A great book to learn how to mix

[Olem]

Hello, singing folks!

I would like to know a little more about this sience, how you achieve a good sound in a song. I know a little about it but would like to know more about this process. The problem is, my way of mixing would be a little inhibited since i usually only mix vocals into a finished song but maybe there is a way to make it sound good anyway. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good internet site or a good book that handles this.

[Marcus]

Hi!

I am pretty much selftaught when it comes to mixing. You learn a lot by just trying out stuff for yourself to see what works and what doesn't. And I tend to pick up hints from here and there when I read or hear stuff. I usually mix vocals with a compressor, some slight EQ and then reverb or delay (sometimes both), and sometimes a little distorsion depending on the song. And offcourse when doing choruses it's almost always nice with some overdubbing of the lead melody panned hard right and hard left.

In Sweden (where I'm from originally) there's a magazine called Studio coming out about 11 times a year. They have a lot of reviews on recording things and some hints on mixing in every number. They also every now and then gather up all released hints and "how to guides" into one special issue, fex. Cubase Special, or Recording and Mixing (if I remember correctly this one has a DVD course in Swedish for mixing in Logic if you buy the print version). I can't remember if your're from Sweden or not - but see if you can find a similar magazine from where you live. I know there are a few different ones in english at least.

Here's a link to the Swedish magazine, they also have a forum and a webshop where you can buy PDF or Print numbers.

http://studio.idg.se/

I haven't been hanging out on Music Radar a lot, but it seems like a nice website with a lot of reviews (gathers info from some different UK magazines if I understand it correctly). And like the Swedish Studio magazine they have also gathered their guides from Computer Music into one 164-page issue and DVD. Could probably be worth checking out.

http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/the-ultimate-guide-to-mixing-385603

Also you can search youtube for some hints and how-to-guides, and check your local library for books or magazines on the subject :)

[Felipe Carvalho]

There is a thread on the Reaper forums called Why Your Recordings sound like Ass. Tons of information, worth checking.

[Olem]

Thanx alot Marcus and Felipe, i appreciate it alot. Marcus: I am Swedish so i think i will search for those magazines. Maybe we could chat one day about music and vocals. My hotmail adress is: nygren2002@hotmail.com

[Marcus]

I'm not on messenger very often nowadays, but I added you so just give a shout when I'm online :)

[junesongnow]

Throughout Sweden (where I am from originally) there is a journal referred to as Studio released regarding Eleven occasions a year. They have a lot of reviews upon saving issues and some suggestions upon blending in each and every quantity. In addition they every now and then collect just about all launched tips and also "how to guides" directly into 1 unique problem, fex. Cubase Unique, or perhaps Saving along with Mixing (only bear in mind appropriately this place includes a Digital video disc study course inside Swedish regarding combining inside Reasoning if you decide on printed variation). I am unable to don't forget if your're via Sweden you aren't -- yet try to find a related newspaper in which your home is. I realize there are many different styles within british no less than.

[gno]

Olem - Mixing is a huge subject. I've been at it for a long time. I'm on a forum that discusses mixing techniques. Besides books, you could join a forum like this one that is geared toward mixing. You could even take a course in mixing. A little over a year ago I got some professional help from a guy (on that forum) who owns a couple studios and also does mastering. He has mixing services like song analyzation and custom mixing videos that vary in price. He is a world class shred guitar player and has a great voice to boot. His name is Danny Danzi if your interested.

I learned a lot from him. The importance of panning, turning a mono track into Stereo (this is done with lead vocals frequently), the HAAS effect - which is a very simple delay technique that has a big impact, Transient shapers, proper use of compression, proper use of EQ....and the list goes on and on.

[ronws]

I've read a few books on recording and mixing and I can totally understand it technically and intellecually. And still produce a crappy mix. What I would give to be in your studio, Geno. You have more equipment and know how to chain it together and you have a great ear for mixing. It seems most anyone is better at mixing than I am, which is not saying much.

I tried to figure out why I mix the way I do. To me, my mixes sound like 70's era rock radio. Which can be explained by the fact that I was listening to music that formed me in the 70's.

The other thing, the hardest part for me, is to not treat recording as a live event, but to treat it as a piece of construction. I can't just float an odd note, like I would live, and expect to fade into memory. I have to force myself to record something until it is as perfect as I can make it. Which can take time.

There's a saying. A mixer can only mix what is given to him/her to mix.

But, unless it's one of my "live" recordings where I am playing guitar and singing at the same time, I am thankful to have others to mix for me. They have better software and, in many cases, a better ear. True, another person mixing will apply their own aesthetic. But sometimes that offers a refreshing view. And so, the mix on some of my stuff has varied from minimal to extremely eq'd and run through plug-ins. Mainly depending on who is mixing and what their criteria is for a good mix.

I haven't recorded and certainly haven't uploaded in a while. I am working on a few things that I want to perfect as much as I can. But I can also hide behind the advice given to me by a new member to this forum that I should consult a coach before recording any more. In which case, it could be quite a while. To save the pennies and hire a coach. And to find a coach that bring what it is I may need. There are a number of coaches and each one has their own aesthetic requirements.

A comedy of errors could ensue if I try to sing a Helloween song while consulting a coach who values Bob Dylan.

( come on, laugh, you know you want to ...)