Mixing

You have recorded songs in a studio but only got a non convincing rough mix? You and your band have made a multitrack recording in the rehearsal room and now it should become a proper demo? You are working on your own mixes but have problems finishing them? You have no time to do it or you miss the forest for the trees?

Maybe I can help making your record. I am mixing music for more than 18 years now. I have done mixes and masterings for my own and for other artists’ music. Everything I know about mixing is self-taught. I am familiar with mixing electronic music and band recordings. Combining both is something I do a lot in my own music. To get an impression of my works have a look at my portfolio.

My little mixing philosophy: Among recording, producing and mastering, for me mixing is the special stage on the way from the first musical idea up to the final album, for which you need not only the tools of the trade, but also ears for the musical incidents. For me a good mix is not just a well-sounding one. Furthermore it should follow a dramaturgy based on the main idea of the song. Therefore I always approach a mix from the point of a musician as well. So I can try to explore the idea behind the songs to carve it out as sharp as possible.

If you will decide to pass your music on to me, first I would like to become familiar with it. I will listen to your tracks, I would like to read or hear what you think about it or how do you think it should sound like. Then with a picture in my mind I will start working. First, I will set up the mixes up to an intermediate state to give a basis for discussion. At this point we’ll take time for a first listen to find out what will work for you and what will not. After that I will continue mixing mentioning your wishes and suggestions. In this stage I will give you update of the mixes in brief intervals. I will continue to mix till you are satisfied.

I am able to work nearly every working day. Depending on how quick we communicate and find a common ground, I guess it is possible to finish something like a 5 track EP within 3 or 4 weeks.

You will have access to a folder I will especially open for you in my cloud for the period of time we will work together. To this folder (25 GB max.) you can upload your files (raw data, reference tracks etc.). And there you will also find the mixdowns I will make for you. It is not a problem if you prefer a different service to transfer the data. Just let me know.

For nearly 20 years now Ableton Live is my favorite DAW. So, if you use this software as well, you can easily send me whole Live projects instead of just single audio files.

It is important to upload the files compressed. By using a packing tool first it is possible to prove that the upload is error-free. Second you can reduce the amount of data, of course losless. Again you can choose your favorite packing tool. I recommend 7-Zip, which is open source and totally freeware. For the fact that you live just around the corner of course you can give me your material personally.

To communticate during the working process I favour to use e-mail or messenger. In addition to that, especially for reviewing and giving feedback, I like to use the service from Highnote, a platform to make comments, exchange ideas, and organize notes on any audio file. I receive messenges immediately and I am looking after to answer as quick as possible. Certainly,  you also can telephone me or we can meet to listen together.

I work with the audio file format wav, but you can also deliver aif. Dealing with resolution and sample rate I would not be dogmatic and say: This is the perfect! The perfect is the way your material is. If you just have tracks with 16bit 44100hz, then this is better than having no tracks at all. It is still possible to make good mixes out of it. But of course a higher resolution is recommended. Recordings should have 24bit. However, any kind of compressed audio format like mp3 or ogg is not suitable for mixing. When your material comes out of your DAW and you have worked with 32bit (float), I will take that.

Opinions differ on the question of the sample rate. Nameable audio engineers say, 44100 hz for recording is enough, which offers frequencies from 20hz up to 20000hz. This is rather the range, that humans are able to hear. Others argue, the psycho acoustic information above this range is also relevant, because it influences the further editing of the recordings. I cannot say, who is wrong or right, but I really like the idea of spooky sounds and ghosts among the higher frequencies, who inspirit the music. Therefore, in case of doubt, for recording and mixing I work with 32bit (float) 88200hz. Besides: For me you do not have to convert your material. Just send it the way it is. I use a professional converter software (Izotope RX9).

For any questions or for concrete requests just feel free to email me.