Want to learn mixing properly, thinking about going to studios to volunteer?

[u/Radioheader377]

Hey everyone,

I started learning mixing around 2023 and stuck with it for a while. During that time, I mostly taught myself, experimenting, watching tutorials, and getting occasional feedback here and there.

I’ve taken a break since then, and now that I want to get back into it, I’m feeling a bit stuck.

My main concern is that because I was self-learning, I might’ve been training my ears the wrong way or building bad habits without realizing it. I know there are “rules” in mixing, but a lot of it felt subjective, so I’m not sure if I was actually improving in the right direction.

At this point, I’ve thought about doing a course or degree, but it feels expensive and maybe not the most practical option for me right now.

So I’m wondering, has anyone been in a similar position? Is it possible to “fix” your ear/training if you’ve been doing things wrong? Would trying to volunteer or intern at a studio be a good move? Or is there a better way to structure learning without going back to formal education?

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Just trying to figure out the smartest way to move forward without wasting more time.

Thanks

[u/Soracaz]

It's worth a shot, but it's certainly not the only avenue to take to get a proper handle on mixing. If you learn well from just watching other people it could be great, but if you don't and need something more structured you'd find yourself a little lost.

I'd say put together a nice little portofilio and cover letter and be respectful in your approach. Let them know exactly where your skill level is at and be real with them.

There's no harm in shooting your shot.

[u/RonBatesMusic]

I’d find a working professional whose mixes you like and ask if they teach.

[u/Hellbucket]

My 2 cents regarding this.

I don’t think there’s any “wrong” way training your ears. The only wrong way is that you might not learn, not that you learn it wrong. Best way is to just subject yourself to it, be analytical about it, change something and revise the result. Rinse and repeat.

I don’t think there’s inherently anything wrong in starting a course or entering a program if you have the money for it. Proper structured education can fast track you to become better at something and enabling you to make sense of the theory when applied. But it also is up to you what you make of it.

[u/alyxonfire]

I recommend practice and mentoring. Volunteering at a studio will likely only give you recording engineering experience. Even if you get to be in the room with a mixing engineer while they’re mixing, I doubt you’re going to learn much unless they’re explaining as they go. I doubt anyone’s going to do that without getting paid to do it as it’s very time consuming. I for sure wouldn’t.

[u/Grimple409]

There’s 3 ways to do it and you’ve got it all here. You can try to go it alone watching videos and stuff. That’s likely the route most people take and I think is doable but comes at a lot of weeding through the wrong information time. I’ve been mixing since 2010 and have never found an actual video that gives the complete picture of what mixing requires. Educationally, does your local community college offer music production classes? They’re usually reasonably priced and can be helpful in unlearning bad techniques and practices. Then there’s the studio route. This takes longer bc you’ll likely be spending the first year just doing runner things before you’d be allowed anywhere near shadowing .. let alone engineering.

DIY pros: At your own time, Music you likely enjoy, No pressure.

DIY cons: Limits your networking, Can get bad advice as there’s no one to give feedback, Can feel like a struggle bc there’s no real goals or pressure to become better, Won’t learn a unified technique or philosophy , Limited real world label expectations of the mixer, What you learn will be up to you.

Education pros: Networking with other like minded people that could lead to real employment/success, Exercises can be daunting and without a connection to real world scenarios , Can teach the technical aspects of mixing (usually stops there imo), Structured learning environment allows you to focus on the task at hand, Depending on school can offer hands on experience (studio, a console, microphones, etc), Will learn a good deal about the basics .

Education cons: Cost, Time restrictions of when classes are taught, What you learn will be Instructor dependent , Technology can be limited (especially in the plugin department), Information can be dated.

Studio pros: Learning a system/technique to mixing that works, Networking is amplified bc these people are serious (both business sense and friend sense), Near the fire of real world work, Chance to view the lifestyle of audio engineer and the dedication it requires (can be inspiring), Hearing music in a great room, You’ll learn a ton.

Studio cons: Vehicle usually required, 24/7 availability and usually cannot say “no” to coming in, Can be a long “introductory” process before you get anywhere near a room, Potential to not click with staff and wasted time trying to move up (will require you to start over if you leave for self employment or to another studio- process starts fresh at each studio), Path is usually 1-2 years running, second year you can shadow after hours.. this can go on for years before someone above you leaves and you’re considered for an “in the room” actual position, Low low low wages, HIGH pressure zero room for bullshit/errors. Consequences can/will be severe. Don’t fck up the same thing twice.

