Mix preparation, often referred to as mix prep, is a fundamental step in the audio production process. It involves organizing and optimizing your session before diving into the actual mixing, laying the groundwork for a smooth and efficient workflow. These pro tips will help you get your mix sessions prepped like a professional. Remember, you’re reading this because you’re dedicated to improving your skills—so feel great about yourself!
Mixing Workflow
Exploring Mixing Approaches: Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up
When I first started mixing, I was always using a top-down approach, even though I didn’t know it had a name. That’s probably what you’re doing too. However, I’ve found that mixing bottom-up is incredibly beneficial and can change your perspective on balance and blend. Personally, I use a hybrid approach, but understanding the bottom-up method will revolutionize your mixing process. In this post, I’ll explain what these approaches are and why they’re important.
The Dichotomous Mixing Approach: Surgical Processing and Flavoring
The mixing process can be confusing at first. People always ask me, “When should I EQ? When and how do I compress?” It’s like cooking chicken. Yep, it’s like chicken. When you cook chicken, first, you clean the chicken. Then you flavor it. Let me simplify the process for you.