I've been looking for some really helpful mixing tutorials lately, especially ones that focus on practical workflow improvements. So many tutorials out there just show you what buttons to press without explaining the why behind it.
What are some tutorials that actually helped you understand mixing better? I'm talking about the ones that made you go "oh, that's why I do that!" Not just the basic stuff, but tutorials that really improved how you approach a mix from start to finish.
I've found some good ones on YouTube, but I'm curious what the community here recommends. Any particular channels or specific videos that changed how you mix?
I totally agree about needing tutorials that explain the why. One series that really helped me was the Mixing with Mike" series on YouTube. He doesn't just show you what to do, he explains the reasoning behind every decision. Like why he chooses certain EQ frequencies or compression settings based on the musical context.
The most helpful mixing tutorials for me have been the ones that focus on listening skills. There's this channel called "Produce Like A Pro" where Warren Huart breaks down mixes and explains what he's hearing and why he's making certain choices. That kind of tutorial actually trains your ears, which is way more valuable than just learning button sequences.
For helpful mixing tutorials, I've found that the ones focusing on specific problems are most useful. Like tutorials that start with your mixes sound muddy, here's why and how to fix it" rather than generic mixing advice.
The Pensado's Place YouTube channel has some incredible breakdowns where Dave Pensado shows his actual mixing process on real songs. You get to see how a top professional approaches a mix from start to finish, including all the little adjustments and decisions along the way.
Also, any tutorial that includes before and after examples with explanations of what changed and why is gold. It helps you understand what you should be listening for.
What made a huge difference for me was finding tutorials that focus on workflow rather than just techniques. Like how to organize your session, naming conventions, using markers, template setups... all that boring stuff that actually saves you hours.
There's this guy on YouTube, The House of Kush", who does these amazing videos about mixing philosophy and workflow. He talks about things like how to approach a mix mentally, when to take breaks, how to manage client revisions. Those kinds of helpful mixing tutorials improved my results way more than learning another EQ trick.
Also, any tutorial that shows you how to use reference tracks properly. That one skill alone improved my mixes more than anything else.
As a beginner, I really struggle with knowing which tutorials to trust. There's so much conflicting advice out there! One tutorial says always high pass everything, another says don't overdo it... it's confusing.
The most helpful mixing tutorials for me have been the ones that explain things in simple terms without assuming I know all the jargon. There's this channel called Music Tech Help Guy" that does Logic Pro tutorials, and he explains everything so clearly. He'll say things like "we're doing this because when sounds compete in this frequency range, here's what happens..."
Also, tutorials that show the same mix in different genres help me understand how techniques apply differently.
I've been doing this for 20 years and I still watch tutorials. The ones I find most valuable now are the ones that challenge my assumptions. Like tutorials that show completely different approaches to mixing that actually work.
There's a mastering engineer on YouTube, Mastering.com", who does these mix critiques where he takes user submissions and shows what he would do differently. Those are incredibly educational because you get to see how a fresh set of ears approaches a mix, and he explains his reasoning at every step.
Also, any tutorial that includes measurable results, like showing frequency analysis before and after, helps you understand what you're actually accomplishing with each move.