8 Things To Do On Every Mix
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- Опубліковано 2 чер 2024
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There is a TON of mixing information out there to choose from - and more is being released every day. From new tutorials and techniques, to must-have plugins and studio gear. Always something different to throw in the pot when you're cooking up a mix.
While it's awesome to have lots options at your fingertips, it can also majorly mess with your mixing mindset. It's hard to know where to start when you keep changing the rules.
Without a solid framework to your mix sessions, you'll likely end up with weak workflows, slow progress and inconsistent results.
Before you add anything else, steal these 8 steps to create a foolproof mix process - and start bringing consistency and speed to your mixes today!
Freedom of creativity through discipline of process.
1. Same Track Names, in same order
2. Same routing or effects for each part
3. Same workflow setting up organizing mix, rough mix balance panning, heavy lifting digging into EQ effects beat - vocals, additional special effects, mixing
4. Parallel Compression esp. drums
5. Same effects on every mix, reverbs, delays, harmonizer - chorus effects.
6. Micro automation, fades, making and tucking things for or from standing out
7.(SSL) Same style bus compressor on the final mix to glue everything together.
8. Slate FGX plugin to add loudness as a final touch
this is the only mixing channel that makes sense to me tbh
I'm pretty surprised and happy that I'm already following most of these tips, just being an amateur at best. Could you please do a video on automation and your approach, when it comes to that? I've always been intrigued by how your automation busses look, while watching your videos. :)
Great idea! I would also like to see something on Automation or even how you approach bussing
How about buying some of his mixing coarses? 😄
Cheers.
@@lydfar2392 do you have his course?
@@kylegrossi8175 I do, highly recommend. 😊
Be Aware though... this approach can.. and certainly will make your music sound pinned and static. As i view it its much better to let the principal Idea be the starting point and buildimg around from there. Study and research how Hit Songs were writen. .. most of the time it was exactly the opposite of what stated here... if it works for you.. fine.. but.. man! ... free your self... avoid square thinking.. and learn to be in the moment.. and: do not approach a dong with "the tecnical Order" part of your brain... instead do use "creative feeling" even at cost of order and structure... your songs will thank you.
Great video Jordan, ive recently been feeling guilty because ive found myself mixing the same way and in the same order with the same fx, and its getting a lot faster but feels like im not putting in as much effort as i used, but you were right im just not wasting time on these decisions and instead dialing in levels, eq, compression, automation etc although even those processes are getting faster and more efficient
A lot of this seems to apply to working mix engineers, like people who are mixing every day for a living. If you are not a mix engineer working on other people's mixes every day, then it stands to reason that exploring all your different plugins and mucking about with your recording software is actually a great wat to keep learning and stay inspired.
Also... Everyone always says "use automation" but no one ever seems to give examples or to actually dig into this topic. Is it really that subjective, or are there main goals with automation? I can understand building choruses up to be louder and softer parts actually being softer, but for whole part volume changes, I just create duplicate tracks of the existing and make them a touch louder or softer. And I also get that you can ride a vocal to make each syllable audible but I mean, that can't be it. If the singer is consistent, then you don't need this. What about the Mastering Limiter / Maxamiser that just flat lines your mixes to get it to commercial standard anyway. I know that this isn't supposed to be an issue, but my most recent clients actually asked me to make them loud AF even after I explained the benefits of not making them loud AF. Hahahaha. Can't win. Sorry for the essay. I just love this stuff.
Thanks for summarizing at the end of this tutorial. Most folks who make these videos that have a list of things to follow/do or not do never realize that by the time you get to number 3 or 4 many of us won’t remember the first 3 of the whole list…
Great advice , I'm even more happy to say I follow all these rules. Doing the same thing over and over really helps you master your outboard gear and plugins. Yes you should try new things every session but while mixing I start with my " "go to" gear first to A . Continue to monitor my progress and B. Get the client excited cause I already know I can make shit happen with my " go to gear ".
Great video.
its crazy how jacksfilms also runs a hardcore music youtube channel. the grind is mf real.
Templates , templates, templates ..... Ill say it again louder for those in the back ..... TEMPLATES!!!
