17 Noob Mixing MISTAKES to Avoid

[@hardcoremusicstudio]

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[@alanakafang6143]

Considering you can't even use the right terminology to describe things, I find it hard to believe you are helping anyone. Glue things together? No buddy, it's blend or layer, nothing gets glued in audio.

[@KSherwoodOps]

Mixing with your eyes was def the hardest habit to break.

[@mrcoatsworth429]

Same. Getting that SSL channel strip definitely helped me. I also have a "blindfold EQ" plugin, which has no numbers at all. No frequency, no dB, no Q.

[@KSherwoodOps]

@@mrcoatsworth429 Cool I hadn’t heard of that before

[@mrcoatsworth429]

@@KSherwoodOps I don't use it a lot, because having at least some rough numbers is helpful for mixing quickly. But I definitely recommend trying it, because it forces you to really listen to what you're doing. But thinking of it now, I think I'll challenge myself now and do my next mix with only that EQ haha

[@kaiulrich6185]

It helps when you grew up in the analog world . I look at shapes of eq‘s but I never think „it shouldn‘t look like that“. If it sounds good, it is good.

[@timothyforry2222]

Loudness meters relieve this habit lmao.

[@kimkimpa5150]

Noob mistakes: 0:11 1. Always mixing in solo 0:50 2. Spray and pray panning 1:26 3. Making baby moves 2:00 4. Mixing with your eyes 3:04 5. Band-aid fixes 4:09 6. Never committing 5:32 7. Blurring the mixing and editing phase 5:53 8. No consistent workflow 6:25 9. No standard organization 7:24 10. Smiley face syndrome 8:12 11. Static mixes 9:01 12. Always distracted 10:00 13. Sharing mixes before they are done 10:57 14. Referencing too much 12:09 15. Too much reverb 12:49 16. Too much surgery 13:47 17. Watching too many tutorials

[@BAwesomeDesign]

This may be the most succinct, clear, honest video there is on mixing. Even as someone who's mixed his own stuff for almost twenty years... and who has gotten audio engineering training... I find that the first ten in your list are at least occasionally still problems for me. Too much surgery, focusing on "cutting mud" instead of leaving low-mids in the mix and hearing them in context of the whole mix on different systems... using a "main reverb" stereo aux channel and throwing everything into it. After watching this video, I went back to a current session I was working on and within 15 minutes, cleared up several problems i had been having over the last MONTH of struggling. Now I'm just down to tweaking a few vocal levels in the mix when listening on my computer speakers/headphones/car. Hats off. Thanks.

[@Nenko_Music]

yup !

[@cdrums8996]

Mixing without isolating is DEFINITELY the biggest tip to take away from this. Changed my sound big time (in a good way)

[@spaldingmcintosh]

When you said watching too many KZbin tutorials you earned my respect. Total honesty even though it could be considered a clash with your own personal gain. Great video, Cheers

[@kevon217]

cool beer labels always get me too

[@posteme]

You can love it, you can hate it...BUT..the infamous snare from St.Anger it's still for me one the best snare i've ever heard. So iconic, the second you hear it you know where is it from. So unique, so raw.

[@thejasonblackburn]

If reverb is clouding your mix you can roll off the low end of the reverb return. You'll get quite a bit of clarity back and be able to keep as much reverb as you want.

[@marq_8976]

Yeah but I agree with him that reverb is rarely used for mixing. I think of it as more of a production tool.

[@spookie3000]

​@@marq_8976 I suppose it really depends on the type of music. I like to mix lije it's a live recording. Waves, bouncing around in the room and creating lots of happy accidents. Like with an accoustic piano. No matter how great the synths have become and how great they replicate each exact single note, they cannot copy the weird character of the different harmonics eachs chord makes inside of the wood. So because it like it raw and unpolished, reverb is my friend. But if you want the clean studio sound of surgical instrumentalists then no reverb at all.

[@r34ct4]

Wouldn't the high end of the reverb have the same problem? Stacking the releases together

[@nvisionbeats]

@@marq_8976 it definitely depends on the type of music - imo even music where you use less its there as at least a room sound if you recorded vocals in a booth especially.

[@reverbautopsy9093]

I came to the same conclusion at least in a full mix. Sometimes with songs where there's just one instrument, like an acoustic guitar, that bassy reverb sound can be epic.

