Recording Mixes
What’s your standard approach?
Do you plan it out? Do you decide what type of mix it’s going to be beforehand? Do you do more than one take? Are your mixes like how you would play in a club?
I’ve been trying to record a mix this week for the first time in a couple of months, but it’s taking me a lot longer than it used to. I think it’s because I haven’t recorded one since June and there are too many choices to make about what records to put in it. When I did a weekly radio show it felt very easy to do a mix every single week.
I don’t really plan mixes out though I usually have an idea in my head of tracks that go together well. I try and do mixes in one take but it can be annoying when you pick a record that just doesn’t sound great with another, or takes the mix in a direction you didn’t want.
Maybe I should just wait till coming in some morning after being out and record a mix while drunk, with zero thought and planning! Still, this current one is almost there, just needs another few hours.
Kraftwerk wrote:
Best practice is to sink a few beers and do it in one take.
Posted 17 Sep 2008 at 9:36 pm ¶
ctgb wrote:
either one try and keep doing it until theres one that’s really good, or spend literally weeks planning it out with edits and all (usually these turn out way better)
Posted 18 Sep 2008 at 2:39 am ¶
ctgb wrote:
And also, don’t overdo it. Sometimes you need a good few days without even thinking about mixing beforehand to get into a relaxed mindset. It’s good if you can actually listen along to your mix as you make it.
Posted 18 Sep 2008 at 2:42 am ¶
Synik wrote:
Mix that selection of tunes a bit on and off. 30 mins here and there, bits and pieces - some logical mixes, some illogical mixes. A short list will drop out then grab some beers and stick ‘em together.
Oh, and don’t stop enjoying yourself.
Posted 18 Sep 2008 at 12:45 pm ¶
Karl wrote:
I just put on a record and see what happens. Under the influence or not… I have tried to plan some mixes beforehand, but those usually turn out worse and I don’t enjoy the process as much either. That is also why I never do more then one take.
Posted 18 Sep 2008 at 4:46 pm ¶
kuri wrote:
i’ve gone both ways:
1. do it one go sponatenously - usually end it in frustration 2/3 of the way through due to dodgy mix, but have nailed some wicked mixes over the years doing this as well
2. plan it out over time - typically testing it out by djing as I if I was recording but not and then jotting down what worked well. then later go back and do at once and record. voila: decent mix worth sharing with the public.
Posted 19 Sep 2008 at 1:21 am ¶
todd wrote:
fall in love with a girl you have no hope of getting, than don’t eat, bathe or listen to any music for seven days.
Posted 20 Sep 2008 at 3:33 am ¶
Ronan wrote:
run through a forest without breaking a twig
Posted 20 Sep 2008 at 11:31 am ¶
bensen wrote:
I try to listen to my records carefully and do a playlist to avoid a too harsh change of style or “flow”,which isn’t always as simple as it sounds,because there are quite often tracks I have to put in.so it usually takes a lot of time to find the “perfect” playlist.
I prefer to do a one take, it’s a good practise for me.but the tiny bloopers/faults in it can be really annoying.
also I can’t do a mix under pressure or if I’m thinking too much about what others may think of it, therefore I have to be in the right mood (sober or not) to get a result that fulfills my demands of a dignified mix.
finally I have to check it on the car hi-fi.
greetz
Posted 20 Sep 2008 at 12:07 pm ¶
todd wrote:
put your heart and soul into a mix, than, catch a giant bullfrog from a nearby pond, play the mix for the frog. after the mix is through, if there’s an awkward silence between the two of you, than you know you’re mix is good. if the frog is dead or it attacks you than it’s really good.
Posted 20 Sep 2008 at 3:21 pm ¶
Big Rich wrote:
I usuallye just feel the mix out,but before hand i ususally grab a stack of records that i want in the mix,
I say just feel it..
Rich
Posted 29 Sep 2008 at 7:15 am ¶
Henry wrote:
I usually have to plan it out - otherwise it’s all over the shop mood-wise.
Posted 30 Sep 2008 at 1:33 pm ¶