A long time ago, in a sound booth far far away, I once asked myself the simple question; where is the chart that tells me the perfect EQ settings for each instrument and vocal?
I assumed that setting EQ, being based on known frequencies, was as simple as doing basic math.
Then I learned it (obviously) wasn’t like that at all.
However, I get this question on my blog or via email all the time so today I thought I’d explain the answer.
The immediate easy answer is “there is no chart; it’s a mixture of art and science.”
Even as I say those words, I’m not a fan of how I’ve said it. The reason is it doesn’t explain why.
Why mixing is part art and part science
Driving into work, I was thinking about this very question and the image of the tree in my yard came to mind.
• In the spring, the tree looks beautiful with its new buds.
• In the summer, the tree looks beautiful with its green leaves and it’s fullness.
• In the fall, the tree looks beautiful with the multi-colored leaves.
• In the winter, the tree looks beautiful when covered with ice and snow.
Throughout the year, the tree is different. However, in each different state, beauty is still seen. And therein is the art and science of mixing.
God created the tree and its unique structure. Given that structure, he is able to use its shape and characteristics and environment to produce a variety of colors that were beautiful in that setting; even evoking different emotions as one looks upon the tree.
Mixing a guitar starts with learning the unique characteristics of a guitar; how it makes sound, how one guitar sounds different from another, how the type of strings affects the sound.
Then, based on the band, the song, and the genre (think of all this as the season of the tree) you can modify the EQ settings so that in the given environment the guitar sounds beautiful.
Where do I start?
Honestly, it helps a lot to play an instrument yourself. Personally, I play the guitar. Original, right?
Because of my intimate experience with my guitars, I know the concepts of tone and depth and warmth of the guitar.
Also, by playing guitar, I’ve naturally listened to the guitar placement in a lot of songs; whether lead or as a backing instrument. I don’t like to talk so much in my articles about me as I want to focus on you. However, well…let’s move on to you.
Learn to play an instrument. It could be the guitar or if you used to play an instrument a long time ago and want to return to it…go for it.
Playing an instrument causes you to ask the question “how should I properly play this instrument for this song?” One song, you might play lead. In another song, you might play a subtle counter-melody.
Playing the two is quite different, especially in how you blend your playing to re-enforce other instruments or to lead the others. This is where it will help mixing.