Not necessarily
This is true, I use the same processes pretty much everytime, after the plug in i just do a lot of volume automation and fader riding, it really opens your eyes to how to MIX ,not fix audio , and yes you can still be creative and and crazy effects, song format, etc. And the best part is every mix becomes super clean 👌, like he was saying just stick to basic effect the creativity comes natural with production, it really is golden advice 👌
Man I gotta say, since I subscribed to your mailing list, that's some top level inspirational stuff I'm reading. Thank you for nudging me in the right direction :)
Thank you your information has helped me a lot in my work.
Thanks! This video made me really think how to approach my next project 👍🏻
Always great advice
you're fire dude, best tips always
#1 thing that helped me was reference mixes and setting track levels at the start of the session. A bit of automation if an instrument needs it and *occasionally* some gentle compression on a bus or something.
Ty for your video om clipping. Will try that for my mixes from now on. Subscribed.
Ha haa! Those first 10 seconds were just pure gold! Great vid! Thanks for sharing Jordan!
Thanks for the video, appreciate the helpful tips.
Had a notepad and took notes as you went along. Love how you emphasize the commitment to your favourite few plugins. Less time trying new things and more time focusing on what works!
Do you have any other good recommendations for alternatives to the SSL mix buss compressor? Thanks in advance!!
In case this is still relevant, The Glue by Cytomic is pretty neat and based on the same HW-compressor.
My new favorite channel
Great vid sir..
Thanks Jordan!!
Thank you sir!
Cheers!
I think I built most of the same habits and I can't work unless things are organised. Track naming, track order, getting things ship shape before starting is just fundamental. I do need to spend a bit more time making my template and speeding up my workflow that way. I have all my favourite plugins and busses etc, I just waste time setting them up each session. Good info, thank you!
Automation is the secret sauce that I didn't learn for a long time. I love Eric Valentine's trick of cutting a little low & high out of certain tracks for verses and adding it back in for the choruses. Stuff like that is subtle but really lifts things.
I used to do that. Doubt, hesitate, start mixing everything from scratch with a new approach. But those days are gone and now I usually the foundations of my mixes very clear. The only thing that changes are the FXs and obviously, some guitars or drum sound. It's not the same mixing a soft pop punk song with acoustic guitar and all than mixing a quite heavy punkrock song with loads of high gain gtrs.
You rule, Jordan. Finally, have space and proper acoustic treatment. Your tips have truly restructured my workflow! Cheers from the US. That Auras album still slams. 😘
Be Aware though... this approach can.. and certainly will make your music sound pinned and static. As i view it its much better to let the principal Idea be the starting point and buildimg around from there. Study and research how Hit Songs were writen. .. most of the time it was exactly the opposite of what stated here... if it works for you.. fine.. but.. man! ... free your self... avoid square thinking.. and learn to be in the moment.. and: do not approach a dong with "the tecnical Order" part of your brain... instead do use "creative feeling" even at cost of order and structure... your songs will thank you.
Great tips again Jordan. Didn't know about the FGX, so thanks. Also, the Townhouse Bus Compressor (Plugin Alliance) is a great version of the SSL Bus compressor.
Thanks for the tip!! Will check that out.
mix & master bundle from plugin alliance is fantastic. so much useful stuff. between that and soundtoys i feel like this covers most bases. maybe toss in valhalla and your fave amp sims, neural dsp
Much appreciated!
Hey, I just wanted to ask if you have used any of the GGD stuff, I really love it and use it all the time
also could you make a video with free plugins?
Hey Jordon, could you do a tutorial on how you route the tracks (Aux's) and organize them in your protools sessions?
Wonderful! This came at a perfect time! Looking forward to the micro automation tutorial.
Be Aware though... this approach can.. and certainly will make your music sound pinned and static. As i view it its much better to let the principal Idea be the starting point and buildimg around from there. Study and research how Hit Songs were writen. .. most of the time it was exactly the opposite of what stated here... if it works for you.. fine.. but.. man! ... free your self... avoid square thinking.. and learn to be in the moment.. and: do not approach a dong with "the tecnical Order" part of your brain... instead do use "creative feeling" even at cost of order and structure... your songs will thank you.
@@gonzalodominguez229 don't approach a dong without dome technical feeling.
