So how did you guys learn to mix tracks?

[osker]

I've been into the production aspect of music for a little over a year now. Everything I know is by trial and error or reading up on tips over the internet. But I can't really find a whole lot of info on mixing. I've read various websites telling you what frequency range you want to have instruments. But other than that I haven't read anything really helpful and its really discouraging for me since I'd like to get a good understanding on mixing before I get into full gear making tracks.

I know mixing comes down to what that specific track needs but I don't know how to tell what the track needs. I also know most people here went to school for this kind of training but im already attending school for something else. So going to school for it is out of the question at least for now. So im asking here if anybody here knows of a good book or website that can go more in depth on the topic of mixing. I'd appreciate any help.

[Msilver84]

Mixing is an art! Some people have it, some don't, and some it comes to after years of trial and error. You have to train your ears to the point where you can find when sounds are fighting for room, or instrument isn't present enough, or just adding effects. The thing about mixing is that you learn more about it everytime you do it. Yes, going to school for it will help you learn the science behind it, but it won't teach what sounds good. That should be done on your own, and in my opinion you can't teach talent and thats what mixing is. The best advice I give is to keep reading magazines like Sound on Sound, Remix, Mix. Maybe try to intern some where"offer services in return for experience. Hands on experince is the best learning environment IMO. Tell them you will sweep the floors, run errands or what ever to learn. Listen to as much music as possible. Really try pick how certain sounds are present in the mix, top of the kick, snare, hats, bass, pads, vocals. You will begin to notice that eveything is layered and there is space for each sound or instrument, and when there isn't thats where the skill will come in.

This may be alittle off from your question, but I hope it helps a little.

[(RE)pjkt*]

Practice, practice, practice thats all ther is to it, and a love of what you are doing.

[zuzz]

trial and error for me.

although when i make a song i burn it to cd and then go and listen to it in a crappy boom box to see how it sounds and various other things and then i go remix it down to something that i like.

[Manu]

can't remember, I was a baby. Learned myself ( no internet / DJ books back then)

[jamiegee77]

Originally Posted by zuzz

trial and error for me.

although when i make a song i burn it to cd and then go and listen to it in a crappy boom box to see how it sounds and various other things and then i go remix it down to something that i like.

That's what Daft Punk did for "Homework" albeit using a cassette.

[Nicadraus]

I first started on a "toy" program called "BBC's Top of the Pops" back in '99. Then switch to cakewalk a year later. Then started learning Wavelab and Acid Pro with a little tutorial from a friend who is really good at it. Then the story goes on...

[revere]

Practice, also knowing what sounds are fighting with each other in the freq spectrum helps

a good piece of advice I got and works wonders for your mixes is when eqing a sound get rid of every freq in it that doesn't affect the timbre of a sound, you cant actually hear these freqs sometimes but doing this allows space for other elements in the mix to shine through

[osker]

I appreciate the tips and responses guys. I guess I really have no choice but to stick it out and keep practicing. But if anybody else has some useful tips please do share.

[Skeyelab]

like anything, you can only learn by doing it. this means always be practicing and always be improving.

i wasnt born a recording engineer. but i learned how to do it by doing it. i bought some cheap gear and made the best recordings i could with it.

years of experimenting and doing it as a passion led to experience and knowledge.

i am only 27 and have worked with public enemy, kanye, ramsey lewis and more.

just keep with it. if you have it it will work

[Eskae]

Just practice.. you don't have to "have it". Anybody can mix if they practice enough.

Edit: I just realized what kind of mixing you were talking about

[1trickpony]

I'll echo others' sentiments. I'm no pro, but I can hear a stark difference in the overall quality of my track mixing in just the last 6 months, not to mention the past 3 years I've been doing it! Most of it is just training your ears to pick out muddles, freq clashes, distortion, and phasing...and then doing it, and doing, and doing it. I've also noticed I'm a lot better at fitting more elements and sounds into a single point in time, because I've learned techniques to space things out and create more headroom for different stuff.

Still, got a looooong way to go, not to mention a desire to learn mastering for myself...at least decently...which I guess it's decent atm..heh...yeah

good luck

[The Mad Doctor]

I learned how to mixdown a track through trial & error. Practice, practice, practice. Try to listen to as much music that's similar to what you produce as possible

[Jason Cerna]

if you don't have this book already, i suggest you get it.

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audi...9606958&sr=8-1

it's a very good read

[hamzter]

all I can say is that the more you work with mixing the better you get at it...

watch your levels, and keep listening to the mix, get others opinions and then you start to get a handle on what works and what doesn't.

[Jason Cerna]

i've noticed some of you posting thinking the original post is regarding a dj mix and it's not.

it's regarding mixing tracks in a production environment.

[UKDRUMS_DC]

years and years of blood sweat and tears.........and if you're just fucking about, you can always restart the mixdown, practice practice practice.........another thing i had to do was learn exactly when the drop is on the next track, (as it appears on the vinyl...) that helped me guage roughly where i'm at and when to kill it out.........just try different stuff and experiment.............good luck......

[D4Dirty]

Everyone always says practice but I don't think that is the case at all. It's more about lessons and realisations (which practice does cause).

The road to pro is like a stair case where to top is covered in fog.. every time you think your close you realise you only just made one more tiny step.

Now on to something practical: As far as getting the perfect mix down is concerned, there are much more important things to master even before that stage which have a lasting effect of the track. Track structure is by far the most important, and I don’t just mean where to put breakdowns and build ups (which in itself makes a great track). Design your track sonically as well, layering your instruments while keeping their frequencies in mind and having just the right amount on “busyness”. Make sure that bass is low, and those synths have their place amongst those hats and snares etc.

When you have a track that has been designed perfectly from the start all the other mix down tasks are much easier:
instrument frequency placement, instrument EQ, compression on individual instruments and shared channels, stereo imaging and harmonics etc should all be slight tweaking… not hours and hours of emergency rescue of a track.

And unfortunately like a lot of lessons in this game this one can usually only be learnt the hard way.

[Dudepsy]

If you only buy one book regarding sound and production get the 'Yamaha Sound Reinforcement handbook'. Its like the bible for producers

[Pikaso8]

i agree with dude above me. using that in my class this semester.

[paulie65m]

Practice