I have an idea for mixing help

[Dr. Feelgood]

i am trying to teach myself how to become a better mixing and mastering engineer. it's such a hard skill to learn well because every mix is different and therefore requires different EQ and compressor settings.

This is also the reason why it's impossible to get a great mix by "mixing by numbers", but on the other hand its also close to impossible to get a good mix just by listening to your prefered sound track by track.

so I thought of this idea:
Someone could export segments of various tracks from one of their profesional quality mixes, and just save it as a wav. Say a bass track after it has been eq'ed, compressed and leveled. This way I could use it as a reference to see what are the dominating frequencies left, what are the average dynamic level etc....

Im not asking people to share complete tracks to entire mixes. Someone could share bass, another one the snare drum track etc...

i think that could be a very helpful starting point getting to learn mixing.

what do you think?

[Hink]

i am trying to teach myself how to become a better mixing and mastering engineer. it's such a hard skill to learn well because every mix is different and therefore requires different EQ and compressor settings.

This is also the reason why it's impossible to get a great mix by "mixing by numbers", but on the other hand its also close to impossible to get a good mix just by listening to your prefered sound track by track.

so I thought of this idea:
Someone could export segments of various tracks from one of their profesional quality mixes, and just save it as a wav. Say a bass track after it has been eq'ed, compressed and leveled. This way I could use it as a reference to see what are the dominating frequencies left, what are the average dynamic level etc....

Im not asking people to share complete tracks to entire mixes. Someone could share bass, another one the snare drum track etc...

i think that could be a very helpful starting point getting to learn mixing.

what do you think?

http://www.listenhear.co.uk/general_acoustics.htm

[Dr. Feelgood]

http://www.listenhear.co.uk/general_acoustics.htm

thats an interesting link but as far as I can tell it just a more elaborate variation of those typical charts showing instruments frequency range. What i am looking for is examples of those freqency ranges AFTER processing, ie an example of how a worthy mixing engineer has made an instrument fit in a mix.

the whole problem is that tracks often have to be treated differently when fitting into a mix than when just trying to make them sound good on their own.

if we shared precise wav files from mixing sessions, we could analyze: at what db does it peak, whats the average rms, whats the frequency range etc.

[Hink]

I hear what the good doctor is saying... however I don't want to burst your bubble but I think you're putting the horse before the cart. A lot of what you want is a matter of devolping your ears to hear the differences. Someone could mix something as an example for you that could be miles away from the original, but you might not yet possess the ability to percieve it as beig different. I know I can say that when I listen to music, somethings I have listened too for 30 years and I'll go "huh I never noticed that before"...it could be a mistake, a bad punch, sometimes lyrics, timing beefs, white noise ect...it still keeps happening, my ears keep getting better and better. Sorry to say I don't have any other answer then time...

fwiw I still would send all my music to be mastered and when I finish this next project I'm renting out a local studio to mix it..so don't fret...

[Dr. Feelgood]

yes, it IS a matter of training the ear and making own judgements, but as a step in improving these skills I still believe this could be a helpful idea. When learing to do stuff yourself its always useful to have references and guides.

Someone could mix something as an example for you that could be miles away from the original, but you might not yet possess the ability to percieve it as beig different.

but i would still be able to to analyze/hear what level it is mixed at. and I alos DO still think it would be useful in terms of getting ideas for eq'ing specific tracks.

people often recommend listening to commercial mixes from cd's that you like, and try to understand how it all fits together. All i am trying to suggest is just a method to hear individual tracks seperately to try and understand what goes on there.

[Hink]

yes, it IS a matter of training the ear and making own judgements, but as a step in improving these skills I still believe this could be a helpful idea. When learing to do stuff yourself its always useful to have references and guides.

Someone could mix something as an example for you that could be miles away from the original, but you might not yet possess the ability to percieve it as beig different.

but i would still be able to to analyze/hear what level it is mixed at. and I alos DO still think it would be useful in terms of getting ideas for eq'ing specific tracks.

people often recommend listening to commercial mixes from cd's that you like, and try to understand how it all fits together. All i am trying to suggest is just a method to hear individual tracks seperately to try and understand what goes on there.

how about some of the better loops, you can't isolate tracks from a cd but loops would give you some idea. I agree it would be an interesting concept. I don't know of anything like it, but I will keep my eyes open...you could also spend some time in the cafe and listen to some songs after you read other's comments and try to listen to what they describe...I hope I've been of some help...

[M'Snah]

...

[P.T.]

A problem with your idea is that the EQ of an instrument is dependant on the other sounds in the song. The sounds have to work with each other and all sounds need their own space.
Also, different guitars sound different and need different EQ. The same with other instruments.

You really do need to develop your ears.

[hlmst]

you really need to develop your ears. Not a good idea to listen to these individual tracks.

[Ackelito]

Okej, lets talk about how you develope your ears!

any tips and ideas?

i want super mega hearing, can somebody repair my damaged ears?

[hlmst]

Erm you could try playing around and "practicing"? Give it a few years tho...

[Dr. Feelgood]

yeah you are all right
i basicly agree, and i am not looking for a "fit all" preset solution. I am looking for assistance in training my ears and mixing skills.

remember I am also talking about mixing levels and dynamic range of each type of track....not just eq.

[spacefox]

I think your'e missing Dr. Feelgood's intention here. All he's asking (if I understand correctly) is for some of the more experienced mixers around to share example of their work in the form of seperate tracks.
This is intended as an example from which to learn, not as a standard he can copy.

[Dr. Feelgood]

I think your'e missing Dr. Feelgood's intention here. All he's asking (if I understand correctly) is for some of the more experienced mixers around to share example of their work in the form of seperate tracks.
This is intended as an example from which to learn, not as a standard he can copy.

exactly!
thanks for helping me clarify

[Hink]

I think your'e missing Dr. Feelgood's intention here. All he's asking (if I understand correctly) is for some of the more experienced mixers around to share example of their work in the form of seperate tracks.
This is intended as an example from which to learn, not as a standard he can copy.

I completely understand that, what I'm saying is even if he does there is a good chance he wont hear a difference. How can he learn the difference if he doesn't hear a difference? Have you ever tried to teach someone to tune a guitar?...