1:27 Step 1 - Free from distractions 3:45 Step 2 - Well balanced 6:21 Step 3 - Enjoyable to listen to From about 7:25 on is a conclusion and further discussion
Seeing this video has really opened my mind to the subjectivity of mixing. I make music and though I throw a mix on it, I am always discouraged because I am thinking there is a standard way in which to mix. Mixing is a matter of taste. You said it...mixing is an art form.
Grant you have the cleanest, most professional, and informative recording advice channel on youtube. There are so many of them and so many of them are messy and unclear. You're a really great musician/audio engineer and you're also really great at presenting the information that you learned to other people. This channel grew a lot since I first started watching it and you've helped me more times than I can count. Seriously love your work man, hope you have even more success with the channel and your music career in the future :)
I especially like: "Hear the song as the listener would." and "Develope your taste" This video is just another great inspiration as always Graham! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hey Graham, I really appreciate this video. With all the new advancements and constant updates in audio technology it is sometimes hard to take a step back and remember what you are actually trying to accomplish. Very Refreshing video!
I know my mix is ready when I'm done and if four out of five people like it too. No one will know any different if you present them a song that you thought needed more because they don't have any expectations. It's done once you give it to them. Just listen to a simple piano and vocal track or a guitar and vocal track...heck, just listen to a single piano performance. Do you ever think..."that needs a few instruments here and there...then it will sound complete." No, most people don't that are just listening to it the first time. Also...you get better knowing when it's done with practice. That should be the first thing on the list. It takes practice to recognize when you're done. It's something that is part of the craft. Knowing.
Subbed. I agree, i think we can get over indulged in mixing, sometimes i create something, bop my head and don't even want to touch it to mix it, but have to for clipping and things. Well put and well generalised, some things we need to generalise. The music YOU make will have a group of people that like the sound, some that don't, continue following music that makes you passionate and YOU like, the followers that do lilke the sound will follow. Who cares about those that don't, their ears are different, and that's fine too. Good example - is there an artist you can think of that EVERYONE you know likes?
I like your video Mr. Graham because it's so very true. Developing your own style/sound of a mix that you like is key to being a good mixer, as long as you like it. Also you're right when you said you can close your eye's and pay attention to each sound in your mix and go... Yeah! That's a song I would listen too. Cool man👍 and thanks Graham for making this video. Peace ✌
There should be ways to like multiple areas of a video. I found myself wanting to hit the like button 3 times... but I already hit it in the beginning! lol. Great work!
Really appreciate your videos so much. I learned a lot of small tips that help a lot and most importantly you teach a great way to think about your music and your mix. so thanks again for all the info you put out there and for free.
"When it's really loud and distracting, it's a distraction." Wise words from Graham :P Jokes aside, thanks for the great tips and great video as always, Graham. This was very helpful!
Thank you for that advices, really appreciate it. For me, the most important point is the third point, if you enjoy the song then everything else becomes secondary (for the listener though, as the producer you should focus on all three)
1) I am the “technical and scientific” person you describe, so these principles were tremendously helpful to me. I really needed to hear the content of this video. I’m wrapping up my first ever mix, obsessing about every little detail, and I have actually reached the “head bob moment,” so I can take this video and realize how I’m basically done and need to not worry. 2) I do agree with most everything you’re saying about mixing and music being subjective, but I beg to differ that these arts (or any art) are MOSTLY subjective. I think these things are basically 50/50 between objectivity and subjectivity. They are subjective in that everyone is entitled to their opinions and taste. They are subjective in that everyone perceives art as a subject does an object. But art, and mixing as well, carry sweeping aspects of objectivity as well. Everywhere that a pattern can be observed, we are seeing evidence of that objectivity. We see amazing songs that are widely successful, and then we begin to go and derive principles from those successful songs. Principles, but not rules. Forms, but not formulas. Patterns, but not determinants. But nonetheless, objectivity and objective parameters are encoded into the language itself. When we say “music,” we know we don’t mean “hot dogs.” You might think that an irrelevant distinction, but I argue that it’s the fundamental starting point in how we begin to zero in on what music is and what it is not. Likewise, as we draw up parameters for what music is, we almost as easily draw parameters for what good music is. The thing is, the subjectivity is there as well. No one has an authority on these principles. But that doesn’t mean the principles of good and bad don’t exist, which is why people will continue to try to formulate education on the topic (objectivity) while respecting opinions and maintaining humility (respect to subjectivity). Hope that makes sense. 3) Graham, I hope you realize how much your videos help people like me. I was utterly lost in terms of audio engineering, recording, and mixing. But thanks to lots of viewing of your videos (and practice), I’m getting there, and I’m loving it.
