Musician on a Mission Blog - Free Tutorials and Home Studio Advice

Amp Sims vs. Real Guitar Amps: The Ultimate Showdown

Last updated on August 17th, 2017 Categories: Guitar , Mixing , Software

Rob Mayzes, founder of Musician on a Mission

by Rob Mayzes

When it comes to amp sims, I’m sure you’ve heard a hundred different opinions.

“It sounds crap. It will never sound real.”

Or maybe…

“I need software because I can’t make noise at home, and amp simulators now sound as good as the real thing.”

Either way, I set out to get some REAL data about this ongoing battle by surveying 447 different musicians.

If you are struggling to decide which road to go down, you’ll absolutely love the infographic in this post.

I also put together a complete run down of the 24 best simulators available in 2017.

How to Record Guitar: 14 Useful Tips for Recording Guitar at Home

Last updated on July 25th, 2017 Categories: Recording Technique

by Rob Mayzes

“I’m only myself when I have a guitar in my hands” – George Harrison.

Capturing a good guitar tone isn’t always easy.

You want to do the guitarist justice – after all, it’s an iconic instrument and an integral part of every band.

But electric guitars rarely sound as good on a recording as they do in real life.

In this guide I’m going to share 14 straightforward, practical tips that will help you to record guitars that mix themselves.

How To Use EQ Like a Pro (4 Key Approaches & 10 Top Tips)

Last updated on July 31st, 2017 Categories: EQ , Mixing

by Rob Mayzes

You might not know this, but there is a right and a wrong way to approach EQ.

EQ can be daunting at first. I can still remember the first time I saw a parametric EQ…

“WHAT is this?!?”

But when you learn how to use EQ with the right strategy…

It suddenly becomes easy.

In this EQ guide and complete tutorial, you will learn the 4 key approaches to using equalization when mixing music, in addition to 10 essential tips I have picked up after over 12 years of mixing.

Home Recording Studio Setup: The Only 9 Items You’ll Ever Need

Last updated on July 24th, 2017 Categories: Acoustics , Gear , Home Studio Design

by Rob Mayzes

Setting up a home studio isn’t easy.

It takes a bit of time and money to get going.

But when you get it right… wow, is it worth it.

When you have a solid home studio setup, you can produce music at home that sounds professional. You can produce music that’s worthy for the radio.

I want to let you in on a little secret…

You only need 9 pieces of equipment to set up a home studio that can produce radio-worthy mixes.

Keep reading if you want to learn what those items are.

You are also going to learn how to choose the perfect room in your home, where to place your speakers, how to add acoustic treatment, and more.

Mixing Low End: 8 Simple Tips for Better Kick and Bass

Last updated on July 24th, 2017 Categories: Compression , EQ , Low End , Mixing

by Rob Mayzes

Getting the low end right isn’t easy.

Your speakers, your room and your headphones are tricking you.

But when you DO get the low end right… wow, does it make a difference.

You start to notice that your mixes translate better…

…and your music sounds powerful and impactful.

Multiband Compression: It Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing

Last updated on August 28th, 2017 Categories: Compression , Mixing

by Rob Mayzes

The first time I used multiband compression in a mix, I completely ruined it.

I slammed the lows and highs hard on the mix buss, and thought the track sounded ‘fat’.

But I soon realized I was wrong. It didn’t sound good. It sounded awful.

I can still remember the confusion and frustration. This powerful tool seemed daunting, and complicated.

And that’s understandable. After all, a lot of people simply don’t know how to mix with this tool.

Listen…

The biggest mistake you can make is to use every single band at the same time (unless you have a particular reason to do so).

So, what should you do instead?

Well, there are 7 simple ways you can use multiband compression to improve your mixes.

This easy-to-follow guide will show you those 7 techniques, so you can start improving your mixes with this powerful tool today.

4 Simple Sidechain Compression Tricks for Better Mixes TODAY

Last updated on July 24th, 2017 Categories: Compression , Mixing

by Rob Mayzes

He told me he had found “the secret to that professional EDM sound”.

This was the first time I heard about sidechain compression. It was a friend of mine, who was an aspiring dance music producer.

He had produced an energetic dance track with just a kick drum, a synth pad – and little else.

Actually, it was pretty impressive.

I’m going back a while here. Almost a decade, in fact.

As a mix engineer (not an EDM producer), I didn’t see the potential for sidechaining at first.

But since then I have discovered 4 definitive sidechain techniques that I use in most mixes. These apply to all genres – not just dance music.

Parallel Compression: The Weird Technique for Better Mixes

Last updated on July 24th, 2017 Categories: Compression , Mixing

by Rob Mayzes

I can still remember the first time I came across ‘New York’ style compression.

I read about it in a book over a decade ago, and immediately it opened a new way of thinking for me.

The idea was intriguing. By duplicating the drums, compressing them hard and mixing this new signal in with the old…

The drums could sound punchier and larger than life.

All of this – without touching the drums themselves.

The foundation of this trick is parallel compression.

How to Write, Record and Mix Music (Ultimate Production Workflow)

Last updated on July 24th, 2017 Categories: Composition , Mixing

by Rob Mayzes

“My single biggest challenge is feeling overwhelmed when I sit down to start a new project. Where do I start?”

This question from a reader is one that I see often.

You might be great at writing, recording and mixing…

But if you don’t have a proven workflow that works for you, it’s hard to start and finish a track.

In this article, I’m going to share my best advice for finding your perfect production workflow. I’m also going to share mine.

sE 2200a Review: The Best Affordable Condenser Microphone

Last updated on July 24th, 2017 Categories: Gear

by Rob Mayzes

It’s not easy deciding what equipment to purchase.

You can spend hours trawling forums and reviews online – but find yourself going round in circles.

One of your first purchases should be a good condenser microphone. In fact, for most people, it will be the first.

(On a side note, I recommend having at least one large diaphragm condenser and one dynamic microphone as a starting point).

I guess this explains why so many people ask me what my favorite affordable condenser microphone is.

I have been using the sE Electronics 2200a for years. It’s by far my favorite affordable large diaphragm condenser.

I use this almost every day for recording my own voice, and find myself using it in the majority of vocal sessions.

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