[@unclemick-synths]

Never committing is another one that's applicable to hitting Record. I went down the "record clean" rathole - it's baking Analysis Paralysis into your process! Pick a sound, audition it within context of the existing tracks and the aims of the arrangement, and lay it down.

[@TheMichaelseymour]

i thought i was the only "ol uncle mick " lol ....good advice fella !

[@recordingdotpizza]

Great video! The one suggestion I have a slightly different take on is that of eliminating distractions: yes, distractions can rob you of time and progress, and that needs to be avoided, but for years I often found myself becoming fixated on one element of a mix (whatever was giving me the most trouble/challenge), and the more I worked to address it the more likely I would totally miss other elements. I'd listen back later and be shocked by obvious (upon listening with fresh ears/perspective) mistakes or things I overlooked elsewhere in the mix. To address this I eventually put a TV in my studio (sound off) and put it on cable news, so I was always looking up and seeing things that would briefly take my mind off the microscopic thing I was dealing with at that moment. That little bit of distraction, visually, helped me stay on the mix as a whole and keep me from becoming too myopic about any single part. This is, of course, not really what you meant by eliminating distractions, but it's related, and doing similarly may help other folks. Thanks for the video!!

[@ValeriyKolyada]

Oh... I finally found a person who, like me, watches TV without sound. It seems to me that I can hear it just by looking at the picture . Many people are surprised by this . But there are already two of us on this Earth . ... ;)

[@Sam-ss2lo]

I used to mix back in the 80's, analog to tape. I had a mentor and was trained. Ultimately, I ended up doing live sound. We didn't have all the fancy tools, there are almost too many choices for a newbie today. They need to be trained to get a good sound naturally first and work with minimal tools until they can achieve some progress. It's a bit like a photographer relying too much on automatic mode and photoshop. Learn the art first. The one tool we did have back then was 'solo', I was trained to use it to find problems, not perfect the sound of a single instrument. The exception being, when trying to get a special sound for an instrument, but again we focused on achieving it naturally at first, then adding effects. Overall, about half of what you talked about was true even back then, especially the plan/workflow, everyone misses this one. Having a solid process you follow each time will take you a lot further faster. Also, I want to reinforce your point that when you're done, you need to listen to the mix in your car and on your phone with earbuds. Average people aren't listening using tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear. It has to sound good on everything. You may have to make adjustments that might seem unnatural in the studio, back in the day, we had to crank the high end to account for losses for the degradation of tape. Well done. 5 stars. I don't have a project, but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate to hire you based on this video alone. It tells me all I need to know about your knowledge of the craft.

[@RipYgt]

After 4 years of production I STILL found this incredibly insightful. Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@billbradleymusic]

Wait...

[@seanfrank32]

Wow. You still learned something after 4 years?!

[@NotKuda]

@@seanfrank32 youre a nobody sean, you always will be

[@MrMockigton]

i am at year 8 and i still have trouble to get some of these right. i am getting there though.

[@didiermeynders]

Except the reverb tip, they are all great! Reverb is an essential and prominent effect in the music I make (trance), but for sure its a good tip for other styles.

[@starkid9736]

i do dubtechno i felt like a criminal😄

[@mrcoatsworth429]

I was definitely guilty of most - if not all - of these. I'd like to think I've overcome many of these habits since. Good stuff, Jordan! Love that you're putting out content regularly again.

[@vectragt2310]

Same to me! :D

[@peacefulruler1]

This is the best producing channel…you’re clear, definite, and correct. You’re saving me years of fumbling and lots of unnecessary tuition payments! God bless you!

[@Nut-K]

No. 12... yes defenetly avoid distractions, but make sure to take deliberate brakes. It's all about paying attention to what you are doing. You can also apply this in other aspects of life too😊. The more you do this, the better your ability to focus on details, without getting stuck on them... In turn this applies when you are mixing as well🤔.

[@vzvandal]

You've got a new subscriber man, making baby moves and going by what you see rather than what you hear were my biggest issues a few years ago, I couldn't agree more.