Love this video .. not technical but I get this .. and by instinct it's something we all do ..nodding the head feeling the vibe after mxing it .. but I didn't know that that's a sign of a good mix ..or at least that something is going right .. good to know this from a top mix engineer ..
RE: Hearing Differently - I had to edit/mix voiceover and music content for our church's Good Friday program with a pretty solid head cold. I had NO IDEA what I was really hearing. Thank the Lord, it turned out well. Could have gone way the other way.
LOL! I would be very interested to see/hear a raw mix that is light at 400Hz. It's never happened to me personally. Great video and advice. Thanks, Graham!
I was just searching for this topic!!!!! WTF are the chances! LOL Ive been 'tweaking' a new mix for the past 3 days. Is it done yet? :) I have found over the years that having fun is a top priority. And although making a record is very hard work, I think its easy to get lost in nitpicking small details to death. The fun stops at that point, and for me that's when I know its probably done and not going to get much better with more time/effort. The law of diminishing returns.....
thanks for this tutorial...something disturbs me a lot ever since i get myself soaked into music production.. i dont listen to songs again to enjoy them like i do before, i always listen to music trying to figure out eg. what compression sounds like, out the reverber sounds like, how do i apply that to my mixing...etc.. now i started feeling like i am missing the fun aspect of enjoying music for technicalities .... is there a way out of this please?
Please build a Microphone-Parts.com DIY mic, like the S87! Roughly $300 and very comparable to a higher end mic like the u87. Only heard great opinions and demos from a small handful of bedroom engineers. Would be great to get your take on it 👍🏼
True, But how Graham do you manage to get such a perfectly mixed track on your Krk Speakers , whats your secret ? do you have 2 studios ? because i know from experience that those krk Monitors your have are not posible to make a mix that translates well, ???? and all these $4k+ units in these top studios are just show pieces ?
Yeah, to summarize: music is art and therefore extremely subjective. There are some standards for sure but not everybody likes the same. Very recently, I heard my fave singer (Deryck Whibley from Sum 41) saying that their album Does this look infected? didn't sound good to him. I thought "oh come on, Deryck. I don't agree" and it shocked me cause is one of my fave albums ever and I'd kill to make music like that...but for him was not good enough and suprisingly, their new stuff is very very good for him and I don't really like it that much.
