Mixing A Song With Separation & Clarity

When you think of an amazing mix these two words come to mind - SEPARATION & CLARITY.
In this video I will show you my approach to creating Separation & Clarity in my mixes.
Hopefully after watching this you will better understand how to declutter, unmask and remove muddiness from your mixes, leaving with you with something that really shines!
Sweetwater Affiliate - Buy Your Gear Through My Link And Support This Channel:
sweetwater.sjv.io/c/4759766/7...
(00:00) Method
(01:42) Levels & Panning
(08:35) Vocal Compression
(12:30) EQ - Unmasking
(23:59) Spatial FX (Reverb)
(25:30) Drums & Compression
(29:44) Drum Samples
(30:54) Before & After
(31:50) Final Thoughts & Tips
Keep in mind this is just a rough mix for demonstration purposes!
I would spend a lot more time on this if it was a proper mix for a client.
If you want to check out the official mix I did, listen here:
dearinfamousband.bandcamp.com...
If you enjoy these videos, consider using the link below and donating to the channel.
I truly appreciate any support!
www.paypal.com/paypalme/spinl...
Don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE.
Show your support and grab a drum sample pack from my online store!
MY DRUM SAMPLES:
spinlightstudio.com/shop/
Hate Cymbal Bleed? Watch the Silencer Demo:
• Black Salt Audio - SIL...
Buy Silencer here: blacksaltaudio.sjv.io/5gy70n
(by using this link you also support this channel)
MY MIXING AND MASTERING SERVICES:
spinlightstudio.com/services/
SESSION DRUMS:
spinlightstudio.com/sessiondr...
FULL MIX TUTORIAL + MULTI TRACKS
spinlightstudio.com/product/m...
INSTAGRAM:
/ spinlightstudio

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks heaps for watching guys! Don’t forget to hit that like button and subscribe for more :) also if you want some tasty drum samples while supporting the channel at the same time, follow the link in the description to my website 😊

[@daronkeogh3941]

Subscribed!

[@officialkensonmusicworld1246]

Just Subscribed!

[@shooten1st]

Good stuff!

[@limitlesswheatproductions]

This is my new favorite channel 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@kylo____]

Great video dude.

[@TeddyLeppard]

Once I learned to view all music recordings as a collection of frequencies in a spectrum, I started to learn to separate those frequencies and carve out space in the mix to gain clarity for each track. It's a fascinating process.

[@ZEALm.e.studios]

But that's not mixing not programming. For me digital recording has taken all the fun out of making music it has become more of software programming and problem fixing them making good sound

[@jones1749]

⁠​⁠@@ZEALm.e.studioswhether analog or digital, mixing is problem solving. That’s what it has always been. Nothing they said is specific to digital, digital or analog all recording are a collection of frequencies

[@chinmeysway]

@@ZEALm.e.studiosisn’t that just about the material sucking to begin and not how it’s recorded? i get what u mean tho but there’s just a ton of garbage out there especially mainstream pop. tape won’t matter in that case.

[@chucksl21]

I appreciate this comment. I'm really trying to learn this myself.

[@user-jq4fz6co8b]

You gotta be careful with that way of thinking. Music is very synergistic and you want to think of it that way. The sum is bigger than the sum of its parts so every choice you make when mixing should be something that fits the track and each instrument as a collective

[@edpogalz8957]

You did what I feel like every other mixer on KZbin is too scared to do

[@spinlightstudios]

I mean, mixing to an audience is pretty scary haha but it’s just a rough mix to demonstrate the process!

[@aliceberethart]

Bear in mind there is not one single process to mixing. While there are general guidelines, everyone is unique, and every song is unique . So showing people how you mix can be more than a bit personal.

