21 mixing tips that would have saved me years

Get the "Top 10 Mixing Mistakes" handout: www.musicianonamission.com/st...
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In this video, Dylan (a professional producer from Nashville) shares the 21 mixing tips that he wishes someone would have told him when he was a beginner.
Here are the articles/videos referenced in the video:
How to Use Stereo Slapback Delay on Vocals: • The Vocal Delay Trick:...
How to Use Reverb in your Mixes: www.musicianonamission.com/ho...
How to Use Reference Tracks: • How to Use Reference T...
How to Use Serial Compression: www.musicianonamission.com/vo...
How to do a Proper Volume Balance: • How to ACE the static ...
The 5 Drivers of Mixing: prosoundformula.com/the-5-driv...
Why Mixing in Mono is Important: • Why Mixing In Mono Is ...
How to do Proper Gain Staging: • 6 Gain Staging Mistake...
How to use Logic's Marquee (Selector) tool: • Video
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Get the "Top 10 Mixing Mistakes" handout: www.musicianonamission.com/st...
#Mixing #HomeStudio #HomeRecording

[@masteringcom]

Get the ultimate collection of mixing cheat sheets for free here: www.musicianonamission.com/start-ytorg

[@OtivoJumaRockofpeacegosp-by4rw]

10 mixed

[@KinckSound]

As a professional recording engineer with 40 years experience I would like to commend you on all your good advice. Many of the things you talk about are things that took me many years to realize. Excellent work.

[@BALTAOFC]

KinckSound same

[@allabouteverything4925]

Have to say the same only that i got only 12 years experience. Solid Video for newbies and even professionals

[@gatlinproduction]

Great video. For all the newbies this is a great advice tip and guideline. Been pro mixing for over 38 years. Everything that was said in this video is like a natural to me except for one thing. I start my gain staging at -18db. Not 0db. That’s a no go for me. That’s only my preference because I love steamy audio.

[@DocKaosBeats]

@@gatlinproduction So you level everything to -18 db then you mix or you just turn down the master fader to -18db? Sorry I'm not that advance with engineering trying to learn can you please elaborate what exactly do you mean and another question what's the best way to master your music so it's at the required LUFS/RMS level without losing loudness I've heard some say use 2 limiters so 1 limiter isn't doing all the work?

[@willdobson79]

Useful tips, excellent video.

[@studiobischof]

Tip #1: [01:43] Use bussing for speed and glue Tip #2: [04:01] Stereo slapback delay for vocals and melodies - better than reverb for upfront room Tip #3: [05:31] Use two room reverbs - everything is in the same room: mix between ambience and room reverb Tip #4: [09:12] Using reference tracks for better translation to speakers Tip #5: [11:05] Serial compression = 2-3 light compressors instead of one heavy unnatural sound Tip #6: [12:50] Focus on volume balance - height order on most important element Tip #7: [15:04] Roadmap against choice fatigue >> 5 drivers of mixing: 1. Balance, 2. Fix, 3. Enhance (better than life), 4. Shape (make room for stuff), 5. Space [The 5 Drivers of Mixing - The Key to a Great Sounding Mix](prosoundformula.com/the-5-drivers-of-mixing/) Tip #8: [17:44] Mix in mono Tip #9: [19:25] Gain stage Tip #10: [22:14] If it sounds good it is good - break the rules Tip #11: [23:30] Draw automation quickly Tip #12: [25:45] Keyboard shortcuts Tip #13: [27:38] Save a copy before mixing for later comparison Tip #14: [28:32] Panning automation! Stereo more in chorus Tip #15: [31:56] Get a second ear Tip #16: [33:44] Nudging recordings Tip #17: [36:58] Quantisation Tip #18: [40:09] Record quality before mixing Tip #19: [41:31] Take breaks for your ears Tip #20: [43:17] Don’t solo! Use gain plugin instead Tip #21: [46:15] Practice, practice, practice

[@nenissaK]

