what is the general steps you take to mix a song

**Neza** · 04-13-2012

please fellowfutureproducers lets talk buizness my bros

i have two questions for the people who did it...

1) steps requiered to mix a song
2) what are the basics of mixing (like basic rules and such)

ty in advance (just like a label)

**macbeat** · 04-13-2012

I mix as I go, I don't wait until the end. Basically you just want to eq everything to give them their own spaces in the mix. You also want to make sure your levels are right.

I take a subtractive approach to mixing. Meaning that if something isn't loud enough, instead of raising it's level I bring other things down. I also start with everything at -10db so I have plenty of headroom. The subtractive approach also works with eq'ing. If I find sounds phasing each other out and fighting for a frequency, I'll drop that particular frequency on the less important sounds. So, if my bass and kick drum are sounding muddy I'll open up a spectrum analyzer and find the frequency they're both hitting at.

So let's say that's around 80hz-90hz, I'll go in with an eq and drop it down on the bass 2-3db and give the kick a tiny boost in that same range. Or side-chain the bass, which ever sounds better. I just do this over and over until I'm done. Then I'll add compression, a little eq, and a limiter on the master and call it a day.

Mastering is an art in itself. I just do enough to get it to sound good to me and find someone else to do it.

**Neza** · 04-13-2012

so do you run your signal through a fourier analysis?
or do you "only" go by ear?

**macbeat** · 04-13-2012

Originally Posted by Neza

so do you run your signal through a fourier analysis?
or do you "only" go by ear?

I don't even know what that is, but yes I do everything by ear.

wait... did I just get trolled?

lol

**Neza** · 04-13-2012

no
it gives you the frequencies you have in a audiosignal
but i havent used it for mixing yet just played with it for fun...

**macbeat** · 04-13-2012

I see, that's what I use a spectrum analyzer for. What I actually use is a plugin called apulSoft apEQ. It's an EQ with an analyzer running in the background that shows everything that's going on.

So it's a mix of "by ear" and the use of software. I can tell when something isn't right by listening to it, but I'm not that good that I can just say "oh, I need to boost this around 200hz and this at 1khz" without the help of an analyzer.

**OwenJenks** · 04-15-2012

Cool. A lot of info I didn't know

---------- Post added at 01:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:55 PM ----------

Any more tips ?

**macbeat** · 04-15-2012

Also remember to take regular breaks. Don't sit there for hours working on the same thing because you will get fatigued. Go take a walk or grab something to eat then come back after a few hours or the next day even. I can't tell you how many times I've taken a day or two off, came back with fresh ears, and sat in horror as I listened to the huge mess that was my mix.