Love your videos man. Here's a little freestyle I wrote watching. And this is For preforming And it's gorgeous When I rhyme All me recordin' And im mourning Any more of your time I'm out of orbit Like the tortoise fucked the hair and came inside Spill your toilet when I rhyme Forgot to flush there wasnt time shit sequoias and spoilin' noises that's blow up and pop I've got the flow of a God with rich soil and pot Foiled your plot with toys from the top of the dome Typed out on my phone, under videos Didn't like it or love it tell me something
Here's a written verse I will Seek the peace and calmness, breathe with ease in solace I will Beat defeat I'm solid, keep belief qI'm polished I will Free the weak the fallen, leave a seed and pollen I will Leave beneath abolished, heat the heat I promise I will beat then eat the demons I will beat then eat the demons Because the beast seems to seep in On both week and weekends But I cheese cheek to cheek when the beast sneaks a peak in And he sees and breathes in, some of Gods holy essence Time is the only essence, have it down to only seconds I'm stressing milliseconds, one of each, never a second Thank god for Your blessings , be grateful for all of it Every single thing from your common sense to dominance From confidence to complementso His presence presented itself as a present sent Messages heaven sent, expressive in, his lesson when He taught me People leave when, life gets hard Even shadows leave in the dark They come back when life gets sunny Isn't that funny? Isn't that funny? Your whole life, you have been running But you can't outrun yourself No you can't outrun yourself I said you can't outrun yourself I know the pain that you've felt I know you won't ask for help You need it though I can tell Jump in then I might as well The world can and will shit on you Life's a bitch that will hit on you Then be quick to call a hit on you Then spit on you it's pitiful You're broken but your fixable Please don't pray for miracles Take life in your own hands Then map out your own plan Take all the shortcuts and Last stop is promise land I promise man, I promise man Meditate and levitate Regulate and resonate With all of your frequencies If you do this frequently Then doors will open easily You'll Level up seamlessly Work way harder and way smarter Go the distance then go farther Write your story like an author Be selfish and aggressive Find the problem and address it Be expressive and excessive And Your rewards will be impressive Be progressive and objective When you ignore your blessings They turn into a burdened curse You need to learn yourself first Before you learn how this world works I just want you to love your life spread your wings and start to fly Like a butterfly in the summer time your colors shine so loud and bright Let the world see what's inside of this beautiful blessing of mine There's no way to get life right So just take each day in stride
I like your videos, really. But a "killer" Snare + a "killer" bass guitar +...... + a "killer" mix : Is still not a great song. What is a great song, one which will be there in 10 years ? A good SONG. And a this has nothing to do with a great recording technic or the best compressor, bla bla... Sorry to tell you that ; I tried to listen to some of your songs, honestly and with open mind , the truth is : I could not finish any of them. I felt like being enclosed in a box, without space, because the air around me was so dense ... really a killer. But also, It was like being in very clear restaurant, everything polished to death, nice decoration, flowers, and in my plate ; 2 peanuts. I was 6 years old when a friend of my sister came at home with a new album, we had a simple mono pick-up and the quality was so so. But the album was the "The Beatles-Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band",.... what a wonderful moment it was ... unforgettable for my life. But the pick-up was shit. Back to my restaurant analogy, this album was like a memorable Christmas Turkey . Why is it so hard to create SONGS these days ? Simple, memorable, durable.... songs. I like the comment of "TheChosenOne" below. I concur. Many times .... less is better. Let your listener a free space for his imagination. If you have a very memorable melody - you don't need to add 24 tracks to make it sound like it is.
1:27 Step 1 - Free from distractions
3:45 Step 2 - Well balanced
6:21 Step 3 - Enjoyable to listen to
From about 7:25 on is a conclusion and further discussion
This is therapy for perfectionist mixers
Hope so, I'm here exactly for my therapy session
" No one should hear your mix, they should hear the song!" Great advice Graham! I also love the headbob test! Keep up the great videos!
"That is because he's developed his own taste; the way HE likes to hear music."
That's a very free-ing piece of advice.
Seeing this video has really opened my mind to the subjectivity of mixing. I make music and though I throw a mix on it, I am always discouraged because I am thinking there is a standard way in which to mix. Mixing is a matter of taste. You said it...mixing is an art form.
Grant you have the cleanest, most professional, and informative recording advice channel on youtube. There are so many of them and so many of them are messy and unclear. You're a really great musician/audio engineer and you're also really great at presenting the information that you learned to other people. This channel grew a lot since I first started watching it and you've helped me more times than I can count. Seriously love your work man, hope you have even more success with the channel and your music career in the future :)
No cuts in the video. This guy knows his stuff. Awesome video. Liked and subbed.
The most liberating video i've seen in regards to getting the 'right' mix...thank you!
Step 1, the best philosophy! Step 2, OK, you 've been talking a lot about. Step 3, you explained perfectly! Nice contributions, Graham! Thanks a lot.
I especially like: "Hear the song as the listener would." and "Develope your taste" This video is just another great inspiration as always Graham! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hey Graham,
I really appreciate this video. With all the new advancements and constant updates in audio technology it is sometimes hard to take a step back and remember what you are actually trying to accomplish. Very Refreshing video!
I love this guy!! I bettered my mixes based on his write-up.
