A BETTER Way to use REFERENCE MIXES.

Comparing your mix-in-progress to someone else's mastered mix is a potential minefield, and most people fail on the very first step: choosing what song to reference. Kush Audio's plugin- and hardware-designer Gregory Scott has some thoughts on every critical step in this fraught process, from what to listen TO all the way to what to listen FOR and, most importantly, WHY.
For more tips, plugin discounts, and more, check out thehouseofkush...

[@davepensado8402]

AMEN BROTHER!!!

[@Movocorp]

The crossover we need. The crossover we deserve. Pensado&Scott.

[@feliperojasc]

@@Movocorp UBK x Pensado > Avengers.

[@topa1798]

Aamiin Brother

[@disorphmusic9103]

Amen Break!

[@ezporcelain]

A lot of producers made their name by their songs SOUND very different! Dilla, Kaytranada and now there are more of them than ever!

[@andrewamicarelli]

Does anyone else feel like they're in a therapy session when Gregory Scott talks? Either way, good info and thanks for these vids!

[@j_magnus]

I thought I was crazy 😂

[@bonzzo777]

Oh yes.

[@RussArteaga]

If Owen Wilson and Matthew McConaughey had a son who became a therapist!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Always!

[@coyoteserranoband]

YES! Also a great teacher:) Love this guy. Dont have to go to school anymore.. Kinda.. lol

[@tayzonday]

If Kush controlled my lipstick, he’d have saved many pigs.

[@dglassb]

mad respect to the one and only chocolate rain!

[@indef93]

Leeeeegend. Please collab with Kush :)

[@eddyray666]

I never expected to see a comment from TayZonday. But if I had imagined what it'd be like, it'd be this mysterious yet apt.

[@kenny5277]

Wonder if Kush has any advice for when you need to move away from the mic to take a breath? (probably just fix it in the mix)

[@casperbjerkehagen9386]

Hey! Listened to your songs and your singing is really good actually, you should hire a good producer to get a good production behind those vocals. The musical content is good, but you could become a real artist with a proper production and sounds. Id master one of those production for free if you would do it (:

[@fxsurgeon1]

“Put it out there. Its’s art”. Loved that. We get obsessed with “technicals” but need to focus on the “art”. Cheers for that

[@iguatemigarin]

"...put it out there, it's art" I'm gonna frame this on my wall, right in front of me.

[@sinaloawolf4686]

This man literally said "make quicker decisions when mixing, don't spend too much time on a sound" Tried it and my mixes never been the same 🔥🔥

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Yeeahh!! 🙌

[@RocketFox]

THE bastion of true mixing knowledge

[@jellewierda3828]

Wow! Stop comparing! I like the 'feel' the song thing. I think we strive to much to become someone else and not our self's. Great content. Could you use your way of explanation to explain some techniques. Like you did with width and depth? How to listen to compression and why you use it? How to give room for elements? Make a mix loud without squashing it. Don't show us just the plugins but try to say it in a way we learn to listen if you know what I mean. Thanks!!!

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

​@Walter B And you never will, I only mix my own music and it's safe to say my music and my tastes bear no relation to anything 'mainstream'. And that's the way I want it!🕺

[@vrtk4870]

@@TheHouseofKushTV well said dude

[@monoscopes]

@Walter B well I assume he's mixed the intro theme for this video, and that sounds flawless.

[@aarongrubbs8699]

@@TheHouseofKushTV I only mixed my own music until COVID, except live, which is more taming chaos than anything, on the club level, with shit acoustics, and a lot of times, shit musicians, and I never needed a reference, because I know how I want my music to sound. But when mixing others, I do think it can be very useful--but more for balancing overall tonality than anything else. Tonal Balance Control from Izotope is useful for this.

[@edsohovocals]

Very wise words: "Use the reference more as a brain reset"; and "Could your mix sit in a playlist with the references?" Big picture thinking. And trusting in our art. Thanks Gregory.

[@robinberg6844]

I’ve been trying to formulate a big enough ’thank you’ for answering my question with such grace for the past hour, but I have difficulties finding big enough words (english isn’t my native language), so I write it in capital letters instead - THANK YOU! I think you gave me more insights in 10 minutes and 22 seconds than I’ll ever get again. And again - thank you!

