The mixdown is the last step in the recording process. After the basic tracks and overdubs have been completed, then the final balance is performed during this step.
The mixdown used to be performed in a large studio control room with large speakers, but now you are more likely to find it being done in a small room with bookshelf-type speakers. As the approach to mixing has transformed from a massive playback system to something that more closely resembles the system where the music is likely to be heard, the concepts remain relatively the same.
Whether you are mixing on an old analog console, or a newer digital board, or if you are mixing ‘In the Box,’ the goal is always to produce the best-sounding mix that can heard by others under the widest variety of playback conditions. With more people now listening on their computers and on mobile devices, this presents us with a new set of considerations.
How much of a difference is there between 2″ tape through an anolog console and mixing through software with plugins? Can both methods get the job done? What is the difference between a classic piece of audio gear and a plugin designed to accomplish the same thing? Do you mix for earbuds? Do you mix for a car playback system? We will look into some of these questions and more in this Mixdown section.