Mixing Techniques That Transformed My Workflow Forever
Let’s face it—most of us overthink our mixes at some point. You tweak endlessly, stack plugin after plugin, and still end up frustrated with the result. I’ve been there.
But these five simple ideas completely changed the way I approach mixing—and honestly, they made the process faster, more intentional, and more fun. Here’s what worked for me, and why they might work for you too.
1. Start With a Static Mix
Before touching a single plugin, I get a solid rough mix—just fader balances, panning, maybe some clip gain. That’s it. This helps me respect the song’s arrangement and gives me a clear direction. Think of it as your mix’s foundation. Once you have that, everything else falls into place faster.
2. Bus Your Instruments Together
Busing your drums, guitars, vocals, and other groups not only keeps your session organized, it lets you shape your mix more holistically. You can solo or mute whole groups, apply processing across a section, and approach your mix from a top-down perspective when needed. It's a game changer for both speed and clarity.
3. Use the Plugins You Know Best
This one’s huge: don’t experiment with unfamiliar plugins during an actual mix session. Instead, create a “go-to” plugin folder of tools you trust and know inside out. In Cubase, I use the plugin collection feature to keep everything streamlined and avoid distractions mid-mix.
4. EQ Your Studio Monitors and Headphones
Getting a neutral listening environment is key to making accurate mix decisions. I’ve used systems like Sonarworks and ARC Studio to calibrate my monitors, and I also EQ my headphones to the Harman curve. Better accuracy = better translation = better mixes.
5. Focus on What Matters Most
Every mix has core elements that carry the emotion—usually drums, bass, and lead vocal. Start there. Get those sounding great first before worrying about all the extras. For some genres, that might mean vocals and acoustic guitar. Define your priorities and build around them.
Bonus: Use Reference Tracks the Right Way
Don’t try to copy your reference mix. Instead, use it to guide you. Study the tonal balance, spatial placement, effect usage, and overall vibe. I keep a library of reference tracks by genre and use a smart routing setup in Cubase to switch between them quickly. It keeps me grounded and focused.
➜ Want to hear what this sounds like in action?
I walk through each one in real-time inside my studio. You’ll hear the before and after, and see exactly how I apply these concepts in a real mix session.