A key aspect of mixing that is often overlooked by novice mix engineers is the quality of the room in which the mixing takes place. There is a reason that pro studios invest tens of thousands of dollars on the acoustics of their control rooms – this stuff makes a difference. If you are mixing in a room that wasn’t designed for the purpose it is likely that it will color the sound quite dramatically – certain frequencies will sound less prominent than they are and vice versa. You can buy expensive equipment but if you are not a skilled engineer, producer, and artist, it won’t make the music better than the pieces you started from.
You might think that learning music theory isn’t required for electronic music production, and you’d be right…sort of. Although not essential, having a basic knowledge of keys, scales and chords will really help improve your workflow. You don’t have to get into jazz levels of theory or even beyond an intermediate understanding. Because there’s some other tricks and methods you’ll use that will add a sense of complexity and maturity to your songs. The process of learning how to start producing music cannot be separated from music theory. Some music producers may work on multiple projects simultaneously, while others may work on one project at a time.
How to mix audio in 5 steps
Slowly, Pro Tools would creep into the studio, not as a revolutionary new platform, but as a new tool in the production process. Inserting a console emulation plugin to the master is another common technique. Read more about Vocal Presets here. Also, try adding channel strip or preamp plugins to several tracks. This method creates a cohesive, analog vibe across your entire mix. Various flavors of saturation generate harmonics and apply subtle forms of “soft-clipping” compression.
Live Wires: Steve Horelick’s Tribute to Buchla’s Music Easel
The presenter doesn’t just silently make changes for novices to watch and copy – he goes into great detail about every musical decision made and why it’s worth doing. Videos can be paused while using a DAW to apply knowledge to your projects. For others, the goal is to take their talents to a collaborative space and begin experiencing the joys of playing and performing in a band. Some try their hand at songwriting, while others may even become session instrumentalists. Finally, you get tips on sweetening frequencies to add a personal flavor – including quick mastering tips you can use before uploading your demo.
Gear & Software
Read more about Vocal Presets Logic Pro x here. I once had a conversation with a very well-known mixer who to me has a distinct sound. I mentioned ‘his sound’ and he stopped, looked at me seriously and asked what it was, as he really didn’t know.
