Mixing Start To Finish: A Step by Step Guide to Balanced Mixes

Рет қаралды 821,738

Күн бұрын

In this video, I turned the camera on while mixing to show you the steps I took to get a balanced mix. I use an approach called "Top-Down Mixing" where I start by setting a static mix before adding effects and automating. These techniques can be applied when mixing many types of music. Feel free to ask me any questions about these methods in the comments below.
►The song is called "You" by The Workday Release. Listen to the final mix here on KZfaq: • The Workday Release - ...
The final mix was done by Andy Toy (@andytoymusic), a brilliant engineer and mixer. I am using the stems in this video because I wanted to try my hand at the mix too.
►Gear/Software used:
DAW: FL Studio 20 (all DAWs have similar function)
Free Plugins: TDR Kotelnikov, Nova Dynamic EQ, Molotok Compressor and Slick EQ
Interface: Lynx Hilo
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 250 Ohm
Speakers: PSI A23-M
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Listening to the stems
2:00 - Top-Down mixing
5:50 - Vocal Reverb and Delay
8:55 - Piano and Guitar
11:40 - Backing vocals
13:00 - Vocal Effects
14:40 - Bass and Drums
18:50 - Adjusting more tracks
20:35 - Vocal Automation
22:30 - Take a break
23:20 - Listening to the mix
23:45 - Vocal editing
25:45 - Side-chaining
26:50 - Listening to the mix
27:15 - More automations
29:20 - Global EQ
30:45 - Final thoughts and revisions
🌍 My Website / Contact / Hire me - michaelwynneaudio.com
🎧 Become a member of this channel: / @inthemix
🎧 Patreon (Exclusive benefits): / inthemix
🎧 My Sound Banks / Preset Packs - inthemix.store
📱 Join My Free Discord - / discord
💸 Save money on DistroKid if you sign up through my custom link - distrokid.com/vip/inthemix

Пікірлер: 1 100

@therealfantasy 3 жыл бұрын

You could literally charge us hundreds of dollars for these tutorials that you share for free. Thank you , you're an angel : )

@theworkdayrelease 3 жыл бұрын

Don't tell him!! 🤣

@pratyaysarkar7905 3 жыл бұрын

@@theworkdayrelease 😅

@YourFatherVEVO 3 жыл бұрын

this is what youtube was made for

@spook698 3 жыл бұрын

👼 Angel 😂😂😂?

@therealfantasy 3 жыл бұрын

@@theworkdayrelease Oh no ! 😂😂

@danielwilson8967 3 жыл бұрын

"You Pull Me Back" Michael - *pulls back fader* 14:03

@manasiangal1405 3 жыл бұрын

hahaha I noticed the same

@LovenArtiste 3 жыл бұрын

12:56 "Let's just see how the song pans out"

@tredfxman 2 жыл бұрын

Watch out: Next time hes *"Pulling your Leg!"* 😄

@masonridgewell8063 Ай бұрын

😂

@TheWoWBunker Ай бұрын

I wanted to point that out too hahahahah

@ROUBON 3 жыл бұрын

I learned everything from Michael. Who's with me?

@StupidTuberDude 3 жыл бұрын

Oh absolutely! And I keep getting back to his previous videos!

@trumansienicki 3 жыл бұрын

Oh I'm with you alright

@smgsmusic 3 жыл бұрын

Not everything, but a large majority

@neilmaile2442 3 жыл бұрын

80% is from Michael

@smgsmusic 3 жыл бұрын

@@neilmaile2442 I agree

@FernandoCastillo-og7ze 3 жыл бұрын

It's so impressive when after a break you realize you can hear so much more details, nuances on the song that you didn't perceive before due to the ears that needed a rest for around 15 minutes maybe, just wow. Now I can clearly see how important is to put our ears to rest very often.

@matthewteden2212 2 жыл бұрын

You’re right dude! Another thing to consider doing is mixing at low monitor levels. Not only will it save your ears from some fatigue, but you’ll also be able to hear transients better and get a more accurate sense of your volume balance. After all, if you have to blast your speakers to hear something, then the balance is probably off! The only exception is low end because humans are less sensitive to them, so it takes more level to hear them… not a problem if you’re mark zuckerberg

@PeterDaltrey 2 жыл бұрын

I wrecked my ears this week. But frustrating having to take some days off with so much to do. The tinnitus is screaming... Had it for around 40 years and almost total loss of hearing in my right ear after years of gigging back in the day. Makes recording ....and mixing....so damn difficult now... But, hey, ho...press on... PROTECT YOUR EARS WHEN GIGGING!

