The 5 Rules Of Mixing

[@Producelikeapro]

What are some of YOUR rules for mixing? Let me know below!

[@lamellmatthews]

I feel the most important mixing step would be organization! Setting up channels with labels, busing channels to groups, etc…

[@TheFeelButton]

Balancing balanced balance! Cheers Warren!!

[@FriendGaugeShotgun]

Reference!!! I need to know where im heading, having a end sound in sight is key for me!!!

[@croogytude]

My newest rule as a complete amateur is to listen at low volumes in headphones. Took me a long time to get on with that one. But it’s now so important to me.

[@nigelbentonakauapoap3691]

To be honest, I try not to add anything... even automation... until the song is what I call 'end-to-end' as a basic balanced arrangement before I start thinking about 'colouring in'... if that makes sense? 🤔

[@michaelholland1189]

I'm 61, with 40+ years of tracking, mixing and mastering, with the bulk of my training done in the 80s and. 90s with the Zomba Group at Battery Studios in London UK, though I was a tape op and assistant engineer for some years before that - and a gigging musician since probably 1977. Everything here jives with my personal experience exactly. The man is completely right. Thanks for sharing with the up and coming folks!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!! I really appreciate it! Great to hear your journey

[@airplay6475]

Low cuts, paraell compression, but I try to let the track breath.

[@michaeltablet8577]

I can't say thank you enough! I became disabled a few years ago and because of neck injuries I had to stop playing in bands and I thought my lifelong love affair with music was over. One day I discovered your channel and because of your positive encouraging teaching I decided to learn to record and mix. I am having the most fun I have ever had! I have learned so much from you and could never express in words the gratitude that I feel in my heart! God bless you Warren! You are a wonderful treasure!

[@reziahamed6654]

Wishing you a quick recovery and the best of luck in all your Musical endeavours Micheal ! Warren's beyond a treasure indeed !!!👍👍

[@michaeltablet8577]

@@reziahamed6654 thank you and God bless you!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much Michael for sharing your experience with us!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@michaeltablet8577 wishing you the speediest of recoveries!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@reziahamed6654 well said!

[@lestudioseptentrio3610]

I am not a beginner mixer, neither do I consider myself a world-class mixer but I must say this particular video should be pinned up on my billboard (and everybody else's as well) as a daily reminder of what to do when mixing a song. Thank you so much from Canada!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Le Studio! I agree, I'm always reminded of some of the most basic things and that's ok!

[@nocuh]

I recommend this channel to anyone who is interested in audio, regardless of experience. Videos like this one are why PLAP & Warren get top billing

[@Producelikeapro]

@@nocuh Wow! That's amazing!

[@nocuh]

@@Producelikeapro credit where it’s due, you do great work here. Whether it’s a condensed list like this or a step-by-step show&tell tutorial, as well as the song breakdowns and interviews. Great variety for reference material, especially to those of us in the cheap seats 👍

[@swencort]

So true!

[@PANTECHNICONRecordings]

Really glad you called out that “top-down mixing” idea. Having just about got away with doing it largely inadvertently on a project, I can tell you I’m never going there again.

[@EsaShaheed]

Swear everytime I see you upload, there's a huge smile on my face. So helpful man. Much love🤙🏾💖

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Esa!

[@realtimestudiosgh3887]

Same here

[@Producelikeapro]

@@realtimestudiosgh3887 Thanks!!!

[@TheMaddoxfam]

Yes! He’s so encouraging with that big smile! And to say he is so BLESSED by his viewers! Such humility. Thanks Warren!!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@TheMaddoxfam Thanks ever so much!

[@HenryMittnacht]

When I find myself in times of (mixing) trouble, Father Warren comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, marvellouesly.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hahaha thanks

[@SK-od6et]

Reminds me of my favourite Beatles song, Yesterday.

[@yodajazzcat]

@@SK-od6et I'm pretty sure that was from Yellow Submarine. Yeah, definitely Yellow Submarine.

[@Barry-Hall]

I am the Warren, goo goo g’joob

[@mrelmoresmusiclab]

Before I even stick one plug-in on a track. I get my entire vision for the mix lined up. This includes volume balancing, panning, bussing assignments, and eq. I also think ahead for any type of ear candy automation I can create. Once I get volume, panning, eq, and compression popping, I am 90% of the way there. The rest is just my vision or the artist's vision for their song.

