Now, this is the fun part of production! The fifth step in the music production process is mixing. This is generally the part that most people find to be the most fun. This is the part of the process where your song should be written and you should have all of the components that you need already recorded. Mixing is considered an art form by some, and can take years of learning and practice. However, this idea should not bother you because you are here to practice! The possibilities are seemingly endless and it is a no-brainer that mixing is an invaluable skill in the trade. There are plenty of resources out there that are very beneficial for those looking to begin practicing, and there are also plenty of free to use samples online that you can practice with in order for you to increase your mixing skills. Aside, from tracking, mixing is another one of my favorite parts of the process because of the high skill ceiling that exists when it comes to the medium. I find it to be a calming hobby because you are able to just sit and experiment with different combinations and usually I always find myself learning something new when I practice.
What exactly do you accomplish when you put together a mix? Well, mixing is considered the process of combining all of the recorded instruments into a 2-track mix. 2-track mixes are usually associated with the left-right and surround systems that we are familiar with. A solid mix will play to the 3D sound space; this means that you should be able to hear every instrument with clarity and you should be able to differentiate depth and motion. Aside from the limitless combinations you can experiment with, there are also a multitude of styles that you can experiment with as well! These mixing styles usually by mixing specific instruments and vocals to suit a specific genre of music.
The amount of creative freedom that you possess when mixing is almost limitless. Your final mix will have an enormous impact on the way your song will be interpreted by your listeners. A great well-edited mix will help your listeners to enjoy your masterpiece for the work that it is. It is important to not get frustrated when first starting out because mixing takes a great deal of practice, and with just a bit of grit, you will soon be mixing like a true professional. Have you ever experimented with an audio mix before? If so, what kind, I wanna know, so make sure that you leave me a comment and share this blog with your friends.
I will catch you in the next one. Stay Classy!