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

You are very, VERY welcome, thank you for the fantastic question, a lot of people struggle with the same thing!

[@tutubeos]

Don’t worry my friend, you’ll get many more insights like this 😊

[@audio_odyssey]

Your English is better and more well written than most of the comments on KZbin. Thank you for posing an excellent question, that brought us this video.

[@fedecasagrande]

@@TheHouseofKushTV 1:04 I 'm still waiting for your thoghts on this topic. Thanks.

[@ebenritchie746]

This channel has taught me about how mixing is so much more about perspective, mindset, and instinct rather than methods and specifics, and it's the most valuable and effective lesson I've ever taken away from video instructors like this.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Right on!!!

[@fuckcensorship69]

you have to know the methods before you can fly off of instinct. before kush taught me how to use a compressor i was just smashing the peaks bc in my mind that would help me get louder mixes, when what i actually needed to do was remove some bass freqs.

[@Winksmusic]

"chasing a reference is overriding your instinct"

[@MrmelodyUs]

assuming one actually has good instincts, LOL.

[@promoted738]

My daughter is 22 now, but when she was 8 or so I was working on a record with some fairly emotional content. She came up to the studio to say goodnight while I was mixing. She sat a while and when I looked over she had tears in her eyes. It was a beautiful moment and I knew the mix was in the right place.

[@Sergio-nb4hj]

You sure she didn't tear up because you reached to adjust the vocal EQ by 0.2db for the 300th time? XP For god's sake, have mercy!

[@BluffMunkey]

I thought I was the only Prince non-fan on the planet, however my respect for the skill is huge. He was, the man. Another great video.

[@vinayvincent3462]

You are the only person I've come across that speaks about music emotionally and practically rather than just technically.I love your videos❤️. P.S : Your voice is angelic😍

[@josephriddlestone4684]

This is very true, it’s refreshing to hear. I’ve found over the years, when I listen to my work in retrospect, emotions have the most noticeable impact on my music. If I am struggling emotionally my music lacks direction. Yet no one talks about it. There is one other you tuber that also discusses emotion, ethics and philosophy in music. He is an electronic artist, but very authentic and musical. Benn Jordan; he even has a fascinating video on binaural music, sound healing. Peace

[@vinayvincent3462]

@@josephriddlestone4684 Hey Joseph,I'd like to hear some of your music.😊

[@ranapratimsarma9506]

I was having a lot of screentime today so I listened to this video on my phone, laying down staring at the ceiling, without watching it. Then I realised something. Your videos are splendidly done. But it would also be great if you had podcasts. I'd listen to them for hours, again and again. That'd be a whole another kind of chill.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Did one for 7 years, "ubk happy funtime hour" 😊

[@ranapratimsarma9506]

@@TheHouseofKushTV That's right where I'm heading then💕

[@yeahthatkornel]

@@TheHouseofKushTV Do you still make these? Where can I listen to them?

[@davidasher22]

Secret inside source: “When Doves Cry” was used as a reference track for Metallica’s “..and Justice for All” album. Hehehe..

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Hilarious!

[@giulioboobzilla]

is there a remastered version where u can hear Jason?

[@666cordyceps666]

@@giulioboobzilla you can't put something in, when it's not there from the first place! They probably forgot to unmute Jason while they mastered it!! "Sad but true" (pun intended!) hahaha

[@davidasher22]

@@giulioboobzilla there is that project where some guy redid all the bass and called it “::and Jason for All”. Pretty sure it’s on KZbin. Edit: it’s called ..And Justice for Jason.

[@davidasher22]

@@giulioboobzilla kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJzUhZaCrLqMoJo

[@u9s0e9r]

Prince was a visionary: mixing for Bose speakers before then even existed lol

[@thomassheets8897]

I don’t even really use reference tracks, just love listening to this man talk and learning about this kind of stuff regardless

[@TheMirolab]

I have an artist that I've mixed several EP's for..... but when he sends me his tracks, he often points me to a couple 'reference tracks' on KZbin, and asks me to try to make his music sound kind of like those tracks. Uggghh... I hate that. What I prefer to do is simply listen to his song, and mix it to what I believe is the best version of itself that it can be. I base my mixing decisions on a lifetime of music listening, and my own internal compass. To be respectful... I will go and listen to his reference tracks.... usually just once to see what inspired him.... but I can't say that it's ever influenced my mixing. The artist ends up loving my mixes, and coming back to me, so I guess it's working.