[@danielblakrevolution]

you are appreciated. listening to opinions of mixes is the cheat plan to getting a more balanced final output. yet a mixer must not allow opinions and suggestions to discourage them from finding the sound that makes them smile and sleep at night. i have been very lucky to watch these educative lessons. my first and cornerstone rule about mixing is FOCUS on the project.

[@murraycrawford2741]

You feel blessed? I feel blessed that you take the time to teach anyone listening such valuable lessons from your accomplished career in music production. Thank you Warren, this video was particularly helpful to me.

[@Producelikeapro]

You're very kind Murray! Thanks ever so much

[@geoffwarnermusic5316]

You have given so much of yourself. You should get a Grammy for services to musical humanity.

[@bobbykanemusictube]

It's all about using your ears, using your brain, paying attention to what's needed, when. I'm learning. I swear.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100% Bobby! We are ALL always learning!

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

Amen to that!

[@Torsten08]

This is one of the most important videos, if not the most important video about mixing I know. I only would like to add one small thing, that I have to tell myself nearly every time I am mixing. “Don’t be afraid to finish!” Yes, there is always room for improvement. Yes, some months ahead of it you might ask yourself “Why did I do it that way?”. But the danger of losing yourself in a mix and never finish it can not be underestimated.

[@chilla3205]

there is absolutely no way im getting this information for FREE. TONS of love from germany

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much

[@JonnyLipshamStudios]

This is an OUTSTANDING video. Not just because of the wisdom and insight, but also because of the tone and delivery - with humour, a smile and some humility. Just from an educational standpoint, as one whos is a highly qualified educator, this is top draw education. If you are serious about becoming a "Pro" at music production and mixing, learn from Warren. Put in to practice what he teaches and work hard. You will reap rewards to be proud of. Also I have to say, as a cricket playing Scotsman - I'm pretty sure Warren is among my favourite Englishmen, along with Ian Shepherd.

[@emach07]

Your videos have helped me sooooo much. I haven't commented on so many of them because they're years old and it seemed weird commenting so late. But I just have to and hope you see this Warren. I can't count how many I've watched and not commented on. I'm just getting back into it after a few years break. This one is a HUGE eye opener as I've been doing things backwards according to this. One of your other videos you mentioned to comment on what helped in the video and then mentioned you might have to watch these videos twice, maybe even more until that one time it suddenly kicks in and you get it. That is EXACTLY what has been happening to me. I actually watched a couple not even realizing I already watched them until towards the end and the light bulb went off and I suddenly got some things I didn't the first time watching lol thanks so much for all you do 😍

[@amberwoodstudio]

I just realized that after 10 yrs of mixing I can call myself a mixer. I got lots to learn but I think it safe to call myself a “mixer” now. Your videos are some of the best. I appreciate that you focus on the craft and not on the equipment. Content like yours has allowed myself and my band the ability to create some quality records. Our music has been played on some of the local radio stations and universities and we haven’t gone broke to get there. Thanks again for the great content 👍

[@dcruz55]

This is the best 'Numbered' video on the basics of mixing I've seen. I'll never be a professional mixer but having certain basic knowledge will help me make my own music sound acceptable, maybe even good enough to get my songs sold.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much Doug!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Prong!

[@thezetes]

Im an amateur sound engineer, going professional. Your channel is absolutely amazing. You make the points no one else is making and its great to find myself already doing what you're suggesting and getting the constant reminder of the basics. In my opinion you're 90℅ of the time busy with the basics. Its that 10% of the time where i find myself working on the details. You are a great help in my (personal) edm mixes as well as my orchestral film score mixes!

[@youknowwhoiam6484]

When you come here to learn something, then you realise that you already know 90% of it. Yess you’ve grown over these years. All the best to all producers out there!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@gilelevazo4147]

Thank you! Not many people really talk about building the mix. In our modern day of mixing, everyone turns to these wonderful plugins first and foremost and forget all about the foundation of mixing.

