the song or you, drop them right then. Subscribed

  • @Drumming_Monkey
    @Drumming_Monkey 5 місяців тому +5

    Mix 2 for sure. It feels so open. Especially when the e-guitar comes in, I liked how you can still clearly hear the playing without compromizing on anything else in the mix. That being said I think kick and snare were a tiny bit to powerful for my personal taste. For those I prefered your mix.

  • @simonaustin1136
    @simonaustin1136 8 місяців тому +4

    Mix 2 is great! However I do like yours the best as the articulation of the bass is the clearest. Especially in those verses, that bass line is such an integral element and drives the groove and emotion of the track.

  • @MakePopMusic
    @MakePopMusic 8 місяців тому +21

    For my personal taste, I'd split the difference of top end between 2 and 4. But I would add some low mids back into the vocals because in both 2 and 4 and take a little of that 1.5-2k hz out, the vocal feels a little thin and they almost have that telephonic bandpass effect happening.
    Overall, 2 solid mixes, 1 that could be solid with a few tweaks, and 1 that feels like it wasn't mixed at all, and 1 that feels like it was mixed to be worse than the raw multis 😂

  • @mando3022
    @mando3022 5 місяців тому +2

    Thank you so much for this great video! I love how you present it and the fact that you invest the time, effort and funds to realize this. Also sharing your knowledge and expertise is invaluable. Although, I was wondering how much time you spent with your mix? Did your assistant prepare the tracks for you? It makes a big difference if you spend 1 or 2 or more days on a mix.
    I love mix 2 since it sounds mixed AND mastered. It is more vibey and transports the intention of the song perfectly. Yours sounded a bit too clean/analytic (or un-mastered) to me, might have been because of the reference.

  • @BojanKrtinic
    @BojanKrtinic 3 місяці тому +2

    Wooow! This is so, so good video. So much I have learned from this. I have problem with putting my price in front of the others form my mixes all the time. I do consider myself a very good mixer and producer, but I guess the country that I am living in is not very humble to prices (I am from Serbia). So, listening to these mixes I definitely have confidence that I can compete with this, so thanks for opening my eyes with this issue!
    PS. The order of your choices are mine too. I would consider mix 2 the best, then yours and then others.
    Cheers

  • @RocketToSleep
    @RocketToSleep 8 місяців тому +21

    Mix 2 vs your mix is tough. My ear, personally, would like a top end somewhere in between. Your mixes are always very warm and inviting. The brightness on mix 2, although very nice and articulate, is a bit much for my ear. Both great mixes and lots of similarities. Thank you for taking the time to make your content and share with us all. Your presentations and tutorials are always helpful! Cheers!

    • @Schaddn
      @Schaddn 8 місяців тому +3

      this exactly

    • @barnabasjthomas9983
      @barnabasjthomas9983 4 місяці тому +1

      I'd love to hear Mix 2 on the verses with the warmer, 'bigger' Mix 4 on the chorus - I think that would be the golden zone. Also this is just a personal preference but the kick drum in 4 speaks to my soul.

  • @djvoid1
    @djvoid1 8 місяців тому +4

    #2 was the winner for me. Just had more gloss, a nicer sense of space and that '2000s soft pop radio' vibe that suited the song perfectly, and it grooved harder.

  • @chazchoo99
    @chazchoo99 3 місяці тому +8

    As a bass player, I vibed to mix 4 the most. But mix 2 was also really good! I think like you said, if they came together and met in the middle, that'd be perfect.

  • @Phragasm
    @Phragasm 8 місяців тому +7

    I would love to see a video where you mix with someone’s home recorded stems, and compare them. Your version vs their version

  • @seamusmcsorley7638
    @seamusmcsorley7638 8 місяців тому +3

    Definitely think somewhere between your mix and mix 2 would be ideal. The extra high end on 2 translated better on a phone speaker but could probably be dialed back a tiny bit.

