NAMM 2019

It was another great year attending the NAMM convention in Anaheim. This year I focused on making some new connections and getting to know more about the industry. I met many talented musicians and innovative thinkers. Yet, the information available was what really refueled my passion for recording and mixing.

Tony Maserati - NAMM 2019

I heard some great lectures by Tony Maserati, Fab DuPont, and Jacquire King, just to name a few. Taking mixes and letting them take on a life of their own seemed to be the universal theme from many of these talented engineers. Using parallel aux tracks to blend layers of textures was a reassuring message since that is how I do many of my layering techniques. What I found the most interesting was how each of these pros set up their EQ and compression chains. Seeing and hearing how they shaped sound has really opened my thinking about how to approach a mix.

I’m going to be spending a lot of my free time to practice some of these techniques and start developing some new signal chains. This will create a new sound for all of my mixes that will benefit every client at the studio.

Among the many things to see, experience, and hear at the NAMM convention, I also spent some time listening to the educational talks that where happening at NAMM U. I’d love to share some of the ideas and techniques that were discussed at these lectures. Set ups some time to come by the studio and we can engage in a discussion that will definitely help you get a better understanding of the music industry and how it can be integrated into your marketing and social networks.

Working on the mix

Today's blog entry is just about getting yourself in the right mind frame for mixing. Focus is essential and that comes with proper rest. Your mind, body, and ears should be well-rested before starting on your mix.  When you take fatigue out of the equation, your mix will have a sense of power and intensity. 

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Getting setup for a session at Shine On Studio

As you start your mix, it can be a good idea to align yourself to a reference track. Give your ears some time to adjust to a mix that has a similar energy. Absorb the sound from the reference track to put you on the right path for your own mix. This will map out the focus you need to start your mix.  

I personally like to start mixing at a lower volume on my monitors. This allows me to challenge my ears and focus on the pieces of the music that need to be the foundation of the mix. These core elements are the source of energy that puts the music into motion. Once you have all of these elements in the right place, the rest of the mix can be layered with the accent sounds.  

The mixing work you do may take some time. Give yourself the time needed to make wise decisions. You can change your mind about the mix and that is part of the journey. A good mix is one that has been given the proper amount of attention. It is OK to take breaks to restore your energy and get your focus back on track. You can take the time you need and sometimes what you need to do is step back for a while and review what you've done with the mix. 

Procrastination and anxiety are not your friends. It's a good idea to keep them out of your routine when working on a mix. You do want to stay in contact with your client throughout the progress of your mix. If you're making reference copies to review, share them with your client for feedback. Sometimes they may like an aspect you are considering to revise. Remember that this is their music, so you want them to be pleased with the final decisions. 

I hope these words encourage and guide you to be a good mix engineer. Just remember that it takes time to craft a masterpiece.