@@embergage8825 ah.. you got the "s" broken too.. nice to meet you. Hope you are doing well so far..
@@gonzalodominguez229 that... was the joke... 😂
@@gonzalodominguez229 and broken "s"? I see you have some words that contain the "s". That's called a typo
Starting a mix from the bottom end every time has done a lot for my low end clarity
Same. I build a solid bottom end first with the drums and bass. Get those sounding super good and solid then build everything else around it. It has done wonders for my mixes!
Magnificent
wait, do you self master? Do you leave your master track plug-ins on when sending out for mastering?
Thank you for summarizing the list, very few tutorials do that so by the time you get to number 5 everyone has forgotten the first 4 in the list…
Hey there, how's it goin'?
Great video, man!!
Do you got any about mastering??
some “big block” mute automation can be done early. setting up an additional parallel on drums for a loud chorus comes to mind. stuff like this
I know this video is a bit old but I just watched it. Now I have a couple of questions first: Do you parallel compress the whole drum kit or just certain tracks, like the kick and snare? Second: when you you bounce your final mix to send to mastering do you leave the plugins on the master mix active? Thanks
Do you ever use an analogue saturation like Softube Tape or similar to get that warmth. I have been using both the Slate VTM and sometimes I'll even throw on Abby Road Vinyl without the warble and clicks and pops, just for the saturation. However, I've noticed Tape by Softube is amazing. I've used the Softube Saturation Knob for years on vocals and it really helps vox cut through.
Nice video, thanks a lot. God tips.
Holy shit I already do all of these 😎
I don't suck as much as I thought.
Props, best makeup.
Can you ( or maybe you have) a video already what all those different reverbs are etc? Whats X verb versus Short and Long Plate? V Delay? X Delay?
I remember being hyped about the fgx more than a decade ago. Maybe I should start using it again
I love the FGX... Nice transparency along with some very useful options with the dynamic perception & high/low enhancements. I usually use Waves L1 or the Studio One limiter while tracking to save cpu a bit, but throw the FGX when I mix down
@@adamstrachn Would you say the FGX is more of a limiter or is it for mild compression?
What I struggle with is getting the right balance of limiting on the way out to my master bus, too crunchy or it's not loud enough!
@@Fz3ro Definitely a limiter, you can crush it for sure but that usually has bad clipping & artifacts. I typically boost the amount I'm below the mix bus... So if I'm peaking around -12 I boost 12db on the limiter, whatever limiter it may be. The FGX has a few nice parameters that kick it above the rest. Plus it's rather transparent imo
@@adamstrachn cool man, great tips. I've got more information on this video chat than watching videos or searching Google. Bloody fantastic!
@@Fz3ro For sure friend. I also recomend looking into the Slate digital subscription plan. It's pretty cheap for everything they offer, been using it for over a year now. And they also have some walk throughs & tutorials of a lot of things. FGX is that whole monthly thing.
Workflow is very important! Sometimes I open an old mix and get completely lost.LoL
Man I've learned many important things from ur videos❤👏🙏...my question is how do you solve loudness issue of a track when you send it's bus for fx (reverb, delay, comp...)?
I would make the FX as wet as possible and then on the send just dial in what FX you want to taste.
@sounds great Gain Staging and Automation
Always great content. During micro-automation, how is this accomplished with dry tracks that have parallel compression? Doesn’t that change the amount of compression whenever we ride the faders?
Technically, changing the faders will change the send levels feeding the parallel compressor, but you are usually slamming the compressor when in parallel, so the relatively small changes in volume from automation moves will not noticeably change the compression on the parallel. If you do notice a change, you can always do a pre-fader send, but I think that would be overkill.
@@TheOziBattler makes sense. Wouldn't prefader sends be a better option then, to maintain the same compression all throughout?
@@ckowalski1029 - except when you pull the faders down a lot but it is still being heard on the send, and you get confused thinking I pulled it down but can still hear it! TBH, using Pre-fade send is rare, and for special FX only.
