100 Recording and Mixing Mistakes to Avoid

Every artist, producer, audio engineer, or studio owner, has experience some or all of these mistakes at some point in their music production careers. Here are the top 100 mistakes that I have learned over the years of being an audio engineer. Whether you are a home studio engineer, a FL Studio producer or a longtime Pro Tools user, these 100 mistakes can slow down your progress so make sure you check this out.
1:02 Recording in a loud environment
1:20 Recording in a reflective room
1:53 Buying gear for the name
2:42 Not practicing
3:20 Not listening before recording
4:27 Bringing too many friends to the studio
4:48 Not having confidence
5:29 Lack of communication with the engineer
5:54 Recording too loud and clipping
6:16 Recording too quietly
6:45 Relying on limiters
7:08 Over compressing
7:38 Using too many plugins
8:04 Not labeling tracks
8:15 Being unorganized
8:30 Poor file management
8:45 Getting distracted
9:25 Not using headphones
10:00 Buying a mic that doesn’t suit your voice
10:42 Using the wrong type of mic
11:30 Mic placement
12:05 Too much EQ
12:55 Using weak samples
13:30 Recording with latency
14:40 Relying on presets
15:08 Overusing pitch correction
15:40 Fixing it in the mix
16:33 Too much reverb
16:40 Improper routing
17:10 Using compression instead of fader
17:54 Understand your tools
18:24 Editing without using fades
19:10 Mixing without proper low end response
19:51 Mixing on on improper monitors
20:43 Trying to self master
21:30 Using too low of a bit depth
21:58 Using too low or high of a sample rate
22:45 Rushing the recording
23:10 Recording instruments out of tune
23:44 Not taking noes
24:23 Mixing for to long
24:44 Not using a reference
24:15 Making everything be heard
25:54 Not fixing phase issues
26:10 Not using a click track
26:48 Saving too many takes
27:27 Not recording doubles
28:20 Placing mic too close to the source
28:50 Recording with cheap or broken cables
29:32 Bad singing
30:15 Bad rapping
30:47 Bad timing
31:30 Leaving your phone on
32:05 Not facing the mic
32:40 Not taking breaks
33:22 Not being professional
33:55 Letting the engineer change your plans
34:30 Mixing in solo
35:08 Forgetting about stereo width
35:45 Killing the dynamic range
36:30 Not checking mix on different speakers
37:05 Not leaving enough headroom
37:45 Not using HPF
38:25 Not using LPF
38:42 Eqing the master to fix roblem
39:30 Not using automation
40:20 Doing the same things too much
41:03 Trying to turn a sound into something it isn’t
41:38 Relying on fix it plugins
42:22 Not being clear on what you want to do
42:50 Not paying attention to gain m
43:10 Making vocals thin
43:40 Making vocals boomy
43:58 Bad beat selection
44:23 Boosting instead of cutting
44:55 Not knowing your rom
45:20 Not knowing your monitors
45:48 Mixing mindlessly
46:15 Not knowing when to stop
46:38 Not being reactive
47:00 Lack of energies
47:28 Too many low end sounds
47:59 Lack pf clarity
48:27 Looking for a mastered sound
49:05 Not ussing groups
49:43 Not using busses
49:55 Not using shortcuts
50:16 Not understanding how inserts are processed
50:51 Not eqing your reverb
51:18 Not being creative
51:45 Not setting the tempo
52:00 Adding reverb to everything
52:30 Processing everything
53:00 Too heavy on the HPF
53:34 Not using parallel compression
54:05 Forgetting to save
54:24 Not reading the manuals
54:55 Not using Wavy 1 Isolating Headphone
55:48 Not joining the wavy seals elite
Top 8 Recording and Mixing Mistakes
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[@HarleyJay]

Dude you’re one of the hardest working producer/audio kats on KZbin. Appreciate the constant content and advice.

[@tonygbrill]

Great list. Numbers 35, 38, 43, 69, 73, 74, 78, 82, 88, and 90 stood out to me. LOL moment was number 90 "Loosey-goosey reverbs". #FullSailUniversity should put you on the list to be Hall of Famer.

[@G.iovanniDreams]

certified goat for the video alone🐐👏🏽

[@antmanmusic]

If I had this list in the 90s???!!!! WOW!! Very comprehensive!! It took me years to learn these. Thank you Sir!!

[@TheBlackJewelz]

Holy slaps my manz actually did 100. I almost thought he was cappin. That's beyond respectable, thank you for this fam. And they were actually GOOD tips!

