Practicing Mixing Explained®
Chapter 1 : Starting a Mix
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2:35 Introduction
Thomas welcomes you and introduces the course and discusses what will be covered, which is aimed at giving you the tools to identify and address problems in your mix.
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14:21 Setting Levels in Mono
This video covers how to properly set levels in mono and why using mono can be helpful to achieve a balanced mix. By summing a whole mix down to mono it enables you to hear volume leveling more clearly.
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13:10 EQ in Mono
Learn how using EQ in mono can be helpful to find hard to hear frequencies that are creating problems in your mixes. EQ-ing in mono also has the added benefit of bringing clarity to your mixes and prevent unnecessary frequency build up.
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11:28 Have an End Goal
See how to approach mixing as a musical process rather than a technical process. Thinking with this musical end goal in mind will also help you craft mixes that tell a musical story for the listener.
Chapter 2 : While in the Mix
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10:03 Implementing Research
This video covers how to analyze other mix engineer's signal chains and processing so that they can be worked into your mixing process. The example used in this video is how to deconstruct the recording process from the 1960's to help you achieve a more vintage sound.
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12:47 Don't Use Too Many Plug-ins
Learn the benefits of simplifying your effects workflow to get better sounding results. This video also covers how to go about testing multiple types of effects, like compressors, to figure out which style of compression works best for your mix.
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11:01 Distortion Instead of EQ
When you need a track to have added brightness to cut though a mix, additive EQ may add unwanted harshness. See how distortion and saturation can be used instead of additive EQ to make elements better cut though a mix.
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11:12 Creating Space with Panning
Sometimes after applying EQ your mixes still lack the separation heard in professional mixes. This video covers how you can creatively use panning to achieve separation between elements so that a mix sounds clean and balanced.
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11:32 Working Efficiently with Busses
Simplify your mixing process by using busses to fix problems in the mix. This not only speeds up your workflow, but enables you to address global problems in the mix with the use of EQ and parallel processing.
Chapter 3 : Finalizing A Mix
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9:52 Creative Use of Matching EQ
Learn how to use matching EQ and reference tracks to get different ideas of how your mixes can be improved. This method enables you to quickly try out different mix options and identify problem frequencies that you might have missed.
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12:43 Analyzing Your Mix with Mid/Side
Explore how analyzing a mix with Mid/Side encoders enables you to get a clearer overall sound. This technique will allow you to easily identify and address problematic frequencies that you may have missed.
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1:32 Final Thoughts & Conclusion
This video covers some next steps and final ideas on how the concepts taught in the course can be applied to your mixing process.
Product Overview
Studio guru Thomas Cochran presents a how to practice mixing video tutorial series! Learn to identify and address problems that can occur in your mixes, and how to remedy them quickly and easily, making for a better, more professional mix. These videos are designed for new and beginner mix engineers looking to improve their mixes, and includes downloadable wav files so you can follow along and mix in your DAW.
Thomas welcomes you and goes over exactly what you'll be learning in the video tutorials, and then starts out with the basics of getting a good mix by setting levels, as well as utilizing mono sound when doing this. Continuing on with the mono mix technique, Thomas shows you how to find hard to hear frequencies that are creating problems in your mix and eliminate them to bring out clarity, preventing unnecessary frequency build up.
Throughout the rest of the videos you'll learn important strategies such as having an end goal, implementing research to compare and dissect existing mix styles and genres, the benefit of using less plug-ins, choosing distortion instead of EQ, creative panning, making efficient use of busses, analyzing your mix with Mid/Side and much, much more.
To see what these in-depth mixing tutorials show you, and how you'll be able to diagnose and fix problems with your mixes, as well as incorporate good mix habits and techniques, see the individual mixing video tutorial descriptions on this page. Start making better, more professional sounding mixes today... Watch "Practicing Mixing Explained®" now.
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Reviews
Submitted 1 month ago
Well presented and informative
I am far from new to the arts of mixing, I began long ago with the advent of analog 4 track recorders. Before the days of computing even came along with their marvels. (Well, perhaps not in the very beginning, thankfully things have changed - a lot) - This series of lectures was very informative and well presented. I personally picked up more than a few gems of useful information and tips - which I am sure will lead to more favourably sounding acoustically balanced and mastered recordings in the future.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 months ago
Enjoyable and useful!
This series is a solid overview of basic to mid level mixing techniques. A lot of these ideas are techniques you've probably already read about, but they are demonstrated here in a concise and useful way. The example song is pleasant enough to listen to in snippets over and over, unlike some other videos I've seen, and I appreciate that the replays are kept to a reasonable minimum. My I've criticism is that the levels between the listening examples and the instructor's voice are often mismatched and I found myself turning up the volume to hear the subtle changes, then being blasted with the voice over. Similarly, the volume level of the drum loop used during the EQ matching tutorial is very different from the volume level of the drums from the example song. This seems contrary to a very basic mixing rule of level match your before and after as to not be misled by a louder signal being better, and again leads to large jumps volume within the lesson. Overall, the volume issues are a minor complaint and are tolerable due to the strength of the material.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
Extremely Informative
I am new to the craft of Mixing. This coarse helped clear up and explain in detail some of the key areas of Techniques and plug-in selection. Thanks you so much. You truly helped me on my journey.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
Helpful
Several interesting elements (such as mixing in mono, and mid- and side-mix analysis) to add to my mixing workflow.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
Gems ????