  • @kpag3030
    @kpag3030 4 місяці тому +2

    Ok i think yours is a clear winner. Best overall mix. Each piece is there and blended very well. Depth and warmness and still has that top end clarity. I like it the best for my taste

  • @n67637
    @n67637 4 місяці тому +9

    2,3,4,1,5. Yes, 4 sounds tonally more balanced than 3, but the staging makes 3 more interesting than 4 and even 2. The guitar and piano are placed very well, add a lot of color and make an impact. I was actually close to picking 3 over 2. The drum fill before the chorus, I hear 3's toms go across left to right evenly 7:39 whereas 2's first two toms stay in roughly same spot before ending on the right 3:48 It's a shame the bass guitar on 3 is so thin. I don't mind the vocals up front. Adding fullness to the bass might even out the vocals in the mix.

  • @jonmacekmusic
    @jonmacekmusic 8 місяців тому +3

    Just found your channel and subscribed. This type of video format is really engaging and I enjoy it.
    In my humble amateur engineer opinion, Mix 3 gave big My Lady Peace vibes in the best way. I think your mix and Mix 2 came down to preference and, like you said, probably would sound really great somewhere in the middle of the two. The kick sounded great to me in Mix 2...but I mostly mix my own rap music.
    $450 for Mix 5 should be a crime.

  • @Ruben.R
    @Ruben.R 8 місяців тому +23

    Lord have mercy on me $450 for that god awful mix i loved mix 2 and your mix was spot on just do a mix between them and that is 100% the best version of this song.

    • @rome8180
      @rome8180 8 місяців тому +2

      I preferred #2, but I did like Jordan's treatment of the bass guitar better.

  • @robertmartinsenlb8ci
    @robertmartinsenlb8ci 3 місяці тому

    100% agree with your order. Great video to get the feel for how a mix should sound.

  • @brodylow
    @brodylow 4 місяці тому +1

    I'd have to choose mix 2 over yours for this particular song - it matches the vibe of the song vs yours sounds great for a more modern-sounding song

  • @malmsey1541
    @malmsey1541 5 місяців тому +9

    Mix 2 sounds more classic, like it's from the past; and as this is a song I could never imagine listening to if it wasn't for nostalgia, I prefer it.

  • @renealeman4566
    @renealeman4566 7 місяців тому +7

    Mix 2, but the vocals on your mix are better for me! I think your comment on the energy that Mix 2 carries is spot on.

    • @cornoc
      @cornoc 7 місяців тому +2

      that was my feeling too. mix 2 overall is more engaging, but the vocals are a little too bright, and while mix 4 sounds good (a little subdued overall), the vocal sounds more natural and pleasant. definitely both good mixes and like he said in the video, they could learn something from each other.

  • @Shimmernut
    @Shimmernut 4 місяці тому

    Great fun and so interesting to watch! .. also in various ways impossible to include your own mix objectively since you mix how you like it - and in your acoustic environment, that's a thing, but great that you did it to get into the material. Really good video, thank you!
    If you ever find the time and opportunity to do this in the future with a multitrack that's available for viewers to try our own mix of the song afterwards, that would be very cool - to see to what level you can get it yourself, and experience to problems with the boomy vocal and weird automation etc. Not like a feedback video, but just to try it for yourself and reference to the mixes in the video.
    🎶

  • @djdarksyn
    @djdarksyn 2 місяці тому +1

    this is the first videos of yours I've seen, had a little laugh at how quickly you went from analysis to "ok let's fix that that's terrible" on that first mix 😆 helpful to see the commentary on multiple tracks!

  • @j.m.networksessions2358
    @j.m.networksessions2358 7 місяців тому +4

    Mixing is art. A good mix is to get a best possible mood out of the audio material. Good Feeling of the mixed materials is automatically a good mix. There is no ideal frequency curve cause every song needs something else.
    Reference track's are not really ideal choice cause we start to clone another mixes.
    👋
    PS
    I think You like the Mix 2 because of that. Technically is to keep in Mind that Mix 2 was not mixed on your equipment. Is it better if it sounds better on your equipment? Yes it is!

