Mix Trick or Trash?! Pro Engineers Rate 10 Popular Mixing Tips

About this video

• Video Title: Mix Trick or Trash?! Pro Engineers Rate 10 Popular Mixing Tips
• Channel: Mastering․com
• Speakers: (Not explicitly named in transcript, but referred to as "engineers" and by first names in some instances like "Caleb" and "Kevin")
• Duration: 00:20:23

Overview

This video features professional audio engineers discussing and rating ten common mixing tips, categorizing each as either a "trick" (useful technique) or "trash" (bad advice). The engineers debate the merits of various practices, emphasizing understanding the "why" behind techniques rather than blindly following rules.

Key takeaways

• Avoid Absolutes: Many "always" or "never" rules in mixing are deemed "trash" because they don't account for context or specific situations. Understanding why a technique is used is more important than following a rigid rule.
• High-Pass Filtering: While useful for removing unwanted low-end rumble and saving headroom, applying a high-pass filter to every channel is considered "trash" as it can be overzealous and unnecessary for many sources.
• Mixing Environment: A good mixing room is beneficial but not strictly essential; experienced engineers can achieve good mixes in less-than-ideal rooms by learning how the room translates.
• Mixing in Mono: While checking mixes in mono can be useful for specific checks (like width or phase issues), the general practice of mixing entirely in mono is considered "trash" as most listeners consume audio in stereo.
• Analog vs. Digital: The idea that "analog is better than digital" is largely considered "trash." While analog gear can offer sonic benefits and a different workflow, digital tools are capable of achieving professional results and offer advantages in recall and maintenance.
• Stock Plugins: Stock plugins are capable of producing great mixes, but they can be limiting. Mastering what you have is crucial, but eventually, specialized third-party plugins or hardware can offer workflow advantages and subtle sonic improvements that are important at a professional level.
• Switching Monitors/Headphones: Relying on multiple monitoring systems is generally considered "trash." Learning one's primary room and monitoring system thoroughly is more effective than constantly switching between sources, which can lead to confusion.
• Soloing Tracks: While mixing primarily in context is important, soloing tracks is a useful "trick" for specific tasks like identifying resonant frequencies or pinpointing issues, but should not be done constantly.
• Self-Mastering: For many mixers, mastering their own tracks is a viable option once they reach a professional level and understand how mastering works, making sending it to another engineer unnecessary "trash."
• Understanding vs. Rules: The overarching theme is that understanding the underlying principles and the "why" behind a technique is more valuable than blindly following supposed rules or tips.