{"id":64625,"date":"2026-03-29T11:53:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T16:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/producelikeapro.com\/blog\/?p=64625"},"modified":"2026-03-29T11:53:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T16:53:50","slug":"the-basics-of-starting-a-mix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/producelikeapro.com\/blog\/the-basics-of-starting-a-mix\/","title":{"rendered":"The Basics of Starting a Mix"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"produ-leaderboard-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;margin-bottom: 30px!important;\" id=\"produ-719876252\"><script async=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/securepubads.g.doubleclick.net\/tag\/js\/gpt.js\"><\/script>\n<script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];<\/script>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-1371977330730-0\">\n  <script>\n\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {\n\t\t\t\tgoogletag.defineSlot( '\/21927241144\/728x90-Leaderboard', [728,90], 'gpt-ad-1371977330730-0' )\n\t\t.addService(googletag.pubads());\n\t\t\t\twindow.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers || {};\n\t\tconst timers                     = window.advadsGamEmptySlotsTimers;\n\n\t\ttimers['gpt-ad-1371977330730-0'] = setTimeout( function () {\n\t\t\tconst id = 'gpt-ad-1371977330730-0';\n\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t}, 1000 );\n\n\t\tif ( typeof window.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener === 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\tgoogletag.pubads().addEventListener( 'slotRequested', function ( ev ) {\n\t\t\t\tconst id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId();\n\t\t\t\tif ( typeof timers[id] === 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\tclearTimeout( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\ttimers[id] = setTimeout( function () {\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\t}, 2500 );\n\t\t\t} );\n\t\t\tgoogletag.pubads().addEventListener( 'slotResponseReceived', function ( ev ) {\n\t\t\t\tconst id = ev.slot.getSlotElementId();\n\t\t\t\tif ( typeof timers[id] !== 'undefined' ) {\n\t\t\t\t\tclearTimeout( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\t\tdelete ( timers[id] );\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\tif ( ! ev.slot.getResponseInformation() ) {\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.dispatchEvent( new CustomEvent( 'aagam_empty_slot', {detail: id} ) );\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t} );\n\t\t\twindow.advadsGamHasEmptySlotListener = true;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\tgoogletag.enableServices();\n\t\tgoogletag.display( 'gpt-ad-1371977330730-0' );\n\t} );\n  <\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"flex-video widescreen youtube\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pw\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"The Basics of Starting a Mix - Setting Levels - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro\" title=\"Play video &quot;The Basics of Starting a Mix - Setting Levels - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro&quot;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pw<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pw\" title=\"The Basics of Starting a Mix - Setting Levels - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro\">The Basics of Starting a Mix &#8211; Setting Levels &#8211; Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pw)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"ember60\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><em>Why great mixes begin with balance, not plugins<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember61\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">There\u2019s a moment at the start of every mix where you can go one of two ways.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember62\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">You can dive straight into EQs, compressors, and endless plug-ins\u2026 or you can do what the best mixers in the world do first:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember63\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Listen. Balance. Pan.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember64\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">It sounds almost too simple. However, this is where great mixes are actually built.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ember66\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Start With What You Have<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember67\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">When you first open a session, resist the temptation to \u201cfix\u201d things.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember68\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Whether you\u2019ve been sent fully processed tracks with amp sims and compression baked in, or completely raw recordings, the mindset should be the same:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember69\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Treat every track as if it\u2019s already the sound.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember70\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">If a guitar arrives with an amp sim and compression printed, that is the guitar tone. Work with it, not against it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember71\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">This approach keeps you focused on the big picture instead of disappearing down technical rabbit holes.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember72\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Step One: Static Balance<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember73\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Before anything else, pull all your faders down and start building a rough balance.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember74\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Bring up the foundation first:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember75\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Kick Snare Bass<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember76\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Get those working together in the centre. No processing. Just volume.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember77\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Then slowly introduce the rest:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember78\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Overheads and drums Percussion Guitars Keys Vocals<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember79\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">What you\u2019re aiming for is a static mix, a version of the song that already feels musical using only volume.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember80\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">You\u2019ll be surprised how far this gets you.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember81\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Step Two: Panning Creates Space<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember82\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Once you have a rough balance, the next move is panning.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember83\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Think of your mix as a stage.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember84\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Keep the foundation centred:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember85\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Kick Snare Bass Lead vocal<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember86\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Then build width around it:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember87\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Hi-hat slightly to one side Toms spread across the stereo field Overheads wide left and right<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember88\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A simple, effective approach is audience perspective:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember89\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Rack tom slightly right Floor tom further left Hi-hat off to one side<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember90\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">There\u2019s no rule saying you must do it this way, however consistency matters.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember91\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Use Contrast to Avoid Clutter<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember92\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">One of the most powerful concepts in mixing is contrast.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember93\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">If two elements occupy a similar frequency range, don\u2019t stack them in the same place.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember94\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">For example:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember95\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">If your hi-hat is on the right Put your tambourine on the left<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember96\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Now instead of fighting each other, they complement each other.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember97\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">This alone can clean up a mix dramatically, without touching a single EQ.