Is the first thing you do when you start mixing to put on equalizers, compressors, and adjust the levels?
If so, that’s not really the best approach.
Indeed, you might quickly get lost and not know where you’re going in your mix.
So, to address this issue, here is a list of the four “tricks” I absolutely do every time before I start mixing a new track. If you follow these tips, you’ll be off to a good start for the rest of the work.
1. Rename the Tracks
The very first thing to do is rename the different tracks.
Use the clearest names possible: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Lead Vocals, Chorus, etc.
Avoid repetitions. If you have several similar instruments, use numbers instead or differentiate, for example, a Rhythm Guitar from a Solo Guitar.
On the other hand, you may have recorded an instrument or voice with multiple microphones. In this case, feel free to add this information in the title of your tracks.
Example:
If you are patient enough, I even recommend renaming your audio and MIDI clips (stems) if they have unclear names. It will help you navigate.
2. Group the Tracks
In the second step, it is useful to group the tracks based on their type and the logic you will apply to your mix.
Thus, most of the time, you can group all the drum tracks together. Or several similar guitar tracks.
This will allow you two things:
- Simultaneously adjust the volume of all grouped tracks by acting only on the level setting of the group
- Apply effects to the entire group, such as equalization or more commonly a light compressor, which will improve the homogeneity of your tracks.
If your DAW does not allow you to create a group, you can still create a Buss, which is a specific track to which you will send the sound from each track. It will be the same.
3. A Color Code
A point that many people forget when they start mixing.
A mix should primarily be visual. There’s no question of wasting time searching for a particular instrument or part of the song.
Therefore, I strongly advise you to use a color code.
Of course, avoid putting colors randomly. On the contrary, try to have logical colors. For example: drum tracks in red, bass in dark blue, vocals in light blue…
If you wish, you can also add shades for even more readability: dark red for the kick drum, light red for the snare, etc.
My advice: as much as possible, try to keep this color code for all your tracks. Very quickly, if you use the same logic, you will really save time on your mixing work.
4. Listen to the Track
Yes!
It seems obvious, doesn’t it?
Believe it or not, many people tend to want to jump straight into mixing without listening to the track in its entirety. Or just after a quick and distracted listen while making coffee.
Above all, keep the coffee! But take some time to listen to the track several times. 😉
Take the opportunity to add markers/reference points at key locations, like this:
The idea here is to identify the specifics of the song, for example the louder sections, which instruments are playing at which moments, etc.
Little by little, this will give you ideas. And after a few listens, you will be ready to move on to mixing.
In Conclusion
One should not underestimate the importance of track organization for mixing. The color, the name, the position… all of this will allow you to be really comfortable and save time.
And don’t forget to listen to the track a few times, to get a rough idea of the work…
So what do you do before starting your mix? Do you dive right in, or do you take the time to prepare everything? Leave a comment just below 🙂