Brent Hendrich, an award-winning mix engineer, shares valuable techniques and strategies for mixing pop music. He discusses the challenges he's faced, the importance of hands-on experience, the evolution of pop music, balancing elements in a mix, the role of saturation, checking mixes on different devices, and the intricacies of mixing pop music. He also talks about his love for music production and community involvement.
Brent Hendrich is an award-winning mix engineer specializing in pop music mixing.
Brent emphasizes the importance of reference tracks and checking mix translation across different listening environments.
Understanding clients' references and having clear communication about their vision is crucial in mixing.
Deep dives
Importance of Joining the Music Production Club
Joining the Music Production Club provides access to exclusive packs, presets, samples, and templates, as well as educational materials. The community in the club helps each other make music and share tips and tricks. They also have live meetings with musical challenges.
Brent Hendrich's Journey as a Mix Engineer
Brent Hendrich started his musical journey in his parents' basement studio. He then pursued his passion for audio engineering by learning in a studio with limited options. After gaining experience and mentorship in the field, he decided to specialize in pop music mixing. His love for the genre and expertise in mixing has made him a sought-after mix engineer.
The Pop Music Mixing Process
Brent focuses on getting the main elements, such as vocals and key instruments, to work well together first. He emphasizes the importance of making big moves early on in the mix to shape the overall sound. Brent also uses saturation to add excitement and texture to his mixes. He takes breaks during the mixing process to maintain a fresh perspective and ensure better decision-making.
Reference Tracks and Translation
Brent emphasizes the importance of reference tracks to guide his mixing decisions. He uses a variety of speakers and devices to check the mix's translation across different listening environments. He focuses on preserving the tonal balance and managing the mid-range frequencies to ensure that the mix sounds good on various playback systems.
Importance of Understanding References in Mixing
Understanding the references provided by clients is crucial in mixing. By knowing what specific elements or qualities they like about a reference, mixers can avoid going in the wrong direction. It is important to have clear communication with clients about the aspects they appreciate in references, whether it's the overall feel, specific instruments, or certain sonic characteristics. This helps mixers to make informed decisions and create mixes that align with the client's vision.
Considering Frequency Masking and Techniques in Mixing
Frequency masking, where different elements in a mix overlap and compete with each other, is a challenge in mixing. Mixers use various techniques to address this issue, such as EQs, side-chaining, and panning. By identifying clashing frequencies, mixers can use EQ to carve out space for each element, ensuring optimal separation and clarity. Panning is another tool for creating spatial positioning in a mix. Mixers consider automation and dynamic processing to control the width and position of mono sources, allowing elements to occupy different positions at different sections of the song. Overall, mixers rely on their ears and creative instincts to address frequency masking challenges.
Brent Hendrich is an award-winning mix engineer with over 20 years of experience in the Nashville music industry. He has worked in just about every stage of the recording process and within a wide variety of musical genres. In recent years, Brent has become a specialist in mixing pop music.
Brent and I spoke about his work as a pop music mixing engineer. He shared valuable mixing techniques and strategies for reaching the artistic vision of his clients. Brent discussed some challenges he's faced and skills he's learned during his 20+ year career.
