Never Have Muddy Mixes Again

*****
CONNECT WITH ME:

#Mixing #HomeStudioCorner

[nedim_guitar]

Listen to Joe, people! Don't forget to EQ your delays and reverbs!

[bobr]

A good mix requires patience and respecting the challenge. First I would suggest a few things and please have an open mind as I don’t suggest these things as I think I know more than somebody else. These are just things that work for me and if you’re already doing them good for you as they work for me.
-When adjusting EQ, trust a tight Q and subtle 1 to 3DB changes. They are more useful than you may imagine. Quite often that’s all you need to do is just get the tracks a bit out of each other’s way.
-Turn down the volume when listening, and take breaks every 30 minutes or so. Refresh your ears take a five minute break.
-Really get to know the frequencies that are the “hair of the sound” that you’re working on. If you’re working on a guitar or a vocal or whatever it is, truly know the heart frequencies that generally make the character of that sound. Do the research. This approach really helped me. Yes, I use my ears but I’m also looking to the science.
And have fun for crying out loud!

[elsf]

Tangentially, isn't it amazing how we can use words like "muddy" and "warm" to describe aspects of roughly the same frequency area and understand it?! Human minds are incredible

Edit/addendum: muting instead of solo is such a small thing, but it's HUGE!😱🤯 That blew my mind lol. When I solo things, I instantly switch to a different analytical mindset that might end up hurting more than it helps

[rome]

When I started, my mixes were way too muddy. Then they got way too bright and thin as I boosted highs left and right and carved out all my low mids obsessively. Now I'm slowly figuring out how to let some low mids back in. I feel like my journey is a pretty common one.

[earledaniels]

It doesn't matter what I use reverb or delay for but I always eq after them at 400-600Hz LC and 4-6kHz HC. It really adds clarity to the mix and stops low mid build up.

[slowkim]

Do not try EQ solution only.
sometimes compressor and gate works. they control time of sound. Try reducing attack or reducing sustain with compressor and gate . for example, there will be many rythmic source in mids and also be some long sustain source? reduce sustain. It can solve problem and you can still have solid sound. kick and bass? Try reducing attack of bass when kick and bass play together. Try side chain gate/compressor between sustained source and attacked source.
first think about time, then think about frequency. if you only try with EQ, you will have thin mix.

[jimhart]

Thanks Joe! Muting seems like a solid approach in tracking down the culprits responsible for a problem. Also agree that EQing reverb and delay often helps

[jeffweatherholt]

Hands down the best guidance I've taken away from you. That's saying a lot, your pro advice and training is invaluable, but this one is perfect for me at this point in my journey

[BurningBushPedagogy]

Holy smoke first time I watch a video where I learn something I never ever taught about or even knew about, reverb and delays and their baggages of noise and boominess. wow thanks a lot

[kdsz]

you are GOLD
actually a friend from Finland a FOH mixng engneer was doing this live

[glb]

I don't know ir I heard it from you (probably) or somewhere else, but it seems that this kind of thing can exist in several places, but small in each, and then all together they pile up on each other till it gets HUGE.

[LilLingLing]

I've never made any of these mistakes because I've been listening to you

[soccerrayray]

Great information. Thanks for the video

[romanwestenholtz]

Thanks for this Awesome Tip!!! Thanks for all your vids and time!!!

[BurningBushPedagogy]

Youtube needs to give more than one like button, like there needs be other buttons to appreciate some great contents like this one right here. Brother you are wonder.

[alexwhite]

Great vid. How about a before and after de-mudding that track? Thanks!

[AllanGildea]

Really helpful pointers for this perennial challenge.

[LoweCommotionStudio]

I guarantee I will still have muddy mixes and there will be nothing either of us can do about it.

[frankhowell]

Thanks Joe. That was super helpful and a clear presentation of how to hunt down the mud banks! I recorded a song where the individual tracks sound fine but the complete mix gets muddy. With your help I will check out the low frequencies on each track and hopefully have a much cleaner mix. Thanks for helping us non pro's get more professional sounds. Have a blessed week.

[lloydbrothers]

Damn fx sends... lol, thank you much! I'd have never even thought to look for reintroduced low buildup from fx sends buggering up a clean send. I thought I was losing my mind 😅 Revisiting fundamentals today really paid off!