10 Ways to Mix FASTER

If you can't finish a mix in 1 day, you're doing it wrong.

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[roykasika]

I'm no expert, but one of the things that has helped me work faster is to take notes as often as I can. From the beginning, when something sticks out that needs to be addressed, I'll write it down. This helps me create somewhat of a to-do list that helps me remain accountable to progress. Without it, I'm easily distracted.

[brickblock]

0:13 1: Avoid using the solo button
1:00 2: Use simpler plugins
2:04 3: Get a control surface
2:48 4: Get rid of distractions
3:41 5: Commit to a deadline
4:14 6: Use reference tracks strategically
5:12 7: Test it on real-world speakers before the very end
6:10 8: Follow the same process every time
6:51 9: Use a template

[christopherharv]

He is so right about using simpler plugins, especially if you’re new to mixing. I first started trying to learn how to use compression on FabFilter’s Pro-C2. What a nightmare! I then bought the CLA-76 plugin and learned how to hear and use compression so much easier.

[DanielsDebris]

I love your videos, they have been such a huge help!! I'm a studio musician and have been working on my own album for 3 or 4 years now (I only get to work on it a few hours a week if I'm lucky) but over the last few months your videos have really helped me improve my speed, quality and organization of my work and the mixes are starting to sound amazing and I really appreciate these videos, thank you! Danny

[rojoratatatata]

These tips are GOLD, I love this type of content

[philipvargas]

Hey Jordan, great video as always mai gai.

Request related to tip 3: I would actually love to work with a physical control surface while mixing but not sure where to start or set up. I'm sure it's easy enough, but it would be super cool if you did a quick video on how you set one up.

Thanks again for all you do.

[jrlk]

Thanks again! I've been following you for a while now and i can definitely see the improvement in my mixes.
I'm about to wrap up recording on my first client song, and starting the mix. Excited to see how it turns out!

[twilightbiscuit]

5:08 this one helped a LOT!! the consumer doesn't sit in the sweetspot with studio speakers. I use a soundbar, desktop speakers and a tiny mono spekaer to finish projects 🔥🔥 great video!

[thebraggersKansasCityPop]

I would like to say just one thing about the solo function, I don't use it as a problem solver as with the sweeping with EQ but mainly tone or shaping as with the EQ, so I get that. I noticed a lot of my earlier mixes, and back in the day, were better than now with all these new plug-ins, and new techniques. So back in the day, I was using 4 tracks with 1\8 inch tape. For my next set of mixes, I will record with more quality control at the onset so I don't have to do as much work with post-production. thanks for all the help and the free EQ sheet.

[codycreepcore]

The mix template is If you aren't already doing this, then you to.

[maxfreniere]

Nice one Jordan. I went from 3 weeks/ mix to something like 8-10h/ mix in less then a year, mostly because the system (or formula) i use is getting more and more natural and baked-in.

Recently, I started to block all distractions, and set up 1h timers...do the most I can, then take 5-10 mins break to reset my ears, then go for another hour. Easy to keep track of the time you spend working. 🤟

[donaldemeyer]

Jordan, thank you so much for your time and great information.

[DrProgNerd]

Love the magic frequency videos. As a relative newb to mixing, they're a huge help.

[Broseff]

Stopping mixing in solo literally made my mixes better, but I thought it was the way to go because I saw so many professionals do that.

Plus, mixing as a whole doesn't necessarily mean mixing everything at the same time, but as long as you're mixing in the context of multiple things as opposed to completely isolated, it helps a lot.

For example, I feel comfortable that I know how to make a good guitar sound quick, so I start with guitars soloed, then I add the bass and mix that, then I add the drums one element unmuted at a time, usually starting with room mics and leaving them on, then unmuting the overheads, muting again when I'm happy with them, then moving onto the snare, and so on. I've found doing it that way keeps things in context without becoming overwhelming and 99% of the time, when I'm ready to unmute all the drums they sit together great. Slap some parallel comp on those drums now they're all in and I've cut down what used to take me hours and hours into way less time.

[drrodopszin]

Jordan, it would be fun to see you doing a 1-hour mixing challenge, where you get (well-edited) DI guitar and bass tracks, (well-edited) raw vocals and a drum MIDI and see your go-to plugins, go-to strategies without any time to overthink anything.

[RobVice]

I don't know how to realistically finish a mix in a day. Firstly, I get ear fatigue very quickly and so I need to use frequent breaks to keep on going. Secondly, I sometimes feel like I am trying to hear problems where they may not exist, which leaves me second-guessing myself. Thirdly, since I mix my own music, I sometimes may find during mixing process that some parts of the drumkit or something else doesn't quite work that well in a mix and so I may have to swap it out or otherwise enhance it, which again steals time. And finally, I try to cross-check the mix on multitude of sound systems and every check takes considerable time due to frequent switching between the systems which naturally requires time for ears to adapt. I am also not mentioning comparing the mix to reference tracks and making sure that everything works properly. It's a really grueling process, at least been so far with how I approach mixing.

[D_punkster]

I mix my own tracks. No clients to worry about. I always take my time. Doing few things daily. I feel fatigue? I stop and continue the next day. Thanks for the tips though. Will come in handy when i work on a paid project. 👍

[eweesplace]

First of all, you're my #1 resource for mixing these days and man thanks for all of the amazing methodology! Question for you: Considering the success of your magic frequency series, have you thought about either adding in the next parts of the chain like comp, saturation, etc (which you kinda have, but I've had to dig), or maybe a full chain for each mix element? Cheers

[coolmind]

Finish a mix in 1 day, thats what many professionals say. But they are wrong. As a professional you get professional recordings and source material where its easy to mix. But on non professional level sometimes you have to spend a whole day just to arrange and cut the vocals properly, without even adding one single plugin. So mixing can take much longer and there is nothing wrong with the mixing stage. Also sometimes you have to use 10 plugins and tweaking them for hours to fix problems with the recordings
And if you want the best possible mix you have to try out many plugins and compare them, depends if you just want a good mix or the best possible mix. On professiona level time is money so most professionals are satisfied with a good mix. But you will never get the best possible mix (according to your own personal abilities)

[superrrnova]

Some nice tips. I started making beats three months ago and have 36 songs that are at varying degrees of completion. Haven't yet mixed or mastered anything as writing songs is very addictive, but I'm looking forward to going back to sharpen up some of my music, mix it and master it too eventually. I appreciate the tips as its good to get into good routines early on. I've picked up loads of good tips. I allow myself time to learn via youtube as its valuable to know as much as possible.

Also wanted to say, I got some Adams audio studio speakers and all I've used them for so far is to listen to a bit of Iron Maiden through them to make sure they worked. I struggle with the studio headphones too as I'm just not used to listening to music like that... I usually have to listen to my stuff in work through my headphones, or in the car obviously.