Equipment that most improved your mix

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ido1957

ido1957

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Share your stories - what piece of equipment took your mixes to the next level? Mic/Instrument/Recorder/Mixer etc..... Please specify make/model and why it improved your mix.....

I'll start - although there are several I'll say my ADAT recorder cleaned up my mixes compared to the Tascam 4track I was using.

:) :) :) :)
 
Event 20/20bas V2 monitors, followed closely by True Systems Precision 8.
 
Just learning critical listening and experience. I'm serious. Good monitors are right up there but learning how to really "listen" has done more than any gear I've bought (but I am pretty fond of my HD24 and Lucid GenX6 :D ).
 
It woud be hard to point at one thing, but I know getting a good pre-amp (Focusrite Voicemaster Pro) made my vocals, bass and kik improve by leaps and bounds. Because of this, my mixes got better because I started working with much better tracks.
 
1. Experience
2. Better sounding instruments
3. Acoustic Treatment
 
scrubs said:
1. Experience
2. Better sounding instruments
3. Acoustic Treatment
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I'd modify it as follows:
1. Experience
2. Better musicians
3. Acoustic treatment
 
1) Better, higher quality instruments.

2) Better Monitors.

3) More accoustic treatment (and better thought-out / strategic use of it).


As for specific "makes and models," there are too many to count, but a few that come to mind include: Kustom K cymbals, Fender Precision Bass, Taylor/Martin/Fender guitars, Mesa/Boogie Nomad and Marshall JCM-2000 amps. Monitors include Event 20/20 passives and Behringer Truth actives. Accoustic Treatment: Owens Corning 703.

Why did these pieces of equipment improve my mixes? The better instruments just sound better, the monitors help me make better decisions, and for my mixes to translate better, and the accoustic treatment gives me more mic'ing options and better sound (also help to give my ears a more accurate portrayal of what is coming out of the monitors).

.
 
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RAMI said:
It woud be hard to point at one thing, but I know getting a good pre-amp (Focusrite Voicemaster Pro) made my vocals, bass and kik improve by leaps and bounds. Because of this, my mixes got better because I started working with much better tracks.
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Now just imagine how good it'll sound when you actually get a good preamp. :eek: :D
 
I think a better guitar will make my recordings sound a million times better.

I'm perfectly satisfied with the quality of sound I get out of my "entry level" gear.

It does a great job of accurately capturing the sound of my shitty guitar.
 
jonnyc said:
Now just imagine how good it'll sound when you actually get a good preamp. :eek: :D
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I'm not saying it's the best, and I realise "good" is all relative. But for the 700 bucks I had it was a huge improvement and helped my mixes immensely. :cool:
 
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1. Tuning into the MP3 Mix Clinic - truly! Folk there made me aware of what could be done with simple/modest tools & then the tutoring folk there gave me when I posted stuff & requested guidance.
2. Going from a Soundblaster to a Santa Cruz to an INCA 8/8 card & that was due to guidance at #1.
3. Great good fortune in having a little recording space that I know well enough to compensate for in a mix having been told about what & how by #1.
4. Blending tape tracking with in the box augmentation & mixing.
5. Having the great good fortune of RAMI playing drums on 2 of my songs - amazing how a great drummer & a good clean stereo mix of drumming can lift a mix.
 
rayc said:
5. Having the great good fortune of RAMI playing drums on 2 of my songs - amazing how a great drummer & a good clean stereo mix of drumming can lift a mix.
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Thanx alot, Ray. Imagine how much better those tracks would have sounded if I had a good pre amp. :D
 
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1. Track level automation.
I don't care if we're talking motorized analog faders or digital rubber banding, levels automation has increased the capability, control and sophistication of the mixing process while simultaneously making it physically and mentally easier to manage.

2. Tracking filter.
Learning that A) some performances are just not worth recording, and B) that some recordings are not worth keeping. Get the tracking both *worthwhile* and *correct* before bothering with the rest. General rule: If a soloed track cannot stand on it's own as a relatively enjoyable listen of a quality performance, it's may not be worth mixing.

G.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
1. Track level automation.
I don't care if we're talking motorized analog faders or digital rubber banding, levels automation has increased the capability, control and sophistication of the mixing process while simultaneously making it physically and mentally easier to manage.

2. Tracking filter.
Learning that A) some performances are just not worth recording, and B) that some recordings are not worth keeping. Get the tracking both *worthwhile* and *correct* before bothering with the rest. General rule: If a soloed track cannot stand on it's own as a relatively enjoyable listen of a quality performance, it's may not be worth mixing.

G.
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I'll second to that.
Automation in itself is really helpful for me. I'm able to automate plug-ins or volume control while doing the other necessary stuff I couldn't do (because my hands would be full)

The only thing I could say for number 2 is that for me, money comes in, so any performance that is paid to record is a performance worth recording ;) :D

The other best things that helped mine out, is the overall boost in all aspects of the recording chain... IE: Me from my home studio = shit (not really but compared to....) Me at the multi-million dollar studio = a whole lot better. More tools for me to apply to mixes.
 
ido1957 said:
Share your stories - what piece of equipment took your mixes to the next level? Mic/Instrument/Recorder/Mixer etc..... Please specify make/model and why it improved your mix.....

I'll start - although there are several I'll say my ADAT recorder cleaned up my mixes compared to the Tascam 4track I was using.

:) :) :) :)
Click to expand...
My ears. Just learning what the problem frequencies are in my mixes, and what frequencies could do with boosting to make my mixes sound better really helped.

Also getting a DAW and decent plug ins for my cpu really helped, along with getting a powerfull comptuer.

Eck
 
Murine...

It's amazing what getting rid of wax will do for your mixes!
 
Mindset said:
The only thing I could say for number 2 is that for me, money comes in, so any performance that is paid to record is a performance worth recording ;) :D
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Agreed. But wouldn't you say that knowing which take is a turd and which is the keeper (and the right way to record it) is a big step towards getting the right end product?

And that's just if you're a hired gun (like I am also.) If you are a self-recording musician or band, or even one that is going into someone else's studio, knowing when you're ready to actually hit that big red record button is *huge*.

IME, the biggest factor in today's independant recording scene that hurts the average recording is the overall lack of patience; both on the performance side and on the engineering side. Rushing to get a prodcut out before the band is locked tight, or if the band is OK, before the mix is done properly and completly, is, IMHO anyway, one of the biggest problems there is.

G.
 
Using a much bigger room w/high ceiling for tracking made more difference for me than high end gear did.
 
RAMI said:
I'm not saying it's the best, and I realise "good" is all relative. But for the 700 bucks I had it was a huge improvement and helped my mixes immensely. :cool:
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Just messin with ya man. :p
 
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