Mixing Process and Listening Environment

Mixing is where individual tracks come together to form a cohesive, polished sound that represents the artist's vision. My mixing process combines the best of analog and digital tools, ensuring your music achieves depth, clarity, and impact across all playback systems. Every mix is tailored to the unique needs of the project, whether it's a single track or a full album.

What Makes My Mixing Process Unique

My mixing approach blends analog warmth and character with the precision and versatility of digital tools. Using top-class gear, creative techniques, and years of experience, I ensure that each element of your track shines while maintaining balance (or to artfully unbalance it) and create exciting cohesion.

A Philosophy Rooted in Precision and Creativity

As a mixing engineer, my process combines technical expertise with artistic intuition. Inspired by legendary mixers, I’ve developed a workflow that emphasizes the balance between creative expression and technical precision. While many of my philosophies align with industry greats, my hybrid approach and custom setup allow me to craft a unique sound for every project.

A Personalized Approach to Mixing

"While my process is inspired by industry legends, my unique setup and workflow allow me to deliver mixes with exceptional clarity, depth, and emotional impact. Whether you're working on a single track or a full album, I tailor every mix to your artistic vision."

Key Aspects of My Mixing Process

  • First impressions:
    I trust my instincts when first hearing a track. This initial impression helps me identify the emotional core of the music, note its strengths and weaknesses and then set a direction for the mix. My goal is to enhance the song’s energy and vibe while maintaining its authenticity. 

  • Focus on energy, vibe and emotion
    Listeners connect with a song's overall feel rather than technical details. Therefore, it is important to prioritize enhancing the track's energy, vibe, and emotion throughout the mixing process.

     

  • Use of reference mixes
    Whatever I do, I always use reference mixes to maintain perspective. By comparing my mix to others, I am ensured the mix meets industry standards and retains the desired emotional impact.

     

  • Avoiding common mixing mistakes
    Years of mixing experience identified common pitfalls, such as over-processing, neglecting the song's core elements and not taking necessary breaks. By being aware of these mistakes I can maintain clarity and balance in my mixes.

     

  • Ear training
    Not the first thing you think of while mixing, I would like to emphasize the importance of developing a keen ear for identifying frequencies and sonic characteristics, which is crucial for effective EQ-ing and overall mixing decisions.

     

  • Hybrid In-The-Box mixing

    While I mix primarily in-the-box, my sound is greatly defined by my analog audio summing and two-bus setup:

    • SSL X-Rack mixer: Summing tracks through the components of the legendary AWS 9000 / Duality  console known for adding clarity, punch, and character to mixes, making it a favorite among engineers working on high-budget music and film projects.
    • Master 2-Bus chain:
      • Bettermaker Mastering Equalizer: Shapes the tonal balance combining the iconic warmth of the Pultec EQP-1A style vintage EQ with the flexibility of modern parametric EQs..
      • Bettermaker Bus Compressor: Adds punch, color and vibrant cohesion to the mix.
      • Kush Audio Clariphonic MS: Enhances clarity and air using mid-side parallel EQ processing.
      • Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0: Ensures optimal loudness while preserving dynamics with optional color, saturation and exciting clippers.

     

  • Automation and dynamics
    Automation is key to a dynamic and engaging mix. I fine-tune volume, panning, and effects automation to ensure every element shines while maintaining overall balance or to artfully unbalance it!! 

  • Finalizing the mix
    Before final delivery, I critically listen on multiple monitoring systems to ensure the mix translates beautifully across all playback systems.

  • Continuous learning and adaptation
    Staying updated with new technologies and techniques, adapting to the evolving music industry is an important requirement to remain relevant and effective.

My Listening Environment

Creating a precise and reliable listening environment is crucial for making informed mixing decisions. My studio is designed to provide the accuracy needed to produce high-quality mixes.

1. Speaker selection:

  • DynAudio Core 59: My main monitors, known for their accuracy and detail. Their sound is remarkably similar to the Amphion speakers I considered, providing a balanced and reliable reference.
  • DMAXAudio Super Cubes 5: My reference monitors, modeled after the iconic Auratone speakers, ensure mixes translate well to smaller, real-world playback systems.

2. Room acoustics and calibration:

  • My room is acoustically treated with solutions from Auralex, Prime Acoustic, and Triton Audio, ensuring optimal sound clarity and minimizing reflections.
  • Trinnov Audio Room Correction: Industry-standard room calibration ensures a perfectly tuned listening environment, allowing me to hear every nuance in the mix.

3. Critical listening workflow:

  • I reference well-mixed tracks in my studio to maintain a consistent perspective.
  • Tracks are tested on various systems to ensure the final mix delivers a great experience, no matter the playback setup.