[@DbiPro]

@@aliceberethartit’s hard to agree to that. Winging it never works well

[@gregsonmatthews4453]

Mate it’s great to have a practical step by step work thru on a project like this. You have provided Clarity and Separated yourself from the mess of online content. THANKS SO MUCH - OUTSANDING

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@BradyA1124]

Summary: - Achieving separation and clarity in mixes involves several steps. - Key elements for good mix separation are volume, panning, EQ, compression, and spatial effects. - Spatial effects include reverb and delay. - Fancy techniques like parallel compression and saturation can enhance mixes but are not always necessary. - The mix demonstration shows how to start with raw tracks, set faders, adjust levels, and pan instruments. - EQ is used to shape the sound of each instrument, removing muddiness and defining clarity. - Reverb adds depth and spatial dimension to the mix. - Compression helps control dynamics. - Drum samples can be used to enhance the drum sound. - Monitoring in both solo and context of the full mix is essential. - The video concludes with a before-and-after comparison, showcasing improved separation and clarity. Tips for achieving mix separation: 1. Start with proper volume and panning. 2. Use EQ to shape instrument tones and remove masking frequencies. 3. Utilize compression to control dynamics. 4. Incorporate spatial effects like reverb and delay. 5. Focus on context and monitor in solo and mix contexts. 6. Experiment with drum samples to enhance drum sounds.

[@Aayyushmusic]

very nicely put thank you

[@Alandpope]

Leaving a comment so I can find this summary later on.

[@ade_juwon]

Thanks for this

[@austonsmith536]

What if you're doing all this stuff but your ears rarely hear any difference in anything besides loudness levels? It's frustrating mixing and using all these tools yet all you hear is your mix getting worse and worse 'til eventually you're back on youtube tutorials watching people do magic with knobs. Resorting to Ozone A.I. mastering on tracks strictly set to presets [named after the instrument it is for] on all these fancy plugins ... accepting my mediocre track for a mediocre life. :/ [having to use A.I. feels fraudulent and mundane]

[@BradyA1124]

Man .. mixing isn't crazy hard, you got this .@@austonsmith536

[@suedetvrecordingstudio4918]

I have been a recording engineer with my own commercial studio for years...this guy knows what he's talking about..well done!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@Dog_Stare]

Nice to hear, Will be watching myself soon. Like later today after I get off work.

[@douglasnethercote9442]

Hi Rhys. IMO this tutorial is deserving of 1.7M subcribers rather than 17K. So many of the big guys do not drill down in such a concise manner or baffle many users with long plugin chains with subtle nuances that are almost inaudible in context with the delivery platform. You are much more than "Just a studio nerd" and you also bring song material here that is well fit for purpose. KUDOS, and keep aiming higher because you have earned that.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! Really appreciate that!

[@pilotgav3975]

Dude... This is THE best mixing demonstration video I've seen. You rocked it. Great moves and explanations! THanks.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks!

[@fabellara01]

This uncovers all the mysteries and unanswered questions in mixing for me. Forever grateful

[@spinlightstudios]

Stoked to have helped making things a bit clearer about the process!

[@ChristopherWilley1]

“If you can’t hear that, just put on some better headphones and you’ll hear the bass.” Love this advice, so commonly overlooked somehow

[@spinlightstudios]

Bass is so device dependent - if you’re watching straight off of phone speakers, it might not be very audible, but in your car or on your headphones it’s just fine :)

[@louieAdams]

Dude! You nailed this video. This is what every beginning mixer needs to see. Been mixing for years and the simplicity is FAWESOME!!!!! Thanks

[@spinlightstudios]

Cheers legend!

[@MichaelAlso]

loved seeing your workflow! great video!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks for watching Micheal!

[@isaacsitiakalaabwenje]

I love the way you are presenting It's evident

[@kennylewis6702]

Mate...thanks so much for taking the time to make this content! Very helpful!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks! I’m glad it’s helped!

[@dez5]

Thank you for taking us the musical Mix Journey. Takes to consider when mixing a track. 🎚🎚🎚

[@ocljtc]

Amazing end result. 👍👍👍Also, that song is so powerful and well written. I love it!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks! It’s definitely a great tune!

[@reuq007]

I loved this! So precise and I've learned a lot from this.

[@spinlightstudios]

Stoked to hear that mate!

[@basspartout]

Very very nice! Thank you very much for this. One of the best mixing tutorials I've watched so far! Straight to the point, focused on the important stuff. Liked and subbed!!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Preachmusic4u]

clear and precise instructions. love this 💯✊🏼

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks!

[@tertuliusmederick7895]

Very nice work!!! I enjoyed watching this. Thanks for sharing

[@spinlightstudios]

No worries! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheVictoriousWon]

This is one of the best videos on how to approach mixing that I've come across on KZbin. THANK YOU!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks so much!