Yes parallel compression should “always” be prefader
@@TheOziBattler Sounds like its a little bit of a lose-lose in either prefaded or postfader
Great video! - I've really improved over the year I've got into mixing. One thing I constantly struggle with is a BUS on guitars if you have 2 GTRS left and right and using an amp sim, for the best sound, do you add an instance of the same amp sim on each left and right channel, or do you add just one on the BUS "GTRS". Also, what is the best signal chain order on a guitar channel strip? - Thanks a lot for the great content :)
You would put an instance of the plugin on each track as you would want to eq them differently for a massive sound. The buss is to adjust the volume on both at once and for processing on both channel like high and low pass etc...
@@pierre-claudemeriot6562 Thanks, that makes sense - some times its confusing whether to do a stereo track or a mono track. Using Neural DSP and having a lot of fun with it :)
@You Tube Thanks that makes a lot of sense, I am just doing at as a hobby currently - and I tend to do the DON'TS of mixing, mixing in record/tracking phase. It's hard sometimes, you get carried away!
Have each track have it's own amp sim, and eq it separately. However, I do sometimes use an eq on the guitar bus, especially a Mid-Side EQ where i make the sides just a little brighter. The Schepps 73 is my go-to for this. This can widen it slightly without phasing issues.
@@TheOziBattler wicked! That is great advice. Thanks.
"you do not need to audition a new reverb and a new delay every time you wanna add an effect" LMAOOO I was attacked fr
this was so helpful though, thanks!
So, do you leave the plugins on when you do your final mix down to send to mastering? I get leaving the SSL on. But do you leave the Slate on as well? Or is this for demoing purposes for the client? I’m alway nervous to put too much limiting or compression when sending to master
Good question 🤔
He leaves both on his mix bus when he exports
I use JW BG Mix instead SSL bus compressor. Are they same in working nature?
A problem I run into with my own mixes is they always sound lifeless or “dry”. I’m always tempted to throw more reverb on the drums but I know on one of you’re previous videos you said not to over do it. It seems like even my guitars are thin and dry to. What am I doing wrong? Btw the guitars are stl tones and the drums are ez drummer.
Try playing with the volume fader and automaton more than you tweak eq and reverb, once you find a sweet spot , just push and pull the fader and automate when neccessary, also a reference track helps during this process too.
Gold
Nice
Good advice here. Thank you.
Gotta say, this advice is great but the way I work is totally chaotic in comparison and would probably bring you out in hives 😂
I still love the way I work though and I’m happy with the results I get.
Should I really add some fx on the mix bus before master?
I always have my template... Doesn't make much sense to set it up every time. I need to work on automation some more tho, definitely a weak spot for me
Yeah totally. Really looking forward to the automation video 🔥🔥🔥
was wondering if you can make a video on producing a vocal chain like Lily Meola song Got Your Way if you do please let me know so i can watch take care
8 things to do for a great mix ! Get his hardcore mixing course ! Trust me :D
His advice makes a lot more sense than other “pros”.
Be Aware though... this approach can.. and certainly will make your music sound pinned and static. As i view it its much better to let the principal Idea be the starting point and buildimg around from there. Study and research how Hit Songs were writen. .. most of the time it was exactly the opposite of what stated here... if it works for you.. fine.. but.. man! ... free your self... avoid square thinking.. and learn to be in the moment.. and: do not approach a dong with "the tecnical Order" part of your brain... instead do use "creative feeling" even at cost of order and structure... your songs will thank you.
Could you point me to an alternative to the Slate _Fgx_ ?
Thank you!
MasterPlan
What is that track in the background?
Im never starting every mix the same. I listen, see what sounds like it needs the most work, tackle that, then go up the ladder so that the thinks that will change the least, are the last to be mixed. This is so you don't end up having to drastically change something that effects a bunch of other stuff in the mix halfway through.
This is also pretty much my basic process. (Probably because I watch a lot of your stuff.) I still need to make a better template, though, so I don't waste as much time when starting a new mix.
Be Aware though... this approach can.. and certainly will make your music sound pinned and static. As i view it its much better to let the principal Idea be the starting point and buildimg around from there. Study and research how Hit Songs were writen. .. most of the time it was exactly the opposite of what stated here... if it works for you.. fine.. but.. man! ... free your self... avoid square thinking.. and learn to be in the moment.. and: do not approach a dong with "the tecnical Order" part of your brain... instead do use "creative feeling" even at cost of order and structure... your songs will thank you.
