The 5 Rules Of Mixing

1.Balance Your Mix

Balance is three very distinct things: Volume, Panning and EQ adjustment.

When you’re mixing, you do a static mix where you’re panning to create space and clarity. This is always a great place to start and finish; having everything make sense. Creating a good static mix will show you what you need to make your mix great. The static mix/the balance of a mix will is very important because it will tell you everything you need to know. Knowing the song and what you want from it is going to guide you in all of your decision making.

2.Using Plug Ins Too Early

There is no one was to use plug ins. Since you will most likely be working with a bunch of different genres, you have to learn how to work with all different styles of music. Create clarity in the low end; you don’t want to bring in your EQ too early because you don’t want to end up chasing your tail trying to make everything brighter. For the EQ you do use, trying using some high passing/low cut EQ.

3.Don’t Use Plug Ins Too Late

If you’re doing a big, loud, slamming track, if you don’t get in early with the plug ins, then you will be trying to fix things at the end. This is a massive, common problem.

Don’t be afraid to use plug ins in early in genres like hard rock. Shape the kick a bit more, shape the snare drum a bit more, cut some low mids and low ends out so it doesn’t get too muddy, even out the low end of the base, etc.

4.Do Not Use The Master Bus To Do Your Mixing

Fancy plug ins are great! But, you don’t want to be using them to fix the problems that should have been delt with inside of the mix. If you only rely on the plug ins at the end of the mix to fix this issue, then you will get even low end WITHOUT definition.

Multiple instruments in the area create frequency masking. Distracting the ear from being able to clearly perceive the simultaneous sound. If you’re not supply something that is defined to these instruments, then you’re going to get low end with no definition.

If you are mixing into multiband Master Bus compression, you aren’t going to learn anything. It is pretty hard not to get something that sounds “okay” when mixing using this, but a mastering engineers job is to enhance the music which is not possible with so much low end. Professional mastering engineers only use multiband compression to FIX issues.

5.Listen To The Mix As A Whole

Always be listening to the mix as a whole! You should always be thinking globally; if you focus too much onto one instrument then your mix may sound like it is built around that instrument and you might not even notice.

What many producers do, is they will play the track, but leave the room and listen to it from outside of the room. It will help you get some perspective and help you in thinking globally.

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0:00 start
1:38 Balance Your Mix
5:44 Using Plug Ins Too Early
9:58 Using Plug Ins Too Late
14:53 Do Not Use The Master Bus To Do Your Mixing
21:47 Listen To The Mix As A Whole

Produce Like A Pro is a website which features great tips to help the beginning recordist make incredible sounding home recordings on a budget.

[Producelikeapro]

What are some of YOUR rules for mixing? Let me know below!

[michaelholland]

I'm 61, with 40+ years of tracking, mixing and mastering, with the bulk of my training done in the 80s and. 90s with the Zomba Group at Battery Studios in London UK, though I was a tape op and assistant engineer for some years before that - and a gigging musician since probably 1977. Everything here jives with my personal experience exactly. The man is completely right. Thanks for sharing with the up and coming folks!

[michaeltablet]

I can't say thank you enough! I became disabled a few years ago and because of neck injuries I had to stop playing in bands and I thought my lifelong love affair with music was over. One day I discovered your channel and because of your positive encouraging teaching I decided to learn to record and mix. I am having the most fun I have ever had! I have learned so much from you and could never express in words the gratitude that I feel in my heart! God bless you Warren! You are a wonderful treasure!

[lestudioseptentrio]

I am not a beginner mixer, neither do I consider myself a world-class mixer but I must say this particular video should be pinned up on my billboard (and everybody else's as well) as a daily reminder of what to do when mixing a song. Thank you so much from Canada!

[bobbykanemusictube]

It's all about using your ears, using your brain, paying attention to what's needed, when. I'm learning. I swear.

[PANTECHNICONRecordings]

Really glad you called out that “top-down mixing” idea. Having just about got away with doing it largely inadvertently on a project, I can tell you I’m never going there again.