One to add that I've discovered: from time to time (towards the end), export it (and while exporting, LISTEN TO GOOD MUSIC and DON'T think about the song), and after exporting listen to it from start to finish while at the same time writing down every single thing you want to fix, with time stamps. And do it with your mixing gear, and headphones, as well as with ok/crappy speakers. This does many things: it gives you a compulsory break, reference tracks, and it forces you to listen to the whole song as an entity, it makes you notice volume fluctuation throughout the song, odd changes and unexpected things in the context of the whole mix and forces you to listen with a variety of gear. Also, if you're using speakers while listening to the references and your own mix, it gives you some physical exercise (no joke, it gets your blood flowing after 3 hours of sitting in one go), and listening from different angles highlights some issues

[@adamproductions4529]

This video is worth more than a semester of mixing class no joke

[@clickbaitcabaret8208]

Mixing is part technical, part intuitive, part art & takes a lot of practice to master. There's a lot to to understand, so never stop learning. Great video.

[@Vaeis]

This is just gold. Can't believe this information is just for free...

[@tiztoc977]

dont jinx it lol

[@peekpen]

thats GOLD Dylan...just GOLD!

[@MikeGilroyMusic]

peekpen it’s Gold Jerry Gold!

[@officialWWM]

You had 298 likes. I just made it 299. Now my OCD wants to like it again :/

[@yonix3958]

Isn't GOD the first to set an example by giving us all for free?...

[@aneveningwithebola2727]

"No listener is ever going to hear the instrument solo'd" Take notes, guitarists.

[@sgodden1]

So true - I'm a guitarist and I've spent far too long trying to get the right tone with the instrument solo'd. But to fit into a mix well (I generally play classic rock) the guitars need to be light on the bottom end, and more trebly than sounds good solo'd - in my experience anyway

[@SamAdvenMedia]

Um we got KZbinrs now that purposely solo sections now.... So this doesn't apply anymore lol

[@bjornborg3195]

The bass often makes the guitar tone sound good. Black Sabbath, iron maiden, rush.

[@ethansmithmusic]

I don't think that anyone in this thread gets the joke lol

[@Light-ji4fo]

Yeah they're taking it literally lmao @@ethansmithmusic

[@amaan6999]

This is by far the most legit "mixing techniques" video that I've seen over KZbin, that doesn't just involve basic concepts. Legit mixing school stuff here, not to mention some techniques that you personally use. I'm sure you've gone above and beyond in your mixes and engineering at around this point but thank you for even sharing some of these techniques with us! This is ridiculously underrated!!

[@dannyclews3340]

Absolutely agree!

[@jjjuhg]

What about keeping the pads and/ or synths quiet to sit in the back to give a sense of depth and a pro feel ? Would be a good tip. ( some of the tracks anyway )

[@masteringcom]

Here's the time-codes of each tip if you need them: Tip #1: 01:43 Tip #2: 04:01 Tip #3: 05:31 Tip #4: 09:12 Tip #5: 11:05 Tip #6: 12:50 Tip #7: 15:04 Tip #8: 17:44 Tip #9: 19:25 Tip #10: 22:14 Tip #11: 23:30 Tip #12: 25:45 Tip #13: 27:38 Tip #14: 28:32 Tip #15: 31:56 Tip #16: 33:44 Tip #17: 36:58 Tip #18: 40:09 Tip #19: 41:31 Tip #20: 43:17 Tip #21: 46:15

[@RealHomeRecording]

Yeeeeeee doggie!

[@jacksvocals]

A living legend.

[@chucknkd]

not anything to do with your point of the video (thanks for the tips btw:-) but how are you doing track stacks inside of track stacks? (drums for example) or is that a folder track that they all fold into? thx!

