5 Mistakes Destroying the PUNCH in Your Mixes

Find out how to avoid these 5 mistakes and start getting punchier, pro-level mixes.

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[DMIXMusic]

You have a lot of great points here, and some tips I will undoubtedly use, but I have to disagree with number 3. Although you are correct - having a simpler arrangement is an EASIER way to get a punchier mix, I find it kind of a lazy suggestion as it's only a quick fix for the engineer. Plenty of bands have fantastic sounding mixes with way denser layers than this. It just takes work and a lot of problem solving. Unfortunately, telling bands that "your mix will be punchier without this or that layer", is how you may compromise the uniqueness of the track (and their sound/ identity) and turn it in to generic sludge. It's your job as an engineer to problem solve and figure out how to realize THEIR artistic vision in the best way. Can't deny your experience though and thanks for the video!

[AlanRigdon]

Love that you mentioned the midrange. I was guilty of scooping mids in my early years because of YouTube audio engineers. Great tips!

[goodtimejohnny]

Great teacher. This channel is great for musicians and engineers alike.

[JacobraRecords]

I've heard the "arrangement has a huge effect on the mix" before and this is by far the best explanation I've seen. Thanks for breaking it down!

[terrymcgee]

I can’t describe how much your advice has transformed my mixes. This is the first thing you’ve suggested that I don’t think it’s possible for me to do. But it’s more about the style of music I think. The overlapping patterns are a defining feature of progressive music. At least our take on it. Although I definitely align all of the instruments tightly to the beat when possible.

[senseiofsong]

Great perspective from a pro, as always. I like to export stuff to WAV or MP3 and listen to it in Logitech PC speakers, in headphones on my Android phone or via a blue-tooth speaker, or best of all in my pickup truck which just has a standard stock system. It seems to expose any overbearing weaknesses. Also, that is where most folks are going to listen to music. If it's obviously muddy or bad sounding in any of those places, then it gets looked at. Also, I have found when I try to layer too many cool guitar parts (like a symphony) I find that I just end up with mud, especially when I experiment with an 8-string guitar. Max two guitars, just like live. One playing a rhythm, and the other doing a similar or leads. Exception might be in a big chorus. I also find it fun to just keep experimenting to see what works.

[aaronaustin]

Fantastic information. I was just wondering lately why my drums weren't as punchy as I would have liked them. Turns out it was a mixture of limiting, performance, and mid range. Lovely!

[jacksmith]

Too much gain is a gamechanger, I agree with this 100%, I think many guitarist fall into the too much gain trap

[SummerByStyx]

Really useful video. I just finished putting together a really complex mix and compared it to something else and was like im missing something.
What really amazed me was the visual example of how the take being just a few milliseconds out has sich a huge noticeable effect on the waveform that bounces.
I mean, i like to get a good take and i know when something is in and working but i didn't attribute that much to the punch of the mix. Just shows why latency is such a track killer.
Great tips in the rest of the video. Thanks a lot. Hoping to get a better result on my work now.
Subbed.

[lens]

thanks. amazing . especially, the last one. just a little boost of mid-range !

[BREEbreeJORjor]

Using Silverstein as an example of what tightness sounds like made my day!

[EthanRadell]

Too much Gain on guitars is so hard to make people understand, especially guitar players lol

It's always better to just pick harder to get the tone than having the tone when you barely pick. Absolutely destroys the dynamics or the guitar, and since there is so little dynamics to distorted guitar you DO NOT want to lose that lol

[mattwhite]

The editing example from tip 2 was awesome! Those performances sounded great, but the edited clip hit so much harder!

[Jupiter]

The elysia master bus compressors soft clip wi shave massive peaks without changing the sound. Also transient shapers help a lot.

[aydenperkins]

This is the first time the song that the dude is working on in the youtube tutorial is actually something i would listen to

[nadinedemacedo]

Thanks for the tips. Even after all these years, I learned something new.

[lovemytuneskristian]

I've just bought your clipper its great thanks.

[RadiantRadioOfficial]

absolute game changer for me <3 big thanks!

[danjwalker]

Just discovered your channel and downloaded your cheat sheet. I'm gonna binge your tutorials and then remix a song I wrote for my brother to see/hear how it goes! Subscribed.

[marcelmiagi]

Awesome video, Jordan. Pro tips, well illustrated and easy to follow. Well done