Creating Unique Mixes

Although it's been said that, these days, there is no such thing as a new idea, it doesn't necessarily mean that you couldn't try finding all the variations that an idea has to offer, and in what better creative environment to do that than in the realm of recorded music! Since mixing is in itself an art, it goes without saying that there really aren't any rules to follow in conjunction with making your own mix, although a multitude of guidelines exist in creating a mix that can be considered the de facto standard for radio. But instead of aiming for the sound of mixes du jour right off the bat, here are some recommendations that would help make your mixes future-proof and give you a good foundation for experimentation when it comes to finding a unique signature sound for your mixes.

1. Go back to the basics

No matter how long you've been mixing, it always helps to refresh oneself of the basics of music and mixing just to keep your knowledge of fundamentals in top form. A good way to go about this is to set aside some time each week to read up on some principles that you may want to brush up on, such as the fundamental notes of instruments, arrangement of a chamber orchestra, etc. Doing these each week guarantees that your knowledge and understanding of music is in constant flux instead of standing on a plateau, and it would hopefully have a profound effect on the way that you approach your mixes.

2. Listen to other types of music