Have you ever made a mix in Sonar that you were TRULY happy with?

[Qwerty]

I am talking about "in-the-box" mixing with Sonar. I don't care if you used pre-amps or other hardware odds and sods.

So? Have you?

And if you vote yes, then two follow-up questions.

1. How long did it take you to get a mix you were truly happy with?
2. How long did it take you to make that mix?

?? Q.

 

[BloodShark]

Absolutelly!

1. A month (working on the mix during the night only)
2. Don't remember...

BShark

 

[tubedude]

Yes, especially since I went 3.0 The mix buss sounds WAY better. My last 10 mixes have been great.

 

[Teacher]

if you mean ii think the mix is perfect and nothing else should be done nope...i've made some decent sounding mixes but i always feel like damn maybe if i did this to that raise this up lower that pan this etc... its a never ending cycle which i guess is good to a certain extent

 

[SteveD]

You should have asked a third question...

3. Did you STAY happy with it?

I bet I speak for many who would agree that as they learn about this process, they can't believe what they were happy with just a short time ago.

I make "in-the-box" mixes I'm happy with all the time, but as I learn and add better gear (let's hope this is true)... the mixes get better.

It never ends. Teach is right... that's a good thing. The quest for perfection is fun.

What used to take weeks in the beginning, now only takes a few hours to get a mix I'm happy with.


... and then I buy more gear ...

_______
SteveD
www.5adayclub.net/music/

 

[Nd:Apricot Stu]

1. A day
2. A week
3. No

Started to like one of my recent songs (grew on me after a few weeks), but eventually re-recorded an organ track which I faked my way through on the first iteration...

It really takes some Zen to force myself not to over-correct... ruined a lot of songs that way in the past...

Anyone else have that affliction?

 

[mtardif]

I'm kicking myself in the ass for over-correcting/re-doing things that sounded great the first time they were laid down now. After listening to this mix for a couple of weeks, it started to sound crappy, the guitars got kind of dull, song got kind of boring, so I started re-doing it.

Once I was done with the re-work, everyone comes out of the woodwork to let you know the original one was awesome and shouldn't have been changed.

My stance now...Once it's done, I backup everything, lock it all away in a fireproof safe, and leave it as it was the first time I was happy with it

 

[Middleman]

Mixing is negative logarithmic past a certain point.

You move closer and closer to an optimum experience past which you start to mess it up with every new adjustment and it gets worse and worse.

I have a recent mix which hit its best point about 3 or4 revs ago. I have never been able to duplicate the tonality and experience from the optimum. I saved that mix thank goodness and use it to compare to later mixes with additional instruments and balance.

The best mixes come from optimum energy and positive attitude aligned with a good nights sleep. Confidence is key too.

Or sometimes you just get lucky....

 

[OzNimbus]

I find if I go past a certain point while mixing, I'll just wind up chasing my tail. Remember, this is "art" and there is no right or wrong. If I'm unsure of a mix, usually I'll put it on the shelf for a couple of days. Usually, when I go back to it, I can't belive I was futzing over something so miniscule.

YMMV
-0z-

 

[moskus]

Yes.


But that was "then". What about "now"? Does it still sound as good to you like it did when it was finished?

My problem is that I still learn how to make better quality songs. So a mix I did 6 months ago and sounded amazing then, may sound like crap now...

 

[Shockadelica]

I haven't. But then I don't use Sonar so how could I?

 

[Shockadelica]

I haven't. But then I don't use Sonar so how could I?

 

[moskus]

Then why are you here?

 

[Middleman]

1. How long did it take you to get a mix you were truly happy with?
2. How long did it take you to make that mix?


The answer to #1, it took me 3 years to get my first mix to sound like something people would buy.

The answer to #2 same.

If I had worked in a studio I might have picked this all up sooner but most of the knowledge was gained by books, magazines, the internet and in particular this board.

Now I can do a mix in about a day but I had to play with all my toys extensively to understand when and how to use them. There are a lot of software shortcuts I have developed in the way of bussing, tracking and EQ i.e. templates and quick keys that make the whole process easier now. It just took me a long time to figure it all out.

MM

 

[moskus]

1. How long did it take you to get a mix you were truly happy with?
2. How long did it take you to make that mix?

Could you please explain the differences between these two questions. I'm sure it's just me (I have an excuse, I'm from Norway ).

 

[Middleman]

Actually, I was a little confused on that one too. QWERTY?

 

[Qwerty]

I meant - How long did it take you from the time you started playing with home recording, to make a recording that you were happy with.

My second question is meant to ask how long it took to make that particular mix that sounded good.

For instance - I have been playing with this seriously for a year now, before that was CWPA7,8,9 with just a SB Live card

I have almost now, made a mix that I think is almost good enough to almost be called good. It has taken me a week so far.

So - 12mths and one week would have been my answer.

Q.

 

[SteveD]

It's amazing to me how much of a good mix is related to just plain good playing.

I record my son's band a lot for them. Very tough to get a good mix.

Bring in some of my own band mates and wow... it's so much easier to mix well played instruments with experienced studio musicians. Nice, strong, tight, even tracks... all well sync'd to the click.

A pleasure to mix.

_______
SteveD
www.5adayclub.net/music/

 

[moskus]

it's so much easier to mix well played instruments with experienced studio musicians.

Hey! Maybe that's why my mixes suck!



Seriously, I feel that after I started with homerecording, my guitarskills are getting worse! In stead of playing I'm spending the time setting the compressor and EQ right...

 

[SteveD]

Hey! Maybe that's why my mixes suck!



Seriously, I feel that after I started with homerecording, my guitarskills are getting worse! In stead of playing I'm spending the time setting the compressor and EQ right...

That's interesting to me... 'cause I feel that my skills as a drummer are getting better. So much critical listening. When I record in other studios, I always get compliments on my ability to play with a click. When I play live, I have been hearing more about being "solid" and "steady" and "creative". I attribute that to the process of developing my home recording studio.

_______
SteveD
www.5adayclub.net/music/