INITIAL MIX stage
Mixing is all about balance. Every sound in a song can effect how every other sound is heard. The main priority in the initial mixing stage is balancing drums, bass, music, vocals, and effects. Secondary to that, the goal is to set the song in a particular direction sonically - in terms of texture, space, feel, and vibe. This is when the track begins to come to life.
LISTEN TO THE INITIAL MIX
This is an example of an initial mix from Smart Boy Studios. There is a focus on balance, clarity, and vibe.
TECHNICAL INSIGHT
Typical tools at this point include EQ, Compression, Reverb, Delay, Distortion, and Saturation. In MOST cases, these initial mixes are done using a 2-track of the instrumental and the vocals.
However, when we have the trackouts for the beat, I approach the mix differently. My process is to first balance the vocals with the bass and snare. From there, I start adding the rest of the drums. From there, I start bringing in the other elements of the instrumental, applying EQ and saturation as needed, to create a balance where everything is heard or felt correctly.