  • @joechapman8208
    @joechapman8208 8 місяців тому +7

    #5 sounds like they had a headphone/room correction plugin on the master and forgot to bypass it. [edit] $450 is outrageous! Mistaken bypass or not, there are so many uncontrolled elements to that.

  • @JilleneLuce
    @JilleneLuce Місяць тому

    Nice song! I like the breakdown toward the end. Incredible the differences... I like what you did on the piano in the beginning best

  • @C.E.Alekperoff
    @C.E.Alekperoff 8 місяців тому +7

    The difference between mix2 and yours is that mix2 has the late '80s - early '90s vibe to it and yours has more of the late '90s - mid '00s. The genre in general for me is like stratocasters, meaning I'd never have anything to do with it voluntarily, so I prefer the retro feel of the mix2, it creates an illusion that it's something of the past...

  • @BourkeTommy
    @BourkeTommy 8 місяців тому +6

    I do agree mix 2 could have used the bass line hotter, but I really liked the overall mix. Love these videos. So much easier to hear where things are lacking when you hear mixes right next to each other. Crazy how well people are being paid to do mediocre work and how little some talented people are being payed!

    • @miljaardegod
      @miljaardegod 15 днів тому +1

      A tale as old as time itself

  • @freez092also
    @freez092also 2 місяці тому

    This was a very cool experiment to watch! I'm glad it came up on my feed! 😁
    You should upload the stems and do a 'mix it' contest so your listeners can put their money where there mouth/comment is!

  • @philkaris
    @philkaris 2 місяці тому

    Very interesting! Mix 2 sounds great, nicely open, and lively.

  • @ThingsandStuffchannel
    @ThingsandStuffchannel 8 місяців тому +28

    100% agree with your rankings. Though with your mix vs mix 2, I wouldn't even say one is necessarily "better" than the other. They just have slightly different vibes. Without a side by side comparison, anyone would be happy with either mix. If this has taught me anything though, it definitely makes me glad that I learned to mix myself. I can't imagine the frustration of spending that kind of money without the guarantee that more expensive services will yield higher quality results. At least if my mix sucks, it was free!

  • @andreasgilgenberg5588
    @andreasgilgenberg5588 7 місяців тому +10

    love mix 2 most, there is most clarity in the vocals, your ranking is great! love your mix also but like i said the vocals are much better to hear in mix 2

  • @prestonleebenjamin7539
    @prestonleebenjamin7539 3 місяці тому

    I agree, like your low and mid range much better, but definitely agree tweaking for that top range sheen would’ve been ideal; love the content!

  • @purplepeople950
    @purplepeople950 Місяць тому

    Thanks so much for doing this!! The detail you went into, the honest opinion and time spent are all appreciated!! Mix 2 has some space and clarity that hits nice, love the vibe you went for but being a little darker doesn't feel quite as fresh. Would love to know who produced mix 2!

  • @carasouth4880
    @carasouth4880 4 місяці тому +3

    Would really like one of these where you also make the multi track available so we can see what was made available to the mixers and see how I would have mixed it

  • @LaPurp
    @LaPurp 4 місяці тому +3

    I personally like your version the best, with a little bit of added brightness from 2. But I usually prefer a more warm, velvety sound

  • @paulis7319
    @paulis7319 2 місяці тому

    New here, just found the channel. Love it! I agree with everyone else on #2, and also agree that a hybrid of 2 & 4 would sound great. The price on mix 5 really shocked me, cause I thought it was mixed with an old cassette recorder and a CB microphone.

  • @BrenTravisMusician
    @BrenTravisMusician Місяць тому

    Good call on Mix 3, it did edge mix 1 out. Great video and good calls throughout. Not seen the end yet.

