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Exploring Harry Styles’ Music Journey

May 31, 2023

Capturing millions with a unique sound and compelling personality in an ever-evolving world of contemporary music. Very few artists have been able to do it....

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Exploring Taylor Swift's Songwriting Process

May 25, 2023

Legendary singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has captivated the world with her haunting lyrics and infectious melodies. Behind her numerous chart hits lies an intriguing songwriting process.....

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Kiana Ledé - Goes 'Deeper' About Hard Work & Perseverance

May 18, 2023

Kiana Ledé has been rocking in the R&B scene and her latest single “Jealous” continues this trend. The other day, Sonical.ly had the chance to sit down and talk with Ledé about her musical journey.

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DJ Khalil - The Secrets to a 5x Grammy Award Winning Career as a Music Producer

May 18, 2023

Anyone within the hip-hop scene knows the name, DJ Khalil. He gained popularity for both his music-producing and DJing skills. The other day, Sonical.ly had a chance to sit down and talk with DJ Khal

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Ed Sheeran Successfully Defends Himself in Copyright Trial

May 7, 2023

Copyright infringement cases are very much on the rise in the music industry. Recently, Ed Sheeran was on the receiving end of one. Fortunately for him and the music industry as a whole, he won. Who

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How AI Technology Impacts Artists’ Rights

April 28, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (aka AI) is not a new thing. It has been used for various purposes like social media algorithms and Siri on your phone. However, for the first time, AI is being used in

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Who is Kiana Ledé?: The Story Behind the “Jealous” Singer

April 28, 2023

From Kidz Bop idol to R&B and pop singer, Kiana Ledé has fully planted herself within the music industry. The release of her latest single “Jealous” featuring Ella Mai adds to her growing achievements

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Breaking The Silence: A Look At Mental Health In The K-pop Industry

April 23, 2023

In the past few years, the K-pop culture has experienced a number of suicides, which has devastated the Korean entertainment industry. Sulli from f(x), Jonghyun from SHINee, Goo Hara from KARA, and

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Breaking Down The Genius of SZA’s Album ‘SOS’

April 20, 2023

Since SZA has released her latest album ‘SOS’, it has made a lot of buzz in the music industry. The album has received positive reviews for its combination of R&B, pop, and hip-hop and featured.....

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Korean Indie/Pop Rock Bands You Need To Know: Day6, The Rose, & HYUKOH

April 20, 2023

With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there....

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Show Me The Money: South Korea’s No. 1 Rap Competition

April 10, 2023

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WONHO: Rising Success After Departure From Monsta X

April 8, 2023

In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..

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Top 10 Mixing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Mixing is an art form that requires not only technical skill but also a keen ear and attention to detail. Many producers and engineers fall into common traps, leading to subpar mixes that could have been avoided with the right approach. Let’s dive into the top 10 mixing mistakes and how to prevent them from sabotaging your tracks.

1. Over-Compressing

Compression is essential for controlling dynamics, but overusing it can strip your mix of life and energy. Solution: Learn to use compression subtly. Set attack and release times appropriately for the material, and use parallel compression to retain dynamics while controlling peaks. Famous producers like Rick Rubin emphasize natural dynamics over excessive compression in his work.

2. Clipping and Distortion

Pushing levels too hard can lead to digital clipping and distortion, ruining the clarity of your mix. Solution: Always monitor your gain staging. Use meters to ensure you’re not overloading your mix bus or any individual tracks. This approach was vital for Daft Punk when crafting their clean, polished sound.

3. Poor EQ Decisions

Incorrect EQ moves, such as boosting low-end on every instrument, can create a muddy, unclear mix. Solution: Focus on subtractive EQ first, cutting problem frequencies before boosting. Take inspiration from Timbaland, who’s known for creating space in his mixes with carefully crafted EQ.

4. Not Controlling the Low End

Low frequencies can build up and overwhelm the mix if not controlled. Solution: Use high-pass filters on non-bass instruments, and consider side-chaining the bass to the kick drum for better separation. EDM artists like Calvin Harrisare masters at creating a punchy yet controlled low end using these techniques.

5. Ignoring Phase Issues

When multiple mics are used or tracks are layered, phase issues can lead to cancellation, thinning out your sound. Solution: Always check for phase issues, especially when layering sounds like drums or guitars. Use a phase meter or flip the phase button on your DAW to resolve phase cancellations.

6. Overloading Effects

While reverb, delay, and modulation can enhance a mix, overusing them can clutter your sound. Solution: Apply effects with moderation and consider using sends instead of inserting effects on every channel. Look at producers like Brian Eno, who applies effects tastefully to create spacious yet clear mixes.

7. Inconsistent Panning

Leaving all instruments in the center of your stereo field can lead to a flat, crowded mix. Solution: Pan instruments to create width and separation. Refer to the iconic George Martin, who’s known for his innovative panning techniques with The Beatles, creating depth and clarity in their recordings.

8. Failing to Reference Mixes

Mixing in isolation without comparing to professional tracks can lead to poor tonal balance. Solution: Use reference tracks from similar genres to calibrate your ears. Famous mix engineers like Chris Lord-Alge swear by referencing their mixes against well-known hits to ensure competitive quality.

9. Ignoring Automation

A static mix with no volume or effect automation can feel lifeless. Solution: Use automation to create movement and interest. From subtle volume rides to dramatic filter sweeps, automation can elevate your mix to a professional level. Skrillex is known for using automation to add dynamics and excitement to his electronic music.

10. Skipping the Monitoring Environment

Mixing on poor-quality speakers or in untreated rooms can lead to bad decisions. Solution: Invest in decent monitors or headphones and treat your room for a balanced acoustic environment. Producers like Hans Zimmer work in well-treated rooms with high-quality monitoring systems, ensuring accurate mixes.

By being aware of these common mixing mistakes and taking steps to avoid them, you can dramatically improve the quality of your mixes. Famous producers and engineers have faced these challenges and found solutions, so take inspiration from their techniques to elevate your own mixing game.