[@AudioOrchardMusic]

Being a musician that has played in many contemporary styles as well as classical styles, I find that my musical experience really informs the way I mix. I think the knowledge of a genre and how it works is a critical component that informs the decisions one makes when mixing. Thank you for this encouraging video!

[@GLIWRE]

I knew it, and at last has someone said top-down-mixing is not smart, I'm happy to hear that especially from a pro.

[@danmason28]

“It made The Carpenters sound like death metal”. 😅 Great video Warren, thanks.

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha yes, indeed Dan!

[@danb1942]

You might be on to something... would be really wild to do a metal mashup featuring The Carps.... hahahaha

[@Producelikeapro]

@@danb1942 yes!! Do it Dan!

[@Intrinsic.Recording]

Great video, and thanks for making it! The walking away thing, listening down the hall etc.? Best advice ever. It does make you focus on how the sound is mixing in AIR, feet from the console where it "blooms". Not right up in the nearfields, zooming in on singular instruments with tunnel vision. It also is almost like coming back the next day, and noticing something sticking out weirdly, or getting masked or lost. Perspective, like you said. I have one of my own, but I'm sure most (many?) people do this, but here it is. At the very end of my mix, I lower the level WAY down, turn off the monitor (screen), and turn out the lights, and listen to the TOP END. I've gotten to the point where I don't trust my OH, hi hat and ride levels without doing this before the mix leaves. It just seems like I am able to focus on the treble and "air" region better at low level. And not looking at the screen? I'm not distracted by all the visual stuff, and I love that. Some days, I hate computers man. Turning the monitor off reminds me that I am there doing AUDIO, and only audio. Not programming some digital nonsense, or playing a video game getting a "high score" by adding the 4th plugin to a track. Maybe one more plugin will make it 1% better!!!??! No. What the hell. Man I miss tape sometimes. Thanks again for another video that keeps me thinking, and learning. On the straight and narrow. Good stuff. Important stuff. Forest instead of trees stuff.

[@ThisGuyDude]

I have to say that number one was a revelation, not for its content but for the delivery. Great insight! I realized this principle from your description in the way I haven't before. Thanks!

[@zackorr421]

Pure gold advice here. I love that you said “everyone does this.” Half of the battle is remaining present enough to remind yourself to view the forest not the 🌳’s.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Zack!

[@testingtimes8759]

Is Warren for Real ! So much music wisdom ! What a teacher ! And an Amazing person ! Lots of Good wishes !

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@HitTheRoadMusicStudio]

We all learn from you and you learn as well, what a win:win haha I heard once that teaching is the best way to improve! I think the biggest lessons I learned from this channel was to make a static without any plugins, just using volume and panning and define a direction! Best - Advice - Ever! 🤘

[@JohnnyF71]

Your cheat sheets are so brilliant they're starting to act almost like an extra layer of acoustic treatment in my studio!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much John!

[@adityamaanas9470]

Warren, I'd like to say I consider you one of the best teachers I've ever had.

[@Producelikeapro]

That’s exceptionally kind of you to say!

[@leonlogue]

Knowing when and where to use the proper tool for great results is what separates the great from the mediocre, whether in music or in life. Striving for perfection, although unattainable, to achieve excellence through creativity, integrity and perseverance is essential for success. Thanks and many blessings for sharing your talents and time, Warren!!!

[@patkelly8309]

I quite like the sound of screaming violins hitting me in the face but point taken. I really paid attention a few years ago when you emphasised the importance of high passing your Low lows. Literally cleared up several issues with my mixes.

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha who doesn't love a good screaming violin!

[@Stadsjaap]

I can picture the metal band name stylized and jagged: STRADIVARIUS

[@Producelikeapro]

@@Stadsjaap yes!! Haha

[@ahmettiryakioglu_music]

I didn't learn a new shining thing from this video, but dude; what a great summary this is... Really admire this approach! Keep up the good work, thanks for sharing!

[@alexandergriggs9934]

I’ve been playing for 50 years, and have been around studios a bit, but never made the leap to know all that much about this. This stuff is fascinating.