  • @DrProgNerd
    @DrProgNerd 8 місяців тому +4

    Between your mix and Mix 2, I like the top end of Mix 2 better - but felt their low end was just a touch too punchy for the track. It was distracting. I would have liked a little more low punch and brightness from yours. That said, both of you are infinitely better than anything I'm capable of doing. Very inspiring. Both gave me a benchmark to aim for. Thank you for this. So helpful.

  • @Audio_Simon
    @Audio_Simon 3 місяці тому +5

    To me, the issue with your mix is too much compression. Streaming platforms have volume normalisation, no need to squash everything to pulp anymore 😊 Mix 2 is not only brighter, it's dynamic. Kudos to whoever made that.

  • @davidgilpin5200
    @davidgilpin5200 4 місяці тому +1

    Jordan - please tell Matthew this is a GREAT song. Mixes 2 and 4 are the standouts here.. After listening to this it's obvious to my ears that the production track on Spotify is yours (the delay on the intro piano was the giveaway).

  • @loficody
    @loficody 4 місяці тому

    Man I was thinking exactly what you said about yours next to mix 2. I think the drums and bass in yours hit better but the vocal in mix 2 shines much more. So somewhere in the middle would be the ideal.

  • @fanusamurai
    @fanusamurai 3 місяці тому +4

    Nice one!
    I mix and master for my living; been doing it full-time for 10 years now.
    (My biggest client is John Summit and I work with similar styles daily; also other styles, a lot of loud bassy stuff)
    I can say reference songs are very important especially when finding out one's style and sound, if they don't know it yet.
    A wrong choice can lead to bad results, obviously.
    I've also tried to learn to say it early if I think the client has picked bad refs to work against (this definitely does happen sometimes).
    I assume that is part of my job, too, and there have been times while client has insisted on somethng Ive said isnt going to fit and I've had to say "told you so"...heh.
    Mastering included, I've prob handled around 4 thousand songs in the past 10 years (I have 32 years of music-making history behind me), and the only times I feel I've failed is when I've stuck to the bad refs (against my gut feeling) and in the end, neither of us is happy, and we're just frustrated....luckily this hasn't happened for a while, and if someone has a crazy/unfitting ref, I may have pass up on the job in the end.
    One reason why prices vary - in freelance biz in general - is that some people are busier than others.
    The guy who has less work will have lower rates, while the more booked guy will be more expensive.
    Then again if you are good, if you will be busy in the end; in this field, word goes in the grapevine instead of ads (I've never really paid for ads myself).

    • @tylermcneil5239
      @tylermcneil5239 3 місяці тому

      Howdy, fellow Junglist. I just randomly clicked on this video. fancy seeing you here. That's why I pay guys like you. I just don't have the space to do it atm.

  • @_djsport
    @_djsport 8 місяців тому +12

    First of all, it's important to acknowledge that it's very courageous of you to make this kind of comparison. Regarding your mix and mix number 2, I personally find that mix 2 is what I consider a modern pro mix where the engineer has been able to infuse the excitement for the sound, which is its rightful part, into the song. Your mix, on the other hand, is a good well-balanced mix, but the sound doesn't manage to achieve its own spotlight. Thank you! Once again, it has been very brave, and you have all my respect.

    • @onesong2001
      @onesong2001 7 місяців тому

      courageous? Be serious.

  • @jimigrok
    @jimigrok Місяць тому

    thanks - nice to see and hear the differences !

  • @crashtest2607
    @crashtest2607 5 місяців тому

    I think that mix 2 and 4 are pretty similar, they are really good mixes actually. I also appreciate this little "more bite" in the mid range of mix 2. it is not too much, just perfect to my ears...

  • @josedelasheras4733
    @josedelasheras4733 7 місяців тому +7

    I really like how you (mix 4) brought the bassline up and clear while still blended nicely. Mix 2 is great too. Mix 2 and 4 should have a baby and it'll be perfect ;) but I do prefer mix 4 as it stands.

