I hate to say it, but not every track in a song needs to be heard. Sometimes you just have to get rid of parts in the mix for the song to sound good! Seriously. Some parts can’t be saved by any amount of EQ or compression or crazy tricks. You simply need to eject them from the song. Mixerman calls it “under-dubbing”, I call it a no brainer.
That Was Easy
I really don’t even need a video to show you how to use your mute button, it’s just too easy. Whether you get rid of a track entirely or simply automate your mute button, make sure you eject those problem parts, freeing up headroom in your mix and improving the song. Boom!
Hello Graham,
I thing that this is one of most powerful tips. It is interesting how often people dispense this tool like mixing toll. Especially musician not to like say good bye, their “absolute best one” takes… One of my favorite czech musicians said, that song is not finished in moment when is not possible to add some but when is not possible to take away some part.
So thanks for all this 5 minits videos series, I really enjoy every part of it ! I am wondering second half! 🙂
Best Regards
Tomas
..?
Been working with the mute button more and I get it. It is about the mix arrangement as well as the song arrangement. Contrast; and the two things working together in that same direction.Thanks again Graham.
gary
🙂
How you do this without the guitar player refusing to pay you is surprising. I understand your point but it’s the artist’s music, not yours/mine. So removing their parts probably doesn’t bode well, especially if you don’t consult them first. What kind of feedback do you usually get when you do this to a track?
Most people are cool with it. If they want something back in, I just bring it back in. Keep in mind, they are paying me to make their tracks sound great – so I do just that. A lot of times, people record too much and don’t think about the arrangement.