Mixing Stuff Masterpost for Vocal Synth Users
i'll say a few things here and there on how i approach mixing based on a set of guidelines i've been giving thru learning. i won't go 100% and i encourage you research further on your own as everyone has a different perspective of certain concepts. whats important is that you understand the concept so that you are able to interpolate on it with your own liberties. yeah. please read the links before looking at my commentary or you won't understand what im saying.
Some DAWs, Their Guides, & Some Freebies: One of the first things you should do is pick a DAW and learn how to use it and its functions to streamline your mixing process.
Free DAWs: The Best Available in 2023 by Produce Like A Pro
Audacity / DarkAudacity (i like darkaudacity): has a section of the site dedicated to tutorials on using Audacity!
Reaper: has a 3 hour course FREE course on mixing!
FL Studio: has a demo version you can pretty much use forever with a few.........exceptions. I won't be linking any cracked versions though. Here's a manual for this program since many people use it!
Free VST Plugins by Bedroom Producers Blog
37 Best Free Mixing VST Plugins by hiphopmakers
ORDER IN THE COURT!: The order of plugins is more important than you think. These links should also introduce some terms we use in the audio production world (like "gain staging" or "EQing")
WHAT'S THE BEST EFFECTS CHAIN ORDER FOR MIXING? by Icon Collective:
The Order Of Things: Audio Plug-ins by AskAudio
Plugin order is viewed from "top to bottom". BASICALLY... most like to gain stage -> EQ -> compress -> saturate -> MORE EQing -> whatever else at this point, but i do my process a bit differently. don't be afraid to bend the rules a little bit. but the guidelines are there for a reason.....based on what they do
Basics: I'll link to some tutorials to elaborate on what was listed by Icon Collective's list.
Gain Staging: Gain Staging Like a Pro by Sweetwater
Saturation: Saturation in Mixing – Instant Warmth, Glue and Fullness with One Plugin by Tough Tones (soundgoodizer fans make some fucking noise i guess)
EQ: SUBTRACTIVE VS ADDITIVE EQ (WHEN TO USE EACH & WHY) by Producer Hive
Compression: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO AUDIO COMPRESSION by Icon Collective + Audio Compression Basics by Universal Audio
Modulation: Modulation Effects: Flanging, Phase Shifting, and More by Universal Audio
Time Based Effects: Reverb Vs. Delay: Complete Guide To 3D Mixing by Mastering.com
Audio Busing/Routing/Sending Tracks: Your guide to busing and routing audio tracks like a pro by Splice
Limiters: 10 BEST LIMITER PLUGINS FOR MIXING AND MASTERING by Icon Collective
Sidechaining: Sidechain compression demystified: what it is and how to use it by Native Instruments (i dont know anything about this lol)
Automation: Mix Automation 101: How to Automate Your Sound For a Better Mix by Landr (p.s learn how to write automation in your respective programs)
Last note: great. these are the main things you should focus on understanding in mixing. now you are FREE my friend!
Bonus: Tempo Mapping in Reaper (if you want to learn how to midi songs with bpm changes!!!)
