Mixing Start To Finish: A Step by Step Guide to Balanced Mixes

In this video, I turned the camera on while mixing to show you the steps I took to get a balanced mix. I use an approach called "Top-Down Mixing" where I start by setting a static mix before adding effects and automating. These techniques can be applied when mixing many types of music. Feel free to ask me any questions about these methods in the comments below.
►The song is called "You" by The Workday Release. Listen to the final mix here on KZbin: • The Workday Release - ...
The final mix was done by Andy Toy (@andytoymusic), a brilliant engineer and mixer. I am using the stems in this video because I wanted to try my hand at the mix too.
►Gear/Software used:
DAW: FL Studio 20 (all DAWs have similar function)
Free Plugins: TDR Kotelnikov, Nova Dynamic EQ, Molotok Compressor and Slick EQ
Interface: Lynx Hilo
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 250 Ohm
Speakers: PSI A23-M
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Listening to the stems
2:00 - Top-Down mixing
5:50 - Vocal Reverb and Delay
8:55 - Piano and Guitar
11:40 - Backing vocals
13:00 - Vocal Effects
14:40 - Bass and Drums
18:50 - Adjusting more tracks
20:35 - Vocal Automation
22:30 - Take a break
23:20 - Listening to the mix
23:45 - Vocal editing
25:45 - Side-chaining
26:50 - Listening to the mix
27:15 - More automations
29:20 - Global EQ
30:45 - Final thoughts and revisions
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[@danielwilson8967]

"You Pull Me Back" Michael - *pulls back fader* 14:03

[@manasiangal1405]

hahaha I noticed the same

[@LovenArtiste]

12:56 "Let's just see how the song pans out"

[@tredfxman]

Watch out: Next time hes *"Pulling your Leg!"* 😄

[@masonridgewell8063]

😂

[@therealfantasy]

You could literally charge us hundreds of dollars for these tutorials that you share for free. Thank you , you're an angel : )

[@theworkdayrelease]

Don't tell him!! 🤣

[@pratyaysarkar7905]

@@theworkdayrelease 😅

[@YourFatherVEVO]

this is what youtube was made for

[@spook698]

👼 Angel 😂😂😂?

[@therealfantasy]

@@theworkdayrelease Oh no ! 😂😂

[@ROUBON]

I learned everything from Michael. Who's with me?

[@StupidTuberDude]

Oh absolutely! And I keep getting back to his previous videos!

[@trumansienicki]

Oh I'm with you alright

[@smgsmusic]

Not everything, but a large majority

[@neilmaile2442]

80% is from Michael

[@smgsmusic]

@@neilmaile2442 I agree

[@FernandoCastillo-og7ze]

It's so impressive when after a break you realize you can hear so much more details, nuances on the song that you didn't perceive before due to the ears that needed a rest for around 15 minutes maybe, just wow. Now I can clearly see how important is to put our ears to rest very often.

[@matthewteden2212]

You’re right dude! Another thing to consider doing is mixing at low monitor levels. Not only will it save your ears from some fatigue, but you’ll also be able to hear transients better and get a more accurate sense of your volume balance. After all, if you have to blast your speakers to hear something, then the balance is probably off! The only exception is low end because humans are less sensitive to them, so it takes more level to hear them… not a problem if you’re mark zuckerberg

[@PeterDaltrey]

I wrecked my ears this week. But frustrating having to take some days off with so much to do. The tinnitus is screaming... Had it for around 40 years and almost total loss of hearing in my right ear after years of gigging back in the day. Makes recording ....and mixing....so damn difficult now... But, hey, ho...press on... PROTECT YOUR EARS WHEN GIGGING!

[@natasadiu]

@Peter Daltrey Sorry to hear that, this must be really hard for a dj/producer. You are amazing 👏

[@WHITE_DRAGON.OFFICIAL]

Hey! I offer Quality Mixing and Mastering at Affordable prices, if you're interested, feel free to contact me!

[@MusokeMSK]

"There is no point in doing this in solo" - this is such an important advice. Most amateurs forget about the fact that no one will listen to your song in solo. Thank you! Great mixing tutorial!