[@mickenilsson]

I'm really happy I ended up here. This is probably the best video about mixing I've seen ever. You got me laughing due to I recognized almost every noob mistake. This was gold 🎈🌹❤️

[@robertharker]

For beginner mixers, if you want to learn how to mix, you first have to learn how to listen. I call it soloing in your brain. When listening to a song, learn how to hear each instrument separately without reaching for the solo button. Not just the vocal, lead guitar or snare, but the other instruments. What is the rhythm guitar doing? What about the keyboards? What is the horn section doing? How many horns and what types of horns? What are the drums doing? Are the drum fills going up or down the rack toms? What about percussiona? Are there other accent instruments? If you learn to solo in your brain, you will have a lot less need to reach for that solo button. See mistake #1 to avoid. You can practice listening almost anywhere. You don't need studio monitors or $300 headphones. A good set of earbuds with rubber tips will work. Just get in the habit when listening to music in your idle time, start listening to the individual instruments in the mix.

[@ToneOwl]

On the topic of comminting/being too surgical - give yourself FIVE MINUTES to work on any element of your mix. After that, move on to something completely different. This doesn't mean you have to commit to where you left the first thing, but just take a break and work on something else to refresh and circle back to that first thing later. This will not only help with ear fatigue/burning out but you will be so much more productive and get so much more done than if you were to work on something until you are 100% satisfied with it (because you'll probably end up overtuning it and coming back to fix it anyway!)

[@anderspaulsen4637]

Mix in context, move "fast", focus on overall sound, good reference track, take chances, make distinct choices. Visual mixing is nice when you hear a troubled area but do not know where it is by ear. Good content, I agree with it. Cheers

[@flash001USA]

I agree with you that with some of these newer plugins there's too much info that you see and you can waste your time spinning your wheels by over-analyzing your your tracks or the over-all mix with information overload. In reality if your mix sounds good to YOU and there aren't any hidden issues that you aren't aware of like too much sub bass or other problem frequency issues that you don't pick up on due to not using a decent set of studio monitors or known quality headphones then more than likely it will sound good to others. You mentioned tweaking something on a channel in solo that may or may not make enough of a difference that could waste your time on and I'm somewhat on the fence with that observation especially if you are trying to tweak a bass guitar or a snare or bass drum so that everything is heard and flows clearly. I have a decent home studio and I play a handful of instruments and I prefer acoustic drums over electronic drums so when I'm laying down the drum tracks I will mix and EQ the drums standalone for a over-all rounded off mix followed with the bass guitar and what I've learned is if I get a decent rhythm mix foundation then everything else falls into place. I have a handful of free plugins that I use along with the plugins that come with Nuendo and for my needs that's more than enough to get the job done. The magic advise is K.I.S.S......

[@nbl95]

I would like to say: Hi-passing for no reason. A lot of people get it in their head to cut under 100 Hz on everything accept bass and kick. However, I find this can make a lot of mix elements too weak (especially snare). You should only hi pass if you listen to an element that was recorded and go "hmmm, this sounds too muddy and bassy" not just to do it

[@JiihaaS]

👆

[@milosmilosmilos]

Agreed 100% on this.

[@gaetanclybouw]

Yes and same with guitars

[@billbradleymusic]

Except not accept. Onward!

[@wickstorm_records]

Hipass everything up to their fundamental

[@clivemartin8852]

SOLO BUTTON .... GUILTY!!! that is really good advice. Thank you for that one!!

[@MattDavid]

Some great tips in here, thanks! One thing I actually do though goes against your tip - I do some frequency analysing using my reference tracks, just to be able to see how my tracks are balanced frequency-wise. This has helped me a lot to tighten up the lows, fill the mids in nicely, and sort out my highs so they're bright but not harsh. I only usually do this right at the end of a mix. My main reasoning behind this is if my track is going to play directly after my reference track in a streaming platform, it makes sense that it doesn't stick out in any drastic way frequency-wise. Probably down the track once I have heaps more experience I won't do this anymore, but while I'm still getting my feet I find it invaluable.

[@dwdrumsmash]

Wow, I am guilty of like all of these. Going home and starting my mix from scratch trying all these tips. So insightful, thank you for sharing this!!

[@laboratoriomusicaotico]

From Brazil here. Just started recording drums, bass and guitar in my living room. Happy to see things evolving and it's great to have all those tips in your channel. Thanks a lot!! Trust your ears!!