The right video at the right time again. This was very eye opening and just what I needed.
Thank you so much Graham!
Franco Valdés He always drop the right videos at the right time , he has been consistent with this from the 5 minutes mixing series days
Subscribe to me and I will subscribe to you
Wow....ohh my!!!
I loved this lesson so so much.
Thank you a bunch, opened up my mind!
Thanks G! Preparing final mixes for my album and learned life lessons while watching this video clip.
I know my mix is ready when I'm done and if four out of five people like it too. No one will know any different if you present them a song that you thought needed more because they don't have any expectations. It's done once you give it to them. Just listen to a simple piano and vocal track or a guitar and vocal track...heck, just listen to a single piano performance. Do you ever think..."that needs a few instruments here and there...then it will sound complete." No, most people don't that are just listening to it the first time. Also...you get better knowing when it's done with practice. That should be the first thing on the list. It takes practice to recognize when you're done. It's something that is part of the craft. Knowing.
Damn, the first 2min and I know Graham wont let me down with this one. Thanks man!
Beyond the great useful content I enjoy the succinct way you present the material. Your videos are well presented without long tangents.
Subbed. I agree, i think we can get over indulged in mixing, sometimes i create something, bop my head and don't even want to touch it to mix it, but have to for clipping and things. Well put and well generalised, some things we need to generalise. The music YOU make will have a group of people that like the sound, some that don't, continue following music that makes you passionate and YOU like, the followers that do lilke the sound will follow. Who cares about those that don't, their ears are different, and that's fine too. Good example - is there an artist you can think of that EVERYONE you know likes?
I like your video Mr. Graham because it's so very true. Developing your own style/sound of a mix that you like is key to being a good mixer, as long as you like it. Also you're right when you said you can close your eye's and pay attention to each sound in your mix and go... Yeah! That's a song I would listen too. Cool man👍 and thanks Graham for making this video. Peace ✌
There should be ways to like multiple areas of a video. I found myself wanting to hit the like button 3 times... but I already hit it in the beginning! lol. Great work!
Typical Soundcloud user in the house :)
You are awesome. Thank you for this information, and your honesty.
Really appreciate your videos so much. I learned a lot of small tips that help a lot and most importantly you teach a great way to think about your music and your mix. so thanks again for all the info you put out there and for free.
"When it's really loud and distracting, it's a distraction." Wise words from Graham :P
Jokes aside, thanks for the great tips and great video as always, Graham. This was very helpful!
Great video! Thanks for the tips ❤
Man you have taught me so much thank you for these videos giving us the game
I owe Graham a lot! Thank you man. 🙌🙌
Thank you for that advices, really appreciate it. For me, the most important point is the third point, if you enjoy the song then everything else becomes secondary (for the listener though, as the producer you should focus on all three)
1) I am the “technical and scientific” person you describe, so these principles were tremendously helpful to me. I really needed to hear the content of this video. I’m wrapping up my first ever mix, obsessing about every little detail, and I have actually reached the “head bob moment,” so I can take this video and realize how I’m basically done and need to not worry.
2) I do agree with most everything you’re saying about mixing and music being subjective, but I beg to differ that these arts (or any art) are MOSTLY subjective. I think these things are basically 50/50 between objectivity and subjectivity. They are subjective in that everyone is entitled to their opinions and taste. They are subjective in that everyone perceives art as a subject does an object. But art, and mixing as well, carry sweeping aspects of objectivity as well. Everywhere that a pattern can be observed, we are seeing evidence of that objectivity. We see amazing songs that are widely successful, and then we begin to go and derive principles from those successful songs. Principles, but not rules. Forms, but not formulas. Patterns, but not determinants. But nonetheless, objectivity and objective parameters are encoded into the language itself. When we say “music,” we know we don’t mean “hot dogs.” You might think that an irrelevant distinction, but I argue that it’s the fundamental starting point in how we begin to zero in on what music is and what it is not. Likewise, as we draw up parameters for what music is, we almost as easily draw parameters for what good music is. The thing is, the subjectivity is there as well. No one has an authority on these principles. But that doesn’t mean the principles of good and bad don’t exist, which is why people will continue to try to formulate education on the topic (objectivity) while respecting opinions and maintaining humility (respect to subjectivity). Hope that makes sense.
