Creating Unique Mixes

Although it's been said that, these days, there is no such thing as a new idea, it doesn't necessarily mean that you couldn't try finding all the variations that an idea has to offer, and in what better creative environment to do that than in the realm of recorded music! Since mixing is in itself an art, it goes without saying that there really aren't any rules to follow in conjunction with making your own mix, although a multitude of guidelines exist in creating a mix that can be considered the de facto standard for radio. But instead of aiming for the sound of mixes du jour right off the bat, here are some recommendations that would help make your mixes future-proof and give you a good foundation for experimentation when it comes to finding a unique signature sound for your mixes.

1. Go back to the basics

No matter how long you've been mixing, it always helps to refresh oneself of the basics of music and mixing just to keep your knowledge of fundamentals in top form. A good way to go about this is to set aside some time each week to read up on some principles that you may want to brush up on, such as the fundamental notes of instruments, arrangement of a chamber orchestra, etc. Doing these each week guarantees that your knowledge and understanding of music is in constant flux instead of standing on a plateau, and it would hopefully have a profound effect on the way that you approach your mixes.

2. Listen to other types of music

You may be so ingrained in recording and mixing Pop music that you've grown callous to the rudiments and intricacies of Classical music, or that you've gotten so used to the sing-song structure of Alternative Rock that you no longer enjoy the free-form spirit of Jazz or Progressive Rock. It's vital for any mixing engineer to expand his musical tastes, not only because this would enable her/him to apply the methods and stylizations of other genres to her/his mix, but it would also greatly enhance said engineer's tolerance for music that would otherwise be not to his/her liking. I feel that having an open mind towards music is key in creating a mix that is coherent, interesting, and something for you to be proud of at the end of the day.

3. Compile a playlist of your favorite mixes

While creating a mix for a project, engineers often revert to a reference mix of their liking that falls in the same category as the project. Create for yourself a CD or iPod playlist of music and songs that you enjoy listening to purely for their sonic value. It certainly helps to have a mixture of different genres in it, but your primary objective must be to create a compilation that sounds great to you and that you find interesting and excellent.

4. Read up on the technique and styles of your favorite engineer

Based on the playlist that you made, try to find out who the mix engineer is and read up on their workflow and methods. The internet and trade publications are chock-full of interviews with today's greatest engineers and engineers in the past that have influenced the way music is mixed today. Search bookstores for engineer's diaries and memoirs, such as the excellent Here, There and Everywhere by The Beatles' engineer Geoff Emerick.

It's always a good idea to lay down the groundwork before you go on and venture out on your own. There are hundreds more ways in doing this, and you'll no doubt encounter your own. Keeping these in mind will help you in finding a unique voice in your mixes that you can entirely call your own. Try out a different workflow from the one that you're used to, or employ one of the many Lo-Fi recording and mixing techniques that have turned from geeky gauche to gold. Don't be afraid to experiment with effects and especially EQ. At the end of it all, if whatever you're doing serves to heighten the listening experience of the recorded piece of music, then you've done it justice!