[@mikakettunen7939]

I really salute your solidity and transparency and brutal truthness - enjoying every single video you get out everytime

[@bhosterman]

Well explained. One issue I have as a guitarist that translates to mixing is how quickly my ears adapt to a drastic change in a mix. This is most common for me when moving a mic around on a speaker cabinet. The change usually is jarring at first, then after a few moments I'll stitch back and now the original placement sounds jarring and the change sounds better. This can go on indefinitely. I experience this all the time when mixing. Barring a situation where a frequency in the mix is just standing out like too much low end or brittle highs, my ears can adapt quickly to big swings and not until I listen to a reference do I detect what's way out of line. My initial mixes always end up with far more clarity in the drums than my favorite albums. (Chevelle, 3 days grace...) Those albums on my studio monitors sound like the drums are an afterthought, farther back in the mix, barely any HH or overheads, but when I picked those to reference, I chose them because I thought I loved the drum sound... The EQ matching always reveals this for me. My preference is always a brighter drum mix than I hear in my favorite songs. And that's not because I'm boosting any highs. If anything, more often than not, I have a frown style eq in the end. But I never feel like my favorite songs lack brightness out in the wild. I've always wanted to hear one of my favorite songs pre and post mastering. To really learn what and how they color the final product. Is the basic EQ signature that most songs have the product of mastering or mixing...

[@pqdotwav]

Excellent advice here, especially at a time of year when it's easy to think buying more and more things will make us be better producers, mixers, and creators! Getting back to my mix now 👨🏻‍💻

[@fmarkow]

I knew I was in trouble after the first five, did them all. Thanks so much.

[@craigburner1296]

I don't completely agree with all you've said, my workflow is undoubtedly different than yours, but you have a very good grasp of the whole. Especially for only 10 years of serious experience. Anyone who listens to you will get valuable insights.

[@Davenorcal707]

I agree with 1-16. All very well done. As far as watching KZbin tutorials, I would say watch as many as you'd like and be open to as many suggestions as possible. However, be smart enough to try these things to figure out which ones make sense for what you are trying to do.

[@dansylas]

mixing more with the eyes than the ears,not committing enough and only making baby changes is definitely something i need to look out for, thanks for the video!

[@BOTPlayingBlackOPS6]

All the things you said are correct. I had to learn all this by my self after 10 years of live mixing I just wanted to sound like CLA But there are so many automations of the old school ways. I was just looking for people that use the Apollo twin x to stream. I enjoyed all of your tips. Thank God he gave me talent and did not get a far off start from coming as a pro drummer. I just wanted my stuff to sound like the pros. And I mastered my trade. Blessings and thanks

[@tulpamedia]

I like to mix on my soundcraft signature 22 mtk and it has a good set of eqs on the channel strips. Its not perfect and its only semi-parametric, but that helped me break out of the habit of mixing with my eyes in the DAW. Once I learned out of the box mixing on an Api 1608-ii and an SSL SL 9000j at school, I never looked back!

[@kronik907]

Lots of good stuff here, but the band-aid fixes and never committing advice are two opposite suggestions. One says be ready to restart from the ground up if its not working, and the other says commit to past decisions. Obviously you need to find a balance and commit to what is working and be willing to restart on stuff that isnt, but I think deleting tracks is maybe a step too far. I definitely like to hide the old midi or trigger tracks in another area or another project in case something isn't working.

[@davidball7211]

Great video Jordan, I agree with everything you said except the panning rule. The LCR philosophy has proven to be extremely limiting when I mix music with strings and horns. To be able to slightlydefinitely

[@domgirard4095]

yep, if you hear well , mixing most in between is so much better for tons of reason. Vibe, emotion , 3D,

[@domgirard4095]

@@F.O.C.K. i never said mixing in the middle, but yes if you hear well, with little frequency moves, careful panning in between L and R, reverb etc you can hear everything, and get the feel right. I often mix orchestras and you can hear everything clearly.

[@leoparcoeur]

Everything makes a lot of sens. Good choices in the advices. Thanks! Also I appreciate a lot you get straight to the point, without frills. And that there's no music in the background while you're explaining. Really good video. So far, I liked the videos I've seen on your channel. I'd probably sign up for the course if I weren't broke.

[@patrickfarley8036]

Many years ago I remember hearing Les Paul say "People hear with their eyes." Of course the context of his comment was about live performance experience and the audience. But seems it's applicable here too!