[@TheBlackJewelz]

Oh one question in regard to studio monitors vs. headphones for mixing. How do you feel about plugins like the Waves NX series? My living situation does not allow me to utilize monitors...

[@FYIgames]

@@TheBlackJewelz Change your living situation or go to a self service music studio. Monitors are essential in mixing

[@TheBlackJewelz]

@@FYIgames disagree because most people listen to music in headphones/earbuds now. Big loud speakers aren’t a realistic reference for how people are going to hear your music anymore.

[@TheBlackJewelz]

@@FYIgames also don’t comment on my living situation.

[@FYIgames]

@@TheBlackJewelz Nah imma comment on whatever I want. I also ain’t say shit about people listening to music on “big loud speakers” (concerts, cars, parties, Alexa/ihome I guess don’t exist in your living situation either) I’ll let that rudeness slide and tell you that as a engineer you need as many points of sound reference as u can to get your mix right. AND from my experience, the mix from monitors is the closest reference point to air pods and other headphones. Which is why I made the friendly suggestion to you to change your living situation or go to a self service studio so you could experience that.

[@astariehoneycutt8875]

you're the best on KZbin bro keep up the good work much love

[@waynewav]

Thanks fam!

[@jefferythomas2333]

WOW, not sure how you did this...but MAN what great information and tools provided. Thanks sooo much for continuing to reach back and help us all.

[@StuderBuilt]

Bro, you are the one thing missing in my life😅. Your teaching style is so smooth and inspiring... and humble, hence, wise. Mad respect! You'll be hearing from me!

[@ahmadouxx8413]

I know i am really late to the party but still gotta say thanks for your hard work

[@Ayohabu1]

Certified goat for this Wayne 🤞🏽

[@Fr35h]

Well needed info from the elite

[@stckNsde]

6:08 Drained from all them tutorials 💜

[@kashaholic1636]

So many gems in this and game💎Being young coming up in engineering I really needed this !

[@4DAVE]

Talk To’em WAVY 🗣💪🏾

[@johnmusick671]

Thanx for the info can't wait to get started. Learning A LOT from you. 'Preciate it

[@official.lilbig]

18:41 Do you have a video on “tops and tells”? Or is that just referring to fading vocals in and out? Like for long continuous rap verses? 😅

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Great video and very sound advice. Tip Number 75 had me rolling in laughter 😂😅. I do not work with the rap genre, but I am familiar with it from my youth.

[@justinbivens7314]

I’m just a couple months in to actually mixing my own music. This video was perfectly timed I was just thinking about this yesterday.

[@JOHNNYUPLOADZ]

That first 5 seconds intro Had me Dying 😂😂laughing bruh, spot on!!! You are much appreciated 🦾🔥🦾

[@IAMACJ]

Just met you at this concert.... Lydia is amazing. Crazy talent... great stage show

[@nipzkcab]

Wavy Your Dope Brother .Thanks Kemensta

[@johnvalther]

That is so dope Wavy Wayne you rock🙏🤗❤️🎤🎧

[@JunkyardSam]

Great list. There's something in here for everyone even if they think they already know it all.

[@silkroad1201]

I do already know it all, and more

[@silkroad1201]

#101: Don't let the drummer eat the pizza he delivered at the console

[@TheRealNickShane]

Ty for the knowledge!!! 😌

[@insanerecordsllc]

Great information

[@LilLeafYT]

much love thank you

[@Richgang8888]

I just wanna say thanks for having a passion for teaching and reaching those who wanna learn.

[@JBarbarosa]

Thank you. Great info

[@lukasplet]

Thanks for all your educational videos!💪

[@riccochettv8638]

🔥🔥 great information bro…

[@bankzthelilmonkey6638]

You are actually a huge part of the courses in the college in ATL

[@waynewav]

Dope. What college?

[@birthdaydog1244]

Hot damn I loved this especially the practicing tip I spend hours practicing and fellow individuals say it’s a waste of time

[@vasco4397]

Man I prefer hundred pourcent watching you for a hour than watch any blockbusters

[@Devile_GeriZim1805]

thank u cuz i needed this!

[@bigbiz3190]

amazing channel fam... 🙏

[@jesusflores2121]

You're my mixing engineer community, Wavy.

[@OffixialGem]

Thanks alot, I've been doing alot of these mistakes but caught myself correcting it down the line. This just gave me sm insight

[@jaymeal123]

100 - damn I know I gotta be doing AT LEAST 20 of these things wrong 😅😅😅. Soo much info in this video 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@waynewav]

No problem fam!

