3 Free Mix Plugins Every Producer Needs
I often catch myself using the phrase ‘Let’s have a look at how this sounds’. That’s a bit strange ain’t it? Well, in this article, I’ll actually show you 3 free mix plugins that will help you mix with your eyes. Voxengo Span Spectrum Analyzer Even though everyone says to ‘just use your ears’, that […]
Best studio headphones for mixing & mastering
Headphones are essential in the studio, not only for recording but also for mixing and even mastering. To achieve better-sounding music productions and mixes, you need an accurate listening environment. However, acoustically treating your room is an expensive endeavor that is not possible for everyone. Especially if you’re just starting out with music production, there […]
Use delay throws to add more life to your tracks
A delay throw is a delay set up on a return track. By automating the send level you can create interesting rhythms. Even if the original track stops playing, the delay can still continue which is great for transition effects. Check out the video above to learn more about delay throws and how I use […]
Why lack of gain staging makes your tracks sound bad
Gain staging is one of the most important aspects of a mix, yet it is often overlooked. If your mixes sound flat, lifeless or distorted, then you might want to take a look at your gain staging structure. What is gain staging? So what is gain staging? Or better yet, what is audio gain? Gain […]
Adding punch to your mix with parallel compression
Parallel compression is the perfect way to add punch to your mix. By using compression as a send effect you can use heavy amounts of compression to bring up all the little details of a track without ruining dynamic range. By adding an EQ after the compressor you can shape the sound even further. This […]
How to add more depth to your mixes
One of the hardest things to create in a mix is depth. Depth is the difference between uncomfortably close and extremely distant. Most acoustic recordings already have a sense of depth because those instruments are recorded in a real environment. That’s not the case with electronic music such as Techno where every sound is recorded […]
Production Basics #19 – Mixing with Distortion
In part 14 of this series about music production basics, we’ve introduced distortion & saturation effects. If you ever listened to rock or metal music you know that distortion is used on guitars all the time. But did you know that distortion is used in almost all types of music? Especially modern genres like EDM […]
Production Basics #17 – Mixing with Reverb & Delay
In the previous parts, we’ve learned how to mix with EQ and compression. This time, we’ll get to know reverb & delay. In part 14 we’ve seen a quick overview of different reverb & delay types. Now let’s dive a little deeper into the various parameters we can use. Delay Most delay plugins have the […]
Production Basics #16 – Mixing with Compression
In production basics part 15 we’ve learned some things about one of the most important mixing tools: EQ. Another tool that is used all the time when mixing is compression. Compression is often overused and misunderstood. I hope this article will clarify the mysticality’s of compression a little bit. What is compression? As we’ve discussed […]
Production Basics #15 – Mixing with EQ
In part 14 of this production basics series, we briefly went over the different types of effects. In the next couple of articles, we will dive deeper into each effect category. Let’s start by looking at one of the most important plugins that exist: the equalizer. An equalizer is a powerful tool that is often […]
Production Basics #13 – Mixing
We’ve looked at music theory and synthesis so far. Now let’s look at mixing. Music producer and mix engineer used to be two completely different jobs. In fact, in traditional music, many people worked together to create an album. A songwriter would compose melodies and chord progressions while a lyricist would write the words, band […]
Can I master my own tracks?
Mastering is an art form that requires a deep technical understanding of analog and digital audio. Mastering is much more than just putting a limiter on the master bus. While it’s technically possible to master your own tracks, there are many reasons why it’s not recommended. Let’s first start with 4 reasons not to master […]
What is fader riding?
Many people use compression to reduce the dynamic range of a track. A compressor is nothing more than an automated volume control. In fact, before compression was even invented, real hands turned faders up and down during mixdown. A note that was a little too quiet could be turned up and notes too loud could […]
10 Tips To Craft The Best DJ Mix
DJ mixing is an art. You need to master the skill with consistent practice and learn from each performance. Adopting a creative approach can make you a crowd-pleaser. To be the best DJ, you must deliver your best mix. Ronald Ross, writer of loudbeats.org provides us with the top 10 pro-tips to sharpen your mixing […]
How to create a dub delay on an analog mixer
Computers are machines I couldn’t live without. But sometimes they tend to get in the way of creating music. That’s why I am currently working on a completely analog setup in the studio. I hooked all synth’s and outboard effects to an analog mixing desk and realized that the mixer too can act as an […]
Why do I need a mix template
Almost all of the great mix engineers in this world use a mix template. I wanted to make one myself for a long time but I couldn’t get my head around it at first. If you are just starting out with mixing music, the thought of creating a go-to mix template can be daunting. […]
Stock Plugins or Third Party Plugins
Each DAW is bundled with a huge amount of different audio processing plugins. With all these plugins at hand, why are people still buying third-party plugins? Don’t they have enough tools to play around with already? […]
Procrastinating Decisions
It is never wise to procrastinate decisions. This applies not only to writing new songs but also during recording, production and even mixing. A well-known phrase is: ‘we will fix it in the mix’. Shifting a decision to another moment may not seem disastrous. But often when mixing, problems come to light that actually had to be solved during the recording session. […]
What is mixing music?
Today I want to talk about mixing music. What is the difference between mixing and music production and what exactly is a mix engineer capable of? In this article, I hope to clarify some of the common misconceptions about what mixing music actually is. […]
The Importance Of Deadlines
When you start mixing for the first time the process may seem daunting. You have all these powerful plugins and effects at your disposal and you want to make use of every single one of them. You might focus on all the little details and soon you will be working on a mix for days or even months. […]