[@silvenshadow]

Thanks for the love brother. We all need it. Create, be strong.

[@keithrowe7617]

I'd listened to When Doves Cry about 200 times in 20 years before it dawned on me...there's no bass guitar whatsoever. It's widely known that Peter Gabriel's "Melt" album has no hi hats, but not widely known that neither does Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love album. You don't miss it at all in either case. It's just its own thing that sounds the way it sounds. Thanks Gregory for giving us the confidence to trust our instincts.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

It's been a while, but my memory is that it's more than just 'no hi hats', Melt has no cymbals or hi-freq percussion at all. Same with Security. And then, for So, he's getting Stuart Copeland to overdub second hi-hat tracks on top of Manu's bouncy main hats, plus the 6 shaker tracks plus some triangle for good measure 😛

[@keithrowe7617]

​@@TheHouseofKushTV IMO "he," meaning PG, didn't decide the sound of So. That's all Lanois. It happens every time; an artist does X number of albums, and their stuff sounds 'okay,' then Daniel Lanois shows up, and all of a sudden a masterpiece is created. PG - So, Emmy Lou - Wrecking Ball, U2 - Joshua Tree, Dylan - Time Out Of Mind, etc. etc. etc.

[@musicproductioncentral4540]

Listen to commercial mixes through your monitors for an hour everyday. Don't mix in your own bubble for days, and then listen to references. Listen to the references in order to understand your monitors.

[@mttlsa686]

Totally right buddy! I've used referencing exclusively to understand my monitors.

[@casimirdekkers-newtrackout691]

I must give you a MASSIVE thanks: Because of this video I decided to put my first song out there. Otherwise my perfectionism and hesitation would've driven me up a wall and it would've never been released... Is it perfect? Far from it. Am I happy and proud of it regardless? Yes! Although I've heard it a million times already, I still play it. It's part of my journey, and I wanted to give people some laughter(It's a funny song) in these trying times.

[@TheMichaelseymour]

can you supply a link -good thinking btw !

[@casimirdekkers-newtrackout691]

@@TheMichaelseymour Thanks! I don't know which streaming platform you prefer, but if you search on my name(Casimir Dekkers) you can find it on all platforms. The song I'm talking about here is "DUH(Most Annoying Song Ever)". I've also got a new track out. It's way better, but still far from perfect....

[@massivebeatzz]

Prince once said "If I ever hear my bass player - I'll fire him".

[@Jasonlimitless]

Anyone else worry Gregory might start a cult one day? Because at this point I'd do anything he says to be honest

[@Callmemrnichols]

it's disconcerting to say the least

[@eddyray666]

Same pal.

[@Jasonlimitless]

'Thou shalt not use an EQ unless thou can state WHY thou want to use the EQ, and what thou aims to achieve by doing so' - Gregory Scott's Commandments - Circa 2020 - Amen 🙏

[@seanemmettfullerton]

LOL... while mixing, sometimes the voice in my head sounds a bit like Gregory Scott :) Fortunately, i don't argue with that "voice."

[@mikakettunen7939]

this is the sense of humor i love

[@MichaelCareyMusic]

100% on-point. Reference mixes are not an exact science. Super useful for overall perspective, yes, but different songs are... different songs! ADPTR Metric AB on my master buss has been a game-changer for me: level matching, killer metering, and seamless, *instantaneous switching* between the reference and my session. Has saved me loads of time and enormously streamlined my reference process.

[@philpower_]

8:33 “They’re different songs. They don’t need the same treatment, they don’t need to sound the same.” 👏👏👏💯

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

As a smooth jazz producer and saxophonist, I use reference recordings mostly for comparing individual instruments such as drums (kick & snare) and bass. I use a similar genre.. its got be to a song that really jumps out at me for a specific reason (drive, emotion, beat, spacial, etc), but similar to the song I am producing. My methods vary. It is hard to describe. When I use a ref track, I load it on a separate track. Make sure it is unaffected by any pluggins. Use your mixer slide to level match. I also use a reference to level match volume levels when mastering.