3) Graham, I hope you realize how much your videos help people like me. I was utterly lost in terms of audio engineering, recording, and mixing. But thanks to lots of viewing of your videos (and practice), I’m getting there, and I’m loving it.
Love this video .. not technical but I get this .. and by instinct it's something we all do ..nodding the head feeling the vibe after mxing it .. but I didn't know that that's a sign of a good mix ..or at least that something is going right .. good to know this from a top mix engineer ..
Love your channel, very informative. Thanks man!
Awesome tips and advice. Thank you!
Hey man, thank you for your thoughts and insights.
Very sound advice, love your videos!
That's a very very good video! Thank you for this.
and to think i was beyond your teaching because you teach basic stuff yet i still learn something every time lol
Great job G!
Good points and well said! Good perspective
Great lesson and tips as always! Thanks!
Your tips are money worth, thanks
Love your channel!! Thanks very much for everything
very few people likes what I like, but I like it :-)
Thanks so much! ❤️
My Inner Voice ❤
RE: Hearing Differently - I had to edit/mix voiceover and music content for our church's Good Friday program with a pretty solid head cold. I had NO IDEA what I was really hearing. Thank the Lord, it turned out well. Could have gone way the other way.
This is great. Much appreciated.
Great video!!
This helped me very much. Thank you! :)
Hey fam!...... Do we need to have protools to be able work on the files that we will get from duelingmixes.com?. I actually use FL Studio..... Thnx!
Had a dream he came to my house in the middle night just standing over me sleeping and said "Hey Friend Graham Here !!"
Im dying lmao
Such wisdom. so good
I needed to hear this.
You have a great insight. keep it up
LOL! I would be very interested to see/hear a raw mix that is light at 400Hz. It's never happened to me personally. Great video and advice. Thanks, Graham!
Thanks!! Very helpful
Couldn't agree more, BANG ON !
Thank you.
iZotope Visual Mixer/MixTap + iZotope Tonal Balance Control 👍🏻
I was just searching for this topic!!!!! WTF are the chances! LOL
Ive been 'tweaking' a new mix for the past 3 days. Is it done yet? :)
I have found over the years that having fun is a top priority. And although making a record is very hard work, I think its easy to get lost in nitpicking small details to death. The fun stops at that point, and for me that's when I know its probably done and not going to get much better with more time/effort. The law of diminishing returns.....
thanks for this tutorial...something disturbs me a lot ever since i get myself soaked into music production.. i dont listen to songs again to enjoy them like i do before, i always listen to music trying to figure out eg. what compression sounds like, out the reverber sounds like, how do i apply that to my mixing...etc.. now i started feeling like i am missing the fun aspect of enjoying music for technicalities .... is there a way out of this please?
What is an active monitor or passive monitor?
is there a free daw given with dueling mixes? which daw do you all use?
Please build a Microphone-Parts.com DIY mic, like the S87! Roughly $300 and very comparable to a higher end mic like the u87. Only heard great opinions and demos from a small handful of bedroom engineers. Would be great to get your take on it 👍🏼
I need this guy in my life xD
True, But how Graham do you manage to get such a perfectly mixed track on your Krk Speakers , whats your secret ? do you have 2 studios ? because i know from experience that those krk Monitors your have are not posible to make a mix that translates well,
???? and all these $4k+ units in these top studios are just show pieces ?
very helpful :)
Believe it or not.....I at times start picking up distractions as I become a better mixer!
Why isn't duelingmixes accepting new members?
head bob test is real
Give visine a shot bro...!
were i cant hear your music (Y) i like
2:25
Yee thanks. I just mix in iPhone ear buds and iPhone speakers lol.
coool
Yeah, to summarize: music is art and therefore extremely subjective. There are some standards for sure but not everybody likes the same. Very recently, I heard my fave singer (Deryck Whibley from Sum 41) saying that their album Does this look infected? didn't sound good to him. I thought "oh come on, Deryck. I don't agree" and it shocked me cause is one of my fave albums ever and I'd kill to make music like that...but for him was not good enough and suprisingly, their new stuff is very very good for him and I don't really like it that much.
