Professional Music Production: Tips for Sound Design & Mixing

Do you want to take your productions to the next level but don’t know where to start? Here’s the continuation of the article with 8 tips to professionalize your music productions and gain more clarity.

👀 Use References 👀

It would never occur to you to go on vacation without first gathering some information about your destination or without bringing a map. Think of references as serving the same purpose.

Before starting your production, it’s important to have a clear idea of the direction you want to take. Producing without a roadmap will waste your time and energy! Make time for experimentation, but do so within the framework of the direction you’ve already decided on. This will make you more inspired and efficient.

If you are working for an artist with a specific vision, ask them to provide you with a few references. I typically ask for two to three tracks. If they don’t know, suggest several to them and explain how they can align with their composition.

Once you have a reference, load it into your software and ensure the volume matches your session. Then, focus on the following points:

• Instrumentation 👉🏼 Identify the different instruments.

• Structure and transitions 👉🏼 Listen to the structure and how transitions are highlighted.

• Role of different instruments 👉🏼 Which instrument plays the rhythm, counterpoint, etc.?

• Relationships between instruments 👉🏼 Bass relative to percussion, vocals relative to guitars, etc.

This way, you can prepare your session with instruments that have similar timbres to the reference. Pre-load multiple instruments before diving into production, so you don’t get interrupted mid-process. Alternate between the reference and your production (while lowering the volume difference) to ensure you’re always on the right track.

Alternate between the reference and your production (by reducing the volume difference) to make sure you are still in the right direction.

💡 Keep in mind that the goal here isn’t to mimic, but to have a roadmap to achieve a production that aligns with the market your production is targeting. Even for a simple guitar/vocals setup, there are numerous ways to approach it—microphone types, guitar models, chord inversions, background vocals. With the vast array of choices, it’s important to have a guide.

To return to the initial metaphor, even if you’ve thoroughly prepared for your trip, nothing stops you from veering off course to wander and enjoy the view. The reference is simply there as a “reality check” to guide you back if you feel you’ve strayed too far.

🥄 Mix Timbres, Not Voices 🥄

If you haven’t heard of layering, it’s a technique where multiple instruments play the same part. Mixing timbres helps create thickness in a bass sound, for example, or adds richness to a snare sound. This creates unique and identifiable sounds that reinforce the identity of your production while maintaining the clarity of a clean arrangement.

⚠️ Don’t mix two instruments with similar timbres; instead, choose complementary sounds. For instance, layer an electric bass sound with an analog bass sound. You maintain the dynamic and warmth of the electric bass, while the synthesizer adds the roundness it was missing.

💡 If you’re working with MIDI instruments, simply duplicate the track and change the instrument for the new track. Find the right balance between the two to get the most out of both.

Duplicate the MIDI track, change the sound, find the right balance—easy!

💡 If you’re working with audio, use your software’s arrangement window to visualize the track you want to double. Align the second track precisely with the first. The more precise you are, the more effective the result will be.

In Cubase, the “edit in place” function allows you to visually align MIDI with audio.

🎚️ Don’t Mix During Production 🎚️

It’s tempting to fix mix issues during production, like that cymbal ringing forever. However, working this way will scatter your focus and prevent progress.

Imagine working in a team and the sound engineer constantly interrupts you to fix mixing issues. You’d probably tell them to leave you alone until you’re done with your work. Even if you’re wearing all these hats, make sure to wear only one at a time! Don’t try to fix problems that may not even exist once the production is finished.

That said, you’ll need to determine what falls under mixing and what’s part of production. Sometimes it’s hard to separate them.

What belongs to production:

• Creative effects (reverb, chorus, etc.)

• Guitar sounds

• Recording (microphone type, placement, etc.)

• Synth patches

What belongs to mixing:

• Volume

• Panning

• Equalization

• Compression

• Room reverb

⚠️ If your production session is loaded with plugins, you’ve already started mixing!

Of course, there are factors that might change this list. And, on a less exhaustive note, ask yourself regularly if what you’re doing is useful for production. Accumulating effects can slow down your computer and increase latency, both important factors for maintaining smooth production flow.

🦾 Bonus Tips, Use Your Strengths 🦾

To wrap up this series, here are some bonus tips—food for thought.

Highlight Your Strengths:

When you start in music production, you want to try everything and push your limits. I highly recommend this at first. However, if you want to professionalize and work for other artists, you must know your strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to highlight your strengths. If you’re an incredible guitarist, showcase that. If you have a deep knowledge of Indian percussion, use your tablas!

Be Creative:

If you don’t have the right tools on hand, do things differently. For instance, if your home studio’s acoustics are terrible, opt for virtual instruments or instruments with cables (acoustic guitar, electric bass, etc.). And why not record outdoors or in unique locations? Turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:

Don’t hesitate to push yourself (not too hard) out of your comfort zone. Collaborate with artists whose style is unfamiliar to you. Try new instruments or learn to use different software. Stimulate your creativity. Production is a vast playground waiting for you.

Own Your Choices:

It’s said that the worst thing for an artist is to be indifferent. Don’t be afraid of taking a stance. A production with character is one that makes an impact. This could be using an unusual instrument, a surprising rhythm, or even a distinctive sound effect.

Care for Your Entry:

You always need to care for your entry! This is especially true today in a saturated music market. If you manage to make your production instantly identifiable, you’ll stand out. This applies to streaming, live performances, and even in clubs.

And that’s it for this series of articles. If you enjoyed these tips, feel free to share the article to help the blog get started!

📈 8 Tips to Professionalize Your Music Productions 📈 (part 2)