[@ZonedOutWaves]

i do none of these thankfully, except occasionally being distracted. But, the delivery was so good it kept me in tuned.. now ima go find something that resonates lol but i might be interested in a program atp

[@johnego669]

18 not taking regular breaks every 45-ish minutes to let your ears rest to reduce ear fatigue. I like the get rid of distractions suggestion and spending the necessary time to get the work done but blindly working constantly for hours will cause more problems due to ear fatigue than being on your phone for 10-15 minutes every hour.

[@MediaBoy13]

Right off the bat from the first tip I knew this video was going to be a game changing. I'm just starting to mix a record and I'll definitely be trying to not fall into any of these mistakes like how I used to mix.

[@CyanideLovesong]

This video is a firehose of good mixing advice. Even for non-noobs there are some great reminders of things you already know.

[@TomMcGovern]

Do you have a video outlining your seven step tried-and-true mix workflow?

[@eddysel10]

One of the best complication of excellent advices about mixing. Will try to watch this video before every song I produce / mix etc. Engineers should watch this video much more than watching plugin reviews.

[@AdamDee18]

I've done these things as well. I really like your guidance, the too many voices bro, that's really on point. Thus why I go back to you and your KZbin channel for help cause I like your style. How you approach mixes. Sir, I can't thank you enough for your guidance!

[@sombat2788]

I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am that I found you as early on in my journey as I did.

[@earledaniels4539]

Great video and yes I have fallen into all these traps and many more along my Mixing journey. When I first started off, my biggest mistake was mixing in solo. Once all the tracks were on, the songs would often be lifeless and incohesive. Another trap I got caught up in was doing something in the mix after watching a KZbin tutorial stating "this will change your Mixes forever". Like any craft, we never stop learning and generally get better over time 👍

[@benfisher0930]

Definitely have caught myself doing a few of these over the years! Thanks for all the tips

[@correametal]

Thank you so much for this video, especially the part of reverb in the vocals. I am fed up with people telling me that I have to put more reverb on the vocals, but I don't really like it because for me it like takes away from the aggressiveness that the vocals need in metal. Now I finally have a video by a Pro Mixer (You) that I can show them and say....you see I am not the only who thinks like this. Also, I think it's a matter of personal preference. Once again, thanks!

[@correametal]

@ghost mall I totally agree with you!

[@naughtyducky6325]

I totally agree with you, I produce and mix harddance music and I mainly use delays on my my main elements, so much cleaner and more in your face

[@mattosborne1366]

direct, concise, nothing extra. Very appreciated.

[@Deamonition]

Great video. I see myself in a lot of these mistakes. I've been learning to mix metal music by myself for some time now and I am slowly realizing the mistakes I make. I think I made the 17 mistakes you listed, and still make some of them.

[@seventhcasemusic9645]

I'm guilty of many of these. Thanks for the redirection! A must watch!

[@nedea]

Really enjoyed this vid, so much clarity. So many mistakes to avoid, and so many checkboxes that i've ticket myself (mixing in solo for instance). Thank you for the good advice on what NOT to do when mixing.

[@K4U533Y]

12:09 oh god I needed to hear this. DAMN IT. I was wondering why my mix was so tinny! I was so strung in bringing the midrange up that I forgot about reverb muddying the waters! Thanks! Subbed

[@drzplatano1923]

I have to say i really appreciate your video man, you are absolutely right about listening to 2 many tutorials, not everyone knows what it is your working with so what they may be telling you to do may not be what the mix your working with needs. Also kudos on not being afraid 🙌 to make bold moves to achieve the sound u want , i created a copy of a mix and approached it in a totally different way and i am very happy with the results. Thanks a ton man. Glad to have stumbled on your page. Next i shall have to experiment with automation and getting out of my comfort zone of static mixes. Cheers.

[@synthoelectro]

thank you for talking about referencing, people are becoming obsessed with that these days with these new plugins. It's crazy.

[@philvandewand7182]

Dude, with whole lot of your points you really got me. Exactly my problems. Especially Workflow... Great advice!

[@HunterGibson6969]

Subscribed for your use of the phrase "polishing a turd" ive been becoming quite too good at that

[@TheReverendmoonchild]

I found that so helpful; genuine tips all well received. I'm very guilty of excess notching... Thanks man!