@natasadiu 2 жыл бұрын

@Peter Daltrey Sorry to hear that, this must be really hard for a dj/producer. You are amazing 👏

@WHITE_DRAGON.OFFICIAL Жыл бұрын

Hey! I offer Quality Mixing and Mastering at Affordable prices, if you're interested, feel free to contact me!

@MusokeMSK 3 жыл бұрын

"There is no point in doing this in solo" - this is such an important advice. Most amateurs forget about the fact that no one will listen to your song in solo. Thank you! Great mixing tutorial!

@rockinrobin 3 жыл бұрын

No one will listen to your song at all : )

@italyisntreal 3 жыл бұрын

@@rockinrobin ^

@1234567890noone 2 жыл бұрын

@@rockinrobin ΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗΑΗ

@lukeskywalkerjediknight2.013 2 жыл бұрын

@@rockinrobin xD

@TOXICARTIST 3 жыл бұрын

Legends are liking the video and saving to their playlist before watching 😅

@SuccessAjayi 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly👌😂

@lester1984 3 жыл бұрын

I just saved the video to my playlist and saw your comment lmaoo

@sukhmusic_ 3 жыл бұрын

Haha😂

@utpalkalita7391 3 жыл бұрын

After all we are watching in the mix..😁

@TOXICARTIST 3 жыл бұрын

@@lester1984 😂👍🙏

@rome8180 2 жыл бұрын

The unmixed stems already sound better than anything I've ever mixed. It must be nice to start with great recordings.

@waliwritermusic7275 2 жыл бұрын

very important for sound selection and clean raw vocals before even starting.

@mrvron Жыл бұрын

Production is the key to great song

@Alex-Defatte Жыл бұрын

@@mrvron No, the music is what counts. Without the raw sounds, there would be nothing to produce. Real producers are only there to enhance what the artist has brought to the table. An original artist is key. Production is only the key when it comes to self drawn EDM.

@andygotthebass6525 Жыл бұрын

@@Alex-Defatte they probably meant that, there's been a bit of a semantics issue in music over the past couple years where the line between artist and producer have blurred significantly

@vincentvandeperre1670 Жыл бұрын

@@Alex-Defatte an audio engineer and a producer are not the same...

@viniic.s 3 жыл бұрын

This Michael dude so good that when the ads came in, i watched all length of them just as a way of giving you back.

@musicbyhardik 3 жыл бұрын

It was a bad day and your “welcome back to the channel” with that smile brought me a smile on my face, you’re a saviour ♥️ we all love you

@israel3338 3 жыл бұрын

showing us how to get high quality mixes on FL studio whilst using mostly free plugins is the most noble shit anyone on the KZfaq engineering community has done. thank you fr.

@sigh153 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but watching you mix this beautiful song and seeing the enjoyment you're getting out of it was honestly really touching. I love mixing, and getting a good mix just feels so nice and fulfilling, especially when you follow your instincts and do thoughtful things that have an impact you notice. It sounds super nerdy but I don't care cause I love it!

@JUSTAFUTUREBOY 2 жыл бұрын

It’s so fulfilling solving those problems!!

@dhanushbalakrishna7300 3 жыл бұрын

God bless this guy, both mixing and mastering from start to finish videos are gold

@ylbnevergiveup3046 2 жыл бұрын

He deserve everything for teach us this for free .

@SenpaiTheExplorer Жыл бұрын

dude... ive been doing this on and off for 15 years and you taught me more in 30 mins then any of they other "mixing" videos i've seen on yt in the past 15 years. well done is all i have to say. definitely subbing.

@nigelrajaratnam6514 3 жыл бұрын

Haven't commented on any of your videos before, but man, these videos you do, are straight up fantastic, and useful. I make a living doing production and mixes, and so much of what I knew, didn't know or thought I knew, has been upgraded and solidified by watching one of your videos. Love the efficiency of you delivery style and the thoroughness with which you approach these. You should do a collaboration with sage audio. You two may be the absolute best thing on KZfaq for producers. Thanks so much!

@keithgustafson3398 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely Nigel - completely agree, see my post!

@maxwelllinda4506 Жыл бұрын

Michael is the boss I have learn a lot from him. We truly appreciate everything he does for is beginners 👏

@LVS.Archives 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for FREE top tier tutorials and information. You inspired me to actually dive in to the mixing and mastering part of my songs.

@D00M3DG4M3R 3 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love these start to finish tutorials. I bet it feels good to know that you've helped so many thousands of artists improve their craft

@monstie2795 3 жыл бұрын

Dude you’re literally the best. You helped me through earl my problems that occurred when I am producing, I watch all your videos and I really enjoy them 💜

@roberto2k1 3 жыл бұрын

You're one of the best out there Michael, thank you for sharing your knowledge for free with us

@alexjennings3165 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad I took the time to watch this. I think it cleared up several things that were keeping my mixes from coming out clean.

