Mixing Fatigue

wylie · Post by **wylie** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:56 pm

I've been working on the same mix for about a week now and starting to suffer from a little fatigue.
It all sounds good but I know I can and have done better.
I'm just using the plugs from DP5 mostly MW.
The problem is the kick and some snare I can't seam to get the kick EQ just right.
its hard to explain whats happening but it goes something like this.
Sounds good,take a break come back, don't like it any more, make an adjustment its OK, then its not good enough,on and on.
Is there some kind of formula I could use to get this kick right.
someone here once posted some screen shots of EQ settings I think it was magicd but I don't see them on his site.
What I looking for is just a tip on a starting point maybe a different approach.

KarlSutton · Post by **KarlSutton** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:37 pm

when you are second guessing yourself during a mixdown check out some other recordings & A/B those mixes with the one you're currently working on. I think it's easy to get the equivalent of tunnel vision with your hearing after a while.

good luck

wylie · Post by **wylie** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:28 am

I get to walk away from it now till Monday so I'll start fresh then, I'm sure that will help I don't even think I'm going to take a mix with me.
The guys I'm working for think it sounds great but to me theres something about the kick thats not right I might just end up replacing it with a sampled one.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:40 am

I also like to burn CDs of my mixes, and listen to them in by boombox, car stereo and living room system. They often sound totally different on each system, and so I shoot for a mix that sounds good on all of them.

I've also learned to listen to my mixes from outside of the mixing environment... from the hallway leading into your mixing room. That's the way a lot of people listen to music, while cleaning the bathroom or cooking.

Kind Of Loud · Post by **Kind Of Loud** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:45 am

Boy can I relate, to what you're saying wylie...I had the same problem this past week, with a three song demo, for a band I recorded...

The first two songs, things were great....The third, no matter what I did, the vocals seemed off....The band told me, "...it sounds great." They needed the demo, so off it went....
But everytime I play that song, it's gonna drive me nuts, because I can't place my finger on what wrong with it...LOL

Hey Jim.....Glad to see somebody else plays their mixes on all different types of play back systems...I feel better knowing my madness is justified..!!!

stephentayler · Post by **stephentayler** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 11:27 am

I worked with a rather mad producer in the mid 70's, and he turned up the volume to 11, stepped outside the control room,shut the door, cupped his hands over his ears and said 'Now I'm standing outside the disco, and the question I ask myself is "do I want to go in?"' !!

Stephen

stephentayler · Post by **stephentayler** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 11:29 am

Oh and what I said to myself was 'I'm standing outside the control room, can I go home?'!!

Stephen

standingwave · Post by **standingwave** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 11:47 am

I like to lie on my back on the floor and listen - somehow it's great for getting right inside the basic structure of a mix ie the arrangement itself.

(though my studio has lots of floor area, not so good if on the floor means right underneath the desk)

wylie · Post by **wylie** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:47 am

standingwave wrote:I like to lie on my back on the floor and listen - somehow it's great for getting right inside the basic structure of a mix ie the arrangement itself.

(though my studio has lots of floor area, not so good if on the floor means right underneath the desk)

Thats a new one I'll have to try that one when no ones looking.
Before I finalize any of my mixes I always listen to them on multiple systems especially the car because I do allot of listening there.
I've had a quite weekend so I'll see what happens today like I said its only the kick I having trouble with and I'm sure its just a little EQ tweak somewhere.