[@neroldeer]

Most of your tips super really great for the novice mixer... but there are a few thing to keep in mind...1.... yeah, no.. it really depends on the need. 2...yeahnooooooo!!! an orchestra MUST have different positions beyond just hard left/right/center!!!! But its dependent on the situation! 3-4 100% yeah! LISTEN! (eyes for the final mastering is prob the only exception.) 5 YES foundation mixing! 6.. sounds good (I don't record then band). 7-10 100% AGREE!!!! 11... I agree but it also depends on the perfomamance. 12-14. agree! (14- referencing depends on what the performers want too!!!)... 15-16. 100 agree! 17 - I agree however...don't toss the videos out!!! there could be that one nugget of knowledge that helps. YES watch tutorials but not JUST one. Determine what the differences are and boil them down to common denominators.

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

Feedback, getting excited and showing people is so tempting, great advice

[@PeX218]

Most of that tips maybe are good for recording sessions in a studio. For live environment is a bit different. Surgery is a must in case of feedback or bleeding noise in a mic. Other thing is reverb. We need to use a lot of reverb, just because in a stage our goal is to maximize the signal/noise ratio (by closing mics) and we don’t have room mics. Check phase in mics is important, but check phase in a venue, with a lot of speakers spreading on stage + huge PA it’s a nightmare we have to deal with it every night to do the best job for the listeners. … and about panning. Well, is… complicated. Stereo doesn’t exist in big sound systems. Only a small area of the crowd can hear the stereo effect (just in case you were on the sweet spot, which is a tiny space, centralized between the main PA). So, in a live situation, mono is the best choice to achieve performance.

[@phnyoutubetv]

This is a great video! I do a bunch of these but mixing in solo is the worse. Needed this man.

[@JTFuller]

This dude is cool.. Thanks for this video.. This explanation was succinctly to the point.. Outstanding guide man..

[@rugososphotos3646]

This is one of the best vids on mixing i've seen in a while, will def be referencing this video often, thanks for sharing 🙏🙏🙏

[@DerekPower]

Just a few tasteful responses =] My approach to panning has been: the critical elements in the centre and everything else - pads, support, additional layers - either left or right (and keep it symmetrical). I don't put it as extreme L or R and mostly because I am panning stereo files. Also if I have a lot of elements, I want to keep them in their own space within the stereo field, almost like creating a panorama. After all, a lot of the reason why panning is employed is it declutters the centre. I do get that EQ boosts and cuts can be more extreme in the mixing stage. The mastering stage will be much more subtle and only because you are doing more optimization rather than a complete tonal change. But to tie with the idea of maintaining context, make sure those extremes don't throw the overall tonal balance off. In defence of the "top-down" approach, the idea is to process only a few tracks rather than every track. For instance, you know that the drum elements have to sound consistent with each other. So instead of having a string of processors duplicated across all tracks, you sum it into a group track, process the group track and that way it can provide some consistency and cohesion. If there is an element within the group that is causing issues, *then* you go to that particular track, fix whatever issue is there and then continue as before. In a way, the "top-down approach" is similar to how a mastering chain, which is also a way to bring cohesion amongst many different songs. Hence, this is why it is sometimes called "master bus processing".

[@Jupiter1423]

This is horrible advice. WHY are you panning stereo files? Dont you realize a stereo file is already panned hard left and hard right? Thats literally the definition of stereo. NEVER pan pads - even if its mono! It sounds horrible! My mixes only got better when i stopped taking advice from ppl who clearly dont know how to mix on youtube. Comments like these just rub me the wrong way. No mentioning of mono compatibility - just "declutter" the center and boom were good to go when any decent engineer knows this is nonsense.

[@DerekPower]

@@Jupiter1423 There is a firm and less rude way to make the point. To give more context, for a long time, I did not employ panning, if at all. Even now, I do not do it all the time and it's only if I think it is needed. Usually, when it does occur on pads, it's because I have a couple of them going and I already chosen them because they blend well (i.e. darker and lighter). Also, this has been on my own music and - rightly or wrongly - I will stand behind what I have done at that particular moment. If I don't like something, I will apply it to the next work. And since mono compatibility was brought up: yes, I know that is a good check, especially when you know there are critical elements that should appear whilst in mono. This was just my response to be taken for whatever it can be worth. I make no claim that anything I say is superior or should be taken as some "Gospel truth". But at the same time, battling ignorance does not have to be a condescending exercise. After all, that can be just as off-putting as the "bad advice".

