Mixing Style Question

Spindle,

I often come up with an idea while not working.  Whether it is a solution or not gets sorted out back in the studio, ususally.

 I don't ususally try to keep up w/ trends.  I suppose for some markets that is more important.  I think the old and tried standard techniques using decent equipment works - capture what is there.  Then, of course, in the mix you can play some, with old tricks or the lastest.  But if a band is any good they should need spice, not corrective surgery to enjoy.

As for my own likes - I like dynamics.  that gives depth.  When everything is pushed too hard, it squeezes all the air out of a recording.  But a lot of that is arrangement where the space is designed in, not cut out later.

@

the strength of 'a band', is the way they sound together.


if you start to force a 'sound' on the band, that is not there inherently, then you have homogenized the band.

you have neutered the band.

you have eliminated the thing that makes them unique.

if a player has honed their sound and it happens to fit a genre, then capture that sound honestly.
process it in the mix to be true to the engineering method, but don't clown-phuck a sound to fit a 'trend'.



why?

well, why would you want to sound like the next guy?

Spindle,

radio stations have their own comps/limiters etc. as part of their own "sound".  So it ought to sound just as loud as the over compressed stuff, just not as over over compressed.  Python dynamics, when the song starts to take a breath it clamps down and squeezes the life out of it.

+1 on bit's analysis on dating and standing out for the crowd. 

Bit! Good to be back! I have been so involved with work, I sometimes forget about this great place.

Good points about full dynamics enabling one to stand out.  I think I'll just continue down that path.  

My thoughts about a band's sound is this (and this is MY band). We all have our own unique sounds and together this is what makes our band what is is.  Why would I want to change that?

Thanks for everyone's comments!

spindlebox


To my friends in the audio engineering community. I have 2 questions that are unrelated:

1) do you sometimes find a solution to a mixing problem when you're NOT in front of the console; i.e., do you find yourself chasing rabbits down holes during a mix, and then think of a solution later when you're not even listening?

2) do you think it is more important to make a band sound like they really do (IF they have excellent tone to begin with), versus keep up with trends? For example, the late '90s to recent overcompressed instruments, especially guitars and drums. Or do you think going for dynamics is the way to go. 

For the record, I am for making a band sound like they really do, based upon my excellent sound/tone caveat, and going for dynamics and depth. 

Go!


EDIT:
I suppose I should provide a sample of one of my favorite mixes I've done, so you can hear what I'm hearing:
http://www.reverbnation.com/alicesweetalice/song/14247200-blood-roses-2012

Great questions there spindle. :) I'll give you my take for what it's worth.
 
Mixing solutions: No, it's been rare for me to figure out a fix when I'm away from the studio. The reason for that is, I really try not to take my work home with me. The problem with my method is, I'll stay until I figure out the issue or I'll not be able to sleep. So I try not to leave until a problem is solved. There have been a few times where I'll be lying in bed when I first wake up thinking about the stuff I have to do....and an idea for a mix I'm working on may come out of nowhere. But it doesn't happen often.
 
Bands and sounds: It depends on the band as well as what their sound is. It's hard to make a 70's band sound 90's. If they don't have the elements of "what makes up the sound of the times" you'll pretty much be wasting your time trying to get that out of them. However, if you are also hired to be "the producer" it's definitely possible to achieve, but it won't be easy.
 
See, sometimes a band may not want to totally sound like "today" but may bring you in a cd of something current. From there, you pretty much have to examine the band and see which of those elements within the current realm may be used for them or with them. It really depends though. Like, you won't make Motley Crue sound like Rascal Flatts even if they have Rascal Flatts production/instrumentation.
 
So this question is really difficult to answer. Sometimes the natural sound of the band NEEDS to be changed because they are so close to themselves and their songs, they can't tell. In my opinion, it's always best to find that happy medium of the band's natural sound as well as grabbing a bit of the cool stuff of today production wise. This way, you sort of have a sound that's familiar with a production that is current. :) It will always be different for each band though...so you have to use your judgment there. Best of luck.
 
-Danny

Yes to the first question, I very often think of mix ideas, solutions and arrangement tweaks when I'm doing something else, usually when I'm working. Remembering them until I get home is the problem..

sharke


My problem is that my brain seems to ease into its peak of creativity at around 1am, just when I should be jolly well going to bed. Before you know it, it's 3:30am and I have to be up at 8.....

This would bother me sharke. The reason being, if we are constantly challenged within our own mixes to the point of having to come up with ways to bail ourselves out....we need to address why the issues are happening in the first place.
 
I'm only slightly faced with that stuff with certain client mixes. I've never sat here on my own stuff wondering how to fix something or where to go with it. That's not because my stuff is good or anything, but it doesn't have blatant errors that warrant excessive problem solving. I either get it right or I re-record the problem area. :)
 
-Danny 

One of the things I've found helpful is to print a cd and listen to it in the car.  I have about an hours easy drive (opposite of the traffic flow) out to the ranch a couple of times a week.  When I've tweaked mixes I'll burn them to a CD and listen coming home.  It is an interesting listening experience, since my mind wanders what w/ traffic, etc. while I'm listening.  It is a different environment - both sonically and emotionally not being at the desk.

@

Sometimes I've gone to bed after trying to fix a mix problem unsuccessfully, and have woken up with the solution fresh in my mind

The brain is a wonderful machine and keeps on working on a problem long after you've "forgotten" it.

It is the subconscious mind that does all the work solving problems that the conscious mind cannot. And you don't have to hope and wonder if it is going to do it either. 

The conscious mind can solve problems too and often easily and while being totally away from the studio as well. The mere act of taking a break and spending some rest time somewhere else is often enough to bring a simple elegant solution to mind.

But if this is still not working for you just in those half awake half sleepy moments just before you go to sleep and also when you first wake up get your conscious mind to instruct the subconscious mind to do the job and get onto the problem. Be patient it might take two or three nights sleep to sort it out too. Don't hurry or force it. But the solution often comes quickly.

The subconscious mind is most vulnerable to being instructed by the conscious mind in those half sleepy half awake moments. It won't listen to your conscious mind as much at other times. It tends to do its own thing at those times.