9 STEPS To A BETTER STATIC MIX

CHEAT SHEET

Maybe that's sounds crazy to you but mixing with no plugins is an important
step in the mixing process. Once your mix session is setup and organized, THE
STATIC MIX should be your next step.

The only tools available for a STATIC MIX are Faders, Gain, Panning and
even automation if needed...that's all!
Don't forget, NO PLUGINS, not even on the Mix Bus ;-)
(except for a mono-stereo plugin, I'll explain why later)

This will force you to focus on the big picture of the mix in more than individual
tracks. Then, you will have a better idea on what needs to be fixed or enhanced
with EQ, Compression and other audio effects processing.

Before I start working on my static mix I make sure that my tracks are well gain
staged (https://youtu.be/6DVsO0-7lIM) and that I don't have any PHASE issues that
can happen when a source has been recorded with more than 2 microphones,
e.g. live drums. (https://youtu.be/RpwfvkCv9YI)

© Copyright 2019 Mixdown Online All Rights Reserved

1. Bring down the faders by 5-6 db from
unity gain
Moving the faders down by -5db or is a good starting point and
gives me some headroom so I don't overload the channels once
I start balancing the tracks. Also working near the unity gain point
will give me more visual resolution to work with.

2. Mix in MONO
I usually don't mix in MONO a lot when I mix except when starting to
work on a static mix. I balance my tracks together in MONO and get the
best balanced mix I can before going
back to stereo. If you don't have a Mono/Stereo option in your DAW, use
a Mono/Stereo plugin (the exception to the no plugin rule)

3. Start with the rhythmic section, e.g Drums

Mute all your tracks and start working on balancing your drums and
percussions before adding anything else.

© Copyright 2019 Mixdown Online All Rights Reserved

4. Bring in the bass and other tracks
Next, bring up the bass, the guitars, vocals, piano, keys one track
at a time from the loudess part of the song where there's a lot
of energy going on. Usually the chorus.

5. Balance your tracks properly

If I need to bring down a channel by more than 15-20db, I will then bring
the channel's GAIN (or clip gain) down first and then fine tune with the
fader. Same if I need to bring a channel up by a high amount of db(s).
This way I keep my faders close to UNITY GAIN to keep a good visual
resolution with the faders.

6. Apply Panning (Back in STEREO)

Now that your mix is well balanced and sound's good in mono, bring
your session back in Stereo and start panning the tracks that needs to be
panned, like drum overheads, back vocals, guitars etc... That will bring
your static mix to the next level

© Copyright 2019 Mixdown Online All Rights Reserved

7. Add volume automation (if needed)
I'm not afraid to add automation at this stage of the mix. That happens often
with a dynamic lead vocal. Gain automation or clip gaining audio events will
bring the dynamics of the vocal more stable before adding plugins.
(https://youtu.be/vEiX0eXE84Q)

8. Evaluate your Static Mix

After you're done balancing your tracks, listen to the static mix carefully
cause the whole mix is not done yet but now you have a better picture of
what's going on. Note what needs to be fixed or enhanced with EQ and
compression. What needs space that you can add with Delays and
Reverb etc...

9. Bounce your STATIC MIX back in your session

When you reach the point that your statice mix sounds pretty good,
before moving forward, bounce (export) your statice mix back in your
project and use it as a reference and listen to it later while mxing to
make sure you're improving your mix when adding plugins and not the
other way around.

© Copyright 2019 Mixdown Online All Rights Reserved