What is Mixing and Why Does My Song Need it?

You’ve made the courageous leap and decided to release some music, but you want to do it the right way. It’s a huge undertaking, from finding the right studio to planning promotional content. The creative stuff can be so fun, the prep and logistics can be overwhelming, and the more research you do on processes like distribution, mixing, and mastering, it seems the more there is to know.

There are thousands of resources claiming to teach you the “basics” of audio mixing that still leave you confused. Don’t feel stupid! There are entire degree programs dedicated to this topic, and we can’t all be experts in everything. However, if you’re going to release your music to the public and pay for the service, you should know what it is and why you need it. We’re going to answer some questions to make it all seem a little less scary. Let’s start at the beginning.

Does my song need to be mixed?

Yes. That’s an easy one, next!

Why?

A song well-mixed is like indulging in a cup of really great Ethiopian pour-over after living the last 7 years on diner drip coffee. You had no clue you were missing that kind of quality until after you got a taste of it! Still, as with coffee, there is an adjustment period while you refine your palate. Hearing that raw file (diner drip) and then hearing the first pass of a mix (Ethiopian), will reveal clear sonic differences and improvements in quality even to the most undiscerning of ears. However, it takes practice, patience, and curiosity to start to identify the subtle magic; like tasting notes in coffee.

Okay fine. Then what even is mixing?

Most basically (and vaguely, to start), mixing audio is the process of controlling several aspects of sound within and between multiple audio tracks to create an overall sense of cohesion, balance, and artistry. It requires a combination of both technical knowledge and skill, and creative intuition and awareness. Sound is a science, but it is also an art.

The basic targets of mixing sound deal with balancing levels, frequencies, and stereo image (more on this later) to provide sonic clarity to the listener, while creating something more interesting and pleasing to the ear than any raw audio file could ever be. A good audio engineer will take all of the individual audio tracks and apply all sorts of effects, filters, and techniques to make them sound more cohesive; like a family of sound rather than a bunch of strangers shoved together in the same room. This process occurs within a digital audio workstation (DAW), which consists of three components: a computer, an audio interface (a device that converts audio from mics, mic pre-amps, or a mixer into a signal for the computer), and a recording software.

The Mixing Basics:

Let’s begin our descent down the rabbit hole. Most of these definitions come straight from the Bartlett & Bartlett text “Practical Recording Techniques: The Seventh Edition.” Then, we’re going to try to break each down a little and add some context. It will be helpful to imagine your song existing in three-dimensional space; aspects of sound within your mix can move up and down, forward and backward, and side to side. Mixing audio in many ways is about sliding sounds along those different axes to create a rich and compelling sonic product.

Frequency: “The number of cycles per second of a sound wave or audio signal, measured in hertz (Hz).”

Sound waves travel quickly (high frequency/pitch) or slowly (low frequency/low pitch), or lots of speeds in between. Oftentimes in raw recorded audio, there are extra, unnecessary frequencies that “muddy” up the mix, or make it sound messy or garbled to our simple human ears/brain. To fix that, audio engineers will EQ the tracks.

Equalization (EQ): “Adjustment of frequency response to alter the tonal balance or attenuate unwanted frequencies levels.”

Stay with us. We EQ tracks to cut (remove) unwanted frequencies, or boost (increase) frequencies we like or need more of in order to make the overall mix more clear, crisp, and colorful. You can apply highpass filters (HPF) or lowpass filters (LPF) to make the best/necessary elements within tracks stand out, and get rid of the frequencies that muddy the mix. An audio engineer might apply a HPF to a guitar track to remove extra frequencies going on in the low end, and then go in more thoroughly to cut or boost specific frequencies to curate a more intentional sound.

If we are imagining our song in three-dimensional space, this is the axis that runs up and down. Soundwaves manifest as bass (low; 60-120 Hz), mid (middle; 400-2.5k Hz), and treble (high; 8k-15k Hz) frequencies.

Compressor: “A signal processor that reduces dynamic range or gain by means of automatic volume control.” Compression has to do with level, or volume control. Recording real musicians often means a wide dynamic (volume) range. A compressor automatically reduces gain (amplification) when the signal exceeds a preset level (threshold).

