Mixing
Before I change anything, I listen to your whole song as you sent it. If you send a reference, I'll want to know what you like about it: the tone, the balance, how one instrument sounds. My first job is figuring out what you want the song to do.
Starting at $175/song
What I need from you
- Your tracks as WAV files, all starting at the same point so they line up
- Clear names on every track. "Drum overhead left" saves me a lot of guessing
- A rough mix or a reference song, if you have one
- What you like about it so far, and what bugs you
What you get back
- The mix as a WAV and a streaming-ready MP3
- 2 rounds of revisions
I'll quote it before I start. A 50% deposit holds your spot, and the rest is due before I send final files. You'll have a first version within 2 weeks, and I can often go quicker if you need it.
How I work
I start with the tedious part, which is organizing and grouping all the tracks, because it makes everything easier later. Then I mix from the top down, in small, broad strokes instead of dramatic changes. The emotion you intended is already in there, and I'm trying to bring it out.
If we disagree
Everything's worth a try. If you send a note I don't agree with, I'll still give you your version, and I'll give you mine too. Then you can listen and decide.
The right mix isn't always the correct one
On one daydreamy song, I pushed the saturation until the mix was bursting at the seams. It isn't what a textbook would tell you to do, but it suited the song. I've gotten it wrong the other way too, and I wrote about the song I had to mix twice on the blog.
Where I check it
Studio monitors and my own headphones first, then the car, a phone, a laptop, a TV soundbar, a little Bluetooth pill speaker, and earbuds.
Who have you mixed for?
Mixing for clients is a new business for me. So far I've mixed my own releases and projects with friends, and I do audio for a living in podcast production. My first 5 mixing clients pay $125 a song instead of $175, in exchange for a testimonial and permission to show the work.
How many tracks can a session have?
Up to 48. If your song is bigger than that, tell me and we can talk about it.
How do revisions work?
2 rounds are included. A round is one list of notes sent together, so it helps to listen a few times and collect your thoughts first. Extra rounds are $35 each. A re-recorded vocal or a changed arrangement is new work, and I'll quote it before I start.
Do I get the session?
You get the finished files. Stems or multitracks can be added on. If you want to see how I built the mix, we can go through the session in a mixing lesson, and I can discount that if I mixed your song.
Should I get it mastered too?
Usually, if you're releasing it. Ideally that's someone other than your mix engineer, but I can do both if budget or simplicity matters more.
Got a song ready to mix?
Send me a link and tell me what you're going for. I'll get back to you with a quote within 2 business days.