Hey,
I have prepared a text for you with answers to questions that often come up in conversations with me and artists.
For more advanced people some of the questions may be obvious as well as for me, but as I notice they come up with beginner music producers, vocalists, etc. So, I decided to prepare a compilation of such questions at the beginning of my posts and answer them fairly specifically. The main topic in this text is song mixing.
What does audio mixing consist of?
Mixing songs means working on your production on individual tracks. That is, just as you create your original track and record individual parts whether instrumental, sound samples, vocal parts, so I work on your audio tracks as well as the entire structure of the song. I turn the individual track sound using tools such as EQ, compression, saturation and spatial effects. After such a rotation, each original track balanced. I choose all the tools and methods of sound mixing work in such a way that your original track sounds contemporary and, most importantly, that I make it accessible to any listener.
Check out the trailer for what it looks like.
What is a vocal mix?
Vocal mix has the same meaning as song mix, that is, the work of matching vocals to instrumentals. It usually involves filtering the appropriate frequencies, dynamic processing and space treatments to get the original vocals in the song.
How does your mix work go?
You send your stems, or original tracks, to me. I then drop the tracks into my DAW and work on them. I use a variety of tools that will allow me to over improve the sound. For example, a standard tool that I often use is an equalizer, with which I cut various unnecessary frequencies that are not important for a given recording part, as well as boost selected frequencies worth emphasizing. In the case of dynamic parts, e.g., vocals, I use various types of compression so as to bring out the timbre and equalize the dynamics of the part. I also use various tools like saturation and spatial tools that make the parts start to sound natural, professional. The next step is to combine the tracks into a mix bus, i.e., the given instruments combined into one „stalk”, e.g., drum sounds divided into kick, snare, hi-hat, overhead combined into one part, i.e., a drum mix bus. Doing successively the same with other parts, e.g., such as guitars, bass, vocals. After the whole is already prepared, he works on the mix bus. I use the same tools that I used to realize on the individual stems. I make appropriate equalizations using EQ and use compression, saturators a possible limiter when protecting against overdrive.
If you mix a song, do you become a co-writer?
No. The author of the song is always 100% the music producer or the team who prepared the song. Sound mixing is just a „technical” job, so apart from the cost of implementation I do not own the copyright of the song.
The song from the image, click and listen.
Why should I pass on my songs for someone than doing it myself?
There are several reasons to work with a sound engineer on your song. One of the main reasons is to become accustomed to your material. If you’ve spent hours working on your production, it’s highly likely that it’s difficult for you to take objective measures against the final sound of a song. What may seem like a song may sound good to you, will be different and usually no better to the final listener. This is typical of getting used to a song, and working on the final sound simply can be tiring. The same effect can be seen when you collect musical projects that you find difficult to finish. Confirmation of this, can be at least how many people can work on a given album of any popular song. On some albums there is a staff of specialists associated with production, editing, mix song, mastering, etc., all to ensure that the best-sounding original song reaches the listener in the end.
Another of the reasons is the realizer’s experience, familiarity with the music, accessibility to expensive equipment and tools, and, above all, an extra pair of experienced ears who, while still at the stage of possible production, can advise what is worth doing or changing.
You can check the differences on my sample that I recently uploaded to the blog, check it out:
Are any music track suitable for mixing?
Usually yes, unless the track contains a lot of distortion and interference. Any music track is suitable for work, so it doesn’t matter what genre of music it is about.
What makes an original track special?
In my opinion, it is influenced by the proper selection of instruments or sounds that for individual tracks do not interfere. I mean fitting that sound into the song. If you feel that a particular sound or instrument, however, does not quite fit, it is worth looking for another sound.
In submitting a song to the mix, will my song change structure or arrangement?
The pop song structure or rock, EDM, techno does not matter here. In the case of working with me, if you do not wish it, the song structure will not be affected, so in this case the alter original songs does not occur. Sometimes the original stems need to be aligned to the tempo, for example, drums, guitars or vocals, so, if it is required it realizes it.
Are the songs suitable for publication on streaming services and radio after working with you?
Yes. In the case of commissioning the mix itself, it would still require mastering, but you can handle it with me comprehensively. The original track that’s is, already after editing, mix song and mastering is already suitable for all services and radio, and in case there would be any special important requirements for the final level then I am also able to adjust it to the requirements.
Should my song session be prepared for the mix?
The audio mixing session is not that important. You send me exported recorded tracks from your DAW. Individual audio track also involves auditioning, arranging and describing the audio track, so you don’t have to worry about that.
How do I prepare the audio tracks for the mix?
Simply export the recorded tracks from your DAW as stems. It’s important that the stems have the plug-ins that affect the dynamics of the song and surround effects turned off. If you leave them off, sound mixing will be limited for me. What effects are on the song is worth leaving in case a particular effect will be difficult to reproduce.
What do I receive at the end of the cooperation?
At the end of our work, you will receive a music file in wav and mp3 form. The song is fully mixed and prepared for mastering. In the case of comprehensive implementation, he also works on mastering. In addition, I send feedback and my observations to the song
Will I learn something new by working with you?
Yes. It’s not always just a commission or online music mix, it’s also a joint collaboration, exchange of experience and learning. I’m happy to suggest how to make sample original sound, create original melodies from your songs. It does not always have to be a collaboration on a mix, I am happy to talk and provide information related to music production. I work with musicians as a percentage of music, so I am able to help you to prepare your idea as your original special song.
If I wanted to learn how to mix a song where do I start?
If you would like to realize your songs yourself then start mix song
with basic tools like EQ, compressor, spatial tools like reverb and delay. When I mixes sound, I mostly use EQ, it’s with this tool that you can already get a original track.
I also invite you to visit my blog where I will be uploading various tips.
Should a sound engineer mix one genre of music?
No, in my opinion, a sound engineer should be accustomed to each musical genre. This also allows you to find certain dependencies and working methods that can work in other music genres. Electronic music especially manifests such dependencies. The sounds of an electronic song often have borrowed confident sounds from different musical genres as well as often elements of electronic music can be found in different genres, so it is worthwhile to become accustomed to each genre.
What else can we accomplish together?
I do music production, spiritual production, mixing and mastering, in addition I am also able to prepare strategies for promoting your productions. In case you are a vocalist and need an interesting song, I can help you as a music producer and help you with an original song. I always send mix song pack in the form of music samples to choose from, this allows you to choose with confidence and realize an individual music song. In the case of ghost production realizes the create radio-ready songs. In this service you still remain as an original artist, and our cooperation will remain a secret after 😉 😉 😉.
I invite you to work with me to make a beautiful music mix. 😀 If you have any questions then feel free to talk to me. I will be happy to talk 😊
I also invite you to follow my Social Media. There you will find sneak peeks of my works.
Take care.