  • @Cody_OConnell
    @Cody_OConnell 8 місяців тому +6

    Love these videos! I like mix 2 better than yours to be honest. Better top end and less mids gave it more clarity, energy and sparkle. Keep up the great content!

  • @JamesMyddelton
    @JamesMyddelton 2 місяці тому

    This was such a fascinating video, thanks !

  • @brucesearl4407
    @brucesearl4407 4 місяці тому

    I prefer mix 2 as the best mainly because it's slightly more open and airy on the top which, since it's not harsh at all or overly bright/harsh at all, always preferable. Winner! Great video, Thanks!

  • @dylanjastle
    @dylanjastle 8 місяців тому +15

    Your mix and the $650 were the best. I’d probably put the soundbetter above your mix judging by the listening experience on my AirPods. Fiver mix was pretty close to those top mixes in my opinion though. It’s such a crap shoot finding a good mixer. What I’ve learned through the years is price by itself isn’t a good indicator of skill in this space. You need to find somebody with a known good track record. Or mix it yourself! I’m working on my skills in that regard. Great video.

    • @officialWWM
      @officialWWM 8 місяців тому +1

      Yep, it’s all so subjective at the end of the day. I disagree with this guy almost every single time 😂

    • @MichaelJamesWood
      @MichaelJamesWood 7 місяців тому +1

      @@officialWWM I agree. I don't have the same opinion of this mixer. Art definitely is subjective. He's also egotistically opinionated, laughing at others styles. Big turn off for me.

    • @officialWWM
      @officialWWM 7 місяців тому

      @@MichaelJamesWood me too!

  • @angelvoicemusic
    @angelvoicemusic 3 місяці тому +5

    Thanks for sharing this. What I learned is that generally it takes a lot more time to get a superb mix ready as most local bands can pay or are ready to pay.
    If I mix for anybody I always have to count hours an stop at a certain point. Miixing my own tracks takes quite long while I don't have to pay myself.
    For sure very experienced and well equiped mixers do charge a higher price per hour, but they also are no wizards, they need time to get everything right.
    Thanks for remembering us to always hear reference tracks.

  • @AnthonyMooney91
    @AnthonyMooney91 5 місяців тому

    Love these mix/master comparison vids plz keep em coming!
    Great to see different engineer's approaches!
    Also... If the song hasn't been released yet, you could always Use Ozone to EQ match #2 & blend a % of that "sheen" and top-end into your mix!🤌😜

  • @johnbmx4christ
    @johnbmx4christ 4 місяці тому

    that was really interesting. thank you. would have loved to hear you solo #2 and yours together at the same time.

  • @kaipeterson
    @kaipeterson 4 місяці тому +1

    Mix two is the best. Very transparent and great imaging.

  • @ronallen2458
    @ronallen2458 8 місяців тому +26

    I actually like your mix better. The energy on both is great, but I think your mix is more inviting. That little bit of warmth goes a long way.

    • @ismaeletyl0
      @ismaeletyl0 8 місяців тому

      you forget that at 50 you still love hearing all those high frequencies.. (which you no longer hear). So I would choose mix 2 without thinking. :)

  • @chicken5130
    @chicken5130 8 місяців тому +4

    I love these videos because I can tell when things are flawed but not always why so these videos help me with that

  • @kinghengkeithleung3931
    @kinghengkeithleung3931 3 дні тому

    Eye-opening experiment - thanks for doing this

  • @garyloewenthal
    @garyloewenthal 4 місяці тому

    A definite benefit for me from this video was: Hearing your critiques helped me critique my own mixes of my music. I thought I had pretty good ears (I can detect when a note is sharp or when a chord uses a flatted fifth, or when the vocals are too buried during a gig, etc), but mixing is a whole new, large, skill set to learn, both in terms of tools and ear training. Videos like these help!

