After commenting about James' mixes (smallstonefan), I found I still had these files online.  I thought these were cool since you could see the progression from initial song to final mix.  I think it's interesting how you hear the initial take and think "Hey, not bad!"  Then you hear the first mix and realize "Woah, that's better!"  But the final is really the best, so you have to remember not to settle until it's really done! 
 
There used to be a commentary about the changes but I, unfortunately, can't seem to find it... 
 
http://www.nwdreamer.com/download/test_song_initial.mp3
 
http://www.nwdreamer.com/download/test_song_first_mix.mp3
 
http://www.nwdreamer.com/download/test_song_final_mix.mp3

Except, how do you make the determination without deadlines that something is now really done?
I have moved on to a new tune to pull myself off the one I was dwelling on before so those around me wouldn't whisper.
 
When I ran a commercial studio I gave myself 5 days to mix a demo for a client.
It was never "done" - but the time was up.
 
On a "Mix with the masters" youtube video, an engineer was remarking about mixing in the tape days and doing the lead album track in one day, going home to sleep on it, then coming in the next day with fresh ears to correct unheard issues then is was sign sealed and delivered. That engineer had to listen to that track for the rest of his or her lives. In hardware stores, in grocery stores. You can only imagine what issues drive that poor person crazy while we just understand it as a stitch in the fabric of pop culture. I suppose if you get a continual pay check from capitol it validates your work for yourself.
 
This is but a hobby for me.
 
 

I think the engineers are like dentists.  They try to convince the talent they need better teeth when all he or she needs to do is smile.

Thanks craig!

bitman
Except, how do you make the determination without deadlines that something is now really done?
I have moved on to a new tune to pull myself off the one I was dwelling on before so those around me wouldn't whisper.
 
When I ran a commercial studio I gave myself 5 days to mix a demo for a client.
It was never "done" - but the time was up.
 
On a "Mix with the masters" youtube video, an engineer was remarking about mixing in the tape days and doing the lead album track in one day, going home to sleep on it, then coming in the next day with fresh ears to correct unheard issues then is was sign sealed and delivered. That engineer had to listen to that track for the rest of his or her lives. In hardware stores, in grocery stores. You can only imagine what issues drive that poor person crazy while we just understand it as a stitch in the fabric of pop culture. I suppose if you get a continual pay check from capitol it validates your work for yourself.
 
This is but a hobby for me.
 
 

Didn't you just describe taking an initial take, doing a first mix, then coming back and making a final? 
 
Fresh ears along with trying the mix on a wide variety of speakers (from $3,000 monsters, to a "normal" stereo, to your car, to a boombox, to headphones, to earbuds) are very important.  Making the resulting wave visual look like a filled in sausage is not. 

craigb
After commenting about James' mixes (smallstonefan), I found I still had these files online.  I thought these were cool since you could see the progression from initial song to final mix.  
...

 
I would like to show you the art version of this ... by one Vancouver artist that drew some far out things for a long time. If you EVER saw the first line and scratch on any picture, and then what it became you would have said ... oh my gosh ... that's insane!
 
I'm pretty sure the same can happen in music, just like it does in literature, if only more "musicians" believed in their ability beyond the notes and chords and staff! Be a conduit, as someone else stated in another thread ... if they only knew ... if they only knew!

pedro, what a crock.

write a song, wash rinse repeat.

David, we gotta give Pedro props.
 
He's tenacious.
 
 
 
 
But I agree, it's still a crock.

When the Beatles first hit it was rumored they "made up their own chords".
 
Maybe Pedro still believes that.