Always Do This FIRST When You're Mixing

In this video, find out my step-by-step method for thoughtfully tackling mix problems. Slow down, simplify, and do the next right thing.
☛ Learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes with my FREE Mixing Cheatsheet: mixcheatsheet.com
Watch this next: Why You Overthink and Second Guess Your Mix • Why You Overthink and ...
Music I’ve Worked On: open.spotify.c...
Website: hardcoremusics...
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MY FAVORITE GEAR:
Computer / Interface:
Mac M1 Studio Max sweetwater.sjv...
Avid Carbon sweetwater.sjv...
Apogee Duet 3 sweetwater.sjv...
Monitors / Headphones:
Avantone CLA-10a sweetwater.sjv...
Audio Technica ATH-M50 sweetwater.sjv...
Microphones:
Shure SM57 sweetwater.sjv...
AKG D112 sweetwater.sjv...
Sennheiser e604 sweetwater.sjv...
Shure SM7b sweetwater.sjv...
AKG C451b sweetwater.sjv...
Shure SM81 sweetwater.sjv...
Audio Technica AT4050 sweetwater.sjv...
Preamps/Outboard:
API 3124 sweetwater.sjv...
EL8 Distressor sweetwater.sjv...
Favorite Plugins:
BSA Clipper blacksaltaudio...
Escalator blacksaltaudio...
Low Control blacksaltaudio...
Waves SSL Bundle waves.alzt.net...
Waves CLA Compressors waves.alzt.net...
Waves Platinum waves.alzt.net...
Slate Trigger 2 sweetwater.sjv...
SoundToys Rack sweetwater.sjv...
Auto-tune Pro sweetwater.sjv...
Vocalign Project sweetwater.sjv...
Cranesong Phoenix II sweetwater.sjv...
Instruments / Amps:
Ludwig Black Beauty Snare sweetwater.sjv...
Gibson Les Paul sweetwater.sjv...
Evertune Guitars sweetwater.sjv...
Fender Jazz Bass sweetwater.sjv...
Sansamp Bass Driver DI sweetwater.sjv...
EVH 5150 sweetwater.sjv...
Mesa 2x12 cab sweetwater.sjv...

[@woolrich020]

I've been recording, producing and mixing music for 15+ years, and this was one of the most informative real-world lessons I've seen on YT so far!

[@TNT-km2eg]

Boom

[@scarvello]

My problem is there’s too much information on the internet taking people in various directions causing confusion. I know there’s many methods to do one thing when it comes to music but I love how it’s simplified here and could actually understand the process.

[@irusu.]

The entire content Jordan puts out feels like that. Truly great and real stuff

[@levipicard7685]

I've only been into making music for a couple months but I've definitely noticed that the biggest things you can do for a good mix are picking the right sounds and getting the volume levels right. Those are your ingredients, the arrangement is how they're cooked and everything else is just seasoning.

[@aadityagoswami]

I would argue that the arrangement is the ingredients and the mixing is how they're cooked if I'm playing devil's advocate against your analogy here

[@SoundFreqsOnline]

wise

[@bastiangustavsen3168]

@@737simviator pick the right sound can also mean where you put the microphone in front of a cab... not everybody deals in virtual instruments and samples

[@elizabethsteele4633]

Very good , as are all of your vids . I'm a retired film rerecording mixer - worked for more than 30 years and started when there was no automation - nada . I remember that I had been mixing for about 2 years ( student films , low budget documentaries ) and I asked our most experienced mixer what is s typical " mistake " that young mixers make . He said " inevitably too much EQ and too little fader work - volume is the most powerful tool , pull other tracks down a few dbs to reveal what you thing is getting lost in the mix , it's the relative volumes that can mean a lot . " He was absolutely correct , as you showed . Thanks for the vid , I really enjoyed it .

[@alextotheroh8071]

This is THE mindset to have while mixing. It took me so long to arrive here. Wish I saw this video 5 years ago! Great stuff!

[@nilanshgaur]

This is simple but profound. The way you explained Volume, EQ and Compression here is amazing.

[@RockTheJake]

I love what you said about making big moves first. It makes sense to me especially as a video editor. Your big moves are laying down foundational videos and then siphoning down from there, so this mentality is gonna help me with my personal drum mixing. Thank you!

[@caiogracco9129]

The digital realm allows us to take risks, make big errors, explore thoughts and ideas without loosing anything. A great learning tool.

[@lebcaleb8692]

To my mind, the real problem is to know the end result before doing anything. Sadly it's not teachable. As long as you don't know how it's supposed to sound like there's no way you can nail any mix. Knowing the end result leads you towards right tools or technics.

