Most mixing engineers are being held back by an invisible, yet incredibly destructive force. In fact, that force is the reason why most mixers quit before they ever really get any good. It doesn’t matter whether they’re in pursuit of a mixing career or simply aiming to maximise the sound of their own material. It’s a sad truth but a truth nonetheless.
Even though I’ve probably watched too much Star Wars (is there such a thing?!) over Christmas, the force I’m talking about has nothing to do with the Jedi but it has everything to do with rapid learning and progression as a mixing engineer.
Mixing is very often viewed as a dark art and something that only the best of the best are able to get right. It can be an incredibly frustrating experience for a lot of people. I know because I’ve felt that frustration and felt the urge to quit many times.
The real reason for that frustration and why most mixers fail is very simple…
They’re indecisive
Modern living breeds indecision and in my experience, creative people are even more prone to it.
Take vocal EQ as an example. You could spend 2 hours fiddling around with every EQ plugin in your collection until you get it “just right” or you could pick a plugin you’re comfortable with and get the job done well. That frees you up to move on with the rest of the mix and maximise your time. I know which option I would choose.
The sheer amount of gear, plugins and options available to modern music producers and mixers is essentially endless. That means the number of times you can second-guess yourself during the mixing process is endless.
Trust me… the biggest time drain for mixers all over the world is indecision.
The Latin word for decision is aribitrium – which literally means, “to cut off”. Making a decision is about “cutting off” choices and preventing you from taking a different course of action. It allows progress and kills fear and doubt.
Wouldn’t it be much better to focus on the end result of completing a mix to the best of your current ability rather than going back over your earlier work and “fixing” mixing decisions you had already made?
Now, I’m not saying that you should leave obvious mistakes in your mix. I’m talking about the second-guessing that leads you to scrap everything and pull all the faders back down or changing all your panning decisions. Little tweaks here and there to enhance your previous decisions are all good and highly recommended.
It’s interesting that some of the most creative and musical mixes you’ll produce are when you’re just starting out. It’s because you’re going with your gut and there’s so much to learn that you have to make decisions based on your current knowledge and skillset. There is only one way to get to the end result. Isn’t that a nice way to mix?
As you progress as a mixer, you know more, so you know there are different routes to the end destination. If you’re not careful and fall into the trap of indecision, you might not reach that end destination.
So, don’t fall into the trap and stick by your mixing decisions.
And if you don’t believe me, then let me share some words of wisdom with you from the great Dave Pensado.
When I was contemplating moving country and some big life changes, he gave me this advice…
“There are no right or wrong decisions. There are only decisions. But if you’re not making decisions, you’re standing still.”
That has always stuck with me in everything that I do and I hope it does for you too.
Don’t stand still. Be decisive.
Now, I’d love to know…
Do you second-guess yourself when mixing?
Leave a comment below!
professional sounding mix every time...
Stephen Hi Once again a very thought-provoking piece. I have a similar (more general) phrase I use – “you can’t steer a parked car”. However, there is the whole question of intentionality. The decision process for me – (should be) think (what’s needed), decide (what’s to be done), act (and don’t be afraid to be bold) Am I good at sticking to this always – nope, guilty as charged! But it’s great that you remind us about the importance of taking decisions. Keep up the great work – and keep poking us with that sharp(ish) stick – haha
Thank you. George
Thanks George! I’m sure your comment will be very helpful to many others. I give myself a poke with that sharp stick on a regular basis too.
I used to. But then I learned the value in being able to ‘commit’…
And what immense value that is, Robin!
–ear fatigue. Spending more time to get it done is likely hours of hyperfocus that makes for weird hearing & thus weird decisions. Small chunks of time with breaks so you hear “fresh”. Which is actually not there way most of us naturally experience motivation, inspiration… desire. Feels like a chore. That we either get “sucked into” or don’t get to at all.
Breeding a process we are aware we can’t trust. 🙂
A great point, Jennifer. Weird hearing = weird decisions.
I cannot agree more about having a process or a method that you know you can trust.
Thanks for your comment!
Stephen,
As usual, you’re spot on as my British friends say. So often I see writers, performers, engineers and producers I come in contact with, spending their time searching for the ‘Holy Grail’ of understanding when it comes to their art. They spend hours and hours chasing someone else’s opinion about the proper way to do things and then second guess themselves into a giant, black hole of self doubt.
Let me clue you……there ain’t no such thing as a magical solution to anything you’re doing. All forms of art are a constant, dogged pursuit of just schlogging through the mud of ignorance until you have a breakthrough ‘daylight’ moment of understanding. “Decisions” are the ONLY way you can determine if the efforts you’re making are working for yourself and/or your clients. And you’re the best judge of your own efforts.
I’m 69 this year and my musical journey has been a riotous affair. I’ve gone from solo acoustic concert music to singer/songwriter, to touring in bands, to studio musician, to doing live sound for bands, to running venues, to mixing and now to producing. Every step of the way, I started out as a complete buffoon with a vast pool of ignorance to draw upon. I totally sucked at the beginning of everything I ever attempted. But with each incarnation, I keep learning more and more until I became competent and, in some cases, actually got very good at what I was doing.
There is no such thing as failure…..just things that don’t work at first. (Well OK, maybe QUITTING is the only true failure). Keep trying and never give up……AND, it’s never too late to start over or learn something new. Always believe in yourself.
Amazing! Thanks so much for this incredible comment and sharing your experience, Dave. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Excellent post. Lovely account of human progress.
It’s never too late for a happy ending.
Rock on…
Robin.
Yes! I am always second guessing my vocals and my drums.
It’s driving me slowly insane!!!
Great email by the way, it has helped me to re-evaluate my approach.
Cheers!
Don’t go insane, Luke! Glad to hear the article helped you and thanks for your comment.
Second-guess? That’s only the beginning LOL.
Now, something that works for me it’s to listen and then to think about all the moves I need to make on that track/bus/etc to improve it. Like, if I know what I must do, I go, I do it and to the next track without looking back.
Yes, that’s a great approach. You’ve got a mixing plan!
I am mastering now and beating the hell out of myself.
Weird message, Max!
Stephan,
If I don’t have an end sound in mind, which sometimes happens, as I have no idea what to do with this, Then yes I second guess my mix. The only way out for me is to work on the foundational elements of the song and build for there. If I have a definite sound in mind, No question.
M.
I see an article I have not read yet about the necessity of feedback to improve Mixes-which could be the crux of the decision-making process. People on this thread have reiterated the need to knownhort your end-sound-goal is in order to get there. I’m struggling with those…I’ve been asking those who I share with… advice for reference tracks to toggle In mixing as I can’t really decide what I am closest to emulating with the sound &/or instrument groups for Sound-field placement in Mixes. As with all-probably a balance of using feedback, having a sound reference reminder & being decisive…will keep you from getting overwhelmed & loosing mixing momentum before finishing songs? 🙂
Jennifer
Yes, you’re absolutely right! For references, I recommend picking your own. It’s helpful for others to point out a reference that might have a sound they’re trying to convey but for your “sound”, it’s important to formulate that yourself with your own ideas and taste. I hope that makes sense! – Stephen
Yes I do. All of the time. But I think it’s because I try and mix my own music. I need to start handing my tracks off to a dedicated mixer. Thanks for the info you provide and the work that you put into it.
Yes, I completely understand what you mean. It can be tricky when you’re that close to your own music. Thanks for the kind words, Russell!
So wisely written!
I agree totally. And I do decide quite quickly as you propose. But I am always questioning my decisions a bit. Going back some times to fine tune everything.
Good to see it like you do decide fast but it is not written in stone..