when is a mix done?

Insendo · Post by **Insendo** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:26 am

I have been recording for about 3yrs now after i went to school for it. I record with pro tools LE 001. I am having a hard time letting go of the mix. I spend at least 12 hours on mix, listening to it threw different media, cassete player, my car, friends cars. I always hear something that I want to change. I realize that in time I will get a system down for mixing, but its hard when you don't have a checklist of things to do to mix, you know? I have reference CD's to compare, but come on, I realize that my humble studio doesn't sonically compete with that of the studios i am compareing them to.

I am looking for advice from seasoned engineers only, I need experienced advice please. No offense to the rookies like me.

Thanks, Insendo

JGriffin · Post by **JGriffin** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:44 am

A mix is never done, you just find a good place to stop.

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:07 am

dwlb wrote:A mix is never done, you just find a good place to stop.

That's probably the best way I've heard it put.

MoreSpaceEcho · Post by **MoreSpaceEcho** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:49 am

*scratches voluminous belly, adjusts ponytail, puts out "the Experienced Engineer is IN" sign*

for me...i just sit and listen to it over and over. change stuff as i go, hopefully making it better. eventually it gets to a point where i can listen to it front to back and not feel the urge to change anything. but it away for a couple days. listen again, usually make a few minor changes to the balance. accept that it's as good as i'm gonna get it. next song.

chris ryan · Post by **chris ryan** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:50 am

i can't take credit for this because i read it in tapeop, i can't remember who said it though, maybe billy anderson...

something like:

"i know i've done my job when every person in the band thinks that they are the loudest!"

i love that!

MoreSpaceEcho · Post by **MoreSpaceEcho** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:15 am

what's funny is that often everyone wants themselves louder EXCEPT the self conscious lead singer, and THEY'RE the one who should be louder.

Insendo · Post by **Insendo** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:07 am

Thanks everyone for the comments!!

I will use all of the advice for my mixes!

jizza · Post by **jizza** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:08 am

when I like a mix, I delete it's session.

logancircle · Post by **logancircle** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:29 am

MoreSpaceEcho wrote:...everyone wants themselves louder EXCEPT the self conscious lead singer, and THEY'RE the one who should be louder.

That's the idea behind vocal-up and vocal-down mixes. But it's time-consuming to bounce everything 3x, but if you're getting paid...

MoreSpaceEcho · Post by **MoreSpaceEcho** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:23 pm

logancircle wrote:That's the idea behind vocal-up and vocal-down mixes.

really. huh. never heard of 'em.

standup · Post by **standup** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:26 pm

The mix is done when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

MoreSpaceEcho · Post by **MoreSpaceEcho** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:38 pm

don't finish too many records then, eh?

electricwind · Post by **electricwind** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:29 pm

logancircle wrote:
MoreSpaceEcho wrote:...everyone wants themselves louder EXCEPT the self conscious lead singer, and THEY'RE the one who should be louder.
That's the idea behind vocal-up and vocal-down mixes. But it's time-consuming to bounce everything 3x, but if you're getting paid...

I just recently heard of 'vocal-up and vocal-down' mixes. I've never had to do them before, but a client requested them.. it did, in the end, save time.

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:27 pm

The mix is done when the client is out of money. DUH

Professor · Post by **Professor** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:52 am

drumsound wrote:The mix is done when the client is out of money. DUH

OK, I'm going to have to say that I like that one the most.

I remember when I was in school I had heard or read the phrase, "no mix is ever finished, you simply decide to stop working on it."
The same sentiment exists in nearly every art form really, whether you're making films, writing a novel, painting, and so on. At some point you just have to push the little birdies out of the nest and let them either fly or fall to the ground.

It's good and bad that you're obsessing the way you are.
It's good because it shows an attention to detail, a relentless effort to get things right, and a passion for the art you're creating.
It's bad because you are second-guessing yourself, the time spent can be physically and emotionally draining, and it really eats away at the profits.
It also puts a curious strain on the client relationship. At a certain point they will start to wonder if it's dedication or inability that keeps you going back again, and again, and again.

When I start obsessing and really digging into a project, I usually get nervous looks from the artists who are wondering how much all the extra time is going to cost them. I reassure them that I'm doing it because I want their project to sound really great and that I'm choosing to put in extra time and effort because I like their work. Usually I cap that off with a line like, 'if I didn't like you guys or didn't like the music, you would be done already.' That reassures them.

-Jeremy

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