Mixing Workflow

[BigPlay]

Hello HR Members,

Very new at this! I put my first recording up a few days ago and received some good advice. Also put some tracks in the Mix This forum and hope somebody puts a mix on it so I can compare.

I am such a newbie I need a workflow. I was thinking starting with the vocals soloing them do a rough eq bring to -O- unity. Then go to each track afterwords and eq lower the level comparing to the vocals. Then tweak to sound right in the overall mix. Also is there any affects you may use all the time as a general rule? Reverb, compression and do you use a certain order when adding.

Really just need to get an idea and a place to start.

Thanks

 

[Ears]

Hello HR Members,

Very new at this! I put my first recording up a few days ago and received some good advice. Also put some tracks in the Mix This forum and hope somebody puts a mix on it so I can compare.

I am such a newbie I need a workflow. I was thinking starting with the vocals soloing them do a rough eq bring to -O- unity. Then go to each track afterwords and eq lower the level comparing to the vocals. Then tweak to sound right in the overall mix. Also is there any affects you may use all the time as a general rule? Reverb, compression and do you use a certain order when adding.

Really just need to get an idea and a place to start.

Thanks

I usually start with the kick, the snare and then the vocal..get it natural ..and build around all that afterwards. Bass first to follow. The kick is the heart beat of the song, the snare is brings the answer and fills the groove, in conjunction with the kick if you will..... and the vocal is the focalpoint. Everyone else supports it. If the relationship is strong between these elements the sweetner will embellish among them. Panning left and right of guitars, keys strings etc...but the first three and the bass....are up front in the centre stage. The key to a good foundation.

As far as effects (reverb, delays etc...) and processors (compression, eq etc. ) tread lightly at first. Thats a long long subject with a long long answer. I suggest you get the sound stage arranged first. The processors are for helping them to all get along both in amplitude (compression) and timbre (eq) , and the effects are used to build environment. Again don't slop it on...they are all secondary to the balance of your stage. Look at the raw tracks as a real stage first. Envision the players on the stage, including the drum kit in the end.Just like they were standing there. Then play with all the candy after you have mastered that. You lose track of reverb and things like this if you don't have things in place before hand. Try just a little at first in the effects department. You will be surprised when you mute things like verb and delay for comparison, or A/Bing....a little goes a long way. Oh and never EQ say vocals on their own. They may sound sweet but when the mix is brought out, they are shoved behind everything and lose their presence etc. Leave everything alone until you get that raw sound stage going. Then you will know if the vocal or any other instrument needs that little eq tweak etc, but only when you here with all sounds. Secondly, dial out or shelf what instruments are not contributing. This will clean things up in the end too. If vocals die off mainly at 50 K why have below that in the mix. Leave room for the instruments that live there. Like bass, kick etc. If you sent a low signal of a vocal that you can hardly pick up and certainly will be gone in a mix, to a reverb, guess what you get. Crap over top your bass and kick. See what I mean?
Good luck. Have fun.


Lou.
Hope this helps.

 

[BigPlay]

Lou,
Thanks for the reply and suggestions that all make sense. I read another 7 year old post below on eq and effects below so I see what you mean about eq.
Ray

 

[Ears]

No worries glad to help. Nit sure if you know, I can't send a link but if you do a search for an instrument frequency chart it will help you see where things lie.

 

[mjbphotos]

There's lots of ways to mix, and a lot depends on the type of music you are creating. Generally, its best to get the 'rhythm section' in place first - drums, bass and then rhythm instruments (guitar, piano, etc). Then add lead instruments and vocals. Don't worry about EQ at first unless you need to fix a particular problem.

 

[Ears]

I agree on the eq as I stated above. I also agree that mixing is subjective, therefore I am only offering my experiences. Vocals sell a song and thats reality however, not guitars and keys unless of course it's instrumental. In 30 years of sitting between monitors, I have always made sure the vocal is supported and bringing up a mix sans vocals would only require me to go back on it all when the vocal comes in.

Again important to know its my opinion. I think if you read up on the subject most all great engineers have only 1 method they use. And most all use the tried and true.

Each to his own. The important thing is to not relay on any gear till you have it sounding as good it can naturally.