SOME SIMPLE MIXING TIPS

[♔Chello]

SOME SIMPLE MIXING TIPS

When mixing, I try to spend the least amount of time to achieve the most.

I have found that the best results are achieved by thinking like a draftsman; use intuition, work fast and do as little as possible.

Speed and minimalism work great for all creative work !

Maxx Audio Settings:
I recommend using Qui Robinez's setup, which you can find here:
https://chellos-keyboard-players-club.co...9#pid17519

Always use the best headset you have - I use STAX Lambda, but ALWAYS test with speakers afterwards.


1: I always start with drums, then perc if available.
Test all available drum kits/percs to find the best fit.
Open the Drum Editor to emphasize/reduce desired elements, and add Ambience if possible, but never on the Bass Drum.
Use MID EQ on the others, and avoid using HIGH EQ.

2: Test all available basses (if necessary) to find the most suitable one.
Increase LOW EQ by about 4dB.

3: If the other sounds are OK, do not change these, but otherwise better ones must be looked for.
In some cases EQ may be necessary, but usually not.

4: If an ACC is too weak, you can try using the Stereo Compressor as an Insert effect.
Add Reverb to all ACCs as Insert effect, but never to bass/bass drum.
Experiment with different Reverb types until you find one that does not give too much; Reverb Room is usually a good fit. It is usually fine to use the default setup for effects - if Reverb Room gives too much effect, try another one that gives less.

5: Finally, all tracks must be adjusted so that they all appear clear, and the level must be adjusted down by typically -10 to -30 to avoid the level turning yellow. I prefer an output level of about -20dB, and disable the Finalizer, because it often messes with the effects and creates unfortunate compression and reduces perspective.


Most edits done this way are finished within 10-15 minutes once you get used to doing it.

[⚖whitecolin1]

great advice, I sometimes do a bit fidling and guess work, this gives me a structure cheers

[⚖musicalmemoriesuk]

Sometimes a sound is week because it’s sharing roles or frequencies with other tracks in the style, ie tracks sharing what would be classified a lead roles, it’s important to decide what role each style tracks is playing, just as it’s important with the sounds you play with in the upper / lower.
It’s also important to give your sounds roles when layering them.

[♔Chello]

great advice, I sometimes do a bit fidling  and guess work, this gives me a structure cheers

⚖Colin

It's fiddling and guessing that has taught me the most - the textbooks have had far less effect. 

[♔Chello]

Sometimes a sound is week because it’s sharing roles or frequencies with other tracks in the style, ie tracks sharing what would be classified a lead roles, it’s important to decide what role each style tracks is playing, just as it’s important with the sounds you play with in the upper / lower.
It’s also important to give your sounds roles when layering them.

⚖musicalmemories


Many otherwise good styles are reduced precisely because several tracks share the same role.
The more chefs, the more mess.
Muting one or more such tracks can often give positive results.

My Combo styles are an example of how a style can be improved by muting overactive tracks - the soundscape opens up dramatically, and it becomes easy to distinguish all tracks from each other.

[⚖musicalmemoriesuk]

Essentially a style is there to support your role taking the lead. Unless of course your accompanying a singer in which your role also becomes support