[@ChanderVivekSingh]

Sir i want that eq free training link can u help me in that plz.....i read ur article on 5 eq tips it was so awesome sir

[@SilloniusAeldarian]

I dont need this time stamp! I need every second of that information XD thank you again for sharing your knowledge man, you are the best

[@PerriwinklePadfoot]

I’m out here taking notes like I’m in school how is this free

[@masteringcom]

Awesome! 📝

[@PivotLoL77]

Lol mee too i'm having pages of notes haha

[@TheBrettEnglish]

Same, yo

[@alendooza]

Me to bro, youtube is a great school if used prperly and with if we choose right teachers and classes...

[@BlezzBeats]

You can even practice on the bus

[@DanLugoMusic]

That click and drag to turn on/off all plugins at 3:35 just blew my mind.

[@HannaMia]

same here!

[@AKAtAGG]

Started watching thinking I'd know every one of the 21 tips (been producing for about 25 years, just as a hobby) and was incredibly surprised at how many I wasn't fully aware of. Every tip explained in great detail, but not using terms or language that will make even the newest producer/mixer get frightened. Great vid.

[@FreyaFleurNoire]

Best video I've seen on mixing. Seriously brought me from feeling frustrated to feeling excited to mix.

[@niedec_hello]

For tip #20 (Don't solo, use a gain plugin instead), there's an easier way. Some DAWs like Reaper have a "solo in front" button that you can hit, and it will automatically lower the rest of your mix by a set db. So instead of raising a track you want to work on by 6db, you're lowering everything else by 6db. Makes it much easier to hear what's going on, prevents ear-fatigue, and you'll never clip.

[@nobuyoshikitano3305]

A "thumbs up" for this tip! I just wish Logic had a similar function... :-/

[@amaan6999]

Wish ableton had it too!

[@goodnightgoodnight8661]

I need to look into this on Studio One!

[@niedec_hello]

@@goodnightgoodnight8661 Not sure it's a baked-in feature, but I found this workaround on the Presonus blog: blog.presonus.com/index.php/2017/12/22/friday-tip-week-add-dim-solo-studio-one/.

[@HiScoreMusic]

Good one, thanks!

[@montelorne]

Thank you for your incredible generosity in putting this tutorial together. I’ve watched a couple hundred of these tutorials, and this may very well be the best.

[@EnriqueRojasmusic]

I stumbled upon this channel a few days ago and it has become my favorite audio mixing channel on KZbin. The way you present the information is so clear and down to the point, and all the tips and tricks are very useful and even necessary for becoming a good mixing engineer. Keep up the great work!

[@LeBrinqueOfficial]

I´ve seen this one a couple of times now, being a producer for like 13 years and its a really really really awesome take on mixing. Even learned (or rather realized) some new stuff from this! This should be on the first page of youtube when someone searches "how to produce a song" Thank you!

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

I've probably said this on other posts but thanks so much for this channel! Your information is on-point, the guides are clear and detailed and your optimistic personality always makes me look forward to watching!

[@masteringcom]

So glad we could help!

[@sneakaholic011]

this is honestly the best mixing video i've seen on youtube. so much information was delivered clearly without stagnating. this is the perfect pace. you absolutely killed this

[@chimpventures]

Im getting only gold from this channel! By far the most productive time seeing audio videos. Im strugglin rn on incresing potential on my mixes, and this certainly helped a lot! Thx for the content.

[@anxiousmindmusic]

Your explanation of a bus was the most clear and succinct one I've heard I think

[@proverbalizer]

here's a tip, just cause something makes your track sound better, that doesn't mean more of it is gonna make your track sound more better

[@GeorgePiazza]

Definitely! The right amount of (x) is critical. too much distortion, too much reverb, compression, etc. Brings one back to the adage 'Stay away from the Solo button'! And don't put an aural exciter on every track.

