I have just finished watching an Open Mix Session with Chris Lord-Alge with Michael Pearson-Adams of Waves as interviewer. I made some notes during the 1 hour long video which I would like to share with you:
- During COVID-19, rekindle relationships with people
- Clean list of plugins (and get rid of those which are not used)
- Multitracks (the Master) -> Mix (a mix is your opinion) -> Stems (different renders of the mix e.g. only vocals, only instruments, etc. for flexibility later)
- No need to “make space†for different instruments… there is space for everyone.
- On vocals (and synth), remove the low frequencies which contain rumble (up to say 150Hz)
- Drums: some in the middle, some on the hard right, some on the hard left (and the overheads will bring these to the middle anyway -> use overheads)
- Add samples to acoustic drums to increase excitement and punch
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Use +15dB of EQ if it sounds good.
- Make it sound like a record.
- Be a painter. Use a bit of this analogue paint. Use a bit of that digital paint.
- Use free time to improve your setup, your choice of plugins, etc.
- The most important thing is your two ears (and your brain of course).
- Have a limited amount of things (plugins…)
- Engineer! (Me: Try. Build. Fail. Learn.)
- I know that a mix is finished when the client approves it (When I auto produce, who is the client?)
- There are no rules!
- Recording others: be well mannered and make people comfortable.
- Listen quietly (and the room will not matter).
- Take the records you like and use them as templates (reference tracks).
- Consider every tool that you buy as an investment in your future.
- It’s not a hobby. It’s your life.
Phew. There are some real nuggets of wisdom there.
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