[@LeDemiChef]

Experience and referencing

[@lebcaleb8692]

@@LeDemiChef that's a good answer. Unfortunately we can't buy experience. We need to put on work.

[@LeDemiChef]

@@lebcaleb8692 try to watch other people mix and pay attention to what the initial audio sounds like, maybe try to understand exactly what the mixer is doing and why. Just focus on one small thing at a time, like, give yourself a week to improve on a specific thing, the next move on to something else, etc :)

[@danielabilez3619]

Exactly. It takes time knowing your equipment. More importany. Why and how you use it.

[@alejandrovijande5241]

I find it very helpfull to write before starting to mic couple of words (adjectives generally) describing how it should sound. Whatever comes to mind. That helps a north when having to make decisions.

[@defmu3825]

Super important point you made but I think talking about automation in this context is really important. I caught myself putting the faders of the guitars up in the chorus and when the verse came, put it back down. And without noticing, I did that change a couple of times before using automation, so the volume is just pumped up in specific parts, which finally solves the problem. Sometimes just using faders solves the problem in one part and creates a new one in another part.

[@j-station]

Loved this vid, felt very natural and organic and shows how a pro just listens, adjusts with purpose, and keeps it moving. More stuff like this please! It really helps to hear what you hear, hear your thoughts on the track, and then see the steps you take. Thanks so much!

[@66fitton]

Excellent advice! I just downloaded the cheatsheet to see what you recommend. Good advice there too. Just wanted to share a tip for toms. If you have a digital board with an RTA on the eq section, look for where the fundamental note of the tom is, (the biggest hump...) and give that a boost. Not too wide or narrow, in the middle. Now look at the actual frequency you chose and double that number which equals one octave above. Set the next available eq to that specific number and NOTCH it with a fairly narrow q setting. Now look at that actual frequency and double it and repeat the process on a third eq. For example: If the tom rings out at 100Htz. (the biggest hump on the RTA) Boost 100 Htz with a mid sized q around 4 to 6 dB Cut at 200 Htz with a narrow q setting around 4 to 7 dB Cut at 400 Htz with a narrow q setting around 4 to 7 dB Essentially you're removing the overtones of the fundamental note that the drum produces. Cleans up the presentation dramatically especially for live shows. Need less aggressive gating. Then I usually add a bit of highs for snap. Can be anywhere from 3.5k to 6k depending on show and type of drums. Best tip I ever got for toms!! Cheers guys!

[@Soulkeeper393]

Man, thank you for all of your videos, I found out your chanel about 3 mounths ago and by watching you I learned a lot and my mixing skills became so much better

[@caltezza]

Your advice is the best! So simple and easy but has a massive impact!

[@innavision1920]

I’ve concluded that producing and mixing can be considerably the most perfectionist art form, not always, but the potential is there to endlessly tweak and critique…. Forever

[@denniskielton2447]

First off: great video as usual, I love hearing studio stories like that. Ya know, the sculpture analogy is great. Also, sounds a looottttt like "top down" mixing haha, making big moves first then little moves to prefect it. I honestly just don't get why that's even a term now, anyone who is using templates to start then adjusting them for the specific song, with your buses set up at a good starting point, IS top down mixing. I think the internet kinda screwed this one up, making everyone think (& act like) it's some new mysterious technique, seems more like a general term for 'having a good starting point.' Of course, Nolly is the guy who started talking about it (I think) but really, I don't see a huge difference in what he does and what everyone else does. Not to mention, the order only matters for YOUR (whoever is reading) workflow. Because at the end of the mix, you have everything turned on simultaneously, right? So no matter where you start, the ending is what really matters, "top down" just seems like a slightly different (but not really) order of operations. And EVERY engineer/producer does things slightly differently, we all learn and process info differently, & that is what gives our own style. I'm with you on this one Jordan (if this is what you mean by it) in that I just don't get why this is a "thing." I think it's literally just because Nolly said it, it sounded like something new, so the internet latched on & made an obscenely big deal of it haha when in reality, it's really just another approach on the same thing.

[@elliotsimon9918]

That is always my advice. Set your volume levels first. Make it sound as good as possible only using faders. The rest is much easier if you do that first.

[@edsohovocals]

This is deep AND so simple. I love that sculpting analogy too. 🙌🏻

[@XIVDock]

I love the simplicity of this advice. Ultimately, just about every specific or nuanced change or adjustment we make to the mix is tied to volume in some way, so forgetting that the volume slider is our broadest brush stroke does seem easy for someone who likes to fiddle with tools and plugins. Especially for someone like me who isn’t especially experienced or equipped with all the same tools as a dedicated engineer.