[@lankududniteshift]

@@DerekPower I agree one hundred percent with you Mr Derek! I also agree on your opinion about panning.

[@DeliriumXM]

Ive been producing beats and recently dove headfirst into engineering. Its been really really time consuming. But ive recently spent about 150hours starting to set up a pretty killer template for mixing. I use Fl studio and have been serious into making beats for a while now. This is definitely a very useful video . Some of the things you’ve talked about here im definitely guilty of, others not so much. But with that being said im really glad i discovered your channel and i like your “yt wont solve your issues; but here are some things to get your creative juices flowing” style approach well done my man. Stumbled across your channel and its a gold mine

[@vectragt2310]

The first 90 seconds already totally "got" me!! :D I now know why I need endless hours mixing something while being most of the time in solo mode and try to get 20 or 30 tracks totally perfect in any manner. Great video!!

[@heyitsscottyo]

It makes a huge difference.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Don't stop soling, just learn it's use. Soloing is a useful tool, and is often used.

[@inclinedplanes]

i love the making baby moves thing,, I work with acousticians and they drive me absolutely bananas with their tiny tweaks to materials. people we are wrangling sound in space it's super effing messy,, paint with a big brush!

[@kyma1999x]

well the 2nd point is not a mistake, panoramic pots have sense to be not alway odd/even/centre, this is the way stereo sound works and the way we have correct tridimensional perception. but it depends also on what kind of genre you are recording, it's impossibile to simulate an orchestra perspective putting everything left/right or centre. True this kind of panning helps making mixes wide but wider doesn't necessary mean better, not always I would say...so it depends on musical context and in some situations a narrow mix helps to get a punchier and warmer perception...

[@qu2r3en]

exactly it seems this guy has no clue about how a band is mixed out like it stands on stage.

[@TheHirade]

True 👍👍👍 wanted to state the same

[@playpm]

Instant like n sub, after self-taught for quite a few years from yt, I found a lot of your tips resonate to me, would like to learn more, keep it up!

[@dtrmnts]

Learned a lot from this and it's interesting cuz most of it goes directly against what i've learned from all of nolly's tutorials but i don't even like his over surgical, clean mixes.

[@stevelestermusic]

Absolutely great advice. As an older engineer, I appreciate so much seeing this.

[@ilmarityrvainen3738]

Most of these are great, but not all of them are mistakes, just different kind of approach 3. Making baby steps might be the best way to mix if the song is recorded really well. 11. You don't NEED to do automation unless the production of the song is boring. IMO the dynamic changes should be in the production and performances. 14. I think referencing too much is not nearly as bad as referencing too little. So don't be afraid to reference. Anyways great video. My own additional noob mistake would be doing too much and listening too little, not knowing a clear direction.

[@mojoxide]

This guy speaks the truth, no BS

[@minusjude_tessellation_music]

on the phone part of the video: i personally love to use my phone, play games, watch a show, or just clean my room when listening to my mix. it helps me hear anything that sticks out that i want to change, i call it distracting hearing so i hear anything that sticks out in a bad way. i also do this to find parts i do like

[@Strannix1979]

Loved this. I’m getting up to speed on things because I’m recording and mixing a demo for a band I joined. I’ve always been interested in sound and recording/producing. It’s been a great journey where I keep learning and experiencing my limitations. I think I needed your tip 17 tbh. :-)

[@orderd29]

I'm just starting to mix and this was massively helpful for me.

[@JayHughes-zv5qr]

Couldn't agree more about mixing with your eyes. The problem is that "turning knobs" on a DAW requires eyes. Maybe I'm an old crank, but nothing annoys me more than "turning knobs" with a mouse. It's so artificial and imprecise. I chose to invest in MIDI-mappable hardware that allows me to use phsyical knobs for mixing, old school style. The great part is that you can twist them with your eyes closed and really concentrate on the sound. I understand the minimalist hardware argument from a space and price perspective, but man nothing beats some real life knobs.

[@funkuncle999]

Thanks, I always like when people come from a place that seems common sense and simple. This was really helpful.

