8 Mixing Mistakes You're (Probably) Making and How to Avoid Them

►► Download my mixing guide for FREE here: bit.ly/3FsElLV These 8 mixing mistakes are easy to make - and easy to fix. Avoiding these mixing mistakes will instantly improve the quality of your mixes. These mixing tips have had the biggest positive impact on the quality of my mixes (and career), allowing me to make a living from music.
Every single one of these mixing tips was a watershed moment for me that markedly “upped my game”, and unlocked a new level of possibilities. I hope you find them equally transformative!
💪 [EDM TIPS COACHING - SPOTS LIMITED]
Learn how to produce chart-topping electronic dance music and make money from it in a matter of weeks not years.
www.edmtips.com/accelerator
In this tutorial, we cover…
00:00 - Intro
00:47 - Mixing too loud
01:41 - Mixing into a mastering limiter
02:51 - Not using a reference track
05:38 - Thinking the mix will fix the bad composition and sound selection
07:27 - Not focussing on the low-end first
09:37 - Panning and stereo width
11:57 - Not using a global room reverb
13:40 - Overcooking the high-end
16:17 - Not using buss processing
🐦 CLICK HERE to share this on Twitter: • 8 Mixing Mistakes You'...
📝…And here’s the blog version of this video: ???
Gear I use in this video…
🔈 My Audio Gear:
Monitors: bit.ly/AdamTV8
Headphones 1: bit.ly/MyHeadphones650
Headphones 2: bit.ly/TMA2Headphones
Audio Interface: bit.ly/ApolloInterface
MIDI Keyboard 1: bit.ly/ArturiaKeyLab61
MIDI Keyboard 2: bit.ly/AKAILPK25
Microphone 1: bit.ly/RodeUSB
Microphone 2: bit.ly/ShureSM7
Computer: amzn.to/3uYU28J
🎛 Discounted Plugin Deals:
bit.ly/2NGRIgL
💻 …And some of my Favourite Software…
🎤 Vocal Processing (I use all of these):
Celemony Melodyne: bit.ly/3l5cmaA
Antares Autotune: bit.ly/3MeBY0a
Waves CLA Vocals: bit.ly/3aGx4LM
🎶 My ENTIRE Music and Video Equipment: bit.ly/2K4eFHZ
👥 Join our community here! / edmtipsofficial
….AND SAY HI ON THE SOCIALS, BRUH:
📌Twitter: / edmtipsofficial
📌Instagram: / edmtipsoffi. .
📌Web: www.edmtips.com
Cheers, and happy producing!
Will
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LEARN HOW TO PRODUCE LIKE FAMOUS ARTISTS:
► How to Make TECH HOUSE (like FISHER) 👉 • How to Make TECH HOUSE...
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AND…
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• 8 Mixing Mistakes You'...
#mixingtips #abletonlive #musicproduction

[@EDMTips]

Let me know what you think of this video in the comments below. If you liked this video don't forget to smash that subscribe button so you don't miss out on any of my upcoming tutorials! 🔥

Question of the Day ⚡ If you could fix one thing in your mixes by using a magic wand, what would it be? Let me know! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

[@Aque0us]

Recorded instruments, drums, and sounds. They always seem to stick out in a bad way, lack any punch, or just be too muddy when mixed with electronic sounds

[@elganty1]

I really admire you , your tutorials have the exact pace and energy needed to keep people concentrated and you never miss key emphasis when your explaining. RESPECT 🙏

[@EDMTips]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting me, I really appreciate it! 🙂

[@cheapshotfishing9239]

I cant believe the global reverb trick never occurred to me

[@EDMTips]

Haha, don't worry, sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that elude us! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@DaddyKing603]

These are perhaps the best tips I have seen on KZbin. Especially the high end tips. I find myself wanting to open up the high end on the vocals more because Especially in a dance track like your example my wife says she can't understand the words. She is a stickler for this. In your example you are using Abelton. I own a Lite version of abelton, but my primary DAW is FL Studio. I am hoping it will allow me to open multiple instances of the eq vsts as you have shown in the video. I love your teaching on DBs as well. I always wondered where really is a good setting and I do usually get some distortion and I have been doing this for years.

