Audio Mix Checklist

There are so many things to think about when you're mixing that it's pretty easy to focus on just a few items and overlook something that could be a lot important to the final product. Add to that the fact that so many mixers do it by feel and don't really have a strict mix routine, and you can see that it's really pretty easy to get a mix that's pretty much of the way there, but it never goes beyond a certain point. To help you get the best final mix possible, here's a a list of the most important items to remember when you're mixing.

• Does your mix have contrast? Does it build as the song goes along? Are different instruments, sounds or lines added in different sections?

• Does your mix have a focal point? Is the mix built around the instrument or vocal that’s the most important?

• Does your mix sound noisy? Have you deleted any count-offs, guitar amps noises, bad edits, and breaths that stand out?

• Does your mix lack clarity or punch? Can you distinguish every instrument? Does the rhythm section sound great by itself?

• Does your mix sound distant? Try using less reverb and effects.

• Can your hear every lyric? Every word must be heard.

• Can your hear every note being played? Automate to hear every note.

• Are the sounds dull or uninteresting? Are you using generic synth patches or predictable guitar or keyboard sounds?

• Does the song groove? Does it feel as good as your favorite song? Is the instrument that supplies the groove loud enough?

• What’s the direction of the song? Should it be close and intimate or big and loud?

• Are you compressing too much? Does the mix feel squashed? Is it fatiguing to listen to? Is all the life gone?

• Are you EQing too much? Is the mix too bright or too big?

• Are your fades too tight? Does the beginning or ending of the song sound clipped?

• Did you do alternate mixes? Did you create at least in instrumental-only mix (TV mix)?

• Did you document the keeper mixes? Are all files properly named? Are you sure which file is the master?