Keith Perez

mixing workflow

2 min read

Mixing Workflow

1. Prep & Rough Balance

  • Import stems, name & color-code.
  • Group into: Drums / Bass / Guitars / Vocals / FX.
  • Start from silence → bring up the most important element (drums or vocal).
  • Use only faders + panning here.
  • Goal: 80% of the mix feels balanced before touching plugins.

2. Core Tonal Work

Keep inserts minimal. Only EQ/compress if absolutely needed.

  • EQ (surgical cuts only): FabFilter Pro-Q 4 or Neutron EQ
  • Compression (for control, not hype):
    • Drums → API 2500 (glue/punch)
    • Bass → LA-2A (level) + optional API 2500 (tightness)
    • Vocals → LA-2A → 1176 (control + energy)

👉 Ask: Does this track really need it, or can the group bus handle it?

3. Buss Processing (Glue & Tone)

This is where “pro” mixes come from. Don’t sauce every track—sauce the bus.

  • Drum Bus → API 2500 (glue) → Decapitator (subtle drive)
  • Guitar Bus → SSL 4K B (slight EQ lift + grit)
  • Vocal Bus → LA-2A (smooth) → Decapitator (mix knob ~10–20%)
  • Mix Bus (light touch only, not mastering) → SSL 4K B (tiny push) or Shadow Hills (gentle glue)

4. FX (on Sends, Not Inserts)

  • Reverb (space): ValhallaVintageVerb (plate/room for drums, hall for vocals/guitars)
  • Delay (movement): EchoBoy or stock delay (slap + long stereo)
  • Parallel Comp: 1176 all-buttons or API 2500 on a send, blend in for drums/vocals
  • Optional Texture: Saturn 2 or RC-20 on a bus for lo-fi grunge layers

5. Build the Mix

  • Drums + Bass first → low-end foundation.
  • Add vocals → make sure they sit without EQ acrobatics.
  • Layer guitars/synths around vocals → carve small EQ holes (2–5k for vocal presence).

6. Translation Checks

  • Bounce a draft early.
  • Listen on AirPods, laptop, car.
  • Fix only the issues that repeat across systems.

7. Final Polish

  • Automation > Compression for movement.
  • Listen whisper-quiet for balances, loud for harshness.
  • Mix print for band: Ozone Maximizer at -3dB headroom.
  • Mastering prep: No limiter, leave -6dB headroom.

8. Core Plugin Set (Keep It Simple)

EQ & Dynamics

  • FabFilter Pro-Q 4
  • UAD API 2500
  • UAD LA-2A / 1176 (Gray)

Tone & Saturation

  • SoundToys Decapitator
  • UAD SSL 4K B

FX

  • ValhallaVintageVerb
  • EchoBoy (or stock delay)

Mastering / Checks

  • Ozone 11 Maximizer (drafts only)

Mindset

  • Balance first, plugins second.
  • Groups > individual tracks.
  • Less sauce = more pro.
  • Reference tracks every 10–15 min.

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