Common mistakes when mixing: overused plugins and techniques

[whassup]

Bruce is no longer with us. It's safe to use compression again.

[whassup]

And nothing against Bruce's work. The MJ stuff is timeless good.

[bite_me]

Writing too much in forums instead of making music

[mixsit]

The reason EQ is better after compression is because the compressor will need to be adjusted any time the EQ is changed.

So make that 2nd adjustment. You're talking about easing workfliow, not reaching quality results, which sometimes defy this "rule" of yours.

I would like to offer a few other variables.
The EQ adjustment may not be seen' by the compressor; small enough relative to its threshold, and/or freq. not seen by the sidechain. (no added adjustments)
An EQ that may be needed correcting/improving a track's fairly strong tone imbalance might also improve (help') in the way the compressor sees the track. (I was thinking low end but not necessarily I'd guess.)

[npdc]

One of the most common mistakes is using too many plugins. My best mixes used less plugins. Less is more they say!

[whassup]

One of the most common mistakes is using too many plugins. My best mixes used less plugins. Less is more they say!

Yes!
Buy more plugins and use them less?

[.jon]

This is a an actually useful thread, especially for KvR standards, keep the good stuff coming!

My top candidate for the biggest mistake is not separating songwriting and mixing into two strictly separated stages. I used to start fiddling with mix plugins while in the creative flow, and since mixing is mostly a rational activity, I got dropped out of the mood with an unfinished track... and the actual half a track might then sound just fine, but stay unfinished because the moment was gone. I've been unlearning this intentionally and just go with whatever suitable sound works in the moment, and keep rendering the musical content with easily available sounds until it has all the parts, and worry about both sound design and mixing after that.

Not really unlike oil painting process, just slap on the main values, then start rendering it. With digital music, it's so easy to swap synths afterwards or rework the preset as long as there is actual musical value in the part.

[Aloysius]

If the edge from U2 decided that he would worry about all the delays and reverbs after he had finished the recording phase, it wouldn't work. He needs the effects, as he's working. They are integral. Same with metal and distortion. Same with dance music. Songwriting and mixing are part of the same process in a lot of cases. How would you know how much of the frequency spectrum and soundstage is taken up otherwise? You'd have to guess.

[.jon]

I think everyone has a reverb send in their default template and dial in some of that while songwriting, I just have a basic general preset on for feeling. Point is to not start tweaking the perfect sound when you could progress the song.

Delay isn’t a mix effect, it adds new musical information and the way I use it is more like an instrument.

Guitar pedals aren’t mix plugins either, in a traditional studio setting the guy who mixes and the guy who touches the pedals aren’t even the same person.

[Aloysius]

Totally agree with this. I think a lot of prople have a go-to reverb send baked into their templates just to set the vibe while writing. Something general that gives a bit of space and emotion without getting too precious about it early on. The goal is to stay in the creative zone, not get lost chasing a “finished” sound before the song is made.

Delay is definitely more than just a mix effect. It can be almost like an instrument too. A part of the composition, not just the polish. Same with guitar pedals. They’re tools for performance and feel, not just for mixing. In a traditional studio, those roles are totally separate for a reason.

Keeping those lines clear helps keep the creative process moving instead of bogging it down in micro-decisions too early.

[Kai Enaki]

The reason EQ is better after compression is because the compressor will need to be adjusted any time the EQ is changed.

So make that 2nd adjustment. You're talking about easing workfliow, not reaching quality results, which sometimes defy this "rule" of yours.

I would like to offer a few other variables.
The EQ adjustment may not be seen' by the compressor; small enough relative to its threshold, and/or freq. not seen by the sidechain. (no added adjustments)
An EQ that may be needed correcting/improving a track's fairly strong tone imbalance might also improve (help') in the way the compressor sees the track. (I was thinking low end but not necessarily I'd guess.)

That's what I like with equalizers and compressors. You can put them in whatever order you want as long as it sounds good.