[@adintyaannasaidhiakharisma5202]

you know what im only 2 year of experiencing recording-mixing-mastering world and people say that "the less is better" its true im doing it around 7 month ago and yeah i feel its better result just don't over do it with plugins if its bad from when you record an instrument so don't put it in the mixing section , record again until its sound good

[@adintyaannasaidhiakharisma5202]

and believe in your ear thats important than your eye

[@kashbandi7461]

I think that’s why he said 10% better. U won’t learn everything from this video, but this video and others, mixes with some hours of trial and tribulation, your mixes will sound way better.

[@RunawayHorses]

it's a sound advice

[@MrMattmoffett]

Yo man, thanks a ton for this. You've clearly put a ton of thought and effort into this video. Really, REALLY appreciate the links to in depth explanations for everything you're referencing. That is something most KZbin teachers are sooooorely lacking.

[@brandonwoodward3733]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video for all of us . You explained things very well and helped me a lot!

[@Virtual-Media]

You got a way of making things so logical in a short amount of time. You're an excellent instructor!

[@ricksto87]

Every tip I too over years have become a eureka moment and wished this video existed way back when Thanks man

[@masteringcom]

Glad we could help!

[@funnyvideosDJ]

Great video!! Every new producer should watch this! Thank you for spending your time to craft an amazing guide for us new starters. Much appreciated!

[@user-qe8mw3hw3o]

Thank you for synthesising all this valuable information. I appreciate your effort. Happy to find this in the early months of my production.

[@AndrewKolotyliuk]

I knew almost none of this and I can't wait to put what I've learned to use. You're the man!

[@Quinn-yi6ge]

That decision fatigue (keyboard shortcut) talk was really thought provoking man, Thank you!

[@angelosalinas4961]

Dropping straight uncut gems 💎 thanks @musician on a mission

[@theaassiim]

This is one of the most useful videos for music producers that is available for free such a legend for doing this I have seen many premium videos and cources and never got so many precise to the point tips like this.

[@ambivalencio]

I can't believe you gave us this information for free. My mixes immediately started to sound a little bit better just by reminding these tips. So thank you and keep going, dude! Guess you're helping many of us a lot. 🙏🏻

[@masteringcom]

Awesome to hear!

[@theherbiebrown]

Thank you for this video. I'm still a novice but these tips have helped me understand mixing even more. This video is easy to understand and to follow along. Your delivery is perfect. Also, the video production is on point; you lift important parts of the presentation into text. That's a pro move. Without a doubt, you know what you're doing. I'm grateful for you and glad that I found this video.

[@masteringcom]

Thank you for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed the video.

[@kiashabadoo6349]

Thank you for packing so many good mixing tip in one video. My current and future projects are going to benefit from all I’ve learned from this video.

[@craigshawmusic]

Best tips I've found by far for a long time. Precise to the point. Thank you.

[@stevekirkby6570]

After years of working in the industry, I have to agree with everything here - you know, even experienced audio professionals can use help to remind themselves of the right way to do things as we go down the rabbit hole :) This is a pretty wonderful reminder of the things you need to consider.

[@masteringcom]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@theinfamousches1258]

This is by far the best mixing tips video I have ever watched on KZbin. Thank you for this!!

[@masteringcom]

Wow! Glad you enjoyed!

[@psiga]

Wonderful tips! I was especially surprised and delighted by #20. Thanks so much for sharing! (And happy new year to you!)

[@ProbablyAnEarthbender]

Love this channel. Definitely going to watch all of your videos

[@ketiwww]

This is a masterpiece. Than you for this.

[@doomboogie315]

There's a ton of great information in this. Learned a few things.

[@EDMTips]

I second that. Damn good vid, Rob!

[@cseymour88]

This is the most comprehensive, practical, and digestible mixing video on KZbin. Thank you!

[@joshuasouth]

I'm so happy I came across your video! The best video I've come across explaining good quality mixing tips. Also loved all the pictures in between and the transitions. Keep up the good work! 👌🏻

[@masteringcom]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@MickGrocholl]

Best mixing video I've ever seen.

[@charliethetyrton3209]

Damm bro! This is the best mixing video on all of youtube. Thx for macking this vid.