[@rockinrobin]

No one will listen to your song at all : )

[@italyisntreal]

@@rockinrobin ^

[@1234567890noone]

@@rockinrobin ΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗ

[@lukeskywalkerjediknight2.013]

@@rockinrobin xD

[@TOXICARTIST]

Legends are liking the video and saving to their playlist before watching 😅

[@SuccessAjayi]

Exactly👌😂

[@lester1984]

I just saved the video to my playlist and saw your comment lmaoo

[@sukhmusic_]

Haha😂

[@utpalkalita7391]

After all we are watching in the mix..😁

[@TOXICARTIST]

@@lester1984 😂👍🙏

[@rome8180]

The unmixed stems already sound better than anything I've ever mixed. It must be nice to start with great recordings.

[@waliwritermusic7275]

very important for sound selection and clean raw vocals before even starting.

[@mrvron]

Production is the key to great song

[@Alex-Defatte]

@@mrvron No, the music is what counts. Without the raw sounds, there would be nothing to produce. Real producers are only there to enhance what the artist has brought to the table. An original artist is key. Production is only the key when it comes to self drawn EDM.

[@andygotthebass6525]

@@Alex-Defatte they probably meant that, there's been a bit of a semantics issue in music over the past couple years where the line between artist and producer have blurred significantly

[@vincentvandeperre1670]

​@@Alex-Defatte an audio engineer and a producer are not the same...

[@viniic.s]

This Michael dude so good that when the ads came in, i watched all length of them just as a way of giving you back.

[@israel3338]

showing us how to get high quality mixes on FL studio whilst using mostly free plugins is the most noble shit anyone on the KZbin engineering community has done. thank you fr.

[@musicbyhardik]

It was a bad day and your “welcome back to the channel” with that smile brought me a smile on my face, you’re a saviour ♥️ we all love you

[@devo6413]

Its just so funny the vocals singing "You pull me back" and Michael pulling the volume and stuff back

[@SenpaiTheExplorer]

dude... ive been doing this on and off for 15 years and you taught me more in 30 mins then any of they other "mixing" videos i've seen on yt in the past 15 years. well done is all i have to say. definitely subbing.

[@sigh153]

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but watching you mix this beautiful song and seeing the enjoyment you're getting out of it was honestly really touching. I love mixing, and getting a good mix just feels so nice and fulfilling, especially when you follow your instincts and do thoughtful things that have an impact you notice. It sounds super nerdy but I don't care cause I love it!

[@JUSTAFUTUREBOY]

It’s so fulfilling solving those problems!!

[@dhanushbalakrishna7300]

God bless this guy, both mixing and mastering from start to finish videos are gold

[@ylbnevergiveup3046]

He deserve everything for teach us this for free .

[@snaekboi]

For those who still aren't using busses while mixing, It's a game changer, definitely give it a shot! I personally love to set the tone of my mixes by EQing and Saturating my busses. Saturation also eats up some nasty peaks, which helps a lot with getting louder mixes! complete game changer for me 👀

[@D00M3DG4M3R]

I absolutely love these start to finish tutorials. I bet it feels good to know that you've helped so many thousands of artists improve their craft

[@mikebeckerman5320]

Super-useful, as always. I really like the top-down approach, and how you're focused on the overall mix and work not to get caught up in the cycle of chasing small changes. Thanks, Michael!

[@loubennett9849]

Thanks for sharing your process Michael. You’re a great teacher and this is a beautiful song.

[@roberto2k1]

You're one of the best out there Michael, thank you for sharing your knowledge for free with us

[@LVS.Archives]

Thank you so much for FREE top tier tutorials and information. You inspired me to actually dive in to the mixing and mastering part of my songs.

[@alexhe6772]

I'm so grateful for all of Michael's tutorials! They're so professional and well explained and carefully edited, always helps me a lot.

[@alexjennings3165]

I'm glad I took the time to watch this. I think it cleared up several things that were keeping my mixes from coming out clean.

[@BrolosProduction]

You are the reason I am improving from track to track. Thank you so much for all of your work. Really appreciate it.

[@seyiiroko1575]

So much knowledge in one video. I love the last words even more. Thank you Michael✊🏾

[@owens.]

Your timing Michael is always so uncanny yet satisfying because I literally just took a break from mixing a song and I just kept thinking how I’m going to mix it. And this video pops up!