[@AlexHagos]

This is so interesting, I was about to comment on how much I appreciate that you don’t ”nudge” with the settings like a lot of similar tutorials, they make so tiny CHANGES that you cant hear them as a listener. Better to overdo it first so you can hear whats happening. Thanks

[@marcoscortelazzo]

I came to the same point some time ago. Now I save a lot of time in my mixes, after making the volumes, I focus on giving a color to the whole song using my mixbuss and then I start to see if there is anything else to do,...starting from the drums. Even in this part of the mix, I don't look the single kick or snare, but I start from the overheads, they have the real "feel" of the entire drumkit. The philosophy is "from the big picture to small details"

[@TheLeon1032]

I've gone full time with my small studio from jan 1st, ive had some good weeks n bad ones n having to rethink some of my skills and workflows and its a tough n testing time i can't lie. your upside-down pyramid and sculptor analogy was really cool, thanks man I'm subscribing n using that analogy in the future, cheers bud))

[@1loveMusic2003]

Perfect analogy with sculpting

[@chad_kaya]

That sculptor analogy is really cool. Gonna keep that one in mind. Thanks for the vid!

[@RangeWilson]

Solid advice! Drives me crazy when an engineer puts 12 plug-ins on each solo channel before even listening to the entire song! They're "fixing" things that won't even be audible.

[@infinitystratos5292]

This was one of the best mixing advices i have seen so far. Recently I do the same, put the Volume up untill you hear everything clearly, than i identifi the problem zones, and choose the tool, what i think is the best for my mix. Leveling all audiotracks is the first step, it makes a huge difference. Thank you for this video , now I know Iam on the right way ☺

[@jigsound]

Great points, all of which I can confirm to give a solid foundation for mixing. 🙌 I often have a select set of plugin chains on all tracks, which I turn on one by one if required after the "big moves" are done. - Eero

[@BrainTraumatizer]

the $15,000 clickbait class you took helped pull me in

[@1176hambone]

And, reset the fader after any processing changes. Watch CLA. He always re-adjusts the fader after eq or compression, etc. Very quickly

[@junkstar45]

This was great. It was the clearest explanation I’ve heard of how to go about decision making. Simplicity. Thanks

[@pctechjustin]

Excellent! This is how pros mix.

[@theopinson3851]

Have to say the Channel Strip is one of my best plugin buys. Love how you can do so much in just 1 thing!

[@sounds_like_matt]

Really surprised it took me so long to bump into your channel. I just found it a few days ago and it's already been a big help.

[@atcordice]

YOU ON POINT

[@nooneinparticular9868]

That burst & bloom record is so fucking good Jordan.

[@kelvinfunkner]

so simple and yet so sooooo good! Even pro's miss this fact.

[@emanue2ls]

Thank you for sharing this knowledge, and for boosting our confidence

[@brownpunk1794]

Pun intended?😅

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

i think what you say about just grabbing a wide Q is good in some cases. everyone used to mix on neves and the Q is not tight at all. sure a notch can be useful sometimes for a problem (that should have been fixed at the microphone) but zooming in too hard can really make a mix sound unreal and sterile IMO and a lot of my fav mixes arent perfect mixes

[@cederickforsberg5840]

Automating volume is the most underrated mixing approach

[@therichardnogginproject9012]

Yup, thanks

[@mistangino]

I like this guy tuts, always clear, essential and simplified comparing to others! Superdope! Tnx!

[@MrSkyTown]

I learned this the hard way, so simple, sometimes it’s just too loud in the mix. Lower volume = less low end

[@saneasm]

Dude this made complete sense. Blew my mind. Would you say this principle also works for vocals?

[@JAROCHELOcesarcastro]

What a nice advice and saturation plugin!! ❤❤ Thanks!

[@drumken]

loved the sculpting association. i've always thought that sound shaping/ mixing is like painting or sculpting., where you might thing it is never a finished work, always can bring more details /shades.

[@deegee8645]

just like the painting maxim.. start with a broom, finish with a needle

[@SayajinKanak]

Thank you

[@MylesMowery]

10/10 video man. I’ve learned so much from your videos the past couple months.

[@nbctheoffice]

Your explanations are so helpful and informative!

