Mixing music without multitracks is like cooking blindfolded you could find luck but why risk it? Stems also known as multitracks for mixing allow you control. Every instrument and every voice isolated. Give up arguing with a muddy stereo bounce. Want the kick to be more audible? Simplified. Need the guitars to seat right? done.
Some producers treat multitracks as gold. Some throw them like trash mail. Major error. Good mix begins with nicely recorded, clear stems. In comes waste; out comes garbage. Should the tracks be absent, badly altered, or clipped? Luck polishing that turd.
Not every multitrack is produced equally. A few arrive orderly labelled. Some resemble a cat strolled on a keyboard. "Audio_37_Final_v2_New.wav" does not tell anything. A little structure saves hours of agony. correctly name files Arange them logically. Your future self will thanks you.
Balance is absolutely vital. Solo every song. Pay attention for issues. In a boomy bass? a voice drowned beneath reverb? Fix it early on. Your buddy is automation. Sound is flat in static mixes. Movement maintains the interest of ears. Set levels and then ride those faders like a cowboy on a bull. Don't just walk away.
Impacts? Make smart use of them. Using slapping reverb on everything drowns the mix. Often times, EQ cuts perform better than boosts. Compression helps to control wild dynamics. Overdo it, though, and you will drain the life. Subtlety has wins.
Consult other songs. Check. Modulate. Find out why your mix seems weak next to a pro tune. Is it on the low end? Stereographic width Reference records help you to be honest.
Cooperation aids. Fresh ears find what you overlook. forward a friend a difficult mix. Does the snare sound like a tin can? Though it's not required, feedback stings.
Deadlines stalk us. Perfection is not anything that exists. You have to call it at some time. Count on your gut feeling. Thinking too much destroys inspiration.
There is not magic about multitracks. Still, they are the closest thing available. Treat them properly, and your mixes will be brilliant. Ignore them, and well, naturally With that stereo file, good luck.