[@LammensB]

Your tutorials are pure gold! I've learned so much. THANK YOU Your explanation is quick, to the point, animated. And you sense of humor is the cherry on the cake!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you for the kind words! Really glad you enjoy them :)

[@micky5237]

Wow !!!!! Another super vid and much food for thought , thanks Will 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, Micky, glad you found this useful! What was your a-ha moment from the video? :)

[@DaddyKing603]

You've made me more observant and listen to how other artists approaches their motifs. I notice this most specifically even in ads. They take it to another place quickly. I will be watching more of your videos. Thanks

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, glad you found this helpful! 🙂🙌🏻

[@nolet99]

Hey thanks Will. Very much appreciate your expertise - this is going into my checklist for sure 👍

[@EDMTips]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaduk6324]

Great video as always. Defo gonna implement these tips.

[@EDMTips]

Great to hear that! Let me know how it goes :)

[@wernerxldata]

Reminds me of the good old 'less is more', very usefull and practical tips Will, thanks again ♥

[@EDMTips]

You’re welcome, Werner, glad you found this helpful! 🙂🙌🏻

[@geosynth7371]

Great energy with your presentation!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you so much, I am glad you liked it! 🙂

[@aranyak1881]

This channel is my go to for production now, my tracks have improved so much because of your videos

[@EDMTips]

I am stoked to hear that my video have helped you so far! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel 🙂

[@marcomamoto]

Helpful tips! No bla bla bla. Information provided in very clear and short way. Appreciate, like and god bless you🙏🏻.

[@EDMTips]

Stoked to hear that, and glad it was helpful :)

[@joepincombe4765]

The best mixing tutorials about, thanks!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, Joe, I am really glad you found this helpful! 🙂🙌🏻

[@djjayem100]

This is absolutely fantastic. I've recently lost my way producing and these tips are just what i needed to start fresh.

[@EDMTips]

Stoked to hear that! Keep up at it and don't forget to have fun 🙂

[@matteomenini9001]

Simple easy and direct, good one

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, Matteo, I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@emiel333]

Already know this stuff, but I like to watch your videos when I’ve nothing to do 😉 Great video.

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, glad you liked it! 🙂

[@Sheriffvlogs]

Thanks will for the Maybe a video on how to make your low-end Translate on smaller devices Sound selection saturation Distortion etc. And Another idea would be to see what tools you use When you are making your tracks vst analog model plugins.

[@EDMTips]

Great suggestion! I will add this to my list and see how many people will vote for it! Thank you for watching and supporting the channel 🙂🙌🏻

[@darrenrobinson8317]

nice one Will great advice again, how would you personally go about panning a drum loop with all the element in it?.

[@stonecastle858]

Excellent tips Will

[@EDMTips]

Thank you , I am glad it was helpful! 🙂🙌🏻

[@Ipsissimus]

I don't think I have enough experience to hear the difference yet. It all sounds "ok" to me and can't tell the difference enough to know which sounds better.

[@EDMTips]

Train your ears, Geeee, it will help a lot in the future :)

[@jesser753]

I have this issue as well, and (despite aging ears) I usually have pretty sensitive ears. The reference track tip in the vid really helps to train your ear to hear the subtle differences.

[@JoyfulWAVE]

It's the second one...if you have good headphones with a great soundstage...then you clearly can hear it. 😉

[@Ipsissimus]

@@EDMTips Hey, thanks for the Glue and Decapitator trick. Saved me from doubling up my kick tracks. :)

[@tenjisaga]

More likely to be your soundsource bro ✌️

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

Super dope bro thx for the tips. Is Abletons default volume levels set to -12db or 0db (when you drag in a sound from a drum kit)?

[@VentureNW]

Really really good info on mixing and leaving solid headroom. I found myself getting lazy with all the great mastering plugins these days, such as Izotope - Ozone Pro and Sonible SmartLimit, heck even god forbid, the God Particle and skipping the mixdown. Not only creating headroom, but also balancing sounds is so crucial before you do anything on the master. I would think something sounds really good, until I compare it with similar produced songs in a genre that sounded so much more powerful. The power comes from doing the work and a proper mix and then mastering... at least for me. Sometimes you can get lucky, but most of the time its just better to do it right.

[@EDMTips]

Great point indeed, sometimes we are getting lazy relying on third-party VSTs!

[@PriamOnFL]

Dayum...I've made all of these mistakes ToT

[@EDMTips]

I made them too in the past 😊

[@cekirdekci32]

i like how you summarize everything.

[@EDMTips]

Thank you! I am glad you found this useful :)

[@mageprometheus]

Will!! Don't give away all the secrets. Quick, tell your viewers hitting the red means the volume is spot on and the master room reverb is so 2022. Have a cracking weekend, my guy.

[@EDMTips]

You too, Mage! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel ☺️

[@dullastonishment]

0:52 This made me chuckle. Brilliant.