Ok... I summarized that into a damn long comment xD.
Love your videos man. Here's a little freestyle I wrote watching.
And this is For preforming And it's gorgeous
When I rhyme All me recordin'
And im mourning
Any more of your time
I'm out of orbit
Like the tortoise fucked the hair and came inside
Spill your toilet when I rhyme
Forgot to flush there wasnt time
shit sequoias and spoilin' noises that's blow up and pop
I've got the flow of a God with rich soil and pot
Foiled your plot with toys from the top of the dome
Typed out on my phone, under videos
Didn't like it or love it tell me something
Here's a written verse
I will Seek the peace and calmness, breathe with ease in solace
I will Beat defeat I'm solid, keep belief qI'm polished
I will Free the weak the fallen, leave a seed and pollen
I will Leave beneath abolished, heat the heat I promise
I will beat then eat the demons
I will beat then eat the demons
Because the beast seems to seep in
On both week and weekends
But I cheese cheek to cheek when
the beast sneaks a peak in
And he sees and breathes in,
some of Gods holy essence
Time is the only essence, have it down to only seconds
I'm stressing milliseconds, one of each, never a second
Thank god for Your blessings , be grateful for all of it
Every single thing from your common sense to dominance
From confidence to complementso
His presence presented itself as a present sent
Messages heaven sent, expressive in, his lesson when
He taught me
People leave when, life gets hard
Even shadows leave in the dark
They come back when life gets sunny
Isn't that funny? Isn't that funny?
Your whole life, you have been running
But you can't outrun yourself
No you can't outrun yourself
I said you can't outrun yourself
I know the pain that you've felt
I know you won't ask for help
You need it though I can tell
Jump in then I might as well
The world can and will shit on you
Life's a bitch that will hit on you
Then be quick to call a hit on you
Then spit on you it's pitiful
You're broken but your fixable
Please don't pray for miracles
Take life in your own hands
Then map out your own plan
Take all the shortcuts and
Last stop is promise land
I promise man, I promise man
Meditate and levitate
Regulate and resonate
With all of your frequencies
If you do this frequently
Then doors will open easily
You'll Level up seamlessly
Work way harder and way smarter
Go the distance then go farther
Write your story like an author
Be selfish and aggressive
Find the problem and address it
Be expressive and excessive
And Your rewards will be impressive
Be progressive and objective
When you ignore your blessings
They turn into a burdened curse
You need to learn yourself first
Before you learn how this world works
I just want you to love your life
spread your wings and start to fly
Like a butterfly in the summer time
your colors shine so loud and bright
Let the world see what's inside
of this beautiful blessing of mine
There's no way to get life right
So just take each day in stride
I like your videos, really.
But a "killer" Snare + a "killer" bass guitar +...... + a "killer" mix : Is still not a great song.
What is a great song, one which will be there in 10 years ? A good SONG.
And a this has nothing to do with a great recording technic or the best compressor, bla bla...
Sorry to tell you that ; I tried to listen to some of your songs, honestly and with open mind , the truth is : I could not finish any of them.
I felt like being enclosed in a box, without space, because the air around me was so dense ... really a killer. But also, It was like being in very clear restaurant, everything polished to death, nice decoration, flowers, and in my plate ; 2 peanuts.
I was 6 years old when a friend of my sister came at home with a new album, we had a simple mono pick-up
and the quality was so so. But the album was the "The Beatles-Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band",.... what a wonderful moment it was ... unforgettable for my life. But the pick-up was shit.
Back to my restaurant analogy, this album was like a memorable Christmas Turkey .
Why is it so hard to create SONGS these days ? Simple, memorable, durable.... songs.
I like the comment of "TheChosenOne" below. I concur. Many times .... less is better.
Let your listener a free space for his imagination. If you have a very memorable melody - you don't need to add 24 tracks to make it sound like it is.
Stop mixing for a sec and go out in sun, you literally look like some emoji, PALE!