Mike Senior - Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio

[Jeff White]

Yeah the book is an excellent reinforcement of how to proceed with setting up a mixing environment DIY at home, how to get the most out of your ITB gear, and tips and tricks regarding fattening up tracks (fake double-tracking was a major "duh! of course!" moment for me.

Anyway, it's a great read. I know a lot and have been doing this a while, but the book basically has me re-thinking a lot of aspects of my process, things that have been FRUSTRATING the hell out of me. So I'm taking his advice on spending $$$ getting my room a bit better, I just bought a solo powered MixCube for mono/lo-fi testing during mixing (paired with NS-10Ms and Rogers Studio 1 vintage BBC monitors). And I'm getting ready to follow some of his insights on my next mixing project: my band's debut EP.

Jeff

[vvv]

Yeah, on that mono thing, I have of course read about that for a long time but he really persuaded me, I got some Auratones and even TFP's drummer is raving about the improvements in the mix.

(I crack on "my" drummer a lot, I know, but I love the guy and, besides beating on shite, what are drummers for? )

[triviul]

Hello everyone -- I'm the author of Mixing Secrets and Mix Rescue. Only just got to this thread, but I figured I should probably clarify my views about the whole 'messing with the band's vision' issue. I am also uncomfortable with the idea of imposing an external view of what a production 'should' sound like against the views of the artist. The bottom line is that it's their music, not mine, and it's my job to make their music the best it can be for them -- not for me.

However, a lot of the people who come to me for mixing are doing so because they're chasing certain genre-specific sounds that they don't know how to achieve, and which they haven't adequately prepared for during preproduction and tracking, so that does mean that I frequently find myself taking what would under other circumstances be unpardonable liberties with the raw material to bring them closer to their goals. And, as one of the other posters pointed out, I usually miss the mark in one way or another (there's a lot of guesswork involved, after all), but I try not to get precious about anything -- if something I've done isn't right for the artist, then it needs changing, even if that means starting over completely from scratch.

So, in short, I suppose I kind of agree with all of you!

[Jeff White]

And there, ladies and gentlemen, is a prime example of the powers of the Internet. Thanks Mike!

Jeff

[vvv]

[standup]

"However, a lot of the people who come to me for mixing are doing so because they're chasing certain genre-specific sounds that they don't know how to achieve, "

See, now that makes sense, if people know what they want and turn to Senior to get it. I ordered the book, can't hurt to read about small-room setup and so forth.

[T-rex]

I bought it based on this thread and the first part about ported monitors is pretty eye opening. Great read so far.

[Jeff White]

Bumping this thread because this book has taught me a lot and I feel that it's an excellent read for anyone starting out or looking to improve things.

Jeff

[Osumosan]

Plus one or more on this book being a completely fantastic read on how to get things done and how to know you're doing it "right." Any ethical issues of manipulating people's music is up to you, the mixer/producer. I'm about 1/2 way through right now. I'll update my thoughts if they change after the second bit.

[Jarvis]

Loved the book. Thanks for stopping by Mr Senior.