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Ep 23 - Mix as You Go vs Start Fresh: Where Does Mixing Really Begin?


Ever record with delays, reverbs, and panning to “get the vibe,” then wonder if you should wipe the slate clean before the final mix? In this episode we unpack where the mix actually begins—during tracking or at mixdown—and how we decide what to keep, what to reset, and why. Then we answer a great listener question about routing: should your FX sends (like drum reverbs) return to the drum bus or go straight to the mix bus?

Huge thanks to Audient Audio for supporting the show 👉 https://audient.com

 

You’ll Learn:

  • The benefits (and risks) of “mixing as you go” while recording

  • When we hit RESET at mix—and the few things we keep from the rough

  • How to build a recording template that sounds good with low latency

  • Why cue-mix psychology matters: give performers what helps them sing/play better

  • FX routing 101: returning sends to the instrument bus vs straight to the 2-bus

  • A simple VCA workaround if your FX aren’t following bus automation

 

Topics & Stories:

  • Chris finally mounts the studio panels (they’re straight, which means… outside help 😅)

  • Tracking with performance-defining delays (hello, The Edge)

  • Steve’s take: compression/reverb in the cans can mess with feel (for some artists)

  • Jazz vs pop/rock: when we skip the drum bus—and when we go tight/together

  • Templates that won’t choke your session during tracking, but scale for mixing

  • Sponsor shout: Audient’s ORIA Mini gets a mention

 

Listener Q&A:

Shoutout to Neil Higgins! His question: “Should my FX sends return to the instrument bus (e.g., drums) or straight to the mix bus?”

Short answer: Both can work. If FX return to the drum bus, they’ll ride and pump with drum-bus processing and automation—tighter, more cohesive. If they go to the mix bus, they’ll bypass drum-bus processing—often more open and independent. Choose by ear; a VCA pair (drum bus + drum FX) can keep automation in lockstep when split.

 

Final Takeaway:
There’s no single “correct” starting line for a mix. Be intentional: track with enough vibe to inspire, then decide whether to reset or build on it. For FX routing, pick the path that best serves how your buses are processing—and how you want elements to move.

 

👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit it here: Form Link
We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.