Learning mix down in an interesting way

[mdainsd]

At least for me. I have been purchasing 2" tape for my multitrack to get some experience. A few tapes I have bought have had multiple songs with multiple takes using most of the channels. I think no EQ as such and no stereo image. So I practice running it through the console and playing with it literally. When musically inclined friends come over I play the raw tracks and ask them how they would like to hear it. Then I play with it and let them have a listen. I can make them all happy (well kinda) but it is interesting to me how each one thinks a song should sound. So in my first steps of this journey I wonder (out loud), is it just what the client (friends in this case) wants to hear or should the "producer" offer input or maybe an alternative take? This is a fun process to learn.

 

[Chilljam]

So in my first steps of this journey I wonder (out loud), is it just what the client (friends in this case) wants to hear or should the "producer" offer input or maybe an alternative take? This is a fun process to learn.

Ideally, you could do 3 or 4 separate mix downs and let the client pick the one they want. Maybe for one or two of them follow the clients 'instructions' and the other two can be what the producer or engineer thinks sounds best.