[@Mariusags]

Excellent! One of the best mixing videos on KZbin! Thank you!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@DeanBenn]

This video is unlike anything else I've seen on KZbin. I really appreciate the explanations and walkthrough. Amazing work!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks Dean!

[@stevebrown2070]

great video! Clear & concise, thanks mate. Great to hear how to get separation in a dense arrangement like this.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks Steve!

[@samizzy]

Awesome video man love the simplicity here. Shows that the fundamentals really do go a long way. Great stuff! 🙏

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@fingerbob74]

Brilliant vid mate, love your speedy no nonsense workflow!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@BrandonBurch]

It's amazing the transformation throughout the video!

[@realcarlspartacus]

I enjoyed the final version indeed, great mix. I'll try to learn from it, thanks.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks man!

[@rajmahey1904]

Love this.❤ you’ve done a phenomenal job in this mixing tutorial.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thank you!

[@skirmantasstankevicius458]

You are the hero we don't deserve, but desperately need. Thank you so much! It was so interesting to follow and helped me a lot.

[@spinlightstudios]

Haha thanks so much 🙏🏻

[@MrCJ-lc9ru]

Awesome! The best mix video yet!!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks man!

[@petecarrollmusic]

Love the channel Rhys, clear, concise, simple, articulate, informative. Rock on brother, best wishes from Scotland.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks Pete!

[@hilow139]

Thank you so much for posting this

[@WayneW]

This is the most concise but thorough mix demonstration I’ve come across. I am forever grateful for this. Theory is great, but this hands on mix and explanation is what I needed today. Thank you! Liked and subscribed…

[@spinlightstudios]

Glad to hear this was of help to you!

[@paulinachmara6692]

This is an amazing video!!! I loved it. I’d love to see more like this one! Full mix through would be awesome

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks Paulina! I have a full mix vid similar but more in depth ^ it’s in the description link above :)

[@paulinachmara6692]

@@spinlightstudios thank you! Found it now and already saved it to my playlist. Really appreciate the amazing content!

[@FernandoMartinez-sz7lp]

Just wanted to say Thank you! Excellent video and demonstration. Watching you work gives such insight, much more than words. You explain things clearly, a talent in itself.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thank you Fernando!

[@trewgodell]

Excellent video! Thanks so much! Lots of wisdom

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! Appreciate it :)

[@maruserumangaka]

Thank you very much. Really and very educative. That is definitely the video I was looking for without knowing it. I have to continue to carve and sculpt my mix for better clarity, separation and depth definition 🙌🏾❤️‍🔥

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! Glad to have helped!

[@Lilliputian63]

This is the best mixing demo I've ever seen. You go through every single aspect with a large range of instruments and vocals. There is NOTHING missing from this instructional video and all done in a short 35 minutes. Thank you.

[@carlosarenas8618]

Thank you for this clear, illustrative video. Among the thousands of videos out there about similar topic yours was the most simple straight forward I have seen so far. Less dynamic vídeo editing and silly comments and just mix and give wise advices on the go. Thank you so much.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! Appreciate the feedback! Sometimes it’s best to keep things simple!

[@adyxsaj]

Really good video. Love it, watched every second! Subscribed and looking forward to more.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@michaelshreve6455]

Your videos are awesome!! Glad I found them!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@SeawellStudios]

Killer video dude! 👏🏼🔥 Continued success for you and the channel, you're one of the very best doing it👍🏼

[@spinlightstudios]

Thank you sir!

[@JustifiedHope]

This was awesome, you’ve got yourself a new subscriber. Thank you! No “best way to mix” crap or “the only plug in you’ll ever need” just make it sound GOOD!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! No worries :)

[@andrewkigen]

Thank you so much! You don't know how much I needed this!

[@spinlightstudios]

You’re welcome mate!

[@DiamondThief444]

definily gave me sum good perspective to have in my mixes going foward thank you!

[@spinlightstudios]

That’s awesome! Glad to have helped!

[@tomdooley4173]

Definitely coming back to this video, so many gem plugin recommendations that I am going to get and apply to my recording session tomorrow, thanks

[@spinlightstudios]

Glad you got something useful from it!

[@CannaprizeBEATS]

Thank you for that! 👏 We need more straight forward info like this. Great job 👍

[@spinlightstudios]

Glad I could be of help!