[@dasdabeatjunkie]

From what one Dylan to another, great video! Thanks for the help

[@kaasme1587]

You're the best!!! The way you explain things following with an example every time is just immensely helpful. THANK YOU!!!

[@NuffLoveProductions]

awesome advices was a lot of them I discovered that I already followed unconsciously but alot of new ideas that revolutionised my mixing thanks a lot :)

[@RunawayHorses]

omg I'm in tears for how much I liked this :')

[@prarthnap7105]

thank you for shaing all this GOLD !! you're a gem to this humanity

[@KOKAI99]

One of the best videos I've ever seen about that topic, thank you so much!

[@garethrowley8552]

Very sound advice. Saved to my playlist for future reference purposes.

[@S10Football]

you still have the playlist?

[@lloyd7miller]

This is the most informative mixing video online. period.

[@Vealdebate]

I am so grateful you made this. Thanks you so much!

[@coolchill3953]

So much value in these vids. Thanks Dylan!

[@cheyennelowlands2424]

Great tips, thank you. "If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington

[@MatthewMcGurty]

Fantastic video man! Really insightful but digestible as well. Many thanks 👍

[@DmytroGordon]

Thank you so much for this, Dylan! There was a LOT of really fantastic material. Can't wait to use these tips in my next mixes!

[@timmah4476]

Mate that is absolutely spectacular!! Great work and thank you for taking the time to put this together - olé ✨🙏🏻✨

[@JayThomasofficial]

This is great . Must see Ty for this

[@meyer2534]

You just dropped a gem. Thanks man 👍🏼

[@ChristineHals]

Thank you so much! I learned a lot of new things watching your tutorial. Can't wait to apply them on my own mixes! 🎶🎧🎚️🎛️

[@masteringcom]

Best of luck!

[@myriaddsystems]

I'm so grateful for this. Listened to a great deal of advice over the years but this tops the lot!

[@buhlir]

Hands down the best stuff I have learned too. Really great job putting these together! Such a great a reminder for everything

[@payments2010]

A M A Z I N G !!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

[@DrBuffaloBalls]

That double room reverb trick will definitely see use in an upcoming project of mine! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[@Dogu_7]

Absolute goldmine. Many thanks for this!

[@AltusNoumena]

This is the most helpful mixing video I've ever found. This needs to be everyones introduction into mixing. Thank you for a concise and easy understand video. I will be diving into those links.

[@antoniojimenezperez50]

WoW this is very interesting, I especially like the serial compression tip. I really want to try that now!

[@enriquecorro]

Antonio Jiménez Pérez I tried it and it works GREAT! Thanks❤️👍

[@VanGoHAF]

3 compression always better than 1?

[@DEADBUNNYMUSIC]

This is the best Video Ive ever seen on YT, thanks for sharing mann!

[@masteringcom]

Happy to help!

[@bigcooll]

Thanks for putting this together. Awesome information. A lot to digest. Practice is needed on my part to grasp all the elements here!

[@IanGonzalezS]

Tip 2 and i'm already blown away. Thanks for this !

[@TheAJKid]

That Marquee automation tip was gold my friend. Thank you.

[@ghoshneh]

Great list of tips, panning automation was a great tip for widening my mix, which I've never thought of before! I have heard the other tips, but your persuasive way of mentioning them enforced what I've already known. I will watch this again. That choice fatigue you have mentioned was what I always experience mixing, so your list of organising things was also v. helpful. Many thanks.

[@ayyleeway]

Thank You for this video. I've learned so much and remembered important techniques that I already knew. TOP TIER KNOWLEDGE RIGHT THERE

[@DNeil5]

Awesome information!! Very helpful and tips that you can actually use right away! Thanks, will be listening over and over again....Till I get it!!

[@RamosFilms]

Years worth of me YouTubing “mixing tips” summarized super nicely in a single 50 minute video. Superb job my dude, you got a sub from me 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@masteringcom]

Glad we could help!

