Basic Mixing Course

The Basic Mixing Course is beginner to intermediate level course designed to teach you a step-by-step mixing process that will work with any style of music. These are the same techniques used by professionals for decades. Each step of the process is explained and demonstrated. You will have access to the very same multitrack used in the class demonstrations.


Class 1: Preparing To Mix

In this class, you will learn the basic concepts of mixing and gain a fresh perspective on how to listen to music and what to listen for. You will also learn how to get the most from your studio and monitoring system. This is essential information before starting to mix.

  1. What is Mixing?
  2. Visual Approach to Mixing
  3. Speaker Placement
  4. Using Monitors
  5. Using Headphones

Class 2: Starting The Mix

This class will focus on the very basics of session organization and preparing the mix signal flow. You will learn the 3 Tier Mixing System that provides the most powerful and flexible way to maximize the sound quality of your mix. Once this structure is in place you will begin mixing with Levels, Panning and learn how to assess the quality of the sounds and develop a strategy for processing.

  1. Organizing Tracks
  2. The 3 Tier Mixing System
  3. Mix Signal Flow
  4. Levels and Panning
  5. Assessing Sounds and Editing

Class 3: Equalization

Equalization is the first stage in the processing chain. Most of the early equalization is focussed on removing what you do not want or what is not necessary. Then you will learn how to apply some basic tonal shaping techniques that will provide focus without harshness to your mix.

  1. Defining Equalization
  2. Filters and Subtractive EQ
  3. Using Additive EQ
  4. Vintage Equalizers
  5. The Practical Application of Equalization

Class 4: Dynamics Processing

Understanding dynamics processing is essential to making great mixes. The compressor is perhaps the most powerful tool available to the mix engineer. When used correctly it can add focus, depth and punch to a sound. When improperly used, it can render a sound lifeless, weak and thin. The following lessons uncover the true hidden power of dynamics processing and how to use them to make you mixes dynamic and alive sounding.

  1. Defining Compression
  2. Basic Compression Techniques
  3. Using Vintage Compressors
  4. Using Multi-Band Compressors
  5. Using Gates and Expanders

Class 5: Effects Processing

The use of reverb, delays and modulation effects help to create separation, width, depth and size in a mix. When the parameters of the effects are understood, the ability to apply them liberally is easy. When the role of effects processing is not understood it can create a big sloppy mess. These lessons focus on practical effects processing techniques.

  1. Defining Effects Processing
  2. Reverb
  3. Delays and Echoes
  4. Modulation Effects
  5. Harmonic Distortion Effects

Class 6: Shaping the Mix

Once the basic stages of processing are done and your sounds are more or less in place, you will begin the process of shaping the mix to make it come to life. This stage is where the song and production comes into focus. It’s not good enough to have just great individual sounds, they must work together in the production to bring the song to life. In this stage you will need to revisit your processing and apply additional processing where necessary.

  1. Level and Panning Adjustments
  2. Re-Shaping the Tonal Balance
  3. Adjusting Effects
  4. Bringing Excitement Into the Mix
  5. Ready For Automation?

Class 7: Automation and Fine Tuning

Now that the song and production sounds and feels great, it’s time to weave all of the instrumentation together with automation. Although automation may be applied at any stage of the mixing process, it is this point in the mix where subtle changes to levels and the automation of effects help to guide the listener throughout the whole song, carrying their interest through every bar and beat.

  1. Defining Automation
  2. Fader and Pan Automation
  3. Automating Effects
  4. Automation Techniques
  5. Automating Fade-ins and Fade-outs

Class 8: Finishing Your Mix

The final stage of the mixing process involves the polishing of your entire mix. This starts with the mix stem processing where you have the ability to process groupings of instruments, like drums, keys, guitars, vocals, etc… Processing at the mix buss will help to pull the whole mix together to make it sound like a “record”. This is where the 3 Tier Mix System comes to life. The following lessons will teach effective buss processing methods and explain why this critical stage is left for last.

  1. Mix Stem Processing
  2. Mix Buss Processing
  3. Considerations for Mastering
  4. Printing The Final Mix
  5. Managing Updates and Versions


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