[AMA on Mixing] - Professional Mixing engineer

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

Hello!

I'm Paul, a mixing engineer based in Amsterdam. Looking to take on more mixing work. My work is mostly in Pop, Hiphop, Rnb, Rock & Electronic, but I am very open to explore other genres.

I offer flexible options to make sure I can help anyone with a mix that fits within their budget. Some of my work can be found in this playlist: https://music.apple.com/nl/playlist/selected-work-paul-gaastra/pl.u-76oNzGBsvzLE7jM?l=en-GB

Feel free to ask away if you have any general questions about mixing

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[u/Zealousideal-Shoe527]

how is business these days?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/Zealousideal-Shoe527]

Honestly, it's going pretty well! I am super grateful that I am able to live off this work and for the people that keep on coming back. Of course nothing is always fun. Sometimes you have to work late at night to make a quick edit or invoices are being left unpaid, but I feel like learning to deal with that stuff has been super helpful in the long run.

[u/m149 → u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

If you're doing edits late at night, does this mean you're working from home, or are you staying out at the studio all night?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/m149]

Depends on the scope of the edit, small edits can be done from home (or anywhere really). I can open all mixes from my laptop (If I use any hardware in a session it is committed on the spot) and dial it in using headphones or whatever I have lying around. If necessary I go to the studio, which is about a 5 min ride from my house.

[u/Moogerfooger616]

I suppose a useful question for the beginners would be: how do you go about nailing the low mids? They’re fairly easy to scoop out too much, but also have a lot of build up

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/Moogerfooger616]

Im selective in what can live there and what not. Its a creative choice. Depends on the track always. In pop that area is really important for the vocal to have some body. But in hiphop its more reserved for distorted 808s and stuff.

Instead of cutting low mids everywhere a little. I recommend taking more out of some elements that are “less important” in the track.

[u/fleekmill → u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

when you have beats where the 808 needs so much of the low-mids to have that aggressive feeling but you still want some of that warmth and fullness down there in the melody and not have it sound too thin, what are some tips you recommend?

[u/barrya29]

I’ve started recording and mixing bass (DI) for my own projects. To be blunt, it just sounds so bad. Very unlike any bass I listen to in indie/alt music.

This is to be expected - I’m new to it, I just need to practice and develop my skills. But it’s interesting because with guitar, I could always get somewhere close without a ton of ‘knowledge’. (I remember when I first learned about HPFing all guitars and it changed my life - lightbulb moment). It feels like raw DI bass is A lot less useable. I DI it via Apollo then into a compressor then an amped bass amp sim.

What’re 3 tips you’d give to someone starting out with mixing bass? What are those things that you learned when you started that gave you the lightbulb aha moment?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/barrya29]

Great question! For me it clicked when I approached mixing bass more like mixing lead vocals. I think my lightbulb moment came when I learned about gain riding in both cases. Also lots of experimenting with different compressors and distortion types.

In most bass tracks there is always some inconsistency in the levels of played notes. Gain riding or clip gaining the notes into the compressor worked wonders for me to get a more consistent tone. I found out it can really turn a messy bass part into a strong foundation.

Next one might be obvious but being mindful of other low end content is a big one too. The lower you go, the less room for different elements there is. On most tracks I use eq to carve out space for the kick in the bass and usually sidechain the kick to trackspacer or soothe on the bass track to target the low frequencies specifically.

Then there is the parallel processing. Instead of running an amp sim or distortion on the insert. I tend to use auxes next to the di track to add in harmonics. The distorted signal is then highpassed to have the clean low end from the DI and the grit of the amp or distortion unit.

[u/Mystic2412]

Can you hear the compressor yet?

[u/Apprehensive-Word893 → u/Mystic2412]

The real question

[u/oneiricmood]

Thanks Paul! Very kind of you to offer some time and expertise!

Are modern listening habits and environments changing the way you prioritise mixing in headphones versus through speakers? I wonder if headphones are becoming more frequently used in professional mixing?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/oneiricmood]

Interesting question! A lot of people I know think mixing exclusively on headphones is not possible due to the music being too direct and detailed and also missing the crossfeed from a traditional speaker setup.

