Feature: Mixing Guide The Top Tools & Tricks
We’ll fix it in the mix.“ – Of all the rock‘n‘roll lies, this is certainly the best known. With equalizers, compressors and the like, you can iron out some recording problems, but you certainly can‘t make a hit out of a bad track. Fortunately, there is no recipe for how a really good song should sound, which opens up unimagined creative freedom for the mixdown. Aside from the creative aspect, there are a few basic technical points to consider when mixing that are simply characteristic of good craftsmanship. The following six basic rules will help you on your way to a successful mix.
SIX BASIC RULES FOR TIDY MIXES
1 / Volume - The magic key
Your most important tool for getting a good mix is the level faders. Make decisions about how your instruments should be balanced in the mix and adjust the volume levels accordingly. You can also consider which instruments are in the foreground and background of reference songs in the same musical genre. The golden rule for the mixdown is: „Trust your ears!“
2 / Dynamics - use them wisely
A distinction is made between micro- and macrodynamics. The former describes the dynamics within a recording or audio track (transient movements). Macrodynamics, on the other hand, refers to the differences in loudness within a complete song. Microdynamics can be influenced by using compressors, limiters and transient processors. The compressor is the ideal tool for keeping dynamic instruments at a relatively constant level or
