The Only 16 Mixing Tips You'll Ever Need

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00:44 - Tip 1
01:27 - Tip 2
02:06 - Tip 3
02:35 - Tip 4
03:04 - Tip 5
03:51 - Tip 6
04:39 - Tip 7
05:31 - Tip 8
07:03 - Tip 9
07:41 - Tip 10
08:32 - Tip 11
09:46 - Tip 12
10:34 - Tip 13
11:14 - Tip 14
11:40 - Tip 15
12:41 - Tip 16

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Have you spent hours learning about mixing, but feel like you're not getting anywhere?

If you feel overwhelmed right now and aren't sure where you're going wrong, watch now, because you're about to learn the only 16 mixing tips you'll ever need.

After teaching almost a million musicians about mixing, I can tell you from experience that with just these 16 tips, you can start making music at home that sounds professional and radio-ready.

[martentera]

TIP 17# Always go and test your mix in the car

[mort]

"If you're not happy with your mixes and you're blaming your plugins, then you're not ready to progress yet."
damn

[Jehudi]

A mixing tip: Try something completely unusual, like pack all reverb channels of your mix together and automate them to create a surreal room movement (for example). Make something interesting to hear. Not everything needs to be common. Common can be good, but creating something the ears are not used to kicks you out of that box.

[aristocratmusic]

00:44 - Tip 1: Get it right at the source.

Not a mixing trick, but simply refers to getting good recordings from the start.

01:27 - Tip 2: Get the balance right first.

Spend a good amount of time focusing on the volume balance to get a good foundation, and use automation!

02:06 - Tip 3: Time is of the essence.

Make the most of every second to maintain objectivity and perspective, and prevent ear fatigue. Spend time preparing your mix ahead of time before mixing.

02:35 - Tip 4: Focus on the key element.

Don't waste time focusing on minor elements (such as a tambourine in the background). Instead, focus on mix bus and group processing, along with main elements such as the vocals, guitars, the kick and snare, etc.

03:04 - Tip 5: Loop the loudest section of the song.

During initial volume balance, go to the climax of the song, loop that section, and mix that first. That way, you ensure this is the loudest part of the song and make it easier to build to this climax.

03:51 - Tip 6: Start with the bigger picture.

Don't start by EQing or compressing kick or bass, as most people do. Instead, start with things like mix buss processing, group processing, and volume balance.

04:39 - Tip 7: Avoid the solo button.

If you make decisions without the context of the mix, it's probably a bad one. If you struggle to make EQ and compression changes without soloing, boost the level about 5 db instead, make your changes, and bring the level back down.

05:31 - Tip 8: Have an intention before every move.

Don't just EQ or compress because you feel you should. The need should come before the action. Notice issues in the mix, then make these changes. If a kick is already cutting through the mix, you don't need to apply EQ. Just leave it as is. 

Ask yourself; WHAT are you trying to achieve? You want to boost the midrange of a vocal. WHY are you trying to do that? To help it cut through the mix. HOW are you going to do that? You're going to EQ sweep to find the right frequency and boost to taste.

07:03 - Tip 9: Check your moves.

Any time a plug-in is applied, volume match the output level to match the input level, and bypass the effect to A/B the effect. Close your eyes and listen. Does it sound better?

07:41 - Tip 10: Use good reference tracks.

Compare your mix to multiple professional mixes and ask yourself what your mix is missing.

08:32 - Tip 11: Mix in mono for the majority of your mix.

Limits you to creating separation in your mix with volume balance, EQ, automation, etc., rather than relying on panning. Means you really have to create space for vocals, get bass and kick relationship established, get snare to cut through without fighting guitars, etc., using balance, EQ, and automation before panning and opening up the mix.

Use a plug-in that allows for mono playback on the mix stereo mix buss.

09:46 - Tip 12: Listen back on multiple speakers and headphones.

Allows you to recalibrate your ears and hear exactly what your mix sounds like on various systems.

10:34 - Tip 13: Mix at a low volume.

Mix at around conversation level (85 db SPL). Any louder than that is too loud, with the exception of temporarily checking the mix at higher levels to hear low-end (or lower levels to see what sticks out).

11:14 - Tip 14: Take regular breaks.

Set a timer that goes off every half-hour or so and take a quick 5-10 minute break. This will give your ears a break allowing you to come back with fresh ears, as well as reducing physical fatigue, and maintaining that objectivity, which is a mental thing.

11:40 - Tip 15: Assume that volume automation is needed.

You can never get a perfect balance without it. There's always going to be sections where the guitar or vocal drops in level, or where you want the bass to be louder in the chorus. You don't have to automate everything. Just pay attention the each section.

12:41 - Tip 16: You don't need expensive plug-ins.

You don't have to buy ANY plug-ins. Use stock plug-ins and get great at them before buying premium plug-ins.

[andrewhall]

These are FANTASTIC TIPS., the only thing I could possibly add would be this: If you write and record your own music, you're likely going to be a perfectionist when it comes to mixing. I've seen insanely talented solo singer songwriters and musicians, write and record a song, only to get permanently stuck in the mixing process. The best way to avoid this is to set a finished mixing deadline. After your song is recorded, but before you start mixing it, commit to an absolute mixing deadline (even if you don't have an album release or show planned) This will prevent analysis poralysis.

[MikeBoyd]

This is really well produced. Nice job.

[thecasualfront]

“Every second you spend mixing you’re losing objectivity” ....this is absolutely true.

[TheBelse]

Super low listening technique...literally put your headphones on a table or something....now listen from afar...is the snare too loud...or are the cymbals too quiet ...can you hear the bass.

[amaymakesmusic]

I'd like to take this time to commend your effort on selflessly helping individual musicians. The pillar of support is greatly appreciated

[Astrovic]

Turn your screen off sometimes, so you dont stick to the visuals, but more to the sound

[chiahhuff]

When using reverb sends on vocals, throw a compressor side-chained to your vocal track, with the right ratio and threshold you can create a transparent ducking that sounds more natural and allows for that reverb without muddying up your vocal send.

[TommyVega]

Perfect! My tips: Automation everything - EQ, reverb, echo, volume, HP LP filter everything, also mix on low volume. Clear your sounds from not necessary frequencies, take a break - one or two days and then continue, listen another genres of music and learn how to properly use compressors and limiters

[pablodiegomusic]

"The need should come before the action" goose bumps

[datgruvee]

Mixing in mono alone improved the quality of my work drastically!!!

[imogg_]

This is great, actually good tips and useful. When it came to getting feedback on tracks i had made, people would always tell my i had a "messy mix" but thanks to this video, i understand why now!

[djvoid]

Other tutorial providers take note... THIS is how you teach

[bacontrees]

"Losing objectivity" and "Ear fatigue". Yep, been teaching that for years.Those are my biggest tips. I'm just glad to hear someone else say it. Nice video!!

[jamesmichalos]

This is so helpful. Zero ego, just total dedication to education and information. I don't think I've ever seen a video that has 43.6k likes and zero dislikes. That must be some kind of record. Well done and thank you.

[nikhilchugh]

This is by far the best video I've ever seen about Mixing. This covers everything. EVERYTHING!! If one simply follows and checks all the tips while completing a mix, it is bound to sound exceptional! I've always struggled with the Mixing part of production. I just cannot ever get the kick and bass to sound good together or the reverb to sound at the optimum level. These tips have helped me so much I cannot even tell you all!

[LuisM_Piozza]

I think it's the best summary of mixing tips I've ever seen. Thanks a lot, Rob!