MIXING

WHAT A MIX SHOULD SOUND LIKE

Although there may be pre-established expectations of what a song should sound like based on the musical style, even within a single musical style there may be a large variety of different acceptable sounds.  For example, ROCK music can sound thick and heavy, thin and edgy, raw, polished, (etc). 

THERE IS NO SPECIFIC WAY THAT ANY PARTICULAR SONG MUST SOUND.  START WITH TRYING TO MATCH A SOUND THAT YOU THINK WILL WORK FOR THE SONG, BUT EXPERIMENT AND TRY TO GIVE THE SONG YOU ARE WORKING ON A UNIQUE SOUND OR FEELING.

If you are mixing PRODUCT, then it is likely that you will “chase” a particular sound.  If you are mixing ART then you will be required to be more open to a different sound that may be more expressive.  Product is merely presented.  Art tries to draw people in and tell a story.