This is the part of mixing that happens on the axis running forward to back; think of it as someone stepping closer to you/the microphone (your ear will interpret this as louder) or away (softer).

Panning: “The act of placing or moving a sound anywhere in the stereo field of a stereo playback system.”

We experience recorded music through a stereo system, meaning there is a left and a right speaker (even in your phone). This tricks our brains into processing audio as if it’s coming from a single, center source, creating what we call a phantom image.

Before mixing, all tracks more or less sit “center.” This not only sounds flat and singular, but also auditorily confusing. Our brains struggle to isolate instruments, tracks, or interpret anything interesting going on. Panning combats that by spreading the sound sources of the tracks out along that left-to-right axis. When our brains can organize and localize the different tracks, it allows for certain instruments, embellishments, and tonal qualities to shine through that might otherwise be lost.

These components are only the beginning. There are tons of effects like reverb, chorus, echo, and more that enhance depth, mood, and tone of the song, and plenty of space for a mixing engineer to get creative and take the tune to the next level. The best way to learn more about what makes a good mix and your audio preferences, is to stay curious. Ask your audio engineer lots of questions, do your research (think podcasts, articles, books, YouTube videos), listen to different kinds of music and start to try to identify elements of the sound that you like. If you want, make your audio engineer a playlist of reference tracks with sonic elements that move the needle for you. Remember, you don’t need to know everything to start speaking the language, you just need to start speaking it.

Contact us today to get your recording process started.

***Written by Singer/Songwriter Kayla Lunden

5 things that make a strong song - it’s not what you think!

First off, lets remember that music is subjective. What you think is a great song, some others might not like at all. Always keep that in mind when you’re writing, or entering the studio. There is only one you in this world, and your unique musical palette is what will ultimately set you aside from other artists in the industry.

Okay! Let’s get to our five points.

1. Really know the purpose of your song.

There are a lot of reasons why musicians write and record. For example, perhaps you have lost a friend and you’d like to write a song to express your emotions around your loss. Maybe you are writing a song to release specifically to country radio in the USA and compete with other A-list country artists on the charts. You could also be looking to get onto a specific editorial playlist on Spotify, or Apple music. Whatever the true purpose of the song is, understanding your song goals can really help you during the recording process and even the writing process.

Lets take the second example and expand a little more on this. If you are looking to record a #1 song in the USA, then chances are you need to fit into a certain genre of music and you need to really know that genre. It would be a good idea to research all of the #1 singles in the last couple of years so you can follow production trends, lyrical trends, and melody trends. This is not to say to copy another persons #1, but if your goal is to be on top, you need to know what’s already at the top of the mountain so you can shoot and aim for it!

Like we said, there are many reasons to write and record a song. Having a better understanding of your songs purpose will help you write, produce, mix and master it so that your song has the best chance of reaching it’s full potential.

2. Space.

It is so important in production to give your song space. There are exceptions to every rule, but in general, having room to breathe between verses, or even between phrases really allows your mind to process the message of the song, or the message of a particular line. Sometimes productions can be overwhelming and having that little break can create a moment for the listener to process what they’re hearing.

Space can also be used creatively when you’re creating tension for a strong build. For example, if there is a point in your song with an intense production, it might be a good technique to take every instrument away suddenly, and just have the vocals in the recording. A similar example of this would be Zedd and Maren Morris in “The Middle,” where in the very first chorus, it drops to just vocals and a ticking clock sound, after having a pretty full production leading up to that moment.

Space is vital to create dynamics and make the music breathable. Take a listen to your own songs and see if there are places where you can create some breathing room.

3. Creating a unique vocal production.

Vocal production can often be overlooked in a recording session. Singer/songwriters can have a tendency of writing the song, and singing it exactly the same way as the first day they wrote it when they walk into the studio to record. While you want to have some melodies set in place before entering the studio, it is incredibly beneficial to have an open mind to suggestions on vocal recording days.

