Bringing it all together, that is what the mixing stage is all about. During the tracking stage we only focus on getting the performance down and the best recorded sound. Now we need to find a way to combine it all in a way where each instrument is well defined and clear as well as the entire piece sounds good and full. This is the stage aptly named Mixing.

 

The mixing stage incorporates a number of different techniques to help define each instrument so that they will sound pleasant, clear and balanced on a number of different speaker systems in a number of different environments. The main issue is that it is impossible to tell what type and size of system our audience will be listening to the final product on. In mixing, we try to listen to the project on a number of different systems to try and find a well-balanced average that sounds even across all of the different test systems. These systems include things like Hi-Fi stereos, TV speakers, in-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, AM/FM radios, club PA, laptop speakers and even car stereos. All of these different systems have different positioning and distance from the user, sonic characteristics, frequency response, depth perception and total harmonic distortion. These factors greatly change the sound quality and just because it sounds good on a professional set of high-resolution studio monitors doesn’t mean it sounds good on laptop speakers.

 

To get it sounding good in most listening environments, our mixing engineers have a variety of different tools at their disposal. From additive/subtractive EQing and dynamic compression to harmonic saturation and stereo imaging we can take any project on that you throw our way with those tools and so much more. Mixing can also incorporate some other interesting techniques such as reamping. In the tracking phase, a DI output is taken from any amplified instruments. In mixing, the engineer has a choice of using the signal already recorded or renting another amp and using a different mik and room to re-send the instrument signal through another amplifier to mix in either to replace the existing tone or to combine with the previous tone. Reamping as well as countless other techniques are used during the mixing process to get your project sounding perfect. Our mixing engineer will give you a rundown of the plans as the mixing process unfolds to ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout production.

 

When it comes time to mix the project, the artist has the choice of attending the mixing sessions or allowing us to mix it and bring them in at the end or periodically. It is entirely up to the artist. Our mixing engineers all have different mixing processes that work for them and your mixing engineer will be selected internally based on the attributes of your project. Please note that your pricing will not change for the project based off which engineer is selected. It is included in the lump sum you pay for the project fee/our project budget. Seeing as each project is different in so many ways, it is impossible to place a static rate on most of the recording process so we urge you to contact us to discuss your project and to get a quote.