[@royru9081]

This was the best mixing tutorial I’ve ever watched! Everything from the song to the way you talk with your audience was top notch!

[@sheluvscarrera]

I don't know where i would be right now without Michael's tutorials, i'm really excited to start working on some new tracks!

[@straighttaric5996]

This man is a blessing. Thank you for everything, Michael!

[@anelabuawad161]

Michael , thank you very much for this amazing content, you’re definitely one of the best music production channels on KZbin!!

[@maryjaneamen6976]

i have literally tried learning mixing and mastering for vocals for about 2 years now and you are the first person to explain it in such a way that makes it easy to learn. i feel like i actually understand what to do with mixing and balancing, so thank you so so so so much for your videos!

[@Agodofkings]

I've watched a lot of tutorials but man your tutorials are the most detailed. Amazing work! I can come here and take notes confidently.

[@mitchellwhite2408]

Fantastic content as usual. Thank you for what you do for the community!

[@monstie2795]

Dude you’re literally the best. You helped me through earl my problems that occurred when I am producing, I watch all your videos and I really enjoy them 💜

[@splifferstoner]

Michael you save me every time i feel I can't deliver what the artist needs. You're my production saviour...as soon as I get my break dude am sending you a huge pay check for all you keep doing

[@stansonthebeat]

You're a blessing 💯. Sending much appreciations from Kenya.

[@frankherrgott]

Be blessed for sharing such precious information!

[@thespecialone5383]

It's been only 5 mins since uploading and the video is 32 mins long. I'm still commenting. I know it that the the video is great already.

[@alienvolt7741]

This was almost like an experience as if i was there mixing with you even though i wouldn't have moved anything i could almost feel i was connecting with the process as well.

[@GLRYB2GD]

You've got the magic touch. A lot of this can only be learned by experience. You did a great job!

[@dsanj4745]

Thanks for this. Watching how someone else approaches a mix can be illuminating and instructive to varying degrees. A fresh perspective is always welcome and you did a very good job of explaining what you felt was excessive or lacking and how you remedy accordingly. Mixing is definitely more art than science. Well done!

[@chowboonil6975]

The much awaited video has finally arrived... this will solve the hardest part of being an amateur and broke producer. Thanks my mentor. You will be remembered for generations

[@abingwa256]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5W4fZiNd8uDm7s

[@denizkanmaz1110]

I don't usually comment but what you're doing is truly amazing. Thank you for making these videos, they are incredibly helpful.

[@HadarGalili26]

you are the best brother, so young yet knows so much about music and no one explain things better than u on youtube!

[@tributetunes8770]

You always deliver! Just listened to the song on Spotify and it sounds wonderful, thanks for taking us through the process teach!!

[@Cenotaff]

You make it seem so easy when it's not, which is a sign of your skills. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge, not just that, but the way you explain everything so people like me can appreciate it and understand it without feeling overwhelmed. Superb.

[@k.ara.11.9]

I've just started learning and I can say that Michael is the best educator out there with confidence...

[@JimsMusicLegacy]

You put together a really good tutorial by letting your audience eavesdrop on your thinking out loud and showing us how to remix and why we should do certain things to make it better. I like the way you bring out elements of the mix that serves the song best. Great job. I learned quite a bit. Thanks.

[@manasiangal1405]

You are a gem, Michael! And In The Mix is my top go to channel! As a beginner producer I am so grateful to you! Thank you for sharing such invaluable knowledge man! 💙

[@nigelrajaratnam6514]

Haven't commented on any of your videos before, but man, these videos you do, are straight up fantastic, and useful. I make a living doing production and mixes, and so much of what I knew, didn't know or thought I knew, has been upgraded and solidified by watching one of your videos. Love the efficiency of you delivery style and the thoroughness with which you approach these. You should do a collaboration with sage audio. You two may be the absolute best thing on KZbin for producers. Thanks so much!

[@keithgustafson3398]

Absolutely Nigel - completely agree, see my post!

[@maxwelllinda4506]

Michael is the boss I have learn a lot from him. We truly appreciate everything he does for is beginners 👏

[@romanohurano]

1 hour ago, I'm a mixer newbie. Now, I'm still a newbie but motivated to learn a lot more.

