5 Mixing Mistakes That Held Me Back (And How to Avoid Them)

Success is measured by how many mistakes we’ve learned from. Over the years, I’ve made plenty. Each one taught me something valuable and helped me grow as a mix engineer. Here are my top 5 mixing mistakes, how I overcame them, and how you can avoid them. Let’s dive in.

Mistake #1: Skipping Groundwork

Problem: Starting a mix without a solid foundation leads to a messy, chaotic process. Raw tracks are often full of imperfections: sharp edits, low-end rumble, unwanted noise, and poorly balanced levels. If these issues aren’t addressed early, the mix suffers.

Solution: Prepare your mix by cleaning up each track. Fix pops, clicks, and background noise. Balance the levels so the song already sounds close to your vision before adding any effects.

Additional Tip: Use reference tracks early. Find songs that match the vibe you’re aiming for and compare how elements like vocals, bass, and drums are balanced. Once your groundwork is solid, bounce a rough mix to use as a reference.

Mistake #2: Using Too Few Tools

Problem: I started mixing on a Fostex 4-track recorder with no EQ, compression, or effects. While I learned to be resourceful, the lack of tools made progress slow and results inconsistent.

Solution: Invest in a fully equipped DAW like Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, or Pro Tools. These platforms offer everything you need to mix efficiently and achieve professional results.

Additional Tip: When a task feels tedious, look for tools to simplify it. For example, I saved hours by using “Trackspacer” for sidechain compression instead of manually tweaking EQ and compressors. Spending a little money on the right tool can save you a lot of frustration.

Mistake #3: Overloading on Plugins

Problem: After upgrading to a professional DAW, I went overboard. I bought plugin bundles from UAD, Fabfilter, Waves, and more, then tried using them all at once. My mixes sounded over-processed, and my computer couldn’t keep up.

Solution: Focus on quality, not quantity. Only use plugins when you know exactly why you’re using them. Start with the basics and keep your mix clean.

Additional Tip: Identify your go-to plugins and stick to them. If you’re not using certain plugins, consider selling or uninstalling them. A streamlined toolkit makes mixing faster and more enjoyable.

Mistake #4: Spending Too Much Time

Problem: I used to spend hours tweaking single elements—20 minutes on a kick drum, 40 minutes on snare reverb—only to end up with a flat, uninspired mix.

Solution: Mix fast. Set a timer and work in short bursts. Clean up your tracks and set the balance quickly. Then, move on to EQ, compression, and other processing without overthinking each step. Revisit elements later if needed.

Additional Tip: If an element consistently causes issues (e.g., a kick drum that won’t sit right), replace it. For your own productions, there’s no reason to stick with a problematic sound.

Mistake #5: Mixing with My Eyes

Problem: Modern DAWs make it easy to rely on visuals: EQ spectrograms, waveforms, and meters. This leads to mixing with your eyes instead of your ears, which often results in unbalanced, unnatural mixes.

Solution: Train your ears. Focus on one aspect at a time—balance, panning, EQ, compression, etc. Compare your mix to reference tracks and listen critically for what’s missing or overdone.

Additional Tip: Try mixing without visuals. Turn off spectrograms, minimize waveforms, and close your eyes when adjusting parameters. This forces you to trust your ears and connect more deeply with the music.

Final Thoughts

These are the top 5 mistakes I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned from them. Each one has helped me grow, and I hope they help you too. Got a mixing mistake you’ve struggled with? Let me know in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to hear from you.

Happy mixing! :)