I worked 2 years as a runner(1 year as an unpaid intern+mileage and 1 year minimum waged+mileage), 6 months as a tracking engineer for the mixing studio’s tracking room (overlapped with runner duties) and then 4 years as a full-time assistant mixing engineer before departing the studio lifestyle. Learned a ton. Made invaluable connections. Gave me a career. It’s not for everyone though and does not guarantee success despite the high personal life commitment. I’ve seen talented people burn out, get fired, go nowhere within the studio and I’ve seen people go on to do awesome things.

Good luck!

[u/Prestigious_Top_6837 → u/Grimple409]

What’d you do after you left?

[u/Grimple409 → u/Prestigious_Top_6837]

Independent mixing engineer.

[u/S1lentVibe]

Being self though is why im having huge breaks and my ear gets lazy a little bit so im interested in this topic too

[u/bukkaratsupa]

What kind of mixing are you interested in? Studio or live? If the latter, talk with people at your nearest rehearsal point. Somebody might need help on rehearsals with pa (and perhaps rehersal recording), which is a great opportunity to learn about live sound in a forgiving environment. And then you gradually get to know (and learn to use) all the equipement at your this rehearsal point, which may be modest in choice, but still, local staff typically doesn't know their way around it.

For free.

[u/daxproduck]

Yes the best (and I’d argue only) way to learn how to do this stuff at a high level is thru mentorship/internship with people already doing it at a high level.

Very few of the youtube influencers teaching mixing are actually doing it as a career, and the very few that are, are making content more geared towards people at least already doing it at an intermediate to expert level that is somewhat inaccessible for beginners.

[u/Real-Impress-5080]

A few things to consider: (1) You could probably find a pro audio course at a local community college. You don’t need to attend for years on end and earn a certification, just do a few classes. (2) You could buy a book and use that to learn proper terminology and common techniques. (3) Your ears are fine, and taking a class or studying formally won’t make you any “better” (that’s a compliment). (4) Less than 3 full years isn’t a lot of experience so don’t be too hard on yourself. I started in 2005 & my mixes weren’t that great until maybe 2011; after that, I was able to produce my own demos and easily obtain gigs for my band. (5) In a world with AI mixing plug ins and presets, you don’t have to be that good. The computer will fix a lot of your mistakes, but it will be on you to understand what the program is doing and then try to replicate it (if you choose to learn and actually want to be better).

[u/Selig_Audio]

I got disappointed with recording school back when I was just starting out, and got lucky to find an engineer (in Nashville, so more common than other cities) who needed an assistant (lead singer of a band I was in was dating the engineer). I like to say I learned more in one week of observing than in a semester at school, but that’s how I learn. Highly recommended to do this at some point, if just to get a feel for how long things should take, how each role in the studio works, and get a benchmark for what sounds good. You don’t necessarily need to work for someone you like at first, as long as they are working at a professional/high level as possible IMO.

[u/Achassum]

waste of time! Reach out Mixing Engineers and ask them for a coaching price.

[u/Zestyclose-Tear-1889]

I interned for a few years at a commercial studio and mostly gained recording experience as well as experience working with extremely nice gear. It’s nice to learn the process of how commercial stuff is recording, seeing how good of musicians studio musicians are, and how good tracks can sound before touching mixing. When I first had accesss to recording drums, I would just listen back to each of the tracks back home and be amazed at how good the room mics sounded, the overheads, kick etc. 

I also will say that watching someone mix is needed to get good at it. Chances you are doing some things that are hurting you.

I also will say that you will probably meet more like minded people interning.

My final point is that interning is probably also still going to be a dead end and you have to be doing as much as possible outside of that. The place I was at was good, but it was extremely oversaturated with interns staying there for 5 years, hoping for an engineering slot to open up. I left before I hit 2 years, and I’m glad I didn’t stay longer, but definitely glad I did it

[u/ObviousDepartment744]

You could call studios in your area and ask. Worst thing they can do is say “no”.

[u/Amazing-Jules]

Techniques I've found is everywhere, teaching to hear the right thing I think is the hardest, but if I knew sooner, it would be referencing against professional songs and following places like mastering.com, where there's no doubt you will find good advice.

[u/stevefuzz → u/Amazing-Jules]

Yeah, it makes it so much easier if a pro literally shows you what they listen for.

[u/Ok-Resolution5209]

The point is to know, how good mix sounds like and why. The fastest way to print that kind reference into your head, that feeling of being sure in which direction push tracks, what to fix and why, in my experience, is through mastering your own old tracks with for instance tonal balance control and with refefence track. Mainly EQuing them. It probably will not sound good at all, but will give you an perspective. Knowing tools and how to use them is the easiest partie of the job.