I did 1 to 7, not the 8.
SSL style mixing 👊🤟
For itb mixing its ok to clip your individual tracks as long as the master bus is not clipping(thanks to your daw mix engine), but if you clip the master bus on purpose by like 50db then you can bounce your mix as 32bit or 64 bit and there is no clipping, you just normalize. OTB mixes or Real Time Printing....forget all of that info. It's a diffferent game at that point.
Is parallel compression on E-Drums recommended? I think for programs like EZdrummer, there is already a lot of compression "built-in"
Depends on personal taste I think. I use addictive drums 2 and like using the parallel bus. Adds more punch. But that's just how I like it for metal.
how did you know how bad my mixes are :/
2:49
Dawless, don't need no templates. Just keep the console the same
Starts at 2:47
A podcaster I listen to made a comparison. If you know all of the notes of the scales and then you take liberties, you create jazz. If you play random notes, you create crap. Having fundamentals down is imperative in order to truly be creatively free.
I've literally had people who don't have any credits on anything out anywhere tell me how bad slate and waves plugins are and only noobs use them that don't have any money. Lol. People are so rude.
Having credits doesn't automatically mean they know what they are talking about. The first studio I went to had an engineer with multiple recordings to his name, but he was fucking awful. Similarly, last year I heard a debut album by a guy who had never even been in a band before, but it sounded incredible.
I agree that there are some idiots out there who think they know it all, but quality doesn't always come with experience, because some folk never learn.
@@Syklonus what debut was?
People have opinions based on experience, limited or not. If something works for them, or they own the gear in question, that becomes 'what's best for everyone else'. Complete nonsensical.
Ha haaa! "Sloppy Sessions Syndrome"
Man so guilty of #5 being all over the place....EVERYTIME!
sloppy session syndrome? I was told to always avoid alliterations
I´m so sorry, to turn off this video. Would have loved to watch it in full. The background music is extremly stressfull. You have a lot of good points, but I can´t listen because of the backgroundmusic. At around 3:30 the music pauses. I heard that... 🙂
2.50 minutes to start the content (x'D)
sloppy seconds syndrome
Be Aware though... this approach can.. and certainly will make your music sound pinned and static. As i view it its much better to let the principal Idea be the starting point and buildimg around from there. Study and research how Hit Songs were writen. .. most of the time it was exactly the opposite of what stated here... if it works for you.. fine.. but.. man! ... free your self... avoid square thinking.. and learn to be in the moment.. and: do not approach a dong with "the tecnical Order" part of your brain... instead do use "creative feeling" even at cost of order and structure... your songs will thank you.
template, template, template.
Can we trust your information when your room is so fundamentally set up so incorrectly !?
True...BUT if you know how the room responds, and what sounds good in a bad area , just as efficient, he most likely knows how his room responds and how a good record is supposed to sounds in his room.
I'm pretty sure that's not his studio. In other videos he's sitting in a real studio with a killer console. Plus most of the stuff he's saying are just good practice as far as organization in your projects and such. But the NS10 move works .As far as focusing on the Mid Range. I added the Aurotone 5c's and they made a huge difference with translation . I don't hardly ever touch my low end except for a db or 2 of reduction dynamically around 160hz. And use a Maag EQ with the air band to add a touch of shine to my highs. But I leave my highs alone on my Pro Q3. Cranking the 8k as much as he does is a bit harsh for my taste tho.
You gotta slow down for this one. You know what you're talking about but I don't.
Bro, exept of automations (and I think your amount of automation is completely unneccesary) nothing really improves your Mix. Every song and every tracks are different, so it needs a different vibe every time. Try on improving hearing what the song needs and then do that either it‘s a different compressor or a different reverb that you normally use. Even routing and workflow aren‘t the same always. I hate those kind of videos.
I just cant stand the wallpaper background music, so I quit listening...
'Sorry but 'same fx'' is a very bad suggestion, it really kills creativity and experimentation. Also about the last trick, if u don't suggest an alternative is very strange, not only the FGX is capable of doing that work. The way u show instead, seems like FGX is the only holy grail.