How Do You Become A Better Mixer By Being A Better Listener?
This might be a more metaphysical topic, but I recently posed this question to myself: “Could I be a better mixer if I were a better listener, and vice versa?” In this profession it’s so easy to become preoccupied with deadlines, artist requests, invoicing, managers, label entities and the list goes on. Though I do feel that taking a moment to really listen to the music and those making the music can lead to a much greater result. I will offer a few ways we can all become better at listening to the music and the artist making the music–and perhaps this will give us a better appreciation for listening in general. One of the first things I do before I receive the music to be mixed is discuss with the artist the intentions of the song. I like to know more about their vision, so that I can hopefully help them realize this goal. It’s never good enough just to present a great mix. It is an aesthetic goal that is both abstract and seemingly elusive. The idea that a person could “click” so we
