Hello again my friends!
Getting advice from a mixing engineer, about how to choose the right mixing engineer may seem counterintuitive. I do this for a living, and would love to work with each and everyone of you that reads this post. I do know however, that is unrealistic as my style and sound is not a one size fits all solution and may not be a good fit for you and your music. That’s why I want to offer 9 things to consider when choosing a mix engineer.
1. Define Your Budget and Expectations
Before diving into the search for a mixing engineer, it’s essential to establish a clear budget and set realistic expectations. Keep in mind that a higher budget doesn’t always guarantee better quality, but it can open doors to working with more experienced engineers. Be honest with yourself about what you’re looking to achieve and find an engineer whose rates align with your budget.
There are fantastic engineers that may charge next to nothing for their services, and there are terrible engineers that may charge thousands of dollars for their services. When choosing who to work with price should not be the sole deciding factor and there are many more things to consider!
2. Explore Different Genres and Styles
Every mixing engineer has a unique style and skillset. Some specialize in specific genres, while others are more versatile. Before choosing an engineer, listen to the music they’ve worked on to get a sense of their style and expertise. It’s crucial to find someone who understands and appreciates the genre you’re working in so that they can bring out the best in your music.
Many engineers are skilled in working with multiple genres, and many engineers have niched down to become great at working in just one or two genres. Explore their portfolio for samples and see what they have done in the style of music that you have created to see if their expertise and experience would be a benefit to your music.
3. Ask for Recommendations
One of the best ways to find a trustworthy mixing engineer is through word of mouth. Reach out to your network of fellow musicians, music producers, and industry professionals to see if they have any recommendations. You might be surprised by how many connections you already have. Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals, as people in the industry are usually happy to share their positive experiences.
The best compliment we can get in this business is a referral from satisfied clients. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising in the music business. An engineer that does great work will be easier to find and vet because their work will be talked about!
This works in the reverse almost just as powerfully. Those that have bad experiences working with an engineer will also spread the word about it. Asking those you know, and seeking out reviews will help to give great insight into how good of a fit that potential mix engineer will be for you!
4. Research their Portfolio and Credits
When you have a list of potential mixing engineers, take some time to research their portfolio and credits. Look for engineers who have worked on projects similar to yours and have a proven track record. Check out their websites, social media profiles, and listen to their work on various streaming platforms. This will give you a better understanding of their capabilities and expertise.
This is also a good opportunity to sniff out potential scams. There are plenty of people out there, especially on platforms like Fiverr, that will claim to have won Grammys, or have been nominated for Grammys. These credits are out there, do your due diligence. Some unscrupulous “engineers” will claim to have been nominated for or won Grammys. They are/were either: an assistant, an intern scrubbing toilets and fetching coffee in the studio that received the nomination/award, or just flat out lying.
That’s not to say that there are not qualified people on such platforms, but please do your research to vet the claims they may make. That information will be out there, and don’t be afraid to check what the actual facts of their claims are!
Another potential scam is engineers claiming to have worked for artists that they have absolutely not worked with. Sometimes, this information can be hard to verify, but if all else fails common sense will see you through. If someone is claiming to have worked with Jay-Z (for example) but you cannot find credits that reflect this, and their only online presence is a Fiverr account, chances are they are lying through their teeth.
The last potential scam to look out for, which more often than not is almost 100% done on Fiverr is drop servicing. These people will claim that they will mix your song, or more commonly, master your song. What they will do, is charge you say, $150 for a master. This person will then pass your song off to someone else on Fiverr who’s only charging like $5, then they will just run your song through a service like Landr, eMastered, etc. Then the original person you paid will send you your song back after they get it back from the third party. Disappearing into the sunset when you are left with $150 gone and a subpar job to show for it. Clearly, they are only taking advantage of the fact that this is gig based work and up-charging you for being a middle man to a service you could have used directly for way less money.
Seeking out real studios, and vetting the people that own and operate them, is one of the best ways of finding an engineer that you can form a long term working relationship with and the best way to protect yourself from opportunistic hacks trying to make a quick buck. We don’t recommend or endorse using Fiverr for this type of service. Even if it’s not us, we would rather you be taken care of by someone that is qualified, and cares about their craft and your music.
5. Communication is Key
Effective communication is vital when working with a mixing engineer. Make sure you feel comfortable discussing your ideas, concerns, and expectations with the engineer. They should be open to feedback and willing to collaborate with you to achieve the desired sound. If you’re unable to communicate effectively, it may lead to misunderstandings and ultimately, a disappointing final product.
One of the best ways to figure out if a mix engineer is a good fit for you would to be having a phone conversation with them. I know, talking on the phone can be a drag and our world is increasingly text based for communication. However, when it comes to an investment in your art such as this, it’s important to have an actual conversation about it. Some things are easier to get across through spoken word, especially with topics that are a more esoteric like the finer details for what your vision is for your music.
A phone call is also a good time to get a feel for whether your potential engineer knows what they’re talking about. Even if you don’t know the first thing about the technical side of audio, and what goes into building a mix past the tracks that make up your song. A phone conversation will give you a good sense of if they know what they are talking about, and will have the skills to give your work the service it deserves.
6. Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes, your gut feeling can be the most reliable indicator of whether a mixing engineer is the right fit for your project. If you have a strong connection with the engineer and their work, it’s a good sign that they’ll be able to bring out the best in your music. On the other hand, if something feels off or you’re not confident in their abilities, it’s probably best to continue your search.
7. Discuss Deadlines and Availability
Once you’ve found a mixing engineer you’d like to work with, make sure to discuss deadlines and availability upfront. Mixing engineers often juggle multiple projects at once, so it’s important to ensure they can dedicate the necessary time and attention to your music. Be clear about your expectations and make sure the engineer can meet your deadlines before moving forward.
Many songs and projects can be completed quickly, and many engineers will be willing to speed up the process by offering rush services in as little as 24 or same day in some cases. Unless you have a hard pressed deadline put in place by a label, or other contractual circumstances it is always best to not speed through the process. More time allows for more refinement, and will yield better results that sound better everywhere than a project that is completed in one day.
8. Read Reviews and Testimonials
Checking out reviews and testimonials from previous clients can provide valuable insight into a mixing engineer’s professionalism, work ethic, and ability to deliver high-quality results. Look for reviews on their website, social media profiles, or third-party review sites. Take note of any recurring themes or patterns in the feedback, both positive and negative. This will help you make a more informed decision about whether they’re the right fit for your project.
9. Be Open to Feedback and Collaboration
It’s essential to approach the mixing process with an open mind and a willingness to collaborate. A good mixing engineer will have valuable insights and suggestions to enhance your music. Be open to their feedback and trust their expertise, but don’t be afraid to stand up for your vision if necessary. Remember, it’s a collaborative process, and the goal is to create a final product that everyone involved is proud of.
So Many Choices, So Little Time
Finding the perfect mixing engineer to work with on your song requires research, patience, and a clear understanding of your own expectations. By following the steps outlined above and trusting your instincts, you’ll be well on your way to finding the right professional to help you create a polished, professional-sounding track that captures the essence of your music.
This is less about finding a freelancer to do a gig, and more about finding someone to form a working relationship with. Different people will provide different sounds, and their own unique spin on your work. Developing that working relationship over numerous songs and projects will help to expand and evolve your core sound, and help unlock a depth that you may not have ever realized before.
If you’d like to view our services and see if we would be a good fit for you and your music, go ahead and take a look!
Until next time my friends!
-John