[@EDMTips]

Cheers, Benjamin 😁

[@dj_kik]

Thanks Will 👍

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome! Thanks as always for watching and supporting!

[@neepo]

exactly what i needed, thx a lot

[@EDMTips]

You’re welcome!

[@JohnTosom]

You're really good explaining every tip, than you

[@EDMTips]

You’re welcome :)

[@DanielBJames]

Great. Very helpful :-)

[@EDMTips]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pascalouzuena3342]

Hi Will! I need help for my mixed track. When I hear it on others sound systems, it lacks high mids. Do I have to increase them with an EQ, or increase with an upward multibands compressor like OTT? Thanks

[@tejasolak6790]

I am having problems mixing the kick bass and drums when I turn on the drums they hide the bass in the mix. I am making a tech house track and the bass is low and filtered but I am facing this .What should I do ? . I am using claps open hats and toms

[@tonyspadeyobin_69]

THANK YOU ♠

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, glad you found it helpful! 🙌🏻

[@iwasaqDJ]

thanks bro, cheers ☺🙌✌

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching and supporting the channel! 🙂

[@claytonpellow4767]

good content. one issue i see is you are not gain staging. this is the most important part of the mix. all tracks internal gain should be set to -18. instead of turning the track down turn the gain down then mix

[@georgestaff4426]

FYI you can set span up so both tracks are on 1 span and they overlap each other on the spectrum. Makes mixing alot easier

[@Elliott.Revell]

Im a hip hop producer and don't make EDM but I find this all very useful. Great video mate.

[@EDMTips]

Cheers, Elliott, I am stoked you found this helpful! :) What was the most useful for you?

[@Elliott.Revell]

@@EDMTips the stuff about high end the most. I struggle with it (music on my channel).

[@NIHLnihl]

serious question - span allows you to overlay tracks in one window, any reason why you chose not to do that?

[@NomHilt]

I don't quite understand the tip with -12 db kick. Kick should be the loudest in correlation to other elements of the mix permanently, or is it just a starting position? By the way It is a great idea to listen to references cuted beyond 150 hz. I will work with that tip to learn how to build dynamic low ends, especially in music that works on big systems. As usual, good stuff, thanks :)

[@charliegould7421]

I know these are really going to help me, they all sound so really good. Thanks again Will p.s. I'm definitely not scuttling over to my computer now.

[@EDMTips]

Awesome, Charlie! Give them a try and let us k now how it goes :)

[@DarkDesertMovies]

He only mentioned it in this video, but the A-#1 tip he's given me is: Put a mono switch on your master so you can hear how the frequencies balance. The stereo mix can fool your ears. I was skeptical but it was simple enough to test, and oh my goodness. If you use Logic it's a button in the gain plugin, do it immediately.

[@charliegould7421]

@@DarkDesertMovies unfortunately I don't have logic but I'll try it where I can. Thanks anyway.

[@gamzbeats6864]

I’m on fl studio and I put only soft clipper on my master. Is it a good idea ? And also I don’t really get the point of putting the kick at 12 db, you track is not loud enough at the end ?

[@mamutjo]

thnx bro but the question is why ive never seen you using gain knop with vu meter in gain staging instead of turn down the volume for example when u turn down the kick volume to -12 !?? or im mistaken or what??

[@DaniellaMarconi]

What is the name of the song used in this video? 🤔I can't get it out of my head, I must listen to it!!! 😅

[@ThaGhostDawg]

Nice and clear tutorial. One more thing to mention tho: having peak the Kick on -12db is a great idea to start your mix but keep in mind if you apply some EQ to boost the low end it will add some gain. My kick at -12db is around -25db RMS. Does your Kick also stay on -12db / -10db peak after the Bus processing? my guess is yes. Keep it up. One

[@WilliamByrne37]

You put the kick at -12 after the processing

[@Westlake72]

I notice you have a massive hi-shelf on your room reverb - is that standard practice?

[@cheapshotfishing9239]

Reference tracks could be a great place to implement generative AI

[@EDMTips]

Totally!

[@thedjbugsy]

How can you view the two Span window at same time? :D

[@haroldpalmer3245]

Is an auxiliary channel the same as a buss?

[@caseyallandabout8674]

Hello. maybe you can help with information? Is there something similar inside Ableton itself to get an effect like nicky romero kickstart? :)

[@caseyallandabout8674]

I mean that wavy sound...