[@wambuka]

I come from the live mixing side and mostly work with live multiband recordings. My workflow is the same. Try to get levels (rough mix) first, then start finding what stands out or what seems to be wrong. I only use solo if nothing else reveals the problematic channel. I listen to it for a while soloed (headphones while mixing live), then put the full mix back on and adjust to the taste. When nothing really makes me think there is something really really wrong then i start building my mix starting from the most basic and important channels affecting the beat (kick, snare, cymbals/hat, bass) and then progressing to the main vocals. Only after that i concentrate on band instruments, backing vocals, additional percussion, solo instruments etc. This is because i usually find instruments like electric guitars to have the most processing done already. Solo instruments on the other hand must fit the big picture. The next phase is gluing groups of instruments using busses and that usually involves the first time using effects to give instruments their place (depth). The last thing is adding standouts, the fx people really hear as an added effect (delays, reverbs, distortion, heavy vocal manipulation etc.). I wouldn't mind reading about someone else's workflow.

[@Ouvii]

4:09 this is so big. I did music on a really bad computer and I ended up having to freeze tracks everytime I did a move with a plugin. This incentivized me to make a change and stick with it as much as possible or fear the loading times or the chance that reaper would crash due to no available RAM. Now with a good computer I'm trained to make a fresh render to commit to a choice, but I mute and hide the old track in case I need to change something or if I want to make a different iteration. I know some people say to just make irreversible changes so that the commitment is that much easier, but when I'm working on music it's usually in the context of a game or some other large-form multi-media thing so it's nice to dig out and iterate on relevant ideas without having to reverse engineer something from scratch.

[@musicflight]

Nice video. When I trained w Tom Lord Alge, the first thing he asked when we listened to a rough playback was where is the offending frequency? With my eyes closed, I said 500 hz. Boxey sounding. Then he said find the track and fix it. It was an acoustic guitar track that was eating up the mix. Fixing it was done FIRST in solo after determining the offending track, and SURGERY was don’t with a wide (read musical) Q. Then in the mix it was adjusted again (out of solo). This is a tried and true way to get a rough mix ready to “mix”. It saves the mastering engineer a tone of headache.

[@BeatsAndMeats]

Thumbnail designer gets an A+ for the day! It made me lol for way too long!

[@svendtveskg5719]

Agree with most, but baby steps is THE thing, that seperates a good mix from a real good mix. But very nice and helpful video.

[@nedim_guitar]

I enjoyed this. Very helpful tips for a noob who's been doing it for years, on occasion. I'm more musician than a mixer.

[@jasongreen5360]

Thanks man! Really needed to hear this I’ve been real sloppy lately, and guilty of a lot of these

[@rena10009]

this is the most criminally under subbed YT audio channel of all. i legit built my career off of this guy's videos lol.

[@photicsonar]

The best and ironically LAST tutorial I have ever watched 😅

[@jeffardron7020]

Yup. Good advice. There will always be exceptions... But learn the rules first! I think I'd add one more: mixing the instruments evenly, trying to be "fair" to everyone. Don't. Rather, let the music speak for itself, and if that means pulling back on a guitar in the verses, or making space in the bridge, then do so.

[@dnarecording]

Awesome channel!! Biggest thing in mixing for me is never say never and knowing what to use when.

[@toddstudio79]

YES! Thank you for #5 I have been doing foundational mixing for 20+ years, and when the "top down" fad started, I thought "What the hell is that? That makes no sense!" But I'm always willing to learn more, so I started learning Top Down Mixing,, and really put some focus into it. Well...after a year of commitingto learn it, I'm MORE convinced that it makes no sense. The "can't polish a turd" principle, also applies to a pile of turds.😉

[@XNamelessXNill]

I am a big culprit of "sharing before finished" I just want feedback is all but you're right finish first

[@ElronLaVey]

I’m guilty of all of these mistakes except for setting up and organizing every session in the same way I need to focus and avoid those 16 mistakes cause my mixes are embarrassing Thanks for the tip

[@ricosgruv4099]

I've made all of these and learned from those mistakes, then forgot about them, then watched this and remembered them again. Wasting time mixing in solo and piling on too many plugins, then discovering the un-touched track still sounds better in the mix....yep...

[@Barnsey87]

Really enjoying ur advice, I have experienced all of these problems my biggest issue now is getting the results I used to have in the past when I used barely any mixer plugins and it sounded so crispy.