Improving Your Audio Mixing Skills: Tips and Techniques for Better Sound

Have you been mixing your own songs but feel that the output doesn't quite live up to the professional tracks you hear online? This frustration is common among aspiring producers and mixers. The journey to developing a skilled ear and honing your mixing skills is a gradual one, involving both technical knowledge and creative intuition.

Understanding Phase Alignment

One key area where many mixers encounter issues is phase alignment. The phase of your tracks can significantly impact the clarity and balance of your mixes. In the video by the creator of ReaFlat, you'll find a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the process of phase alignment. Despite the tutorial being specific to ReaFlat, the principles can be applied to any digital audio workstation (DAW).

Developing Your Auditory Skills

It's important to recognize that no one is born with a "perfect" sense of hearing. Technical skills and auditory awareness are honed through practice and dedication. To mix well, you need to understand the nuances of compression, EQ, and dynamics. Here are some key aspects to focus on:

Compression: Be able to recognize the sound of different compression settings and understand how it can shape your tracks. EQ: Learn to identify and work with specific frequencies to cut and boost certain elements of your mix. Details: Train your ears to identify fine details in a mix and make informed EQ and volume decisions without needing to solo individual tracks.

Mastering Advanced Mixing Techniques

Mixing at the professional level requires a deep understanding of the subtle nuances that can elevate the quality of your tracks. This process can be likened to peeling an onion, as you uncover layer after layer of potential improvements. Even small edits can make a significant difference when combined.

Being able to ride the volume faders of every track is essential in achieving a balanced and engaging mix. This includes managing the interplay between instruments, ensuring that each instrument has its optimal volume for its role. For example:

The level of cymbal hits might be adjusted to perfectly match the sonic context. A chorus might be subtly louder than a verse to create a sense of dynamic space. The snare might have a longer tail or a drier sound depending on the context.

Great mixers often make a series of subtle decisions and adjustments, each seemingly insignificant, but collectively, these can elevate the entire production. A mix can seem perfect until you drill down into the details, revealing even more potential for refinement.

Personal Experience and Growth

My journey to developing a genuine sense of hearing as a mixer took about 15 years of working in a commercial studio. I started as a musician before delving into audio engineering, and it’s worth mentioning that playing an instrument does not translate to hearing like a professional mixer. I needed time to train my ears to synchronise with the professional standards I aspired to.

Advice: If you have specific questions about mixing audio, feel free to reach out for guidance. Proficiency in audio mixing is a lifelong pursuit, but with practice and attention to detail, you can achieve remarkable results and create mixes that stand up to professional standards.