[@justinchorley9233]

Amazing video. I've been hoping to find a demo this good with real instruments for yeeeears. I really appreciated hearing what a 'levels and panning' mix should sound like in the early stages. And all the other details, of course :) Just wonderful. Epic not-even-final mix too. What a legend. Thank you!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mav3ricks]

Dope to see this process

[@sammeyers8724]

Man this is absolutely amazing. Thank you!

[@mainsailsound983]

Great mix and great video! Thanks :)

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks for watching!

[@stefanoguidone]

Great video and not only the mix got clearer, but you also had clarity in your explaining that is the real quid of the video. Thanks!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks Stefan!

[@askwho69]

Great and simple way to mix but, very effective. Thanks

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks! It’s just a quick/rough mix to help demonstrate how to separate sounds :) once you get the hang of that you can get more complex (if needed) thanks for watching!

[@queengorgeous5334]

i just learnt alot from your teachings .this will take my mix to whole new leel

[@spinlightstudios]

Awesome mate! Glad to hear it!

[@mistermusicenterprise3148]

That’s was very helpful and on point. 👍🏼

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks man!

[@DaftFader]

Amazing vid, and a super important video for any aspiring mix engineer to watch imo. I've been involved with music/audio engineering in some capacity for a few decades, but even I learnt some things! nice job fella.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks legend!

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

I’m so happy I stumbled on this Video. 🙏 Thank you.

[@spinlightstudios]

You’re welcome!

[@mlwd1]

Great video! I knew I have been on the right track with this but you cleared up several things. Thanks!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks! Glad I could help

[@gregsonmatthews4453]

I love your work - The explanation makes sense - This approach will change my mixing life..😊

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate, glad you found it helpful!

[@elimorris4134]

Marvelous video. Really tamed my perspective in a way when approaching a mix. Thank you!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it

[@wiseoldfool]

Like many things, it is an iterative process. I really enjoyed this and learnt a lot, I'm looking forward to more from you.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate

[@lucksondacelus9405]

Very good work! Congrtulations bro. Very useful tips. Thanks

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks!

[@ictattoo13]

Trying to get my final mixes to sound like your rough mixes. Thank you for all that you do good sir!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Haha thanks mate!

[@mostafaben]

👍👍👍mixing in the context is the best way.tnx bro,you re great.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate, you always have to check in the context of the mix!

[@ModernResilience]

Great stuff man! Appreciate the mixing tips and awesome song as well. When you brought those double tracked leads, I couldn't get that melody out of my head. Super catchy. Enjoyed listening to it!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks heaps mate!

[@ModernResilience]

no problem! Thanks for the mixing lesson@@spinlightstudios

[@cagdasozdemir4753]

Making the difficult seem so easy is not something everyone can do. You give courage and endurance, brother. We are with you.✌

[@spinlightstudios]

Appreciate that! Thanks

[@hv3485]

I am so thankfull for your videos! learning a lot from this💯

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks!

[@DrProgNerd]

This is exactly what I needed. I'm a total noob - so much to learn. I've been overwhelmed lately - feeling at times like I'm never going to get it. But I was following the moves you made and why you made them. This was the right video at the right time for me. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@spinlightstudios]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it and got some inspiration. Honestly every mix is different and you always learn something new, keep going!

[@tomcox875]

Was thinking about my mixes in comparison and laughed out loud when you said, "rough mix." Really enjoyed this and learned a ton! Great song too.

[@spinlightstudios]

That’s awesome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@PatrickObiang]

VERY USEFUL. BRAVO!

[@spinlightstudios]

Cheers Patrick!

[@jimmywood3136]

Thanks' you make it all make sense ! ( I really appreciate your knowledge and experience ) You made my day ,thanks again.

[@spinlightstudios]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JoeCreatesMusic]

My oh my...you just warped me into the next level of my mixing game. Learned a lot. You are a great teacher. Thanks a lot. ❤from 🇮🇳

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! Glad you learnt something from it!

