Music Mixing Problems and Solution

 Introduction 

  Mixing is an essential stage of creating music that sounds great , for safety listening  and for commercial use. This is the further step after recording instruments. People want good mixing because on the other hand bad mixing is not healthy, it may cause ear damage and as a result, it may not make huge commercial impacts. People may run away which means they will not be likely to stay for long, especially on streaming platforms.


 


  Mixing is a fundamental skill that helps to transform individual instruments into polished and cohesive tracks. An engineer curves and balances separate tracks in a session to sound good when played together.

  Music mixing problems refer to challenges that happen while mixing sound elements and may hinder quality production as a result certain sounds are overpowered and drowned away by others or some sounds might have unpleasant tonal properties, on the other hand, it might lead to loss of essential projectsMixing Problem and Solution.

Mixing music challenges
picture to show mixer


  In this chapter, I will explain 10 mixing problems and how  to  solve them all.

  Music Mixing Problem and Solution 

1. Adding too much reverb.

 Too much reverb while mixing makes individual sounds unclear and noisy as a result it may become roomy with no quality and unpleasant since sounds May overlap each other. Reverb is good but it should be well calibrated. This problem arises when a producer wants to make good room for each Instrument element contrary sounds clash with each other. This is also a common problem, especially for beginners.

  To solve this issue a producer shall do the following:

  • Equalizing after applying the reverb Effect. This is known as Eq the reverb.
  • Changing the reverb instruments.
  • Apply little reverb Effect.
  • Not applying reverb at all when necessary especially while mixing kick drum
  • Punning left or right  to ensure enough space for each instrument 

Note that: Reverb is not a necessary effect while mixing but rather a choice so a producer needs to create a realistic space reasonably.


2. Technical issue.

This happened due to software and hardware problems such as the following:

  • Corrupted DAW due to overwhelming 
  • Corrupted VST Plugins 
  • Malfunctioning sound due to virus attack.
  • Too little Hard disk space 
  • Low RAM 
  • Electricity cut down
  • This problem happens while a producer is about to save his or her project therefore DAW is crushed or the Computer shuts down Unexpectedly which leads to the loss of an unsaved project file.
  • While mixing a producer might expect the VST plugin and Software to function properly but unfortunately, it becomes different, programs may crush with each other and stack or shut down.

To solve this problem a producer shall:

  • Inspect the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)  before  going to work 
  • Emphasize reliable and compatible computers with enough RAM. 
  • Buying compatible software.
  • Ensure enough Disk Space.
  • Ensure a constant supply of electricity.
  • Immediately a project after change you made.
  • Change VST Plugin.
  • Update software regularly.
  • Note: This is a problem related to software and hardware unlike others it can be solved easily.



3. Mixing too Loud.

 This is a common problem that happens when there is an increased volume of sound beyond a normal ear listening capability. Under certain circumstances, It can cause ear fatigue or ear damage. When you mix, you may be exposing your ears to high volumes of sound for an extended period which can cause temporary ear fatigue. This is a problem because it makes it harder to accurately listen to what is happening in your mix.

  Furthermore Mixing too loud can lead to mixing mistakes such as overcompression, destroyed kick, and overall destruction of the track's potential and therefore makes a track sound flat and lifeless.

To solve this problem a producer shall:

  •  Mixing at relatively low or normal volume.
  •  Take a break from the noise.
  •  Take off your hearing aids for a few minutes.

4. Too Much EQ 

Applying too much EQ can destroy the track's potential. It will start to get worse. It affects the quality too much. In contrast EQ in audio processing works by adjusting the volume level of frequency range within a sound which in turn allows you to cure a sound, and make music sound better.

 Too much Eq side effects :-

  •  Destroyed  your kick drum rather than sound solid and punchy 
  •  Add muddy vocals
  •  Create unnecessary space in the mix.
  •  Destroy the impact of your sound
  •  Overwhelming the track.
  •  Add distortion.

Solution :-

  • Rule out the fundamental frequency of your sound.
  • Use EQ to reduce the effects of masking so that each Instrument can be heard clearly.

 

5. Over-compression 

This makes the track sound small and squashed. On the other hand, compression is good for the loudness and softness of the audio, it makes sound powerful. When you compress too much the outcome becomes vice versa. The following are the effects of  compressing to an excessive degree :

  •    Distortion 
  •    Pumping 
  •    a kind of squashing of the music 
  •    Boring and flat 

The solution to the problem of  Over-compression:-

    Stop compressing too much. We want our sounds loud and powerful and often spring for the compressor to make that happen Compressing too much will get worse.



 6. No headroom. 

Headroom is important because individual sounds need to be as loud as the occasion requires and still have a clean sound with little or no distortion. Headroom is required to be left for a full dynamic range.

Why Headroom is important:-

  • It Brings the track up  to a presentable volume
  • It allows the Mastering Engineer to fix any mistake 
  • It Provides a buffer zone for harmonic.

 Solution :

  • Allow headroom for better-quality sound engineering by doing the following:-
  • Focus on the dominant feature of your mix.
  • Think before you automate
  • Level your dynamics.
  • Be more focused; Use your Ears and Eyes. 

 

7. Phase cancellation issue

When two signals are out of phase it can cause a reduction of volume and muddy mix. Also, this may happen when you are mixing kick and bass or 808. If two waves do not match, it can lead to loss of desired frequency and disqualify the mix.

   The solution to the problem : -

  • Zoom in on the two signals that are out of phase.
  • Use your ears to listen to clashing frequency 
  • Use a Fabfilter or spectrum analyzer to see the fundamental frequency of each so you can know where to begin to solve the issues without destroying the natural sound of each.
  • Another option is to prefer mixing in solo mode.


   8. Lack of depth perception.

This happens when the phase and amplitude between the left and right channels of the audio signal are not adjusted well. Stereo Image adjusting is important because it helps with applications like 3D reconstructions and depth perception.

  Solution :-

Ensure your track has good enough depth and 3D reconstructions by Creating a good Stereo Image. You Can Use Stereo Imager plugins to shape Audio depth and create width.


    9. Unbalanced Instruments.

When instruments are not balanced, They can not sound too good. Each element participating in the mix needs to be balanced by adjusting the volume level of each input signal in the mixer.


    10. Muddy low-end frequency.

This is a common problem that happens while mixing kick and 808. Again to Solve This problem use a frequency spectrum analyzer to know the fundamental frequency of each input signal to create a space for each input signal and filter Out Unnecessary Frequency which might interfere with your mix and create noise. Get rid of that frequency or lower them down a bit.


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