If you’re interested in music in any way, one of the most intriguing aspects of getting involved is learning how to mix music. Whether on a record or in a club, it is likely that you’ve heard tracks mixed and wondered how on Earth it happens.

The good news is that it isn’t too difficult to do, and that with a little practice, you can become brilliant at mixing music. You don’t need to shell out thousands on mixing equipment, either. If you want to, you can use a computer software program to mix music for you, but the best sound engineers, producers, and DJs, prefer to use a mixing board and do it themselves.

However, whichever method you choose, the elements are very similar. If you’re just getting started with mixing music, it is likely that you’ll opt for a software program, so the advice here is based on these.

Knowing Music

The big thing you need to be able to do before you get started with mixing is identify different instruments and beats within music. Learn to pick up bass lines, drumbeats, and guitar rhythms before you start, and it’ll be much easier to learn how to mix music.

Stereo Mixing

When you mix in stereo, essentially you’re mixing for both of your ears, so can build sounds that are to be picked up by either ear, or both. Sounds complicated, but it’ll make sense as you start to mix your track with headphones on.

Drum Mixing

The drumbeat is the basis for all music, and should be the first thing you build into your mix. Drums usually work best when they’re centred, but as you build your mixing skills you might want to move certain elements, such as the high-hat or cymbal, to either side.

Bass and Vocals

With bass and lead vocals, you’re pretty much restricted to keeping these in the centre, otherwise your track probably won’t make much sense. Depending in the track and effects you’re trying to create, you can use backing vocals on either side as you start to build the depth of your track.

Guitar Mixing

This is where you can have a little fun, as the guitars give you a lot of license to get creative and play around with your mixing. It is often worth doubling up on the guitar sounds to create a more distinct and powerful track, but if you’re mixing for a band who’ll be playing instruments in a live situation, you’ll need to ensure you’re not putting too much into the track. If you go too far, you’ll be putting the band in a position where their live music sounds weaker than a recording, when most bands prefer the opposite effect.

Does it Work in Mono?

When you’ve mixed your track in stereo, listen to it in mono. You have no control over how a listener or a radio station, for example, might present the track; the last thing you want is for someone to listen to a mono track and for it to sound rubbish!

Once you’re started with mixing, it’s quite easy to put together. Make sure you’re checking everything as you go, and you’ll quickly be mixing great sounding tracks whatever the genre.

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