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember98\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Step Three: Grouping for Control<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember99\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">As your mix builds, things can get cluttered quickly.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember100\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">That\u2019s where grouping comes in.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember101\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Create simple groups like:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember102\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Drum bus Guitar bus Background vocals<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember103\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">This allows you to:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember104\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Adjust entire sections quickly Maintain your internal balances Stay focused on the song, not individual tracks<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember105\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">It\u2019s about working smarter, not harder.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember106\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Step Four: Build Width With Arrangement Awareness<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember107\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">When you have doubled parts, use them.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember108\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A perfect example:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember109\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Two acoustic guitars playing the same part<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember110\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Pan one hard left, the other hard right.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember111\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Instant width. No plugins required.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember112\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">For supporting instruments:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember113\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Place them deliberately Avoid stacking everything in the centre<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember114\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Even a piano and electric guitar can be offset slightly to create separation.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember115\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Step Five: Vocal Placement and Backgrounds<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember116\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Lead vocals stay front and centre. Always.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember117\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Background vocals, however, are your chance to create depth and emotion.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember118\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A simple approach:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember119\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Higher harmonies wider Lower harmonies closer to the centre Occasional centre support for weight<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember120\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">If you want a \u201cgroup in a room\u201d feel, don\u2019t overthink it. Slightly randomised panning can make it feel human and natural.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember121\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Step Six: Use Clip Gain Before Plugins<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember122\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">If something is too quiet or too loud, fix it at the source.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember123\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Most DAWs offer clip gain, which allows you to adjust the level of the audio itself before it hits any plugins.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember124\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">This keeps your mix:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember125\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Cleaner More controlled Easier to manage later<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember126\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">It\u2019s a small move that makes a big difference.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember127\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">The Big Lesson: Volume and Panning Are Everything<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember128\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">After going through this entire process, something becomes very clear:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember129\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">You can build a compelling, musical mix with just volume and panning.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember130\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">No EQ. No compression. No fancy tricks.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember131\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Just balance and space.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember132\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">And when you compare:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember133\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A raw, unbalanced session vs A simple balanced and panned mix<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember134\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">The difference is night and day.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember135\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Why This Matters<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember136\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Starting this way gives you a roadmap.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember137\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Instead of guessing:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember138\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">You can hear what actually needs improving You make better decisions You avoid over-processing<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember139\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">You might think the snare needs replacing\u2026 when in reality, it just needed to be turned up.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"ember140\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-3\">Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p id=\"ember141\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Every great mix starts the same way:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember142\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Balance first Pan for space Group for control Listen before you process<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember143\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">From there, EQ and compression become enhancements, not solutions.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember144\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">And that shift in mindset is everything.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember145\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">If you take nothing else away from this, remember this:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember146\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A great mix is built before you ever reach for a plugin.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember147\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Have a marvellous time recording and mixing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pwVideo can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Basics of Starting a Mix &#8211; Setting Levels &#8211; Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pw) Why great mixes begin with balance, not plugins &nbsp; There\u2019s a moment at the start of every mix where you can go one of two ways. You can dive straight&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":64626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[14161,12005,19,12249,11814,14162,13779,13182,21,13521,13403,11922,36,11326,1005],"class_list":["post-64625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mixing","tag-abelton","tag-bass","tag-drums","tag-guitars","tag-levels","tag-logic","tag-mix","tag-mix-engineer","tag-mixing","tag-produce-like-a-pro","tag-protools","tag-reaper","tag-vocals","tag-volume","tag-warren-huart"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Basics of Starting a Mix - Produce Like A Pro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/producelikeapro.com\/blog\/the-basics-of-starting-a-mix\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Basics of Starting a Mix - Produce Like A Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pwVideo can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Basics of Starting a Mix &#8211; Setting Levels &#8211; Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjg8YfT-5pw) Why great mixes begin with balance, not plugins &nbsp; There\u2019s a moment at the start of every mix where you can go one of two ways. 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