[@mikerob3339]

I’m a hip hop artist and for some reason none of my engineers have used even half of these tips like the nudging automation the buses etc and I’m shocked tbh because I was in the room as they mixed my tracks the nudging will definitely help me This information should not be free so muchhhhh gold and silver in this video thank you my friend You and Graham are my favorites the goats 🔥🙏🏽🐐

[@LorD3able]

man, do u think these were secrets? come on :))))

[@mikerob3339]

RazvanNn must have been lol cuz I worked with folk who been in this business for decades and they ain’t do this Secret sauce 😂🤷🏽‍♂️

[@shinji1264]

@@LorD3able Believe it or not but info like this is rare

[@limbertacha4742]

Few are that clear and to the point, thank you very much for your work

[@tonyshinobi412]

the best video about mixing out there !!! never saw that kind of real good information in a video about mixing!!!!

[@iqi616]

Good tips. The important thing with reference tracks is to turn them DOWN to match the loudness of your mix. When at equivalent loudness (not necessarily equal loudness) your ears are hearing both in the same area of the Fletcher-Munson curves which means you will hear the frequencies the same and therefore EQ more accurately.

[@pure3081]

Dude, your voice, that video, its incredible! It helped me so much. Should be 1#video on KZbin! Just Great

[@jaimecandela2488]

Thanx for the videos, You really explain things so that everyone can understand, also if we dont have a deep knowledge... Its very helpful and I apreciate it 👏👏👏

[@SteveCournane]

Wow, amazing stuff. Thankyou so much. Very generous of you to share this stuff

[@masteringcom]

Happy to help!

[@jasonstatement3553]

Straight gold, immediately subbed!

[@masteringcom]

Glad we could help!

[@housethegrate6093]

For a quantized MIDI part to sound more human, use the Random function and set the range for position and velocity.

[@fzhardacher]

Best Christmas gift Thx!

[@eviloutionise]

So many solid tips. I love the transparency as well, there's no BS.

[@kashdro85]

"Mental Fatigue" laughs in 3 different types of caffeine

[@hectormayoral443]

This is why I don't like going to youtube for tutorials... You get a good video with interesting tips... That links you to 50 other videos that also have interesting tips... I'm never going to get to the mixing part if I keep on watching these videos xD Thanks for the vid

[@bdubzproduction5597]

But I bet your mixes sound great :)

[@playr146]

Thank you for creating this video, it's very helpful. Plenty of useful techniques for mixing tracks.

[@joelarmendariz8876]

awesome analogy on # 18, great vid and tips!

[@alexbecker4149]

*Re tip 4: When comparing your mix to a reference mix, what to pay attention to? Other than spectrum sections, stereo image, dynamics (LUFS)?*

[@goodnightgoodnight8661]

I have to work in the morning, but I want to be mixing after watching this video!

[@ZajaOfficial]

This video is SO GOOD. Thank you! Please upload many more. Love from Norway 🇳🇴

[@kjguitar]

Listen... Listen.... you did a very good deed by posting this. Thank you for this.. Thank you!!

[@Thadnill]

This video is like a holy mixing bible that you should repeat once a month just to squash this into your head

[@EndreyMusic]

I wrote down notes throughout the entire video lol

[@gregorybyler2953]

@@EndreyMusic So did I :)

[@DaddaPsy]

If you have a gaming mouse, you can assign all the extra buttons to different shortcuts in your DAW. Might be helpful for some that is really quick with the mouse but not so handy with the keyboard.

[@masteringcom]

Great tip!

[@Jaburu]

better go straight to production mouse like the Logitech MX Master series

[@SimonAspsund]

When you mentioned making choices uses up physical energy, I related to that so much. Often when I'm trying to mix or edit my videos/drums in the evenings I sometimes fall asleep because sometimes I don't know what I'm doing and there's too much choices. Good to hear there's an explanation to this lol. Thank you so much for this video, it was great!