Mixing down

[lstntsglt]

Okay I've laid everything down, and it's time to mix...But when I do, some parts are louder than other, and some lower... I have not mastered the art of mixing down... And I need some tips.... (How should the levels be set) What should stick out more.... Stuff like that.....

Thanks

 

[Gidge]

listen to a commercial CD of a song you want yours to sound similar to....start with the drums, then the bass, then the vocal...get them balanced volume wise based on what you heard on the CD....A/B them as often as necessary.....start adding in everything else.....in the end, it is up to YOU to decide which instruments should play a more dominant role and be louder.......

if anyone owes you a birthday present, check out this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0918371171/102-5572681-0882510
with ALOT of practice, you will be able to see and hear how things should sit in a mix and how to get them there.....im still not there yet.....

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

listen to a commercial CD of a song you want yours to sound similar to....start with the drums, then the bass, then the vocal...get them balanced volume wise based on what you heard on the CD....A/B them as often as necessary.....start adding in everything else.....in the end, it is up to YOU to decide which instruments should play a more dominant role and be louder.......

if anyone owes you a birthday present, check out this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0918371171/102-5572681-0882510
with ALOT of practice, you will be able to see and hear how things should sit in a mix and how to get them there.....im still not there yet.....

Great advice, Gidge........

 

[Cool Breeze]

I agree but would add background vocals as the fourth element. After that, it's all about balancing levels, L/R channeling and climaxing. I think of a song as a pathway to somewhere. The mix is how you get the listener to that destination.

CB

 

[old guy]

Mixdown

I'm gonna hope?? you're mixing down with monitors and not headphones.
It really depends on the piece, but generally most of the A&R people I know want to hear kick & bass in that order. Then you can concern yourself with melody (piano / keys / guitar...whatever's taking the lead melody) then your wash (fill...strings...keys/synth etc.) Work on your panning, you'll find different pan setting obviously create a different "feel" to the piece.
Whatever instrument has a solo break, then obviously highlight the part, not enough to make the listener's ears bleed, but so it comes out, says "Hi" then slips back into the mix.
The vocals are my least concern. Lead vocal panned center or slightly off center.
Back-up vocals/harmonies...this is where panning can make or break a song.
Sone other thots...
Compression....read up on it.
Limiting...similar to compression...read up on it.
Reverb...Don't over do it, which is easy to do.
Delay (my personal favourite tool).
Mixdown objectively, but remember, you're going to be your own worst critic.
You can nit-pick to death a perfectly great piece of music.

Good Luck in your efforts....

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