@alexhe6772 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so grateful for all of Michael's tutorials! They're so professional and well explained and carefully edited, always helps me a lot.

@mikebeckerman5320 3 жыл бұрын

Super-useful, as always. I really like the top-down approach, and how you're focused on the overall mix and work not to get caught up in the cycle of chasing small changes. Thanks, Michael!

@maryjaneamen6976 2 жыл бұрын

i have literally tried learning mixing and mastering for vocals for about 2 years now and you are the first person to explain it in such a way that makes it easy to learn. i feel like i actually understand what to do with mixing and balancing, so thank you so so so so much for your videos!

@royru9081 Жыл бұрын

This was the best mixing tutorial I’ve ever watched! Everything from the song to the way you talk with your audience was top notch!

@owens. 3 жыл бұрын

Your timing Michael is always so uncanny yet satisfying because I literally just took a break from mixing a song and I just kept thinking how I’m going to mix it. And this video pops up!

@splifferstoner 2 жыл бұрын

Michael you save me every time i feel I can't deliver what the artist needs. You're my production saviour...as soon as I get my break dude am sending you a huge pay check for all you keep doing

@anelabuawad161 3 жыл бұрын

Michael , thank you very much for this amazing content, you’re definitely one of the best music production channels on KZfaq!!

@JimsMusicLegacy 2 жыл бұрын

You put together a really good tutorial by letting your audience eavesdrop on your thinking out loud and showing us how to remix and why we should do certain things to make it better. I like the way you bring out elements of the mix that serves the song best. Great job. I learned quite a bit. Thanks.

@frankherrgott Жыл бұрын

Be blessed for sharing such precious information!

@snaekboi 3 жыл бұрын

For those who still aren't using busses while mixing, It's a game changer, definitely give it a shot! I personally love to set the tone of my mixes by EQing and Saturating my busses. Saturation also eats up some nasty peaks, which helps a lot with getting louder mixes! complete game changer for me 👀

@Cenotaff 3 жыл бұрын

You make it seem so easy when it's not, which is a sign of your skills. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge, not just that, but the way you explain everything so people like me can appreciate it and understand it without feeling overwhelmed. Superb.

@RHY9beats 6 ай бұрын

Watching this video for 20+ times now. Whenever im confused about mixing,back to this video and everything on this channel. Thank you teacher

@loubennett9849 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your process Michael. You’re a great teacher and this is a beautiful song.

@denizkanmaz1110 3 жыл бұрын

I don't usually comment but what you're doing is truly amazing. Thank you for making these videos, they are incredibly helpful.

@k.ara.11.9 3 жыл бұрын

I've just started learning and I can say that Michael is the best educator out there with confidence...

@TheWildPersonality 26 күн бұрын

by far the best tutorials on mixing I've ever seen, never seems dragged out and it always makes sense to me

@dsanj4745 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. Watching how someone else approaches a mix can be illuminating and instructive to varying degrees. A fresh perspective is always welcome and you did a very good job of explaining what you felt was excessive or lacking and how you remedy accordingly. Mixing is definitely more art than science. Well done!

@DoggMatik Жыл бұрын

This presented some really valuable insight. As someone who doesn't mix, and is really just messing around with FL studio to explore a little creativity, I'm so damn thankful I stumbled onto this video. I have so much respect for the mixers of music now. It's an overlooked process but it's so critical to the listeners experience. I also learned a lot of great info that I can put to use eventually.

@elzurixmusic 3 жыл бұрын

This format of doing something from start to finish works so great! I can't stress enough how much it helped me understand every point that you've taught me in your older videos, whether if it's how compression works, why you should reduce frequency bands instead of boosting them to find problematic areas, and most importantly, why you don't need to mix in mono, that point you really made clear when you talked about planning how the track will sound and listening to it from a "top-down view". I really really want you to continue making videos in that format, it's giving us, the viewers a practical example of how each tip could be used in the context of the whole mix and I have few suggestions for the next videos: - Producing a track idea/draft Start To Finish - Recording instruments/drums/vocals Start To Finish - Sound designing Start To Finish (I'm not talking specifically about how to create basic sounds, but rather how to make a sound that will fit a certain mix or song) Thanks a lot for all of these videos :)

@ravindukalhara3465 2 жыл бұрын

Up to now, as a learner, I have learned the most from this channel.