[@OilRacki]

I watched loads of mixing videos. I tend to skim through a lot of them, and also get a bit frustrated by some where it can be so hard to hear what's happening (maybe due to YT compression). However, this one I watched start-to-finish, and right from the beginning I could hear the difference in what you'd done. I really like how you set up checkpoints, essentially, and showed A / B comparisons of what it was like before and after that checkpoint. So helpful. Very inspiring video. I subscribed, and hope to watch some more helpful video of yours.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate, glad you liked the video! Thanks for the feedback, definitely take a scroll back through my videos, lots of stuff to check out :)

[@bonanzagroove]

Excellent stuf, thanks so much! 🙂

[@jeffreyhensley1857]

Love it. Thanks!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate :)

[@composermalte]

You are really great at keeping things simple. Which is true genius in my opinion. Really great job! You are a fantastic mixing engineer. Keep doing what you do! ;)

[@spinlightstudios]

Thank you for the kind words mate!

[@KaitavSapreMusic]

Great video. 7:50 loved how you mixed in the organs! Thank you.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate!

[@rojoratatatata4002]

I literally learnt something from your video that you didn't even show but just by looking at your dial settings, I got my answer , thank you!

[@spinlightstudios]

Glad I could help!

[@stop6production]

Finally a video showing the WHOLE process. Because of this I've discovered why my piano leads ALWAYS have this piercing sounding clip to it(No spread and piling up with the rest of the sounds because of no separation and split). THANK YOU bro. Straight Subscribed.

[@spinlightstudios]

No problem mate! Glad you found it helpful! Hope you enjoy some of my other vids too :)

[@beniiadjei]

Loved everything! Learnt a lot from this. Thank you.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@AMSOfficial79]

Good insight into the process. Thanks!

[@spinlightstudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kmanhada]

Fantastic video! Learned a ton

[@spinlightstudios]

Awesome! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@RedsunMusiq]

Chill video with excellent reminders

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate

[@blu_scuro]

Holy mother! I'd give this a thousand likes if I could! Best mixing video I watched to date, you explain everything so well! Thank you

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks so much mate!

[@fivebyfivesound]

Great walk-through. Thank you! Drummers tune your snare drum when you record! Thank you 🙏🏽 Signed, a drummer and mixer

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks man! Haha yeah.. that was my snare drum and me playing lol, I think the tuning slipped after a few takes and I didn’t realize until after the fact 😂

[@0x0777]

Excellent tutorial and great song!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thank you!

[@gathobeevens2644]

Thank you very much, you are an amazing engineer !! Blessings!!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thank you mate!

[@Petesaintsfc]

Another top video, cheers bud 👍🏼

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks legend!

[@dsanj4745]

This walkthrough is very helpful, primarily because of the simplicity. A no-frills dive into the heart of mixing is always refreshing! One of the more appealing things is that (for the most part) you get from point A to point B using stock plugins. Far too many believe the 'secret' to achieving good mixes is having an ever-increasing collection of 'holy grail' third-party plugins that often cost a small fortune. Nice work!

[@spinlightstudios]

That’s right! You don’t need all the fancy plugins to get a good mix going, although some plugins can make things a little easier to do. Thanks for checking it out!

[@kenb3020]

Very nicely done. Simplicity rules.

[@spinlightstudios]

Indeed! Thanks!

[@VLKV_loves_you]

Just sub’d. Love the way you work. Helped me clearly see where I can build speed both using busses for global touch ups and laying off compression. Ur mix bus chain video also really insightful, love the way you work, ears are key.

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks mate! Glad you got something useful out of it!

[@wereallthinkingit9389]

I feel like this helped me more than like 99% of videos on youtube... Also this vocalist really gives er This song kicks ass

[@eltole4766]

Dudeee thanks a looot!! you actually help me to clean my muddy mix!!! a million thanks!

[@spinlightstudios]

My pleasure! Stoked to hear that!

[@raaszmelodicBB77]

Sounds great thanx for sharing..

[@obsididitagain]

Hey man! New subscriber here, just wanted to tell you that your videos are great and I'm learning so much new! Look forward to future videos!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks Mate! Appreciate that 😁

[@khayree]

Great ,great work !!!!!! Thank you Dig the song too!!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks legend!

[@rojoratatatata4002]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO

[@JustinGamana]

This might be one of the best tutorials I've ever watched so far!

[@spinlightstudios]

Awesome!

[@PolanskyyBeatz]

This is so good man, thank you!

[@spinlightstudios]

Thanks legend