[@jacogphebe1]

So inspirational! I’ve sucked at mixing for quite some time but when I listen to my new projects and match them up with my old mixes...I get that awe moment!!! I’m improving a heck of a lot and don’t suck as much at it no more. I have spent thousands of hours trying to get my stuff to sound okay but now by watching videos like this I’m beginning to not only discover my own unique sound but learning how to mix along the way has shifted my whole view on mixing as an ARTFORM THANKYOU!

[@Dimelo_Rai]

Amazing advice ❤️‍🔥💪🏼🔥

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@frankthomas8782]

I recently started interning under a gentlemen who in his late 60's. Great guy, great engineer whose worked all over the world in live sound and as a studio engineer. I swear we had this chat almost verbatim!! Thanks as always Warren for helping drive these concepts home!

[@Producelikeapro]

That's very cool indeed!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@LarsTaylorMusic]

Wow, I hardly saw you so emotional about a topic...great one, you are really passionate about what you are doing, thank you!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@johnhowarthmusic8706]

For me, one of your best informative, anecdotal and common-sensible presentation/videos. Thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@johnhowarthmusic8706]

@@Producelikeapro I've just watched this again after struggling with Ozone 10 on my Master buss; something you advise against. I repeatedly found that mixing down to a final Mixed Stereo track first, and then adding Ozone 10, changed the whole sound of the mix.... Hard to keep going back and reverse engineer and 'anticipate' what it will sound like. I believe a Master should enhance the sonic qualities of a good, final, mix; not change it... Even though it does sound good, it's also too punchy.

[@xBRoyalx]

Songs in the key of Life - just sitting on the desk... love it

[@Producelikeapro]

Such a masterpiece! Thanks ever so much

[@traktor7372]

Knew all of these, but you keep dropping these small theoretical tips that make these videos both for beginners and intermediates. Big ups.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Traktor! Glad to hear it! I am constantly having to remind myself of the basics!

[@jordiostias]

WOW! I am very happy to found your chanel by casuality. I am a beginner in mixing and a punk rock old guitarrist from 80´s that I want to produce some music in my home using Cakewalk, Presonus Studio 24c interfaz, my Gibson Les Paul guitar, a cheap mic for vocals and writhe my midi bass and drums. Not much, but I really feel that I am learning a lot in your videos and my dirty music is going to sound better and I very glad to you. Thanks and bless you

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much! I’m glad to be able to help!!

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I've been dabbling in home recording about 20 years but, now that I'm recently retired, am getting into it more seriously as a hobby and pastime. I'm learning a lot from your videos. One of the most important tips I've learned is to use low cut on all my tracks to take out low frequency energy that's not needed. I could never figure out why my mixes sounded so boomy and muddy until I started doing that. I've also learned that, where plugins are concerned, less can be more in the genres of music I do, mainly folk/blues kind of stuff. That's not to say that I don't use plugins but I do use them sparingly. I'm still learning, of course, and your videos have been of great benefit to me.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Ivan for the great comment! Great to see you doing what you love and growing in your abilities. Wishing a great 2022

[@ivandubinsky1857]

@@Producelikeapro Yes, let's hope that 2022 will be a good year for everyone.

[@deadstellarengine]

I have been creating music in the box for about 7 years now and I am JUST starting to mix with my ear's and not my eyes. It's staggering. I literally hold my hand over my hands to not catch a peek at the master bus. I am just now getting into side chain compression/sidechain reverb and such. It is funny how the pendulum swings. First dozen projects are a mess of volume automation, NOW years later I barely do it at all. Its a loooong road for me but what keeps me sane is being older (52 years old) and remembering tascam 4 tracks and doing little dumb tape demos. I would be hard pressed to have the yarbles to listen to old mixes...every now and then I get brave and do so and it's humbling beyond belief. thank you for your channel! and CHEERS!

[@ThisGuyDude]

6:56 I completely agree that somebody needs to be able to work with these different styles and shouldn't pigeonhole themselves too early, at the same time, another justification for forcing ourselves to work across genres is that we might serendipitously discover some niche that we truly love and that were extraordinarily talented at, but which we didn't even know about until we worked across the self-imposed boundaries we set for ourselves previously.

[@1849ad]

This must be one of the most informative videos I've seen in years. The "Soloing" part really got me. That's exactly what I do way too much, and is causing me a lot of issues in my mixes now that you mentioned it. Thank you so much for this!