Amazing tips. That’s helped me level up my mixing. Thanks.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
interesting and straight to the point
I like the way he guided through the essentials without too much useless repetitive information. very good.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Ableton Live
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
easy learning
making it east to understand
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Ableton Live, Logic Pro
Submitted 6 months ago
Really great course here, thank you!
A lot of useful tips and tricks, nice framework that makes sense when mixing. I took a lot of notes too!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
Great!!!
Very useful information!!
I am a: Producer
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 1 month ago
Well presented and informative
I am far from new to the arts of mixing, I began long ago with the advent of analog 4 track recorders. Before the days of computing even came along with their marvels. (Well, perhaps not in the very beginning, thankfully things have changed - a lot) - This series of lectures was very informative and well presented. I personally picked up more than a few gems of useful information and tips - which I am sure will lead to more favourably sounding acoustically balanced and mastered recordings in the future.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Logic Pro
Submitted 2 months ago
Enjoyable and useful!
This series is a solid overview of basic to mid level mixing techniques. A lot of these ideas are techniques you've probably already read about, but they are demonstrated here in a concise and useful way. The example song is pleasant enough to listen to in snippets over and over, unlike some other videos I've seen, and I appreciate that the replays are kept to a reasonable minimum. My I've criticism is that the levels between the listening examples and the instructor's voice are often mismatched and I found myself turning up the volume to hear the subtle changes, then being blasted with the voice over. Similarly, the volume level of the drum loop used during the EQ matching tutorial is very different from the volume level of the drums from the example song. This seems contrary to a very basic mixing rule of level match your before and after as to not be misled by a louder signal being better, and again leads to large jumps volume within the lesson. Overall, the volume issues are a minor complaint and are tolerable due to the strength of the material.
Submitted 6 months ago
Extremely Informative
I am new to the craft of Mixing. This coarse helped clear up and explain in detail some of the key areas of Techniques and plug-in selection. Thanks you so much. You truly helped me on my journey.
Submitted 6 months ago
Helpful
Several interesting elements (such as mixing in mono, and mid- and side-mix analysis) to add to my mixing workflow.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Pro Tools
Submitted 6 months ago
Gems ????
Amazing tips. That’s helped me level up my mixing. Thanks.
Submitted 6 months ago
interesting and straight to the point
I like the way he guided through the essentials without too much useless repetitive information. very good.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Ableton Live
Submitted 6 months ago
easy learning
making it east to understand
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Ableton Live, Logic Pro
Submitted 6 months ago
Really great course here, thank you!
A lot of useful tips and tricks, nice framework that makes sense when mixing. I took a lot of notes too!
Submitted 6 months ago
Great!!!
Very useful information!!
I am a: Producer
Thomas Cochran electronic musician and multi instrumentalist from Austin Texas, who now lives in Los Angeles. He focuses on creating electronic music that features both ambient and classical influences.
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I started playing music at a young age, starting with classical guitar. This started my love for music and eventually expanded into learning other instruments as well. To date, I have had over ten years of classical experience and training as well as additional instrumental experience.
2. What training have you had?
I grew up studying classical guitar and composition and eventually started applying my classical knowledge to learning other instruments as well, ranging from violin, cello, keys, and drums.
3. When did you get intro recording?
I got into recording out of necessity when me and some friends started a band back in high school and couldn't afford studio time. Through this, I learned about music production and recording and haven't looked back since.
4. Why are you so good at training people?
I love learning about the technical aspects of music production, this helps me understand the how music production works under the hood. I have also worked for several years creating music production tutorials online.
Products by Thomas
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tutorial videoAbleton Live: Beginner's Guide to Beat Making
Thomas Cochran shows you how to make your very first beat with Ableton Live! See how to produce your first beat from scratch, using nothing but Ableton Live, including software installation and understanding Live's layout, all the way to exporting your finished beat and more. This series is designed for the absolute newcomer to Ableton Live.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live: Things You Need to Know
Thomas Cochran presents essential Ableton Live video tutorials! Discover the things you need to know when using Ableton Live, such as cool tip & tricks, workflows, helpful and creative ways to Sequence MIDI, use effects, mix and more! These videos are for those who already have experience with Ableton Live, but want to learn more and improve their skillset.
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tutorial videoANA 2: Sound Design Vol. 1
Synth guru Thomas Cochran presents an in-depth ANA 2 video tutorial series! Follow along with Thomas and see how to create awesome, powerful sounds and presets for the ANA 2 virtual synth. These videos are great for those who know their way around ANA 2 and some basic synth terminology.
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tutorial videoBeat Making with MASCHINE
Thomas Cochran brings you beat making videos using Native Instruments MASCHINE! Learn to make a cool beat from scratch using nothing but MASCHINE. These MASCHINE tutorials are for those just starting out with MASCHINE as well as intermediate MASCHINE beat makers. You also get the MASCHINE project file so you can follow along and experiment.
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tutorial videoDark Synthwave Sound Design Explained
Synthesizer wiz Thomas Cochran brings detailed you dark synthwave sound design video tutorials! See step by step how to make sounds from scratch that define this popular genre. In these videos Thomas uses some great 3rd party virtual instruments like TAL-U-No-LX, Serum, Korg Mono/Poly and u-he Diva, but you can apply the info to any comparable virtual or hardware synth. This series is for those who have a basic understanding of synth sound design and want to focus on understanding and creating the sounds found in dark synthwave music.
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