How to mix an instrumental track?

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seongkeat

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hi there, now i m working on my own instrumental tracks... and i would like to know about the technique of mixing of instrumental tracks... what are the guide line to get the tracks well balance? Like what i saw in another tracks that teaching how to mix the tracks is using the vocal as a reference... but now i m not having any vocal as well... so which tracks can i use for reference? Btw, i m new to recording and mixing also... so any input will be appreciate.. i m using sonar 6 producer edition... i saw that it come with the vintage_channel 64... did i need to use it to compress the mixdown? or how am i going to use that things? Thanks a lot... :)
 
rather than using the vocal as your reference, build the mix around the lead instrument, or whatever is lending the main harmonic/melodic content to the song
 
seon do u have any links that show how to build the mix around the vocals? or any pdf or something that shows this technique? thanks
 
seongkeat said:
hi there, now i m working on my own instrumental tracks... and i would like to know about the technique of mixing of instrumental tracks... what are the guide line to get the tracks well balance? Like what i saw in another tracks that teaching how to mix the tracks is using the vocal as a reference... but now i m not having any vocal as well... so which tracks can i use for reference? Btw, i m new to recording and mixing also... so any input will be appreciate.. i m using sonar 6 producer edition... i saw that it come with the vintage_channel 64... did i need to use it to compress the mixdown? or how am i going to use that things? Thanks a lot... :)
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What does the Sonar 6 manual say???
 
All my music is intrumental. I can't offer any advice really beyond just make it sound good. The bits you think the audience should be taking notice of more need to be out in front a bit I guess, but I try to aim for an overall balance between all the instruments.
 
erm... i dont get any useful info from the manual... so i hope some of the guys here can give me some help.. thanks..
 
well I think that legionserial said it all.

Or maybe if you made some more input, like what the instruments and style are, then something less vague could come..

In music there are no absolute rules, like add 20db@8.3421khz and it wil sound great. You really have to try and find out what´s the best in your case.
 
Mixing DVD

I just finished the video editing on a new, 8 hour Mixing tutorial DVD for Multi Platinum Pro Tools. It gives you a full 32 track, professionally produced session, and an 8 hour, chaptered hi def Quicktime movie, and John Merchant (Lenny Kravitz, the BeeGees, Michael Jackson, etc) walks you through everything you're asking about, in real time. Mixing, making space, using plugins, eq's, compressors, etc in real time, as he builds the mix soundstage. It's less a tutorial, and more a one on one lesson for less than $9 bucks an hour. It's been endorsed by major producers from Robin Wiley (n sync) to Bob Ludwig. The link is in my signature.
 
To keep things interesting, try to not let levels stay too static. Identify parts of each instrument that are more interesting, and bring them out/duck them back in at appropriate moments. Do this also in pauses of a lead instrument like sax, or whatever.
 
OOOhhhhhhh lord.....i record instrumental tracks all day long.

i could be sitting here all day giving you tips and tricks,....... i wouldnt even know where to start.......there is so much info to cover..........
 
If the song is an instrumental then the question should be more about arrangement. There needs to be a lot of hooks/memorable parts of the song that would make the song seem as if vocals would actually bring it down...you know, when you hear a good instrumental and you know it doesn't need any vocals.

If one instrument, say a lead guitar, is dominant throughout the song, unless it is extremely well played and written then the song will probably get boring before the end, and even more so after listening to it a few times.

Do some interesting things like maybe change keys, rhythms, change tempo, have several "hooks" throughout the song, etc.

Instrumentals are unforgiving about how well you play. If a track doesn't stand well on its own then chances are it will bring down the mix.

At least from my experience of only recording instrumental stuff.
 
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