There are two types of mixers.
Mixer A sees mixing as a mechanical endeavour.
A series of moves and processes that take a rough track to something that sounds polished.
This mixer thinks a lot about workflow. They think a lot about the “right” way to do things and the “correct” order to do them in. They take their time to do things carefully.
Where Mixer A find chaos, they seek to organize.
Mixer B sees mixing as an artistic endeavour.
An amorphous flow of decisions that feels more like a performance than a process.
This mixer doesn’t think much about anything. They approach a mix the same way a well-versed musician might approach performing a solo, or writing a melody. They move fast and stay in the moment.
Where Mixer B finds chaos, they go with the flow.
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When I started to learn mixing, I was more like Mixer A. I wanted there to be answers. I wanted mixing to be predictable and methodical.
But the more I learned, the more I realized that wasn’t the truth.
Some people can get really far thinking like Mixer A. There’s nothing wrong with approaching mixing that way — especially as a beginner.
But listen to any of the best mixers in the world talk for just a few minutes…
And you quickly realize that they’re more like Mixer B.
But here’s the kicker…
The only way to develop the ability to feel your way through a mix and approach it as a creative work of art is to have the technical skills under your belt.
First you have to harness the tools at your disposal…
Then you can forget everything you know and just mix.