[@OperculumAudio]

Can you do a video on total balance with Kick and sub? I always set my Kick to - 12 decibels and sub a few Db lower, and it's always too loud according to the tonal balance by izotope. It sounds ok to my ears but then again I have a hard time judging proper sub levels to begin with.

[@EDMTips]

Yep! Here you go :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX3ZgGBuod-inZY&

[@JAEFORDbeats]

Had no clue you used to use Reason! You should jump back into it sometime. Be interesting to see what you would do using the Reason Rack Plugin with the newer devices.

[@EDMTips]

I am really comfortable with using Ableton so don't see myself switching. But who knows, maybe I will do it as an experiment ;)

[@JAEFORDbeats]

@@EDMTips Have you seen that you can use it within Live (or other DAWs) as a plugin? No need to leave the preferred zone of comfort.

[@NerdyFrames2000]

okay. The reason I put a limiter on is not cause Im mixing to it, Im more concerned about it going into the red. But seems as how tip one makes a compelling case NOT TO USE A LIMITER...I might need to change tactics

[@EDMTips]

Give it a go and let us know how it goes :)

[@TheAxelSound]

Instead of reducing 12 db on the kick channel, I reduce the volume of the sample (as some plugins react to loud signals) Another tip is to use the Perception AB plugin for perfect automatic loudness matching.

[@EDMTips]

Great plugin indeed, thanks for mentioning it!

[@asimgeekhan]

Something i've always struggled with is gain staging. More so line level or VST signal strength. I've seen in some of your videos you will turn down the track fader to bring the volume down on a track. But what about say when i load in a virtual instrument or say Wavetables, operator, simpler etc. Would I set my level using the instruments volume down to -12 to -15db, or would i keep that signal strength high, then adjust with fader down? I"ve always set my instrument volume levels first then used the volume fader when mixing, leveling, and panning the track for the overall mix. Would this be the proper way to set signals and volumes?

[@claytonpellow4767]

you set all instruments to -18 and in some cases the kick to -12 then use the master to make it loud.

[@tomasoliveira4328]

I love the song, when will you release it?

[@EDMTips]

I am planning to, when I get a bit more free time :)

[@deevital]

Hi there brother plsssssssssss help me out here. I have finished my mix yesterday of a trance techno track but really am feeling unsure and a tab bit insecure about the finished product. Not to sure if i have done everything correctly or not really. I dont want to release the track if its been done wrong, plsssssss plssssss help me mate, id really appreciate it thanks.

[@EDMTips]

If it sounds good, just release it into the world or share in the community you're in for feedback! That would be the fastest way to improve :)

[@dxwlive581]

Am I the only one that instantly recognizes that splice vocal sample? Lol

[@EDMTips]

I doubt it 😁

[@fabricebussi5875]

Top top top :)

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, Fabrice, I am glad you found it helpful! 🙂

[@gtmlsmsc]

11:32 When it comes to leads or vocals are you saying that you should have a sperate layer panned left and right ?

[@EDMTips]

Not that you SHOULD, but that you can

[@djmlusique1611]

Track ID please 🙏

[@roushannizamiev2016]

👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥

[@EDMTips]

Appreciate it! 🙌🙏

Point 6 in Germany we call it „Veredelung“. Amen brother

[@EDMTips]

Appreciate it! 🙌🙏

[@forse.music96]

great

[@EDMTips]

Thanks!

[@ntandovilakazi3268]

Plz do a Adam port style😭😭😭♥️

[@EDMTips]

On the list!

[@StargateMax]

5:41 🤣

[@EDMTips]

😇

[@portalsevenmusic]

Do you mix music for others ?

[@EDMTips]

Great question! I do not anymore as I spend most of my time creating content and teaching my students how to do it themselves :)

[@AKAtAGG]

I bet I make at least half of these mistakes.

[@EDMTips]

So did I in the past. The trick is recognising them and avoiding them in the future :)

[@AKAtAGG]

@@EDMTips turns out i don't make these mistakes anymore, but your video will definitely help loads of people get better. As your videos usually do.

[@sn.mos77]

Will, please not whispering, for those who got bad english, hard to understand 😁

[@EDMTips]

Ok, duly noted!

[@BandoLyrix]

“…So If you are using Ableton,you…” *FL Gang left the chat*

[@EDMTips]

These tips all work just as well in FL

[@MichaelOxley]

bus

[@EDMTips]

Or buss

[@MichaelOxley]

@@EDMTips Or bas?

[@JustSuckOnMyBalls]

Thanks again Will.

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome! I am glad you found this helpful! 🙂