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

Great video as always Warren! I think the things that helped my mixing the most _(after treating my room, investing in good monitors, a decent interface, and some decent colour plugins)_ was doing things like only subtractive eq mixes, only boost mixes, super heavy compression and next to no compression mixes. High passing everything and highpassing nothing, etc. Take a tecnique and run it into the extremes to hear what you do and don't like and then mix and match teqniques to try to perfectly match some of your favourite mixes. Learn the hard way that less is more _(I almost always only use one plugin on most tracks: a ssl or neve channel strip from brainworks)_ . Only then did I feel like my mixes start to sound really competitive and feel good.

[@zeusapollo8688]

I do hard comparison mixes too

[@NagoyaHouseHead]

Warren is a brilliant teacher and super fun to listen to. And this one may have been the best one yet. Totally riveting from start to finish.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much Andy!

[@Natureiscalming-y0u]

the one tipp to think more globally made it for me. I was the "solo" guy an my mixes were lifeless. since I get to it more globally it finally gets to a point that I begin to like my own work. So big thank you Warren, you are a great teacher :) Greetings from Germany

[@Aaronlilburn]

Watching from Northern Ireland. Thank you so much for the Channel and your invaluable teaching. I have learned so much from you and incorporating those learnings in my own work.

[@cameronpatrickscott]

This is Gold, i love having you on tap, what a gift, loved the cla mixhub tutorial btw, recent recipient, about to go in Deep, cheers me brother.

[@patthesoundguy]

The best piece of advice in this video is the leave the room and let the mix breathe and get the bigger picture. It can really help get a handle on the low end. Sometimes getting some distance from the monitors will let the bottom end wavelengths do their thing and you will hear things you just can't get close up to the drivers. I love to get as far back from my monitors as I can quite often to check how I'm doing. I have been blessed to have spent as much time live as I have, it helps in finding the problems. High pass filters are your best friends!

[@scarletiv5683]

I'm a complete novice to mixing. However the one thing I have learned is that less is usually more. Especially in terms of plugins like you said. It's amazing how much mileage you can get from just some basic filtering eq moves. I've lost count of the amount of hours wasted loading more and more plugins for it to just sound worse and worse. Only to eventually strip all the plugins out and go back to the static mix! I think as long as you are learning from your mistakes, then it's still a win in the greater scheme of things. It can be hard though, as there is just soooo much information/disinformation out there. Thank goodness for channels like yours! Thanks Warren, great content as always.

[@richardsp2794]

Aaah what great rules. I've been struggling to get a good mix on a really simple rock n roll track and I went back to rule 1 and started again, deleting all the buses and plugins and just balancing the raw mix all back up. 30 minutes later I had my core in place.

[@mmmusicmann]

Wow, what a breath of fresh air! In a world of BS and bravado, some clarity and honesty. You can hear Warren's brilliance in his mixes. Rock on...

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Steve!

[@demondik]

You have also been a great teacher for not just myself, but all of us where on the YT! Thanks

[@Producelikeapro]

Mr. Lowery! Wow, thank you!

[@joeeffect687]

"BRILLIANT !!!" LISTEN UP young bucks, this man really knows what he is talking about. THANK YOU Warren! Finally an Audio guy without an ego. You sir, are a breath of fresh air. I can't believe I have not seen your videos before this, but now I am subscribing to your channel and I plan to watch all of your videos. I will also recommend your channel to others as well. KUDOS to you sir. Stay Safe!

[@kamilkowalczyk9369]

Since I compose and produce experimental drone and ambient soundscapes, when it comes to mixing there are no set rules. I just follow my inner instincts and tweak until I know sounds right! Always a pleasure to watch your videos! Cheers

[@MightyJoeNolan]

I'm a singer- songwriter working in Nashville since early 1990s when we first started hearing whispers of digital home studios while we were still cutting to various tape formats. Top down mixing sounds like it's for folks who don't enjoy the journey from raw tracks to slamming record. In my experience, the best safety net comes at the very beginning of the process: record great clear purposeful tracks. Enjoy making music everyone!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing Joe!