[EsaShaheed]

Swear everytime I see you upload, there's a huge smile on my face. So helpful man. Much love🤙🏾💖

[HenryMittnacht]

When I find myself in times of (mixing) trouble, Father Warren comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, marvellouesly. <3

[murraycrawford]

You feel blessed? I feel blessed that you take the time to teach anyone listening such valuable lessons from your accomplished career in music production. Thank you Warren, this video was particularly helpful to me.

[chilla]

there is absolutely no way im getting this information for FREE. TONS of love from germany <3 <3 <3

[JonnyLipshamStudios]

This is an OUTSTANDING video. Not just because of the wisdom and insight, but also because of the tone and delivery - with humour, a smile and some humility. Just from an educational standpoint, as one whos is a highly qualified educator, this is top draw education. If you are serious about becoming a "Pro" at music production and mixing, learn from Warren. Put in to practice what he teaches and work hard. You will reap rewards to be proud of.

Also I have to say, as a cricket playing Scotsman - I'm pretty sure Warren is among my favourite Englishmen, along with Ian Shepherd.

[geoffwarnermusic]

You have given so much of yourself. You should get a Grammy for services to musical humanity.

[Torsten]

This is one of the most important videos, if not the most important video about mixing I know.
I only would like to add one small thing, that I have to tell myself nearly every time I am mixing. “Don’t be afraid to finish!” Yes, there is always room for improvement. Yes, some months ahead of it you might ask yourself “Why did I do it that way?”. But the danger of losing yourself in a mix and never finish it can not be underestimated.

[amberwoodstudio]

I just realized that after 10 yrs of mixing I can call myself a mixer. I got lots to learn but I think it safe to call myself a “mixer” now. Your videos are some of the best. I appreciate that you focus on the craft and not on the equipment. Content like yours has allowed myself and my band the ability to create some quality records. Our music has been played on some of the local radio stations and universities and we haven’t gone broke to get there.

Thanks again for the great content 👍

[dcruz]

This is the best 'Numbered' video on the basics of mixing I've seen. I'll never be a professional mixer but having certain basic knowledge will help me make my own music sound acceptable, maybe even good enough to get my songs sold.

[danielblakrevolution]

you are appreciated. listening to opinions of mixes is the cheat plan to getting a more balanced final output. yet a mixer must not allow opinions and suggestions to discourage them from finding the sound that makes them smile and sleep at night. i have been very lucky to watch these educative lessons. my first and cornerstone rule about mixing is FOCUS on the project.

[emach]

Your videos have helped me much. I haven't commented on so many of them because they're years old and it seemed weird commenting so late. But I just have to and hope you see this Warren. I can't count how many I've watched and not commented on. I'm just getting back into it after a few years break. This one is a HUGE eye opener as I've been doing things backwards according to this. One of your other videos you mentioned to comment on what helped in the video and then mentioned you might have to watch these videos twice, maybe even more until that one time it suddenly kicks in and you get it. That is EXACTLY what has been happening to me. I actually watched a couple not even realizing I already watched them until towards the end and the light bulb went off and I suddenly got some things I didn't the first time watching lol thanks so much for all you do 😍

[danmason]

“It made The Carpenters sound like death metal”. 😅
Great video Warren, thanks.

[mrelmoresmusiclab]

Before I even stick one plug-in on a track. I get my entire vision for the mix lined up. This includes volume balancing, panning, bussing assignments, and eq. I also think ahead for any type of ear candy automation I can create. Once I get volume, panning, eq, and compression popping, I am 90% of the way there. The rest is just my vision or the artist's vision for their song.

[thezetes]

Im an amateur sound engineer, going professional. Your channel is absolutely amazing. You make the points no one else is making and its great to find myself already doing what you're suggesting and getting the constant reminder of the basics. In my opinion you're 90℅ of the time busy with the basics. Its that 10% of the time where i find myself working on the details.

You are a great help in my (personal) edm mixes as well as my orchestral film score mixes!