Before we get started, I'd love to hear more about what you're going for. The more I understand your vision, the better I can help bring it to life.
Don't worry about filling out everything, just focus on what matters most to you.
This is where I'll send the mix for your review.
What's the story being told, and how does each section/moment support that story?- Which moments need to feel intimate?- When does tension need to build?- Where should it explode?
This is probably the most important question on here. It lets me know how far you want to stray from the demo or not. If you choose "feel free to experiment" then I know you are not attached to the demo and want me to change it drastically. This is a sliding scale of demo vs references. One end sticks close to your demo, the other side sticks close to the references.
Are you married to anything?
References might be one of the most helpful tools I have, they make sure we're both on the same page about where you want to take the mix. Think about some songs you love that have the kind of sound you're going for. Maybe it's the way the drums hit, how the vocals sit in the mix, or just the overall feel.
Don't worry about finding "perfect" references, they don't need to sound exactly like your song. I'm just looking for elements that capture what you're hearing in your head. Even if it's just "I love how the chorus feels huge in this song" or "check out how clear the vocals are here", that kind of stuff helps me understand what you're aiming for. The focus here is more about mix references, not necessarily song references.
Please submit at least one reference released in the last 15 years, modern production has changed a lot from the classics. I do love the classics and they can be helpful if you're only focusing on one particular aspect, but the overall production and mastering has evolved drastically since then.
What specific elements (e.g., drum sound, vocal treatment, overall balance) do you admire in this track?
- Instrument-specific treatment (e.g., drum sounds, guitar tones)- Dynamic range preferences- Stereo width and depth- Any production challenges you faced- Your influences and inspirations for this project