Can you mix music online?
Of course you can mix music online.
Should you mix music online? We take a look at that question in this article by Kip Allen, renowned Nashville session drummer, songwriter, and music producer. Call Kip when your next gig is just too important to settle for second-best.
How to mix music online
Can you mix music onlilne? Of course you can, and there are many in the music industry who believe it is a valuable tool for any musician to have. Recording music is just one small step to creating the “perfect sound” you seek. Finding the right balance between voice and instruments, that takes practice and it takes talent. Mixing and mastering are simply two words unless they are being performed by a trained music producer.
Having said that, it is entirely possible for you to train yourself, using the latest in mixing applications, learning from YouTube videos, and finding a pro who is willing to take you under their wing and teach you the finer steps of mixing.
Is it easy? No! Is it done quickly? No! Is it worth it? Most definitely! Most musicians who have clawed their way through this industry wish to have as much control of the music process as possible. The only things stopping them from doing so are money, time, and desire.
Reasons why you might not want to take it on
We sort of let the cat out of the bag in the previous section. The reasons why you might want to hire someone to mix your music boil down to money, time, and desire/talent.
Money: to have a professional music producer mix and master your music, you will need money. The cost of hiring a professional music producer will depend upon their level of experience and their reputation. You can hire one for a few hundred dollars, or you can hire the top tier producers for several thousand dollars per track.
Time: music production is time-consuming. It can literally take weeks of constant mixing and mastering to achieve the right sound on a single track. Very few struggling musicians, who are also holding down a full-time job, have that sort of time to devote to mixing music.
Desire/talent: despite the fact that there are online apps and programs which can help you to mix music, it is up to you to actually do the job properly, and if you don’t have the desire to learn proper techniques, or if you don’t have the talent to get the best out of the mixing apps, it will all be a waste of your efforts.
None of this is meant to be negative, or to spread a dark cloud over the process. However, in this YouTube world, where there are instructional videos on how to do almost anything, it is easy to drink the KoolAid and believe that just anyone can watch a video and become accomplished at a skill, and that simply is not the truth.
A final word about Kip Allen
Kip Allen knows all about dedication, hard-work, and desire. Arriving in Nashville in 2008, Kip has worked his way up the professional ladder to today, a time where he is respected by the best in the music industry. Kip has worked with some of the top names in the music industry, as a touring musician, songwriter, music producer, and session musician.
