Skye Heart Sound | Fixing the Mix

Before I work on a project, I like to build a strong connection with the artist and producer. This allows me to know about them, and their sound goals. This preface emphasizes the importance of finding an engineer who understands your sonic goals and with whom you share a positive vibe.

1. Lay the Foundation: Ensuring a Solid Connection

- Sound Compatibility: Start by ensuring your mixing engineer comprehends your musical language. Discuss your influences, preferences, and the sonic aesthetics you aim to achieve. A strong connection at this stage sets the tone for effective collaboration.

2. The Arrival of the Mix: An Objective Evaluation

- Objective Listening: As the mix arrives, maintain objectivity during the initial evaluation. This is the moment to assess how well the engineer has translated your vision into a sonic reality.

3. If You Don't Like It: Constructive Critique and Revision

- Descriptive Feedback: Should discrepancies arise, offer descriptive and constructive feedback. Craft a systematic list of bullet points highlighting specific concerns, providing the mixing engineer with a clear roadmap for revisions.

4. Respectful Dialogue: Collaboration in Action

- Maintain Respect: Remember that the mixing engineer is a collaborator. Frame your feedback respectfully, acknowledging effort while expressing your artistic preferences. This fosters an environment conducive to productive collaboration.

5. Pushback and Revisions: A Critical Juncture

- Understanding Pushback: If the engineer resists necessary revisions without valid reasons, it's crucial to address this. A professional engineer values client satisfaction and should be open to making adjustments aligned with your vision.

6. Moving Forward: Quality and Collaboration

- Assess the Response: Evaluate how the mixing engineer responds to your revision requests. A collaborative approach that embraces feedback and implements changes effectively is indicative of a commitment to quality.

7. Resolution: When Revisions Reach an Impasse

- Final Evaluation: If, after a fair number of revisions, the mix still doesn't align with your vision, it's time for a final evaluation. Assess whether the revisions are genuinely improving the mix or if they're reaching an impasse.

- Transparent Communication: Communicate openly with the mixing engineer. Express gratitude for their efforts, but if the mix isn't aligning with your goals, it's a fair business decision to complete the transaction and, if applicable, pay the engineer.

- Moving On: In rare cases, if the mix doesn't reach your desired direction even after several revisions, consider the possibility of parting ways amicably. As a professional courtesy, you might express appreciation for the effort and move forward in your respective directions.

Conclusion:

Navigating the mix involves a delicate dance of effective communication, revisions, and resolution. By establishing a strong connection from the outset, maintaining open and respectful dialogue throughout the process, and having a clear resolution plan if needed, both artists and mixing engineers contribute to a collaborative and fruitful musical journey.

Fixing the Mix - Revisions