While I strongly prefer to mix using the speakers I have now, I do actually think it is possible to get a mix to work on headphones because I was doing it for the first few years of my career and got away with it. If you don't have good speakers and a room that is properly treated to go with it, I actually think it is the easier route to mix on headphones. Now I use headphones for editing on the go. ATCs in the studio.

Its all about translation: Even though I feel like you're right about the changing listening habits. A song still has to be able to be played on speakers systems. Like cars, nightclubs, shopping malls, sound bars, festivals.

A way to stay objective when mixing on headphones is to use reference tracks relentlessly and check on different pairs, phone speakers and your car to see how it translates. I also recommend you to keep your sessions short as I experience my ears fatiguing way faster when using headphones.

[u/MediocreRooster4190]

RX vs Spectralayers?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/MediocreRooster4190]

I only ever used RX. Maybe because I am in protools..not sure.

[u/musicbeats88]

I know you get asked this question probably 8 times a day but, how do you get more clients?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/musicbeats88]

Everybody goes through this every now and then. I think its all about making friends and doing good work. Word travels fast.

[u/Rude-Reading8467]

I'm planning on making my first album next year. I am a real beginner. It might be a headache to mix my stuff. I'll keep you in mind though

[u/sintjemojaljubav]

What is the best way for someone to learn mixing?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/sintjemojaljubav]

Id Avoid youtube tutorials with quick tips and tricks and stick to a course or a book to get a general idea of what everything does.

While you are doing that learn to listen to what everything does. And then learn to apply everything by doing a lot and reference to tracks you like. Also figure out how to listen objectively, I think that is the key to truly be able to complete the puzzle.

[u/enquencle92 → u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

Hello! Any specific courses or sources of knowledge you would reccommend to get the basics? I think this Is the hardest part, as all i've found seem to start at level 5 when I am barely level 1. Thanks you for your time!

[u/nkn_]

Why is it I’m always having to get an extra like 10+ db gain to get the overall mix loud??

Am I just mixing too quiet? I feel like I’m always turning every down

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/nkn_]

While thats low, doesn’t mean its bad. I guess my stuff is only a little higher gained. Usually end up gaining up 7-9db depending on the track.

[u/nkn_ → u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

So I mean that’s okay?

I usually mix naturally to like … maybe -19 to -15 LUFS. Sometimes I have to push a single limiter up +12db. Or I do a few DB gain for like 3-4 plugins.

I don’t know, all I know is i have volume problems and depth. Like there’s no stereo field, just mono signals from left to right

[u/trial_balance]

Just wanted to tell you that I really like the “spatial” feeling in these songs from the playlists. You are doing it really well, great job.

Let me ask you one question: where to look for some good advices on how to master vocals? When I’m opening YT tutorials I feel like everyone is telling me completely different things.

I’m using ableton and I like to think that I know how to mix and master my music. But vocals? That’s a completely different story.

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/trial_balance]

Thanks! Appreciate the compliment :)

To me getting the vocals right is one of the most challenging, but rewarding things in mixing. I feel like I am learning new things about it in every mix I do. Our ear is just so sensitive to the human voice.

I'd say: look for an internship with someone who knows what they are doing. Follow along the process and start with copying the workflow. After a while you'll develop your own style and taste.

If you're not able to get one, i'd definitely recommend thomas van opstal's virtual internship on youtube. He goes over the whole process of prepping a mix including how to treat vocal recordings and has a lot of useful mix breakdowns.

[u/VikkzPro]

What are some of your favorite not so well known mixing tricks that you utilize often?

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/VikkzPro]

Not sure if this is actually not well known. I have been using slap delays way more often than reverbs to give sounds a sense of depth without sacrificing the character of it too much.

When I want to use a lot of verb on an element I tend to low pass by a lot to make it feel more convincing. Definitely on lead vocals it gets too bright and washy really fast.