[@QuabmasM]

Great video. Many people forget that reference mixes are at that tone because of the color & saturation in them as well. You cant just EQ your way to those tones...you have to have vision for what saturation tools you have to help you achieve that final result as well. Never seek to sound like its twin...just seek to get closer to it. The same way you cant make yours sound the same, they couldnt make theirs sound exactly like your crappiest mix with their expensive gear even if they tried their best. The goal is to compete, not achieve the same result but our minds tell us otherwise so we feel like we havent made the mark when we hear differences. As long as you follow the general rules of sonic-ly pleasing music, you shouldnt grill your mix for not sounding like its competitor. Batman is nothing like Superman but we love him many times more due to his unique narrative...he follows the essentials of being a hero...they both have on capes but we know he can only fly via tools. Likewise, let your best mix have its own lane but follow the general criteria for sonic-ly pleasing mixes...dont be too bright in this digital era of clarity but also dont try to squash your mix to oblivion to sound more analog after youve reached the limit of your saturation plugins. Its ok to be a hero with no cape.

[@BorisBarroso]

I like your mindset, I think this helps more than chasing a *sound*, thanks for your videos.

[@66fitton]

Excellent advice! I don't use reference tracks very often because I don't find chasing stuff works very well. To use a few different tracks for a reference "feel" is definitely a different approach. This I will be doing for sure. Thanks Gregory!✌

[@minttrax]

crikey this bloke talks sooo much sense and his explanations are so detailed... man a champion

[@L.DOT.P.]

I have a degree in Audio Arts and Acoustics. The mix coaching in class wasn't nearly as good as Kush After Hours.

[@leonfriedemann9151]

I love your videos. Can't really tell why, but I am allways happy watching them.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

I have the same experience any time I watch a creative person sharing or discussing their process, I enjoy it even if I don't love or understand their work.

[@NervousBrideMusic]

That deflated feeling of comparing yourself to mixes you admire is insidious. This one changed my life Gregory keep doing what you're doing.

[@alexcontreras1972]

This just changed my whole perspective on my songs. I always felt like there was a standard, thank you for stating that there's not. Your advice is so reassuring for me who's just beginning. Gregory Scott u da man!

[@hettovennik2887]

“You have to start getting holistic with this stuff” 💡

[@tigredejadeec]

This kind of production tips are what makes a real difference❤

[@asaf6773]

Man, you're like the Leonard Cohen of compressors. I'm fascinated by this channel! Much respect

[@farsiuk]

I’m always fiddling with brightness because it excites the ears of an average listener. That’s what my instinct tells me.. I like this but I can excite the audience further by adding this brightness. A tricky game. This is a really important topic you’ve covered!!!

[@JamieSandel]

These have to be the most exquisitely engineered spoken vocals on KZbin

[@dj_Kzas]

You are the Guru dude, I've been trying to match all my mixes to the reference and never works. Thanks now everything makes more senses.

[@thomasbalmforth3819]

If there’s one thing that can consistently throw things out of whack for me it’s referencing. Really appreciate this video, I’m not out of the woods yet but this has really helped me take a better approach and mindset.

[@shorerocks]

One things that I like to add: It is equally important what you heard before comparing. For example, if I hear brighter mixed rock songs, and listen to mine, it is not as bright, and instinctively I think: Make it brighter. But try this - take not so bright, modern mixes (Europe or others), and then listen to your mix. And wow. Suddenly my mix sounds bright enough. So, what is 'right'? Well, obviously what feels right, has the right vibe (I just learned that from Marty Whites comment below), and is well balanced. That is why I check my mixes first thing in the morning, with fresh ears.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Nice! Totally agreed!!

[@footnotedrummer]

If you were professor teaching music engineering... I go back back to school in a second. Your delivery is excellent. Very clear and concise.

[@TheNexusComplex]

Yep. Greg's on point again. This is ART. Don't chase your tail or the tail of others. Do YOUR mix. Approach other references as a REFERENCE...not the be all/end all that defines your vision or product.

[@PeterJDeVault]

Get your stuff out there. "It's art." Exactly - great advice to keep in mind.

[@MishazBts]

No ppl can dislike these words of wisdom .a legend

[@juhanator7943]

Damn it ... I'm just producing cinematic synthwave album, and I am unrelaxed a lot of what would be warm enough sound, enough fat, clear, etc. (I've been practicing music for a few years). And now you said it well: Listen to your instinct, make your own version, that is, not too slavish copying, but feel the sound first. I needed this, thank you very much! I was already too overwhelmed by the technical side that I almost forget to make just that music.