[@Shenthusiast]

I feel like working with such good vocals makes it 1000% easier to mix, learned a lot from this! thank you.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

This video is my ultimate reference track for mixing my stuff from now on. Thank you for the video.

[@person1546]

Love the editing man, you’ve stepped up.

[@devenderkumar6115]

First one❤️❤️❤️❤️, i am seeing your tutorials for about 3 years and i can say everytime u upload a video, its something very informative and helpful , keep going on .🔥

[@v3kt0r97]

Michael, thank you so much for these videos, you are a LEGEND!

[@kavyakasiram]

This is so great, I basically learnt FL Studio and how to produce from your channel alone. Thank you so much for all your content Michael! 😊

[@flstutorials5492]

Its so awesome that he’s doing this stuff for free! There are so many people selling masterclasses just to give the info that InTheMix is giving in this video.🙌🏻

[@elzurixmusic]

This format of doing something from start to finish works so great! I can't stress enough how much it helped me understand every point that you've taught me in your older videos, whether if it's how compression works, why you should reduce frequency bands instead of boosting them to find problematic areas, and most importantly, why you don't need to mix in mono, that point you really made clear when you talked about planning how the track will sound and listening to it from a "top-down view". I really really want you to continue making videos in that format, it's giving us, the viewers a practical example of how each tip could be used in the context of the whole mix and I have few suggestions for the next videos: - Producing a track idea/draft Start To Finish - Recording instruments/drums/vocals Start To Finish - Sound designing Start To Finish (I'm not talking specifically about how to create basic sounds, but rather how to make a sound that will fit a certain mix or song) Thanks a lot for all of these videos :)

[@dennisdebbarma1062]

thank you soo much for hearing out the request.....this helps a lot for me and my group of friends who are also your subscribers.

[@RHY9beats]

Watching this video for 20+ times now. Whenever im confused about mixing,back to this video and everything on this channel. Thank you teacher

[@DoggMatik]

This presented some really valuable insight. As someone who doesn't mix, and is really just messing around with FL studio to explore a little creativity, I'm so damn thankful I stumbled onto this video. I have so much respect for the mixers of music now. It's an overlooked process but it's so critical to the listeners experience. I also learned a lot of great info that I can put to use eventually.

[@markstafford6119]

Some high powered audio engineers know their craft, but don’t have the ability to teach others. Michael has the bases covered on both fronts. Your mixing and Mastering videos are excellent. The best I’ve found to date. Thank you for taking the time and effort it took to produce them.

[@dreamlinemedia6225]

Can I learn from you Mark

[@antonellomascarello4698]

What you are doing for us is unbelievable. I've been learning so much in the last two years (when I've discovered your tutorials). Keep it up and take care! Ciao from Italy 🇮🇹😀

[@HappilyAnonymousGirl]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video for us. This was awesome

[@Yash-qs8iu]

Just switching to cubase pro from ableton and studio one.. absolutely amazing software, comes with all the required and high quality mixing plugins out of the box!!

[@tobiasantolini1052]

Great work man! I would love to see HOW you can achieve a recording like this. Everything sounds so even, that made this mix easy (in terms of what Im used to mix because of the audio some artists send me)

[@ayushpiyushmusics7230]

You are a great Teacher and you are raising a lot of future artists. Thanks a Lot Michael. Love u Buddy

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

I saved it to watch later 2 weeks back ... now i watched... thank you Mike 😍 .. that hi passing instrument bus at the final chorus was really amazing trick !! so simple yet so effective❤

[@feliperojasc]

25:03 Michael priceless face after eq the pad hahaha. Thanks for the video, mate. Your content is so good, more than many paid videotutorials. Keep going: the 1M subs it's on the road :)

[@maxs489]

Wowwww. 😮 The high-pass on the instruments for that last chorus just opened everything right up and made everything really clear and pop. Beautiful. 👏 28:14 vs 26:50

[@lengylmt4312]

Been following you for a while now and I have to say that what you doing is awesome Micheal,my production improves every after watching one of your tutorials

[@spine-chillerproductions4208]

Since 2018 I've been doing infact improving since I started watching these tutorials thanks for having you 🙏keep on with good job we appreciate your presence

[@vewilli]

I wish I was the creator of this extremely beautiful song. I love everything of this song, the melody, the instrumentation and arrangement, the voice, the balance the mixI would be extremely proud of being able to make such a song. Congrats to everybody who is involved in this song. 👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@WenBeats101]

You are the best i swear to god, i just commented about a mixing tutorial in your mastering video , thank you so much ^_^•

[@tigistalemu5603]

You are the calmest person I have ever seen on KZbin ❤

[@vennokornak]

Doing mixing first time and man, so many great tips and trick !! You're a legend, Thanks so much !!