[@docmarc36]

hollup playa... a year before this... you had 10 mistakes.... in one year you found 90 more? DAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYUMMMMM!!!!!!

[@cadilaktrip6589]

Does studio one have input monitor?

[@wesleyeaster9116]

Appreciate the tips, extremely beneficial

[@kyleshays]

I got your headphones and they're awesome 🔥

[@hopekandle6707]

Thanks legend...98% of those mistakes I always doing them.. now you show me a good way to avoid them

[@runituproil2373]

This is great content 🔥🔥

[@simplyputviewstv5655]

It's not about the gear...it's all in the ear💯👊

[@Saner.]

Bro your intro is fu**king great 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jokertreie3149]

This is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@chavo817]

Talk yo shit Wayne 💪🏾

[@JonnyKemp]

Aye Mayne. Thanks Mayne.

[@stephenallenmusic]

Guilty I have made all of these mistakes throughout my career and I did buy your headphones the day they first dropped

[@hmmchikid3422]

Smh I'm guilty of this. My ear just isn't what it used to be. So the help is greatly appreciated.

[@TherealNKB]

Brooo. I am using a AKG P120 with a focus rite 2i2. I’m bringing a beat into pro tools clip gaining it to -6. I then record my vocals on average around -12. My vocals are still so quite I can’t hear them well. What am I doing wrong?

[@mja4021]

Get a vu meter to measure the loudness on the beat and vocals

[@roclovely7593]

Thanks Wayne I'm one of those.. thanks 4 the fishing lessons bruh

[@alexfilmwriting]

But I just thought that hum was part of my sound. That's my style. I'm the 60 Hz hum guy.

[@kcynerbt741]

Hahahaah

[@rowancclark417]

Bhahaha

[@hermianofficial3400]

Duuuude, you just reminded me of a guy I used to work with when I started out. He told me that maybe distortion and clipping could be part of his sound lmao

[@alexfilmwriting]

@@hermianofficial3400 No one else thought it was strange that LoFi got real popular during the pandemic? Bunch of newbies tossing dozens of filters over heinous ground loops and releasing albums on spotify.

[@hermianofficial3400]

Yeah it's pretty interesting. Although not all LoFi is bad, there's some pretty good stuff out there.

[@StoneyWoodz361]

Mistake 101. Not listening to Wavy Wayne!!

[@REDDYROCKTunez]

u that dude brody 💯💪 i be goin thru the same with artist 😂

[@Roccazh]

really helpful luv from germany

[@doctorabuse9773]

Thank you so much for sharing this list! It brought my approach to record, mix and produce to another level.

[@gpayne9448]

What a good video

[@cadilaktrip6589]

I like you bro.

[@gpayne9448]

Thank you

[@TheElectricfishmusic]

Not knowing when to stop!

[@Sksk-by8pp]

i can't believe i watched this video in x2 speed

[@andyto629]

I went 1.5x. Very efficient

[@VonnieVonVonX2]

Music production 101 💯

[@platinumbenzman]

Dayum you got me im guilty on more then half what you said.

[@Jcg2nd]

Salute Wavy. Thanks for the Home Depot video too.

[@joketarofficial5240]

Hey guys , does anyone know how to switch between the mix and edit windows ? What's that shortcut ?

[@quran1447]

man wayne always attacking me in the first 5 seconds ima stop clicking 💀

[@tgrellz5102]

💯💯💯

[@yiqwaba3833]

I'ma just sit at the back of the class in the corner I've been messing up badly.

[@LEMONADAS100]

I FUCKING LOVE THIS GUY AINT YOUUUUUU

[@30tyreece]

Ik we haven't talked in awhile but keep it up 😇😇😇

[@chiefyovany572]

Who the heck records without headphones?!? Never heard that one before.

[@thejessexander]

this dude is hilarious

[@jaeosh]

yo wavy where can i have you master a song for me?

[@jaeosh]

just submitted to the web site

[@SWAGGER17836]

❄️💨

[@Therealjjpccd]

nice

[@Tha_Mecca]

And yall please change the batteries in yall smoke detectors. Yall know who yall are 😂😂🤣😂

[@Hustlers4LifeRecordz]

🤟

[@djaf5204]

Damn bro you've been an engineer for 15 years and you don't have a single grey hair. Black don't crack for real

[@Mope333]

Over

[@bboymac84]

32float is fine

[@WestCraven]

blue face lol