October 8, 2023
Riot Games has paired up with global K-pop sensation, NewJeans, a five-member group composed of Hanni, Danielle, Minji, Hyein, and Haerin. On October 4, 2023...
Read moreOctober 6, 2023
The wait for the Toronto rapper’s long-awaited album is finally here. After a summer full of teasing, Drake’s fourth album in barely two years ”For All the Dogs” has arrived...
Read moreOctober 5, 2023
Few hip-hop projects have managed to retain their timeless quality to the same extent that Drake and Future's "What a Time to Be Alive" has. This 2015 album's release...
Read moreOctober 5, 2023
The Sonder group is a rare find in the world of modern R&B. Producer's Atu, Dpat, and lead vocalist Brent Faiyaz make up the band Sonder, which spins a captivating musical story...
Read moreOctober 5, 2023
Resentment" stands out among emotional ballads and provides listeners with a musical haven in which to confront and work through their own inner issues...
Read moreOctober 4, 2023
What makes Alan Walker's music so special is its ability to evoke a profound sense of nostalgia. His songs are often associated with the 2010s, a time when many people were just enjoying their youth..
Read moreOctober 2, 2023
This year, we shine a spotlight on The Snotty Nose Rez Kids, a dynamic, ultra-talented, Indigenous hip-hop duo whose music and activism spreads the message of truth and reconciliation through rap.
Read moreSeptember 29, 2023
Madison Beer's journey began in the most modern of ways: on the internet. Born on March 5, 1999, in Jericho, New York, Madison was introduced to music at a young age...
Read moreSeptember 29, 2023
After a long two year wait since the release of her first breakout album “Sour”, Olivia Rodrigo is back with her sophomore album, “GUTS.” Olivia Rodrigo has been a revelation in the music...
Read moreSeptember 29, 2023
Throughout the show, the trainees trained rap, dance, and vocal skills through a variety of battles. On April 20, 2023, the nine members of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) were announced....
Read moreSeptember 27, 2023
The highly awaited sophomore album from Lil Tecca, the 21-year-old hip-hop sensation, is called "TEC," and it's safe to say that it demonstrates the artist's development and professional maturity...
Read moreSeptember 27, 2023
Drake and SZA, has recently swept the globe with their most recent single, "Slime You Out." This unique and intriguing song has already attracted a lot of attention...
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Mixing is an art form that requires not only technical skill but also a keen ear and attention to detail. Many producers and engineers fall into common traps, leading to subpar mixes that could have been avoided with the right approach. Let’s dive into the top 10 mixing mistakes and how to prevent them from sabotaging your tracks.
Compression is essential for controlling dynamics, but overusing it can strip your mix of life and energy. Solution: Learn to use compression subtly. Set attack and release times appropriately for the material, and use parallel compression to retain dynamics while controlling peaks. Famous producers like Rick Rubin emphasize natural dynamics over excessive compression in his work.
Pushing levels too hard can lead to digital clipping and distortion, ruining the clarity of your mix. Solution: Always monitor your gain staging. Use meters to ensure you’re not overloading your mix bus or any individual tracks. This approach was vital for Daft Punk when crafting their clean, polished sound.
Incorrect EQ moves, such as boosting low-end on every instrument, can create a muddy, unclear mix. Solution: Focus on subtractive EQ first, cutting problem frequencies before boosting. Take inspiration from Timbaland, who’s known for creating space in his mixes with carefully crafted EQ.
Low frequencies can build up and overwhelm the mix if not controlled. Solution: Use high-pass filters on non-bass instruments, and consider side-chaining the bass to the kick drum for better separation. EDM artists like Calvin Harrisare masters at creating a punchy yet controlled low end using these techniques.
When multiple mics are used or tracks are layered, phase issues can lead to cancellation, thinning out your sound. Solution: Always check for phase issues, especially when layering sounds like drums or guitars. Use a phase meter or flip the phase button on your DAW to resolve phase cancellations.
While reverb, delay, and modulation can enhance a mix, overusing them can clutter your sound. Solution: Apply effects with moderation and consider using sends instead of inserting effects on every channel. Look at producers like Brian Eno, who applies effects tastefully to create spacious yet clear mixes.
Leaving all instruments in the center of your stereo field can lead to a flat, crowded mix. Solution: Pan instruments to create width and separation. Refer to the iconic George Martin, who’s known for his innovative panning techniques with The Beatles, creating depth and clarity in their recordings.
Mixing in isolation without comparing to professional tracks can lead to poor tonal balance. Solution: Use reference tracks from similar genres to calibrate your ears. Famous mix engineers like Chris Lord-Alge swear by referencing their mixes against well-known hits to ensure competitive quality.
A static mix with no volume or effect automation can feel lifeless. Solution: Use automation to create movement and interest. From subtle volume rides to dramatic filter sweeps, automation can elevate your mix to a professional level. Skrillex is known for using automation to add dynamics and excitement to his electronic music.
Mixing on poor-quality speakers or in untreated rooms can lead to bad decisions. Solution: Invest in decent monitors or headphones and treat your room for a balanced acoustic environment. Producers like Hans Zimmer work in well-treated rooms with high-quality monitoring systems, ensuring accurate mixes.
By being aware of these common mixing mistakes and taking steps to avoid them, you can dramatically improve the quality of your mixes. Famous producers and engineers have faced these challenges and found solutions, so take inspiration from their techniques to elevate your own mixing game.