If you’re a musician who’s spent much time in the studio, you’re well aware of the myriad ways the studio experience differs from rehearsal and a live setting. These differences arise out of the studio’s microscopic (or microsonic, if you will) view of music, which diverts attention away from spontaneity and emotional expression.

Some musical elements notoriously stand out in the studio: audio bleed, tempo, precise playing, being in tune, etc. But others are not as well known. In particular, and to the surprise of many artists, the songs themselves may not work in the studio like they work conceptually or even live.

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A common question when planning for a record is how much to budget for mixing. (Check this out if you’re not sure what mixing is.) Unfortunately, there is no universal answer. Ta da! That was helpful, wasn’t it? Seriously though, my usual response is: “Double what you plan to spend tracking and expect to spend that mixing.” In my experience, it’s a formula that works for the majority of bands.

Some folks are surprised that mixing requires that much of an investment. After all, you spent all that time tracking to make sure you got just the right sound. Isn’t it now just a matter of twisting some pots and sliding some faders?

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