[@massivebeatzz]

Warren - this is brilliant! This is one of the best, if not the best ways of tackling the subject I have seen / heard. Pinnacle moment as a coach / teacher / mentor. Congrats and thanks for all you do for us.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! That is very kind of you to say!

[@dankirsner4270]

i agree totally ive been mixing since 1974 worked with peter hopper out of nyc he mixed barbra striestands tracks early in her career and yes we always started with a basic mix faders up and listen first to decide what the track is telling us before doing anything else This video is 1000 percent on the money

[@nerenahd]

As a bass player, I thought the whole idea of mixing was trying as well as possible to hide the bass to the point that the average listener would not even notice it's there 😂

[@davidsinclair699]

Static Mix- "a great place to start", "and a great place to finish", is really invaluable advice and ties into tip #5 ("think globally"). The mistake I make is getting lost in the details. Thanks for the the 5 Rules cheat sheet, Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much David!

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

These earlier videos are an amazing library worth of knowledge. I’m getting back to basics and this has been helpful. Thank you !

[@mlimbolimbo]

Thanks Warren for another great one. Rule ONE: DO NO HARM. If it sounds great, don't schnizzle it up.

[@Producelikeapro]

Nicely put!

[@yens99]

The professor is in the associated house... Great wisdom on display here!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Jens!

[@Stadsjaap]

When you're 5 plugins deep and you ask yourself "did this improve anything?", be honest! It's sooo easy to bullshit yourself at that point, especially if you've just spent 15 minutes tweaking. The reality is if I spend that much time tweaking, it's quite obviously because what I'm doing is NOT WORKING. Like Warren was saying, soving a problem by creating a different problem is not the way.

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes! Absolutely Joe! We've ALL been there! Constantly leaning and evolving my friend!

[@deanroddey2881]

Yep. It probably means a bad arrangement and/or bad performances. These days, it probably means, "I didn't bother to even think about it, I just started recording stuff and figured I could spend ten times longer editing it until it sounds ok." If it doesn't sound 90% of the way there as recorded after basically setting levels, then that should be addressed, IMO. Of course that's pretty much anathema to the modernists. And of course of course, the incredibly plastic, inhuman nature of modern music means that '90% of the way there' is already inhumanly perfected.

[@DerekPower]

Personally, I save the “global stuff” for the mastering stage - in my own work - to give it its character there as it is now in an even greater context of a larger body of work. I may experiment with effect chains on a master bus, but I make sure to bypass it and incorporate that chain when doing my mastering or mastering prep. In my own stuff also, I like to employ contrasts whenever I can (and this is something Musician on a Mission has brought up). Just like you have contrasts in song sections, you can employ subtle contrasts within the mix. For instance, I would have advised for your student’s “sweet mix” to employ something of the opposite to something else. So yeah, the vocals can still sound “sweet”, but the instruments can sound a little “sour” or “dirty” or “gritty”. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic difference. After all, we don’t top our dishes with both soy sauce and mint at the same time. But just a little bit distinction to keep it from being completely homogenous. And yes, I know it can vary by genre, style and overall end goal. But even in the most minimal of music (whatever that means), a little contrast goes a long way =]

[@teslatravels4197]

Great Video Warren. A famous guitarist once told me to always play the mix and go and listen to it from the bathroom. I still do it. Also. Mix. Go to bed. Have another listen with fresh ears in the morning. The last thing you worked on is sometimes a bit too loud.

[@ardiris2715]

"Can I have everything louder than everything else." - R. Blackmore

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha nice Tim!

[@PANTECHNICONRecordings]

I think it’s actually Ian Gillan that says that, but - yeah 😁

[@ardiris2715]

@@PANTECHNICONRecordings Ritchie says it off mic, barely audible. and Gillan repeats it.

[@timflatus]

@@ardiris2715 a rare moment of Gillan and Blackmore agreeing about something!

[@BrockBarr]

Yes you can, it's called mastering in the 90s.

[@reziahamed6654]

Gosh Warren... ! Wish I'd had words to say how important all these means to all of us.. ! So glad I'm able to honestly understand all your lovely, informative breakdown & indeed shredding down the myths around about top down mixing etc.. Once i did overuse Soothe 2 on a Nice & Warm Saxophone and had to remove it after fiddling for hours as the tones became too polite ! Though, Soothe 2 is the best plugin in the market of its kind ! Thanks billions for each of your caring words out to all mixers out there... ! You are such a Treasure ! 🏅🏅👍🥇

[@djaynik1048]

You made my day sir ❤️🙏

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!! Glad to hear that

[@waynemagin2554]

You are truly blessed. Thank You and your staff for all you have done for all of us !! Ok, The only thing I would add as a check to the balance in step # 1. is to put the mix into Mono and see what changes or disappears, if there are changes then rebalance, then put mix back into Stereo and move on. Try it if you like. I hope you and your staff and family members are all safe and healthy.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Wayne! That's very kind of you!

[@AKAtAGG]

Any person willing to share their knowledge, often for free, deserves ALL the plaudits. This channel, while not usually using the genres of music I tend to stick to, has given me an incredible amount of tricks, tips, and the rest, that I can, and do, use in every mix or master. I love Warren and everyone involved in producing this amazing collection of knowledge. edit: It made the Carpenters sound like Death Metal. I laughed out loud.

[@willdobson79]

You're a legend, Warren. Excellent video. I wish I'd seen this 20 years ago. If you're new to mixing, watch this a good few times! Thank you, my friend.

[@andytullis8736]

Thanks Warren! I'm soaking all this up while I heal.

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely fantastic my friend! Feel better!!

[@andytullis8736]

I'm getting there slowly but surely 🙂

[@GeoZero]

My mixes have improved so much in the last few years. Even while I have severe tinnitus (ringing in ears), and have lost some frequencies in my left ear which I compensate for (I get checked twice a year now), my mixes are way better. I am using less plugins, and more rack gear and 500 series, and summing tracks through an analog mixer. That has improved my mixes ten fold. I think it's best to use less than more, and as you said mix hearing everything together.

[@nickdryad]

I alway mix in a way that the mix mimics a live setup, ie you are standing in front of the band and your ears are the microphones, speakers and mixing console. No one size fits all but is this the way engineers work. This was the most helpful video explanation. You mentioned everything mixing sin I’ve committed.

[@jenshendriks9092]

I recently got into hard clipping a mix. I love it. hard slamming rock/metal track, drums up front and very attacky. I always use various stages of masterbus compression (and parallel compression) to get a nice and dense mix, but I always used the Ozone 9 maximizer limiter at the very end. Set the treshold so that it would be roughly -11 or -10 lufs depending on the track and call it a day. Now I use the maximizer to find what the volume boost is that it gets where just the loudest hits such as snare and kick get limited. Then I know that it is for instance 4.4 dB. I then turn off the maximizer and boost the master fader 4.4 dB, letting the snare and kick clip. More impact. It works wonders!

[@artysanmobile]

The first thing I do is press mono. Then I quickly fade up channels to determine which ones are fundamental to the musical piece. If there is singing, that’s my starting point for further focus. I feature it prominently over a very rough mix of basic elements, whatever they may be, for the purpose of writing automation as needed to solve level problems. My favorite method is clip gain rather than fader moves because the visual element is so helpful, and the physical fader then assumes a de facto trim mode, sitting still. What I learn about the song by doing this hatches a vision for the finished product, in a more efficient way than anything else I’ve tried. I find this ‘one channel attention’ useful for bass as well. It also enormously reduces my dependence on compression later on these focused elements, and that has improved my work a lot. Only at this point do I go stereo and look for that vision that is by now haunting me after all the science work. I usually stay dry while doing EQ, and ignore drums detail as long as possible to concentrate on melody, harmony, song form. If there’s no vocal, this same process works for whatever melody or featured instrument. It’s harder to apply this to purely orchestral mixing but it definitely works for scoring. A side benefit of my method is that it chases ANYONE out of the room without offending them. I prefer being alone, artist-wise, for a long period of time, from a few hours to the whole day depending on how successful my learning phase is. I work as an arranger while mixing, and the artist is often uncomfortable with that. An assistant, on the other hand, is very inspiring to me as they don’t ‘have a dog in the fight’ and can give great advice and support. I don’t always have that luxury, but it makes a big difference for me when I do.

