What should I look for in a mix engineer?

My band is almost done recording our album, and we're looking for someone to mix it. Besides looking for someone with experience mixing similar music, and listening to their work, what should we be paying attention to?

That's a good question. I have to mix a lot of my own commercial projects but recently needed to hire an engineer. I stumbled upon Kenny Gioia and he did an amazing job.
He has a "how to mix rock" dvd out and after watching it I could tell he was light years beyond my skill level. He has a great laid back vibe but is very pro. Used to live in NY but is now in SC...but you can tell he's a New Yorker...in a good way. Mentioning that because you're in Brooklyn.

I just sent him my tracks and we did it all over the phone and internet. My only regret is that I couldn't buy him a beer after every mix was done and hang out. PM me if you can't find him.

My band is almost done recording our album, and we're looking for someone to mix it. Besides looking for someone with experience mixing similar music, and listening to their work, what should we be paying attention to?

If you are going to have it Mastered after it is mixed, ask for references at the Mastering houses.

The idea is for your music to sound Great no matter what it is being played on or through.

There are plenty of good options right here on the TDPRI.

Chris (username Fezz Parka) has a long history of a lot of roles music-wise. He has frequently shown examples of his work right here. I believe he does all the mixing, etc., himself and it sounds fantastic.

With technology these days, you don't need to be in the same room as the producer/engineer. If Chris can't do it, I guarantee he can lead you in the right direction.

I would suggest Martin Atkinson from MARS studio. He's in England, but worked with him over the internet. He mixed Rosie's last and forthcoming records. He does the JSP records material.

Having checked out your link, if you have the budget you should check out Joe Gastwirt for mastering here in LA. For Americana based Rock you can't go wrong. His credits list is as long as Route 66... He's one of the best there is! He's a good buddy and all the stuff I mix I send to Joe 99% of the time.

For mixing, to help you keep costs down, you should make sure all editing and vocal tuning is done in advance. The more a mix engineer has to do the job of the tracking or 2nd engineers, it will cut into your budget big time.

As it's been said you don't need to be in the same room, but have clear communication as to what's expected. It's actually preferred these days to not sit in on the mix and mastering process and work via an approval status.

For a band, I'd say that any mixer/recording engineer/potential producer should be familiar with your live performances, whether you send them files you've recorded or they can stop by a gig sometime. If you want your live band dynamic translated into your studio work, they need to know where you're coming from. That way, your starting point is from your body of work, not their preconceived notion of how a band of your genre should sound.

My band is almost done recording our album, and we're looking for someone to mix it. Besides looking for someone with experience mixing similar music, and listening to their work, what should we be paying attention to?

Make sure that the mixing engineer is only that, and if also a musician then it's good if engineering is his main thing. There are plenty of great musicians who are awful mixdown engineers.

If you do find someone who can mix it do that person a favour and STAY AWAY and let them do their job. There is nothing worse then to have members of the band saying "turn up the bass" and "I can't hear the kick" while trying to methodically put a mix together.

And don't bring CD's of your favourite albums as references. It's counterproductive.

Thanks for all the advice, guys! Keep it coming!

I'll definitely be looking into the folks you've suggested, but I'm open to any others anyone can refer my way.

Institue, I hear you on the editing. Fortunately, we've got a friend who's a just- out of school recording engineer who has ProTools at home, so he's helping us out with edits and comps for a low rate.

Woody, I hadn't thought about that, but I'll make sure to give the mixer some videos of our performances.

What is a reasonable rate for mixing? I'm assuming it depends somewhat on the engineer's credentials. What's high/medium/low?

A rate that is reasonable (bro rate) is 50.00 per song. This is for straight up mixing, no editing, no pitch or time correction etc.

Have your friend who is doing your editing make roughs. Flat EQ. No plugs. Just mic to machine. Send 'em around.:grin: