Mixing down for the underpayed.

[silverman]

Hi there, I've been trying to get that great mix that transfers from system to system and room to room without any luck. I simply can't afford to purchase any more gear (mainly psychoacoustic gear, for which I have none) for what will probably seem like forever, but for now i'm down and out. i've moved from room to room for mixing down, and I get differant results every time, but not what I would like.

I have not tried this yet, but i'm thinking that if I were to playback a similar proffessionally mixed album that I really enjoyeed without any boosts, EQ, surround sound, or dolby and that sort of stereo system features. Then I studied the generic room's sound and tried to get as close to this reference as possible with my own mixdowns, would I have a good starting point if I had plenty of time for remixing and rechecking the mix in different places. Am I wasting my time. Should I hang a bed comforter on a wall or something?

Any help to get me pointed in the right dirrection would be greatly appreciated.

As always, you all are awesome.

Joshua

[VOXVENDOR]

The Cd method is the best way to get a feel for room sound... Don't hang no comforters or shit on your wall... Get used to the room sound!!! My Control room (as you will see pictured on my website (link below)) has almost no sound deadening, and does throw the sound around a bit, and yeah it could sound a tad better, But it only took me a week to get used to this room, and Now I have a great sound happening, and im scared to put any crap upon my walls, to change it.... it's all in experience bud... I know a guy with a studio, here in my city, who spent $5000 on deadening and acoustics, and It doesn't help the fact that he can't mix, and doesn't have an ear!!!!... Just keep practicing, you'll find your sound..
Joe

[Gidge]

I think you can get a decent mix this way....its a matter of learning your equipment and room....no matter if you are in a killer room with pro monitors, you still have to learn them.....get setup in a spot that you can stick with...center yourself on a wall...dont get too close to the wall,stay at least a foot away.....the two speakers should be 3-5 feet from each other and you should sit to where your ears are the same distance from each speaker, forming a triangle......the speakers should be pointed inward toward your ears...speakers should be at ear level....

[tubedude]

It has nothing to do with the room, its all about tube patch cables...
Hey Vox you didn't post the link... I wanna see!
Paul

[LongWaveStudio]

hmm...

the room is gonna help big time if it's treated, but as long as you learn your monitors, you should be allright. what monitors are you using. the bass may be a little unaccurate in your room, but after mixing in there for a while, you will probably deal with the bass end fine.
grab some NS10's if you have spare cash. they're a great set of monitors if you wanna check mixes. are you using a proper studio power amp, or a hi fi amp?


psycho acoustic processors are good, but not that good. you should be able to get a decent mix without them. i've got a few SPL vitalisers and stuff like that, but ive never used them at all. the vitaliser sounds great on synths..sometimes. but just dont rely on stuff like that.

yeah, when you mix, make sure you really go through each track. remember not to go piling eq on eah channel, because, once it's all combined, it might not sound nice. solo each channel and let it run, making any tweaking on the way.

Romesh
Long Wave Studio

[musicsdarkangel]

I'm with vox on this one, whether its putting comfortors, or stapling chickens to your wall, getting used to it is the best idea, play with what you have, thats what I did, then you'll get used to how much reverb or whatever to put on your parts. bla bla.

[Tekker]

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...threadid=25497

[VOXVENDOR]

Originally posted by tubedude
It has nothing to do with the room, its all about tube patch cables...
Hey Vox you didn't post the link... I wanna see!
Paul

Paul, It's the website link on the bottom of my post....

[VOXVENDOR]

Another good thing is, beginners tend to drown everything in reverb and other shit, but if your rooms singing a bit, you tend to back off naturally......My mixes are almost totally dry now... usually you hear a newer rocksong, on the radio like 3rd eye blind, or matchbox... or something like that, they are really mixing dry these days.... (Dry=no effects, for the layperson)