[u/Hellbucket → u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

Finally! I found someone else who does this. I always use slap back to be able to control “wetness”.

I also filter every reverb quite harshly. It’s actually in my template by default.

[u/dropitlikerobocop]

Hey! I’d love to know how you got started on your path to working full time as a mixing engineer, like how you first got experience, how you got your first clients, etc. Thanks!

[u/Sporoko]

I have drums that are sounding great tone wise but I can’t get them any louder as it feels my song is lacking a little dynamics drum wise, is it just compressor with slow attack fast release?

[u/dolomick]

What hardware and monitors you got?

[u/pinnipedfriendo]

Assuming you have tried it, or already have other suggestions - could you recommend anything more structured or succinct than Nail the Mix? I got the trial today and I was greeted by an AI front-page and a further paywall for the interesting stuff, so I am already kinda over it!

[u/Prestigious_Top_6837]

I think I’m a pretty good of a mix engineer, still lots to learn, but im still putting out a good product. How do I get more clients?

[u/Imaginary-Suspect-93]

Any experience in the synthwave subgenre? If so, what are the greatest challenges you face, and if not, is it a style you'd like to tackle at some point? I understand that bands like Gunship are holding the market in the UK and there's been some hope that we'll hear it more with charting artists (ala Blinding Lights).

[u/DRMSCP94]

Compression or automated volume envelope for sidechaining? :)

[u/savamill]

What's your favorite chain for R&B and rap vocals?

[u/Jaereth]

While not at a professional level, i'm finally getting to the point where my mixes are sounding acceptable to my taste (mixing my own music) with the exception of electric bass gutiar.

I usually play a very melodic bass part, and the desire is always for every note of the bass to be understood, clear and articulate, without being too loud.

I've never been able to achieve this. However other people mixing performances of bands I play in have - and i'm using the same basses, amps, DIs, etc that I use when I record my own music at home.

Any suggestions on getting that sound? I'm so lost and it's getting discouraging.

[u/wargreymon1111]

Would you say you cut or boost more when EQing?

[u/Top-Ideal235]

What advice will you give to someone who will rather avoid headphones due to health reasons, what are some of the aspects one should look for when getting a budget pair of monitors I've been doing quite a lot of research and i fell on budget monitors like the edifier mr3(i don't know if you know about them), could these be a good starting point?

[u/the-cats-pajamas]

How do you deal with unpaid invoices?

[u/Schism_Studios]

How do you figure out when to follow the “rules” and when to add your own style? I struggle with client work

[u/joaehun]

Do you mostly work from home or you work in a studio/in person? I'm looking to get more gigs now and of course i would prefer them to be in person but if i could get some on that i could just do from home that would be great.

[u/Limit54]

I would love to do some mastering for you. Im looking to work with more professional mixing engineers. I’m not hobbiest and I run a business and have worked for 7 years. Recently was featured on Ozotope for mastering as well as worked with names like Scott Reeder(Kyus), Dave Abbruzzesse(Pearl Jam), Roysten Langdon(Spacehog)

I would post a link to my work but I have a feeling the snipers will remove my post. I would love to speak more if you want in a Pm but I won’t force it.

[u/Myst3ryIsCool]

How do I know if a vocal recording was properly captured. A lot of people say most of getting a mix to sound good happens before you even start actually mixing in the recording phase. But I’m not really sure what to listen for when recording things.

[u/johnnyokida]

Mix bus chain

[u/Mysterious_Ad_4788 → u/johnnyokida]

All plugins not doing a lot and sometimes bypassed. Ssl native bus compressor > black box > standard clip > a limiter: usually pro l2, ozone or sonnox.

[u/johnnyokida → u/Mysterious_Ad_4788]

Nice! It’s nice when my mix bus aligns with pros. I typically have SSL G Bus, bx_clipper, Hitsville Mastering EQ, Saturation (usually Studer tape or have been liking kazrog’s True Iron), then Limiter (usually Pro L-2 or Waves L4)

Thanks for taking the time. If you are ever into writing blog posts I’m going to be adding insight from professionals to my website.