[@harrywatson6184]

Great mixing tutorial, lots of gems! I can't get over how similar the vocal melody is to "King Of Carrot Flowers". Anyways, have a good one!

[@tranquilitylane8933]

Sure does. Was driving me nuts

[@jn2787]

right !? took me two seconds to be like wtf that is way to similar

[@YXMATU]

The song Is really beautiful❤❤

[@theworkdayrelease]

Thank you 😊

[@css172]

Michael is an excellent teacher and I appreciate the free youtube tutorials Sir!

[@elchanancohen2673]

i watch this video for the chill of it. so relaxing. Michel unbelievable job! you explain things so well

[@Sursie_Metzger]

I play and release harp instrumentals and finding a way to properly mix my songs has been an equal challenge to the recording process itself. So fingers crossed I’ll be able to utilize this for better mixes 🤞🏻

[@DissonantSynth]

I'm so unbelievably thankful for these videos. Do you have anything similar to patreon?

[@inthemix]

I have a KZbin channel members feature, beside the subscribe button. I had a pateron for a short while but disabled it as I wasn't too happy with how it worked.

[@DissonantSynth]

@@inthemix of course! Thanks for reminding me of the YT member system.

[@ggcatmusic]

This guy is so good at explaining throughly but quick to the point. Big fan

[@DonyorAbaquita]

Thanks to this now i have an idea how different sound sit together and balanced...

[@arshadeepsingh7280]

"A mix doesn't has to be perfect balance for low,mid and high,it has to be the right balance for that song". -In The Mix

[@StephanAinley]

12:51 "Let's see how the song pans out" no pun intended. 🤣 Dang, this video is one of those I'm going to have to watch a dozen times. Would grouping things up in Ableton be similar for the different groups you're consolidating?

[@eldiablojr9595]

b

[@lambylaf]

Yes it's exactly the same. Makes it much faster to do things like sidechaining, eq, glue compression etc. You can also make groups inside of groups in ableton for even more control!

[@matthewmargetts8516]

This is an invaluable resource that I have only just stumbled across. Very mature and competent commentary I thought, especially with regard to managing the relationship with the artist. Great stuff, thank you.

[@UniversalOreo]

I've known of your channel for a few years, but now I'm watching all your videos. Thanks for getting me excited to make music!

[@someone8537]

Can anyone recommend some music producers i can follow on twitch or something? I follow some i want some more variety so i can maybe learn more

[@Colvin.crochet]

Literally I've watvhed three video on mixing an this one is the only one I got actual information from thank you

[@Rajveerrabbi.official]

One of the most complete mixing tutorial...you are amazing!!! 😊

[@explicits6740]

Honestly, I respect and appreciate Michael for these uploads. You won't find such detailed tutorials anywhere like and further more.... "FREE".. Like no one else would go through there mixing or mastering sessions and even if they do it's not so circumstantial.. Thank you!!!

[@adityanegi2142]

hey there I just wanted to offer my thanks, seeing this half an hour, brought my mix from one to all the way to ten. This is information that is extremely valuable and I'm very thankful that you gave it all for free

[@ravindukalhara3465]

Up to now, as a learner, I have learned the most from this channel.

[@brandybraxtone1087]

Learnt alot from your channel and actually became a self taught music producer and still advancing to live band production. Much appreciated from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@supzach2996]

I love the fact that you really good at explaining, I understand everything yu say homie, shout out to you 💯

[@Stadsjaap]

Thank you for sharing this process. Pure gold mate!

[@leobarros98]

You are a legend man, thanks so much! God bless you

[@InspirationalsTV]

Thank you so much Mike! You are one of best and most selfless individual by far on KZbin! What most people will charge big time for this kind of lessons, you give them for free. I have been following your channel for some time and man, I'm really really impressed with you! Thank you for your good work bro! I'm learning so much about production from you!