[@jamesconraadtucker]

What amazes me is there are so called mix engineers who are two notches higher than a rodie in the business who are practically household names on You Tube. Then there's Gregory Scott, who like a few choice mix, and engineering instructors get to the heart of intelligent mix instruction. This guy is completely on target! What a pleasure. Thank you Greg.

[@mrbrightside5278]

"Use your mix as a brain reset." Yep!! This is exactly how I use my reference tracks! I've always thought of it as a bit of a palate cleanser for your ears

[@jahnbon]

I love how your theme quotes Barry White. Love it!

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

aka "hard bite" 🙂

So much Love and Gentleness in your videos. This one lighted a sweet fire inside my heart ❤️ where I know that everything is ok. There is only love no matter what you do

[@benwinch5338]

Exactly! So refreshing to hear someone say this. And the bit about dark - why is every song so freaking bright these days?! Dark is where it’s at brother.

[@spiritmusic4322]

That few bars of intro has that Barry White (genius) vibe going on. If you haven’t watched the Barry White story doco - you should. Great video thank you.

[@luckyknot]

I always forget to reference. I'll continue forgetting. If it's okey for me, it's okey. No need to follow references with devotion. I will only use them just to reset my mind. That's the whole point. I feel I am better mixer now xD. No really, top advice as usual, blessings for these unvaluable lessons Gregory!

[@JohnnysaidWhat]

I feel like I paid for session time with this guy, had a huge freak out in front of the band about a mixing choice...he takes me outside and gives me this therapy session pep talk to calm me down...

[@chriscorral6365]

I think references are good for a general idea, but there are many factors that keep you from having the "same" mix as another artist.

[@luxarmiger2205]

Yeah. Unless you copying your reference track, your track would never sound exactly alike.

[@АнтонЧернышев-э3ц]

This is definitely one of the best mixing-related channels on KZbin!

[@alinenunez4270]

I defiently learned this this week. Every instrument have a specific tonality so when mixing, and trusting your ears, most likely 70 % there . I feel that reference is just a way to see how they enhance the tonality of a sound. For example If a kick is subby nos the reference have a acoustic kick drum , you will realize that the subby kick have an specific freq range, wich exactly proves what he is talking about. Great video

[@thecameraguy6883]

I was very surprised recently to listen to some of my favorite music from my childhood and realize how much of the mix was hanging out in the low-mids. It was surprising because I have no interest in mixing my stuff that way, but it remains really emotionally important music for me. It was a revelatory moment of realizing just what you're saying, there's no "standard" sound, it's just what makes it feel right.

[@andrewdufftheactualduff3483]

Your commentary is of such high value to me. My mixing is gradually progressing. Thank you these videos.

[@moshezyoffe7622]

Love you Master-Kush thank for all that love of teaching 🙏🙏🙏

[@alienhalfbreed1301]

It's so spooky, whenever I am struggling with a mix and I get myself a few days break to reset my brain, you come out with a new video that's treating exactly the same issues, and you find always the right words to let me feel confident enough again, to take a decision and continue to go my own way. Thank you

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Woohooo, glad to hear that! Keep at it!!!

[@miketemplar]

I think one main point in referencing is to choose a reference song that is in the same genre, song speed and density. This is what makes sense in my humble opinion, even I seldom reference :)

[@RossCooperMusic]

The buildup in each episode from intro to when the theme music fully drops gets me so hype now! I’m sitting like, “yes, yesss, yessssss!” waiting for that knowledge drop. Thanks for covering this, have had lots of questions on it myself!

[@LouieShowers]

You literally freed me of the reference mix curse! Stop trying to match it exactly and focus on the overall balancing, while trusting your own ears! That is Gospel! Thank you! 💪 🌟

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Boom!

[@MadeOnTape]

instinct is king. I also have one or two colleagues who I trust IMMENSELY. For me, sometimes it's good to send a nearly finished mix to them: and they give me "take it or leave it" advice. Sometimes they'll tell me something in a certain way, then I realize that they need something else instead of EXACTLY what they asked me to do. For example: "snare is a little lost in section B" might mean something else actually needs to come down...

