For those thinking they want to mix sound, or mix music, this article is for you, and it comes from an audio mixing master, Kip Allen, music producer, touring musician, session drummer, and Drum Workshop Artist. Call Kip at 817-995-8093 for more information about mixing music or to have Kip work on a gig or project with you.

Now, though, let’s talk more about audio mixing.

What is mix sound?

Mixing sound, or mixing music as it is more commonly referred to, is finding the right balance in your recording.  It is all about the feng sui of music, the sweet spot, the perfect blend of instruments and sound levels.  In the hands of a master, it is a virtuoso performance. In the hands of an amateur, it is akin to two cats fighting in the middle of the night.

To the untrained ear, this all may sound like a bit of overkill, or hyperbole.  To a trained ear, to a professional musician, this is a vital truth.  A good sound mixer is worth their weight in proverbial gold.

Learning to mix sound

The truth is, just about anyone can learn to mix sound, or mix song.  There are online apps which give you the capability to mix music from the comforts of your home.  You don’t need an expensive home studio to mix sound.  You simply need the right equipment and/or app on your computer.

Having said that, this is also a truth:  not just anyone can mix sound properly, and a very few, and we mean a very few, are capable of mixing music so it sounds outstanding.  It’s like putting the absolute best golf clubs in the hands of an amateur.  Oh, sure, they can play a round of golf with those clubs, but those clubs will never make that golfer PGA-caliber.  For that to happen, for the magic of greatness to happen, talent must be in the room, the kind of talent few have.

Kip Allen is one such talent, and he’s had his talent on display, in Nashville, since 2008.

The nuts and bolts of audio mixing

From our old friend Wikipedia, we find this description of mixing sound:

“In sound recording and reproduction, audio mixing is the process of optimizing and combining multitrack recordings into a final mono, stereo, or surround sound product. In the process of combining the separate tracks, their relative levels are adjusted and balanced and various processes such as equalization and compression are commonly applied to individual tracks, groups of tracks, and the overall mix. In stereo and surround sound mixing, the placement of the tracks within the stereo (or surround) field are adjusted and balanced.  Audio mixing techniques and approaches vary widely and have a significant influence on the final product.”

If that all sounds complicated, it’s because it is.

The question, then, is this: who do you want to trust to mix sound for your recording, someone testing out a new app they found online, or a pro like Kip Allen, Drum Workshop Artist?

The answer should be obvious. Call Kip Allen today if what you seek is the very best.  Yes, it will cost more than some online app, but the end product will justify the cost if, and only if, what you want is the absolute best in sound mixing.