[@SinfulSoulBand]

I tend to,notice the opposite problem. I tend to mix things way too loud and have to turn things down. Usually it's either my vocals or my guitar, but lately ive even been discovering to turn my snare mix down a little. Either way up or down, true mixing advice here. Volume is more vital than we are aware of

[@adambrown8867]

Problems are created by having a bunch of different preamps on everything. These problems become far less when all the preamps are the same. I got that from Terry Manning. I got a tip earlier today from Chuck Ainlay. When numerous little different things need reverb, run them all through the same reverb.

[@BartholomewBadrotten]

If you look at the output meter on the SSL, you can see there's a stereo ping-pong/panning type of effect/issue going on with the Rhodes Piano. You can hear this in the mix, and when he solos the track it sticks out like a sore thumb. I would have resolved the problem by changing that effect, before I would compress the piano track by 31%. I hate stereo panning type effects on any instrument really, piano, guitar, or otherwise. And this is exactly why. To each his own.

[@zwookru]

Thanks Brother! Your vids are always great!

[@simonschulz7994]

Amazing content as always, explaining the essentials mostly covered these days by way too many options and tools. Thank you! Helped me a lot through the last years of mixing. Don’t forget the music, it’s all about the message and energy 😌

[@SimonTebbenhamMusic]

Great advice. I wonder on the P Diddy thing, if he literally couldn't just turn the kick up any more as it was set at the start, and already hitting the master bus with compression etc and limiter and simply turning it up would destroy the rest of the mix - or at least would have to turn everything else down and start again, so not just a 2 second fix.

[@jayarecordsofficial]

THANKS

[@NickJongejanMusic]

awesome video, what song is this?:)

[@Six2Nine]

That is a damn true! Pull the freaking vol fader up! It's like one band eq. On my last project I wanted more punch. So I just pulled that fukker up. Et voila I got it right there!

[@johnbird9997]

I wish I wasn't so broke because I really, really want to take your class.

[@practice4089]

4:10 why would you boost something only to squash it after? I agree with the rule to compress before boosting eq and vice versa...it's practical as well as logical

[@DJe1957]

Thanks. Simple advices are always hard to come by, hard to make, and thus greatly appreciated :) Liked and subscribed :))

[@dtb2229]

Wait, people don't mix audio levels first? I've been doing that since I started because it made sense. Level the tracks to your preference so it sounds good in mono, pan, then do your little tweaks if need be. Once in a blue moon, I'll do a small EQ tweak to a track if the sound is bad in the mono stage and interfering with understanding the proper levels.

[@Bozo_is_in_ze_place]

Your videos are really great, thank you very much

[@Trvpgxd]

very helpful! thanks!

[@joboiecruiser]

I know exactly what each song I compose and record should sound like. Even before I start recording. I encourage my customers to think about that as well. There will always something covering someting else. Only so much room for all the frequancies. I never worry such things. When my customer run the board, up and up the faders go, I kind of smile and then we start over, every time. Hopefully with my guidence the second time we startr to mix they will not worry what can't be heard prominently, but be happy with the mix and its own entity.

[@donnybristol]

great video and info! Love your channel.

[@BalashToth]

Super useful video. Love this channel ❤️

[@danpettimusic]

Good advice. Confused though, wouldn't you create sustainable with a SLOW release on the compressor?? Or am I misunderstanding

[@SilvioGazquez]

Nice video.. Jordan, I hope you can do another live mixing series like the one you did back in 2019 - I bought Hardcore Mixing course after that

[@Jupiter1423]

One thing - id say we need to check this in mono before processing or moving the fader...

[@hermennovais103]

Great advice.🙏🏿❤ This song is really good, it's already available??😩

[@rickybahar9134]

Super Tips Mate! 🤝 Blessings Ricky

[@drummerpatrick18]

What track was this? Sounds like an awesome song

[@lance6xxtythedonworldwide]

Thank you very helpful

[@xdaysbeforex]

what song is that? sounds good to me

[@EddySchmidt25]

This is the Truth!

[@Metaljonus]

"Ah, and these are Puff Daddy's kids: P Diddy Mini, P Poofy Bite-size, and Poppa Diddy Diddy Puff Fun-size.“-South Park

[@blue_mountains28]

I have these problems when im not sure what the end goal needs to be. If im searching and messing around a lot i stop and ask my self WTF and i trying to do here 😅... Often i still don't know the answer 😂

[@brownpunk1794]

Ur demo sounds kind like fall out boy🙏🏿🐾🤙🏾

[@brightonshumba8887]

I need, this song, where can I find it 🎶one thing at a time you'll see it eventually and it always goes🎶

[@dimakireev]

Thanx

[@SandroH.]