  • @hardcoremusicstudio
    @hardcoremusicstudio  8 місяців тому +5

    Grab your free Mixing Cheatsheet to learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes: www.mixcheatsheet.com

    • @liemisenkeittiossa
      @liemisenkeittiossa 8 місяців тому

      Hi! Could you reveal the mixers names on this video? Thnx

    • @liemisenkeittiossa
      @liemisenkeittiossa 8 місяців тому

      hey there, 349 comments and you haven't replied to a single one?

  • @jorstruly
    @jorstruly 4 місяці тому +3

    For me the order was: 2,4,3,1,5
    Honestly could have got way more out of this mix then the ones you got over there.
    2 was slightly better then yours in my opinion because of the clarity in the highs. Though i think your absolutely correct with combining 2 and 4 to get the best results.

  • @josiahhums
    @josiahhums 2 місяці тому

    i love the high end on the bass in your mix

  • @clearlyepic9958
    @clearlyepic9958 4 місяці тому

    Catching this one late… I think yours was the best because of the low to mid clarity. Don’t be too modest! I also think there are mix/masters that care more to detail regardless of the price they’re charging. And others are in it (FIVRR) for the quick buck and only use a mix template or mix algorithm. Great video.

  • @creeker90
    @creeker90 8 місяців тому +3

    This is great. I also think that a bit of Mix 2 and 4 combined would be perfect.
    Is there a chance to get the multitracks somewhere, so we can try for ourselves?

    • @BorisBarroso
      @BorisBarroso 7 місяців тому

      I would love to have the multitracks and make my mix.

  • @eklipseRomania
    @eklipseRomania 8 місяців тому +3

    I'm at min.13 and I paused to say just how much I hate mix no.5, it's horrible, even I can do better and I have no idea wtf I'm doing.

    • @Jazzguitar00
      @Jazzguitar00 8 місяців тому +1

      Jordan's right; whoever did this probably can't even hear the low mids.

  • @pedrobossio5440
    @pedrobossio5440 2 місяці тому

    Great video! imparts the reality of how a quality mix would make the song or break the song.

  • @tonecaster8102
    @tonecaster8102 3 місяці тому

    Very interesting! thanks for sharing this!

  • @docshadrach
    @docshadrach 8 місяців тому +5

    For me Mix 2 is better that yours. Very great vocal FXs and great feeling overall, specially in the chorus.

  • @superlogico8260
    @superlogico8260 5 місяців тому +8

    the problem is you like poppy soft sounds, so it will be very subjective. I'd have choose yours or the mix 2 for that type of "pop let's try to get some spotify love, just compress everything". But the 5 mix has more grit and harmonics, and it's easy to see by the sound waves it has a loooooooot more dynamics than the ones you like (although it lacks a bit of body). So I guess it's question of taste. For my kind of music I'd choose #5 9 out of 10 times before any of the other versions.

    • @DodgaOfficial
      @DodgaOfficial Місяць тому +1

      5 doesn't just lack body, it's extremely harsh, way too much air, and poorly balanced. I wouldnt go with mix 5 ever, what you gain in dynamic range you lose in every other way.

    • @superlogico8260
      @superlogico8260 Місяць тому

      @@DodgaOfficialagain: that's OK if you like soft poppy sounds. I don't. It's not very difficult to understand

  • @KirkyDrums
    @KirkyDrums 3 місяці тому

    Mix 2 all day . Drums sound crisp. Snare sounds incredible . Agree with you said about having a little of yours with the crisp high end of his . I would mix down the finger clicks/claps a lot right under that crisp snare.

  • @stevewatts9128
    @stevewatts9128 6 місяців тому

    Loving your honesty... and I agreed totally with the ranking

  • @MrMattrix1
    @MrMattrix1 8 місяців тому +5

    I think mix 2 just got it for me, really liked the energy in the bass when the chorus kicked in. but a best of both with yours and mix 2 would be even better. great vids thanks for sharing. Subscribed