A Better Mix: Simple Steps

After my latest album release I made some resolutions. There have been some things that I have always done just to "get by" and make some music. Well, I realize that I was wrong about a lot of those methods. (Yep, I just said I was wrong)

So I decided if I was going to step it up and get more serious about making better music/better mixes that I had to break away from the norm. This means I would have to work harder, but I have to say, it was worth it! This latest song nearly mixed itself and the truth is, I had more fun with it! Though these things are commonly known, I am reiterating there importance to making better mixes. For the most part I have utilized these in most of mixes, but going forward, I will be takin the time to implement these methods on EVERY mix, EVERY time!

So, check out this video, and let me know if you have any other tips for the community. God Bless!

Free Music Download

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A Thriving Home Studio

 A Thriving Home Studio

A Home Studio should be releasing things, and I have just released my newest seven song album, "In Pursuit"! Already, I must say, that I feel a great burden lifted and a sense of accomplishment. I released an album last year as well entitled "Absolutes", but I can definitely tell that my skills as a musician and an audio engineer have improved.

So what about those songs of yesteryear? Do I go back and "fix" them? Nope. Those songs were acceptable at that time when I released them, and I still play them live the same way I always have, but they also set a benchmark for me and others, a point of reference for all to see my growth and to learn from those experiences.

Along those same lines, I want to cover some things that I would've done differently on this album if I decided to go back and change anything, however I will not. You see there also has to come a point and time where we are honest with ourselves and we say "Ok, I have got this mix as good as I can get it with my current skills and knowledge. It is time to learn more and move on."

But how does that help?

Well what if... What if we continually tried to improve on our best at that time and NEVER released a thing?! That would be POINTLESS! The world is full of stagnant Home Studios that never release anything but talk about a lot. They boast of all these amazing things they've learned but never share it. They brag about all the songs they're "working on" but never can show someone their work because they are... Scared. Yep, I said it. Scared that someone is going to shoot them down or say something negative, scared to be critiqued, and due to their fear they end up quitting without ever displaying those God given talents for everyone to hear. That is an effort in futility and no fun at all.

I would much rather deal with a few negative comments  from people I don't know than to let down those who do know me and believe in me. I would much rather have a Home Studio that churns out my best at that time then nothing at all, and I would definitely not want to let my God down by burying my talents and not being a good steward of the gifts He has given me. 

Whatever project you're working on right now that you are afraid to release, just release it! It will free up your creative palette and give your gifts room to grow. Welcome the critique, because not everyone is intending to be nasty, and it could be that you could learn something in the process that would help you on you next endeavor. Ok, I am climbing down off my soapbox now. Below I have listed some thing that I would've done differently with this album if I had to go back. (But I won't)

Some things I would've done differently, if I had to go back:

• I would've put more automation on my tracks
• I would've taken more time to arrange and produce
• I would've taken more time on mic placement and tonality on the way in
• I would've recorded at lower levels
• I would've made sure I got better takes
• I would've experimented with more than one microphone (now that I can)
• I would've mic'd a few amps rather than just going DI all the time

There are other things I could write down here as well but you get the point. I am learning from the experience and applying what I know now to what I will do in the future! You can do the same thing! Inside you is locked away a ton of potential, you just need to release it!

 

I am here to help in anyway I can, just let me know if you need something. 

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HSS Screencast 005-Creating More Natural Sounds

So recently in a screencast about saving on CPU/RAM usage, I said in passing how that I thought by utilizing the methods I covered that the processing sounded more natural. I had a lot of good feedback on that topic and a gentleman on the YouTube Channel had commented that he would have liked a demonstration of what I said in passing. So here it is! Enjoy!

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Mixing Day!

Well Thursday proved to be eventful! I finished refurbishing two more guitars and did A LOT of mixing!

Most of the songs were already close to being done, but I decided in order to keep the creative flow going for the new album (In Pursuit), that I would get them close but not stress over the small stuff. Then on Thursday I would do a batch mix of all that I had up to this point. It actually worked out pretty good. I was a little sidetracked on more than one occasion (crawling under the mother-in-laws house to remove a skunk, repairing the toiliet in our bathroom, honey do lists,etc.) but somehow I managed to get quite a bit done.

For those of you who have been following the podcasts (itunes & rss feed is on the sidebar if not) you might know that I haven't uploaded an episode in awhile. Unfortunately, I reached my data cap and have had to wait until the next month. However, soon and very soon, I will be releasing a new podcast episode where I will be covering my “batch mixing” process and I will also be rolling out some great new, and I must say, exciting things.

If you have listened to the podcasts and you have any episode ideas, let me know! Also, please remember to rate it and leave a review, this will help others to find all that rambling as well!

Well, gonna get back to song #6 I believe it is now... Whew! Just thought I’d take a break and give my ears a rest. What are you doing with your music right now? I'd like to hear your thoughts on “batch mixing!