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Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:47 pm
by ChadDub
So I used to get caught up in having my stuff at certain db levels relative to other elements, like having my sub 2 db under my kick etc. But now I just do it with my eyes closed and listen for what sounds best. I EQ stuff with my eyes closed too. I grab a band and then I drag it around with my eyes closed until I find a certain spot that needs to be subtracted.

You guys should try it it's nice.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:52 pm
by atticuh
I completely disagree with the OP.

Usually, I mix with the audio muted.

I reserve keeping my eyes closed for working with power tools.
I'm actually typing all of this with my wanker.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:54 pm
by bassinine
chad. great attempt at helping. however, how can you mix when you can't see what you're fucking doing.

i know that seems like a question, but don't bother answering.

being an ass aside, it's good advice. however, what you should do is mix with your eyes open. then close your eyes and a/b it.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:54 pm
by bassinine
atticuh wrote: I'm actually typing all of this with my wanker.
and that's how you just won the internets.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:05 pm
by DrastikMeazures
I close my eyes a lot during the music making process and it Always helps me catch things I didn't hear while watching the pretty clips scroll by.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:33 pm
by Samuel_L_Damnson
I get what you mean chad I just think keeping your eyes open will make it significantly easier to see what you are doing...
bassinine wrote:
atticuh wrote: I'm actually typing all of this with my wanker.
and that's how you just won the internets.
What is a wanker? Like a person who wanks? I'm not sure why you own a wanker... ;-)
I will stop being a dick and screwing threads now.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:52 pm
by syrup
atticuh wrote:I completely disagree with the OP.

Usually, I mix with the audio muted.

I reserve keeping my eyes closed for working with power tools.
I'm actually typing all of this with my wanker.

Yea, dat the way, all the profeshanulz do it like dis, nahmean?

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:26 pm
by leeany
assign parameters to controller knobs, turn controller knobs, close eyes.
started doing that recently

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:38 pm
by wormcode
LumiNiscent wrote:assign parameters to controller knobs, turn controller knobs, close eyes.
started doing that recently
That's what I do too with knobs and sliders, I just don't look at the screen and use ears instead. Control surface is kinda far off to the left side anyway.
Closing your eyes is too dangerous. What if you knock the bong water all over your gear?

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:42 pm
by Samuel_L_Damnson
wormcode wrote:
LumiNiscent wrote:assign parameters to controller knobs, turn controller knobs, close eyes.
started doing that recently
That's what I do too with knobs and sliders, I just don't look at the screen and use ears instead. Control surface is kinda far off to the left side anyway.
Closing your eyes is too dangerous. What if you knock the bong water all over your gear?
You will end up with broken and possibly smelly gear

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:08 am
by joshisrad
bassinine wrote:chad. great attempt at helping. however, how can you mix when you can't see what you're fucking doing.

i know that seems like a question, but don't bother answering.

being an ass aside, it's good advice. however, what you should do is mix with your eyes open. then close your eyes and a/b it.
lmao yep

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:46 am
by sunny_b_uk
i sort of do this already as a habit, HOWEVER i only do it if im super-fine tweaking a single knob.. so for example moving an EQ point on a parametric band would be a no for me because id be both changing the db & the frequency.
for me it kinda helps with things like compression when iv set the threshold etc to what i want then lastly tweaking the ratio i hold shift (to move the parameter slower so i dont go far off) and close my eyes until i feel iv hit the right spot.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:54 am
by wub
As an alternative, try playing the track in reverse when mixing down...you'll disassociate yourself from the project as a whole, and instead focus more on the individual elements.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:33 pm
by JTMMusicuk
wub wrote:As an alternative, try playing the track in reverse when mixing down...you'll disassociate yourself from the project as a whole, and instead focus more on the individual elements.
april fools?

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:36 pm
by wub
JTMMusicuk wrote:
wub wrote:As an alternative, try playing the track in reverse when mixing down...you'll disassociate yourself from the project as a whole, and instead focus more on the individual elements.
april fools?

Nope.

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:39 pm
by JTMMusicuk
wub wrote:
JTMMusicuk wrote:
wub wrote:As an alternative, try playing the track in reverse when mixing down...you'll disassociate yourself from the project as a whole, and instead focus more on the individual elements.
april fools?

Nope.
interesting

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:15 pm
by legend4ry
If you run through a desk, this makes sense but otherwise its pretty damn hard haha!

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:30 pm
by render
Last time I tried to mix with my eyes closed, I couldn't find the Xfader and I messed up my transition man.. so emberassing

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:44 pm
by leeany
wormcode wrote:
LumiNiscent wrote:assign parameters to controller knobs, turn controller knobs, close eyes.
started doing that recently
That's what I do too with knobs and sliders, I just don't look at the screen and use ears instead. Control surface is kinda far off to the left side anyway.
Closing your eyes is too dangerous. What if you knock the bong water all over your gear?
sometimes I just look away too, but closing your eyes is more effective.
your brain doesn't get any info from your vision so it has more space to concentrate on the info coming from your ears

Re: Mix with your eyes closed

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:27 pm
by Artie_Fufkin
Interesting idea, wub. Perhaps also changing the tempo or playing it slower after rendering could help analyze your tracks? I noticed bitcrushing in other peoples tunes after playing them slower.