@sheluvscarrera 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know where i would be right now without Michael's tutorials, i'm really excited to start working on some new tracks!

@markstafford6119 Жыл бұрын

Some high powered audio engineers know their craft, but don’t have the ability to teach others. Michael has the bases covered on both fronts. Your mixing and Mastering videos are excellent. The best I’ve found to date. Thank you for taking the time and effort it took to produce them.

@dreamlinemedia6225 Жыл бұрын

Can I learn from you Mark

@person1546 3 жыл бұрын

Love the editing man, you’ve stepped up.

@mitchellwhite2408 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic content as usual. Thank you for what you do for the community!

@manasiangal1405 3 жыл бұрын

You are a gem, Michael! And In The Mix is my top go to channel! As a beginner producer I am so grateful to you! Thank you for sharing such invaluable knowledge man! 💙

@alienvolt7741 3 жыл бұрын

This was almost like an experience as if i was there mixing with you even though i wouldn't have moved anything i could almost feel i was connecting with the process as well.

@chowboonil6975 3 жыл бұрын

The much awaited video has finally arrived... this will solve the hardest part of being an amateur and broke producer. Thanks my mentor. You will be remembered for generations

@abingwa256 3 жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b8qFf8iIp8y0lY0.html

@Eric-dd8bk 2 жыл бұрын

This video is my ultimate reference track for mixing my stuff from now on. Thank you for the video.

@css172 3 жыл бұрын

Michael is an excellent teacher and I appreciate the free youtube tutorials Sir!

@maxs489 2 жыл бұрын

Wowwww. 😮 The high-pass on the instruments for that last chorus just opened everything right up and made everything really clear and pop. Beautiful. 👏 28:14 vs 26:50

@flstutorials5492 3 жыл бұрын

Its so awesome that he’s doing this stuff for free! There are so many people selling masterclasses just to give the info that InTheMix is giving in this video.🙌🏻

@bohjan5419 8 ай бұрын

I loved your expression at 25:05 when the pad sound finally fitted in, just the way you wanted! This feeling is what I'm looking for 👌🏻

@stansontheBeat 2 жыл бұрын

You're a blessing 💯. Sending much appreciations from Kenya.

@devenderkumar6115 3 жыл бұрын

First one❤️❤️❤️❤️, i am seeing your tutorials for about 3 years and i can say everytime u upload a video, its something very informative and helpful , keep going on .🔥

@Yash-qs8iu 3 жыл бұрын

Just switching to cubase pro from ableton and studio one.. absolutely amazing software, comes with all the required and high quality mixing plugins out of the box!!

@willolicool9091 2 жыл бұрын

Your channel is unbelievable. Every video is incredibly well structured, no nonsense and highly informative. You explain things with clarity and detail, and you clearly spend a lot of time making these videos. Your content will help thousands (hundreds of thousands given your stats) of musicians to produce better music. WHAT an incredible achievement. You are an inspiration and an asset to the music production community. MERCI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@v3kt0r97 3 жыл бұрын

Michael, thank you so much for these videos, you are a LEGEND!

@thespecialone5383 3 жыл бұрын

It's been only 5 mins since uploading and the video is 32 mins long. I'm still commenting. I know it that the the video is great already.

@DissonantSynth 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so unbelievably thankful for these videos. Do you have anything similar to patreon?

@inthemix 3 жыл бұрын

I have a KZfaq channel members feature, beside the subscribe button. I had a pateron for a short while but disabled it as I wasn't too happy with how it worked.

@DissonantSynth 3 жыл бұрын

@@inthemix of course! Thanks for reminding me of the YT member system.

@swelly 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Michael, very cool.

@kavyakasiram 3 жыл бұрын

This is so great, I basically learnt FL Studio and how to produce from your channel alone. Thank you so much for all your content Michael! 😊

@feliperojasc 3 жыл бұрын

25:03 Michael priceless face after eq the pad hahaha. Thanks for the video, mate. Your content is so good, more than many paid videotutorials. Keep going: the 1M subs it's on the road :)

@YXMATU 3 жыл бұрын

The song Is really beautiful❤❤

@theworkdayrelease 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😊

@ayushpiyushmusics7230 2 жыл бұрын

You are a great Teacher and you are raising a lot of future artists. Thanks a Lot Michael. Love u Buddy

@ItsPhillipAcosta 8 ай бұрын

Really simplified things for me!! Thank you!!

@WenBeats101 3 жыл бұрын

You are the best i swear to god, i just commented about a mixing tutorial in your mastering video , thank you so much ^_^•

@romanohurano 2 жыл бұрын

1 hour ago, I'm a mixer newbie. Now, I'm still a newbie but motivated to learn a lot more.