What‘s the Song of the Project? Sound is great 👍

[@MonTadas]

It should be both first and last thing you do to the mix channel. To start the mixing process and to account for anything that happened during it

[@666dreamboat]

99 percent of problems ppl have is that they don't keep reference tracks in their project 😅 it's so horribly slept on and you will learn so much faster than feeling around in the dark. Imagine the difference in your static levels and tone/patch choices if you had another pro next to you saying "well I did something like this"

[@HaharuRecords]

what I think also If your big moves are unnecessary moves then you will end up more time correcting what you did instead of the real problem. Just like a sculpture his big moves can ruin the entire piece if he is not aware of what he is doing and there will be no place left for his small moves

[@stevenneufeld3791]

love it!

[@SuperObvious]

Whats the name of the song in the video your mixing?? It sounded pretty cool especially when the rock elements dropped in 😀👍

[@jocamiah]

What do you think of setting levels with pink noise?

[@CarloCabiling-r6r]

what song is this? sounds awesome!

[@dustinw9692]

Awesome advice! I do have to ask though…what is the name of this song in the example?

[@TNT-km2eg]

Nice video . The thing is : no average listener gives a duck about such nuances

[@BoldSound-f2f]

I was struggling with the black metal kick and snare untill... i'm added 2db...

[@redlightclinicdrummer]

i thought you should never break order of steps? You did EQ, compression, saturation, then readjusted the fader?

[@TOTO-nr8vu]

Cool video ! Jordan, do you prefer the EV2 or V1 from Ssl Waves? or it depends on what element you are mixing.

[@SoundcastStudios]

Anyone have a link to the clip in reference?

[@ftkpropertiesllc3088]

What band and song is this? 4:15

[@AlexSaheli]

Yep the first thing I do is automate the volume

[@chillwalker]

Sorry, but No sorry. The first Thing I do when I am mixing is to have had solid 8 hours of sleep before, a walk out side the Studio (more krass than opening a window) and be shure that any device is OFFLINE. okok...if you are actually on my side..I appologize. Cant watch this crap...I have a mix to do (last thing that popped up before closing youtube.) Yess. This was sarkasm. ;-)

[@mindslikemine.8789]

is this megosh?

[@thebeardedkozak]

It really does sound like it, doesn't it??

[@RocknRollkat]

I've been telling people for decades.... "If it's recorded CORRECTLY in the first place, you don't NEED a 'plugin chain' to FIX anything." Imagine that !

[@by3176]

Recording correctly is definitely paramount, but in this video I think he's talking less about fixing problematic recordings/DIs, and more about identifying the issues with a track as it relates to the full mix. Using the volume fader to kind of 'solo' something while still hearing the context of the mix is invaluable. Even if something sounds amazing in solo and is recorded perfectly, it might not play nice with the rest of the mix because of the tonal/volume/etc characteristics of the sound (e.g. frequency masking). The piano he used in his example could have been recorded to the highest standard, but because it's a rhodes and not an organ, it doesnt have much sustain. He fixed that issue by using compression to allow the chords to ring out instead of having a loud, clear, transient and then a dropout in volume. Have to agree with you though on the importance of getting the best quality recordings and not relying on plugins as a crutch too much. Also to your point, there are plenty of times (like he says in the video) where its just a simple volume problem and not an unecessarily complicated plugin solution.

[@RocknRollkat]

@@by3176 You are correct about the Rhodes vs. piano example, but as an arranger who was taught arranging by an arranger, these problems wouldn't exist in the first place, but most of today's 'producers' have little to NO clue about music or arranging, their 'disipline' is how to put loop together and then make 'em fit with endless arrays of plugins. Yes, I'm an old school hardass. I rarely use plugins, EQs, etc. when recording traditional music. EDM, etc. is a totally different story. Best regards, Bill P.

[@xk4sper20]

@@RocknRollkat with all due respect, to dismiss producers of this day&age as having “little to no idea about music” only reflects that you, in fact, have little to no understanding of music as an art form ..your disapproval of more modern techniques is nil - being able to express oneself, the impact on the listener…are what matters. Js

[@RocknRollkat]

@@xk4sper20 To begin with, you've been a musician for how long ? And who did you study with ? And it would be nice to know your real name. The chance that your parents named you 'k4sper20' is remote. Bill P.

[@RocknRollkat]

@@xk4sper20 First, what's your real name ? Next, how many years experience do you have ? How many songs have you released ? How much airplay have you accumulated ? Then we can talk.

[@metallicafan3124]

please link that diddy clip lol