Lets start with harmony. One of the Queen’s of harmony in country music is Cam. Check out her song, “Diane,” which kicks off with acapella harmony. This is both powerful on a recording, but also in a live setting. Imagine being in a theatre and having the opening song just live vocals? It’s such a moving moment in a set, and on a recording.

How about vocal call backs? One of the easiest examples of this is Motown music. For a modern version of this, check out “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. Take a listen and try to pay attention to all the detail in the backing vocals. The vocal production in this song is absolutely incredible. A vocal baseline, with vocal pads, call backs in the pre-chorus, and an absolutely untouchable lead vocal. The vocal production on this song is what makes it so catchy, memorable and different. (Okay, there’s also a ton of production on here that isn’t vocal production, but you get what we mean!)

Once the vocals are tracked, including harmony, vocal pads (oo’s and ah’s), and a strong unique lead vocal, its time to mix and master the vocals. This is the last step in vocal production and one that you do not want to skimp out on.

4. Emotional connection.

It goes without saying that your audience needs to be emotionally connected to your music. But lets take a closer look - how can your music be emotionally connected to your song?

It is crucial to find a producer that understands your song. What emotion are you trying to convey? What are the lyrics about? Are they happy, sad, inspirational? Your production should align with these emotions.

To list a few songs that emotionally connected with their lyrics, take a listen to “Happy,” by Pharrell Williams (sorry in advance, this song will now be stuck in your head for days!) But lets be honest here, can you think of a “happier” sounding song? Take the lyrics away and listen to the melody and production. That song is upbeat, exciting, cheerful and makes you want to dance. Pharrell and his team found a way to make this song explode with happy endorphins. It is a great example of how important it is for the lyrics to emotionally connect with the production.

On the flip side, Adele’s song “Someone Like You,” focuses on a sad, nostalgic breakup. Can you think of a more successful sad song in modern years? It goes without saying that Adele’s vocals are on point, and convey her emotions on every level. The imperfections in the vocal take make you feel like she is almost on the verge of tears when she is singing it. Her lyrics and subtle vocal inflections take you on a journey, taking you back to the very moment of her breakup, evoking the same emotions within you. You barely notice the piano in the background, and the subtle vocal production changes throughout the song because you’re so immersed in her story. The producer on this song knew when to step back and give Adele the space she needed to knock this song out of the park. This emotional connection is powerful.

5. Be You.

Okay, we get it. You’ve heard this before. But it’s true. You need to be authentically, loudly, fearlessly, unapologetically yourself for your music to stand out and become a work of art. Nobody in the world has the same ideas that you have floating around in your brain. You need to shine in your songwriting, vocals, and production. If you don’t set yourself apart from other artists in the industry, you will fall by the wayside. Trust yourself, your instincts and believe in your craft. You will thank yourself for it later.

Think of Lady Gaga, Adele, Zach Bryan, Cody Johnson, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton. These are all incredibly successful artists that stood up for what they believe in and didn’t waver, while paving the way for artists to follow. They made their stamp and changed the music industry.

Do it. Be you. See what happens.

6. Bonus! High quality recording.

We couldn’t let you leave without explaining the importance of hiring a team that knows their craft inside and out to help make you sound the best you possibly can. Heading into a studio can be overwhelmingly intimidating. You need to have a team on your side that believes in you and wants to help you create your unique masterpiece.

Pick a studio, engineer, producer and session musicians who are experienced, have a great track record, listen to you, and who you feel comfortable and confident working with. Don’t be afraid to speak up and call the final shots.

We are here to say that if you have an amazing song, with killer vocals and a great backing band, you need to have a high quality mix and master of this track or it will not get the recognition it deserves. Do not bring your music this far without making sure you spend the proper amount of care on polishing and refining it. It has to have a radio standard quality for anybody in the industry to give it the time of day.

Now that we’ve covered 5 points that make your song amazing, what are some points that you have to work on? Are there any other points that you would add?

We believe in you and want you to succeed. Contact us today if you feel like you are ready to start your recording process.

***Written by Danielle Todd***