@HadarGalili26 3 жыл бұрын

you are the best brother, so young yet knows so much about music and no one explain things better than u on youtube!

@devo6413 6 ай бұрын

Its just so funny the vocals singing "You pull me back" and Michael pulling the volume and stuff back

@harrywatson6184 3 жыл бұрын

Great mixing tutorial, lots of gems! I can't get over how similar the vocal melody is to "King Of Carrot Flowers". Anyways, have a good one!

@tranquilitylane8933 2 жыл бұрын

Sure does. Was driving me nuts

@jn2787 Жыл бұрын

right !? took me two seconds to be like wtf that is way to similar

@tobiasantolini1052 3 жыл бұрын

Great work man! I would love to see HOW you can achieve a recording like this. Everything sounds so even, that made this mix easy (in terms of what Im used to mix because of the audio some artists send me)

@aaronloveirie 3 жыл бұрын

Great time learning with you brother ! Keep it UP ! BIG THX !!!

@scaz2181 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot!!! Gonna stay tuned for more!!

@vewilli 3 жыл бұрын

I wish I was the creator of this extremely beautiful song. I love everything of this song, the melody, the instrumentation and arrangement, the voice, the balance the mixI would be extremely proud of being able to make such a song. Congrats to everybody who is involved in this song. 👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻

@Sursie_Metzger 3 жыл бұрын

I play and release harp instrumentals and finding a way to properly mix my songs has been an equal challenge to the recording process itself. So fingers crossed I’ll be able to utilize this for better mixes 🤞🏻

@HappilyAnonymousGirl 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to make this video for us. This was awesome

@matarmusic 3 жыл бұрын

Man I'm loving these videos!! Thank you so much for all the helpful videos!

@StephanAinley 3 жыл бұрын

12:51 "Let's see how the song pans out" no pun intended. 🤣 Dang, this video is one of those I'm going to have to watch a dozen times. Would grouping things up in Ableton be similar for the different groups you're consolidating?

@eldiablojr9595 3 жыл бұрын

@lambylaf 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it's exactly the same. Makes it much faster to do things like sidechaining, eq, glue compression etc. You can also make groups inside of groups in ableton for even more control!

@someone8537 3 жыл бұрын

Can anyone recommend some music producers i can follow on twitch or something? I follow some i want some more variety so i can maybe learn more

@BrolosProduction 2 жыл бұрын

You are the reason I am improving from track to track. Thank you so much for all of your work. Really appreciate it.

@seyiiroko1575 3 жыл бұрын

So much knowledge in one video. I love the last words even more. Thank you Michael✊🏾

@arshadeepsingh7280 3 жыл бұрын

"A mix doesn't has to be perfect balance for low,mid and high,it has to be the right balance for that song". -In The Mix

@shaaaggy100 2 жыл бұрын

This guy is on his game......I haven't got a clue wat he's on about but he keeps me watching until the end. Brilliant:)

@Agodofkings 3 жыл бұрын

I've watched a lot of tutorials but man your tutorials are the most detailed. Amazing work! I can come here and take notes confidently.

@user-rw4zy6ho9x 2 жыл бұрын

i am hundrends hours in music production but i feel like a baby when he says that there is too much competition between guitar and piano and i just can't hear it at all. there's still a TON to learn. thank you for your videos

@musicalvibesrecords2939 2 жыл бұрын

Truly a great lesson about clean mix. Thanks

@heathsledger 2 жыл бұрын

absolute masterclass thanks for the value

@GoPro_Matt 2 жыл бұрын

This is amazing! Thank you!

@AgentCharles522002 3 жыл бұрын

i really appreciate these vids! its nice to see how others go about mixing

@dennisdebbarma1062 3 жыл бұрын

thank you soo much for hearing out the request.....this helps a lot for me and my group of friends who are also your subscribers.

@c76_7bsvxl5gjejqirylydzw 3 жыл бұрын

I like how measured your explanations are. You rarely make blanket or unquantifiable statements, reminding people to not just overuse techniques you did in your video based on them just so happening to be of use multiple times in this single project of yours. This is really refreshing, because, usually, tutorials end up being useless, not giving precise enough justifications for the exact steps taken and more of an insight into the character of the presenter than anything else. Yours, on the other hand, are interesting, even if one is already aware of most of the technical aspects discussed and here for more than just the usual manufactured iillusion of a magical, black-box mixing process. You're teaching the actual process and function of things, not just to set dials a specific way for no apparent reason. It is reassuring to be hearing the same problems and thinking of similar solutions. Thank you for posting!