[@AdamKirbyMusic]

One of the few channels I IMMEDIATELY click on when a new video shows up.

[@mindcontrol67]

Oh Realllly.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

Thanks!

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

@@mindcontrol67 The data don't lie!

[@timjames308]

I needed to hear this so badly. The confidence to commit to just what the song needs

[@mbombaby]

I knew I'd liked you for some reason, and this really has very little to do with music, but when you said, "I'm not a huge Prince fan but I've always respected his work tremendously" that solidified it. :-) And yes, it's ultimately about the song and you just what to be in a universe. Put it out there. It's art.. Love it.

[@topa1798]

thank you thank you,you save a lot of my destroyed mix,now i search prince when doves cry

[@emmahearnemusic]

Thank you! You are the Oracle on mixing!

[@TheAMadMan]

Just wanted to let you know that on my cell phone at higher volumes I can hear a white noise type fuzz when you aren't talking in the sort of lower mid range. Otherwise you are the most excellent teacher and overall dude. Tou have the most chill energy and vibe, even when you are giving constructive criticism. If I could have a cup of coffee with anyone ever you are definitely top 3.

[@richardwilliams4669]

Amazing advice as always. It took me a while to figure this out. I started looking at references through Tonal Balance Control and listening. I noticed that you really need to create your own mix down how you hear it in your head. And at the very end I’ll toss a random folder of reference track to kind of see if I’m in the ball park. If something appears higher or lower I’ll toss 4 or 5 sections of references and see how things match up. And make some adjustments. Like you said there are some tracks with heavier bass or lack of that still have their place and you have to really trust your own ears and feeling. This is seriously my favorite KZbin channel for music tips. Thank you!

[@jeremyholcombe3202]

Yes! Big fan of Tonal Balance Control here....I run it on the master bus as I mix now.....I find I'm mixing more confidently to my sonic taste.....however, am now less likely to be embarrassed with my mix translation to the real world. FWIW, I think it is a great mix tool...

[@jimmyjames9898]

I was always restrained myself from commenting on the channels I follow for the simple reason - I'm following to watch and learn, not to show off myself. In this case there is a reason for me to comment. I'm a pretty new to mixing and not being a professional mixing engineer - never mixed anything else then couple of my own stuff, but being a guitar player since 1982, there is one thing I can tell about comparison - it only makes sense if it improves you. You wanna sound like Ritchie Blackmore, or Zack Wild or Garry Moore, etc...? - well compare your playing and sound with them. But if you wanna sound like yourself? A bit of off-topic - the mixing is not the final goal, the music is... The recording, mixing and mastering has a significant impact, just as the composition, the arrangement and the playing. But they are all parts of the same process - making music ( magic ). And don't forget - Mozart, Bach, Beethoven never recorded, mixed or mastered their music - they only left a couple of old books with signs, but their music is still alive....

[@ELPLAK]

Well said! Critical thinking is needed. In my case I never use references. There are many reasons why.

[@parasiteunit]

If you cannot listen to something that musically, you loathe but production-wise you can really appreciate all the good stuff they've done... and hear something you think is musically fantastic but still hear production things that make you go "what?" then you need to consider your motivation for reference... Also - I cannot express how strongly I agree with the statement "trust your instincts" and the concept that a reference should be more considered a "palate cleanser". A perfect definition.

[@k1ttyF158er]

The BIG thing (for me) about listening to music, either for reference, enjoyment or resetting my ears, is to do it in my mix room & at the various volume levels I use for mixing. That way, I'm hearing how other music interacts with my room. - It's even more important if I'm mixing in a client's space & need to tune my ears (and expectations) to an unfamiliar room. (My 2 cents).

[@pure.panic.productions33]

Thank you thank you thank you! This was a genuine question. Your videos are just the best. Every time!

[@woz3018]

my last moment of truth was when I finally realized to keep the HF levels low while mixing and wait to the almost very last stage to bring them up with a 40Khz neve style high shelf that also brings up the high mid reverb tails in a very pleasant way. Depending on the song I bring the tonal balance back with a 10-40Hz roll off. This made me remember talking to a friend a few years back who is way more experienced than me in mixing wich used to say: It´s all just levels. Especially now a days when we got soothe and stuff like that that makes it so easy to dial in on material and take out all the little resonances in your cymbals or just a transient in the hats that you just could´t spot cause the levels where so low to begin with and you could not tell how they would sound when the maximizer hits..