[@ChongFreak]

Mixing is a creative art. Absolutely 💯 magical. So many tricks to learn. Thankyou.

[@Muovinen]

This is the HARD truth everyone should hear. I've made all of these mistakes many times and will still do but maybe not so often. My biggest sin is not having a system. I mostly record myself so the tracking and mixing phases totally blend together and I end up with a messy project where I haven't done step one yet but already have tons of processing happening. Thanks for the reminder Warren, this video will absolutely land your best of collection!

[@keremeye]

Thank you you are the best!!

[@TransistorLSD]

Warren i can't express how helpful your videos are! Wonderful!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Glad you like them!

[@olympiamusic2682]

Wow. Great video. Warren, how do we send you our mixes to hear?

[@sxenfjrinklhjsob865]

The mixing Messiah strikes again! Thank you for the amazing content

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@timflatus]

First off, you are such a great educator Warren. I've been watching your videos for a few months now, I decided I was going to self-produce my next album in the middle of lockdown last year. I did know where to start, but I had no confidence in being able to get a decent final mix on my own, let alone master it to any reasonable standard. Now, with the instrumental parts almost completed, I'm really enjoying my mixes (and I'm usually highly self-critical) and I have a clear idea how much mastering may improve and what it won't fix. Your ability to respond to questions and comments is a super-power here. There is an adage about teaching a person to fish - hook, line and sinker. Thank you so much!

[@chrisglen9441]

Generous, straight talking, love it. I wish you had been around when I was first fumbling around trying to mix my first bands. Never hurts to hear truths, no matter matter how well you think you know your craft. Thanks again Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Chris for sharing!

[@evanfoster9078]

Warren, thank you so much. Grateful for your channel here every day!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@Producelikeapro]

I’m glad to be able to help

[@aldanino]

You are bang on the money "by teaching others you learn yourself", thank you.

[@dpastamusic966]

Thanks for the reminder. Balancing is really important. I always find myself muting all the effects and rebalancing my mix. You cant make great mixing decisions if the mix is not balanced the first step is really important.

[@brentonmitchellcreative]

I love this video. I'm really just at the beginning of thinking about my mixes at a more creative level. So... Rule 6 - 'Be clever enough to know when to throw away the rule book when it just makes artistic sense.' Oh, and putting a plug in on the master bus is like... (refer to Rule 6.) Thank you! I'm going to refine my nifty knob twiddling skills and tune my sonic palette to the needs of the moment.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

I don't know much about mixing but watched every minute with great interest, for both the details and listening to your passion. For decades, I've wanted to be a fly on the studio wall to experience this creation process. Someday I'll be that fly. Thanks for the video, enjoyed the content.

[@adityamaanas9470]

Amazing video for the beginners and pros alike! Really reiterates the principles of mixing well.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Aditya! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joebisbey4521]

Thanks again Mr. Huart, you make me rethink my mixing processes and get me out of bad habits, esp mixing into multi-band comp. I’ve usually toss C6 -Pooch mix buss preset because the mix always seems to clear up, but I should wait till the end and make the unprocessed mix as good as possible before throwing plugins around. Thanks for sharing your time and insight with us! Be marvelously well sir.

[@rogberube6422]

Congratulations on your award, Warren. :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Rog!

[@jeffreycharroux4577]

One “rule” I keep in mind is that once you have the rhythm section and the vocal sounding as great as possible, all the other tracks are seasoning to taste. As a guitarist, I love getting all the different amp tones on multiple tracks, but when it comes to the listener, they only hear if the guitar is too loud. Thin then out, pan them, whatever. Unless it’s metal, the electric (and acoustic) guitars are a texture. Who wants to bury a great vocal performance? And sometimes awful tones soloed work in the context of the mix. Fantastic overview on mixing!

[@gilgonzalez723]

My dude, as always your advice is very well appreciated, is very helpful for me when I’m mixing to listen my progress behind the control room door. I hope you comeback anytime soon to Austin.

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad to hear it! Love Austin! Will be back next year!

[@peteaskew1234]

Teaching has really helped my grow and see things from multiple angles. I would always recommend teaching others

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!