Hi everyone.

I remember reading an article that suggested one should not attempt to mix (EQ, panning) a song while arranging it. Instead, arranging and mixing should be two separate steps of production - first you arrange/write a song, then once that's finished you move on to the mixing stage.

Does anyone know the article I'm refering to? And what do you think about this advice?

Thanks in advance!

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Doesn't make any sense to me.

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I think they both need to be done at the same time, because you need to hear/feel what it is going to be like in the end, to really get into your track and to 'feel' what comes next.

I think you get more inspiration when you do both at the same time.

But that's just me, it's all about your personal preference

Wouldn't that make it harder to finish a track? Surely mixing whilst arranging is better, easier and more pro-active?

Doesn't make much sense to me either. I find the mixdown process(levels, panning, etc) should be done in conjunction with your arrangement and composing. You should never do eqing while mixing because then you're viable to eq too much instead of just the right amount. Then fx and automations I save for last because as long as you have your ideas in your head, you can always put them in place in the sequencer later. It's just going to make your cpu usage be higher anyways. Same with adding all your effects.

I also read that. Don't really see the point.

Do what suits you best.

of course there is no rule, but definately better making mix whilist arranging the song.

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Sorry Guys I hate to do this but I strongly disagree.

Writing and structuring is very much a "Right brain" process. Mixing is very much more of a "Left Brain" process. That alone is enough to tie me up in knots if I try and do both at the same time.

There is a long history of music where there is a writing phase, a demo phase, a recording phase, a mixing phase and finally a mastering phase.

Each of these can be collapsed into one, but when working in a regular recording studio at least the final three steps are distinct. Quite often undertaken by different people too.

Part of the reason everyone gets all bent out of shape not finishing tracks is because you're trying to complete the whole process in one jump. This is incredably hard even if you are very experienced and on top of your game. If you're still learning (and we all are, even the "Pros") it's a lot easier breaking things down into stages.

1. A couple of sessions screwing with sounds

2. A couple of sessions seeing how thos sounds fit together, and maybe screwing with some loop ideas.

Rinse and repeast 1 & 2 until you have a solid amount of material for a track (or possibly even a couple)

3. Arrange and get a rough mix going.

4. Really concentrate on the mix and mix alone

For me there are some very clear breaks in my production process, folowing the above model:-

1. Play with synths and samples and sounds.

2. Fire up Cubase and screww with loops and concepts.

Stage 2 I can easily sit at for several sessions honing my raw material as tightly as possible.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm plaing with sounds and EQ and basic FX at this point, but more as an artistic pencil sketch than with a veiw of a finished product. I'm trying to get ideas out (Right brain) rather than have the most technically perfect mix.

3. Arrange.

During this phase again I'll use levels, EQ and basic effects (and even some filter automation etc to get my sketch to the next level complete with colors.

4. Mix Time.

This is a big watershed. To mix I track evrything into ProTools as audio and start from scratch. All new FX, EQ and such. At this point the structure is mostly set, and my goal is to make it sound as best as possible. I refer back to my original "Demo" mixes frequently to make sure I am on the same vibe, but just bigger and more solid.

Now as soon as I mentioned ProTools peoples eyes glaze oer, but consider this. It doesn't have o be protools, it can be any multitrack recorder with a decent environment (Audition, Deck, what have you also will do).

So here's a suggestion for the FL / Reason crew that takes some effort but will probabbly stun you with the results:-

A. Bounce out each track of your "Finished" mix without EQ, Compression or FX.

B. Import all these tracks into a multi-track editor armed with some decent plugins.

C. Spend 8 hours just MIXING.

D. Compare to your original mix and be prepared to be amazed.

5. Mastering

I get someone else to do this in a different room. You can't easily hear the flaws in your mix in the same space you mixed it.

quote:

B. Import all these tracks into a multi-track editor armed with some decent plugins.

I still need such a program. Which is good/the best?

I'm a pro Tools slut, but I hear Adobe Audition is prety good, as is Bias Peak. Make sure you don't use the buiilt in EQs and compressors though.