[@atomicfrost9204]

Thanks Gregory! Please keep up putting the videos out there. I always look forward to hearing your views.

[@ViniciusOliveira-ti4be]

I'm in a moment in my life as a mixer where I'm starting to like my work's results, but sometimes I stumble over some doubt anyway. I just wanna say that these series of videos are really important to me, they make me keep going because they speak about things that are so intimate of this job that hardly anyone would understand. Most of the time are just the kind of things I need to hear. Thank you so much mr Gregory Scott!

[@christopherecatalano]

Brilliant. That’s it. Mix lifesaving advice, yet again. Thank you!

[@soynachosonido]

This is incredibly sensible advice. What works for other mixes might not work for yours. "Follow your instincts, put it out there, IT'S ART."

[@thaddeusodonnell3986]

I've legit never subscribed to a channel after watching just 2 vids. Your my first haha, you seem to have a vast understanding of compression...probably more but the first vid I watched was about comps. You've got a very relaxing voice, fit for radio, podcast, and of course YT. Looking forward to checking out more of your stuff stuff seems to cover a lot of the subjects seldom mentioned in other YT audio engineering vids. My good friend and producers a multi Grammy award winning producer, won back to backs in the mid 80's for best engineered gospel album, this is the guy who literally taught the first official class on audio engineering offered at any university in the US this kind made him a fore father of getting these classes in colleges. Funny thing is he lost a job opportunity to one of his students who had earned a degree in audio engineering from him....those degrees weren't around when my friend, Mark, was learning it all, hence why he taught the first class on it, and didnt need to go to school for it haha. Kinda funny how universities would rather hire someone with a piece of paper saying I was taught how to do this, rather than the man who taught it to him and knew more about AE than the student could have possibly learned in even 15 years. Just thought I would share that funny story. Cheers and happy mixing!

[@djtoolhead]

You're winning the warmth wars with the audio in your videos.

[@BigMuff75]

There's word on the streets that say, When Doves Cry "works" w/o an actual bass, because the drums are tuned to key and due to their tonal qualities (kick and snare in particular) they kinda provide a bassline though.

[@RyanVeghOfficial]

Thank you so much for this! (and your video on how to know when a mix is done) Your thoughts are really going to help me get to a point where I say, “This is finished.”

[@shorerocks]

Gregory, it seems you are wrong on youtube. All your vids make way too much sense. And you manage to deep dive in 10 min, which is remarkable. Thanks for all this content, hints, and kind reminders on how to do things right.

[@footnotedrummer]

Sage wisdom! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.

[@liamzeyle4283]

That like-to-dislike ratio should tell you everything about the quality of these videos. My new favorite channel for mixing advice. Not only does it help me immensely, but it also relaxes you when you're struggling lol. Thanks Gregory!

[@LuXxenatorX]

you're the absolute rockstar of mixing

[@leecoulter]

Thanks for speaking my language and making so much sense. Such great vids. Gratitude!

[@marcdanielnelson317]

Excellent topic, Gregory! You nailed it with this one. Stay safe in the new year.

[@marcx77]

I don't remember how I first got to see one of these videos. I don't know why KZbin recommended it to me. I'm not a mixer, I'm not a producer. I do play instruments and fiddle around inside a DAW every so often, but in no way am I the target audience for these videos. And yet, I'm positively enthralled by them. Realistically, I'll never ever put these lessons to practical use, and yet I just know - no, I *feel* that they provide me with value.

[@FakingANerve]

Your perspective truly has width and depth and that's not a poor attempt at a mix joke. Your take on mixing is always quite grounding. Thank you! 💙

[@therealjosan]

I was feeling very insecure about my music today and it was really weighing me down. This video came at the perfect time and made me feel better. Thank you! ❤️

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

You're so welcome!

[@lostee2001]

"Great Scott"! Of course, that was in my voice of Superman when I was a kid and watched ""Super Friends". Man!! you are super smooth and dropping much knowledge! I am really enjoying this channe! those intros are MONEY!l thank you so much, for sharing!💪🏿💪🏿

[@elgatorolo]

i always smile watching your videos. Thanks for sharing your mindset and!!!!