Mike White of Music-Production-Guide.com, our friend and mix master extraordinaire, answers a common question that many aspiring recording engineers and producers ask-
What Approach Do You Use When Building Your Mix? Top Down Or Bottom Up?
Mr. Mike White- In general, there are two popular methods for constructing a final mix. Each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
The first method is known as top-down. This method begins with the vocal sound and then fills in all of the other instruments. This method can be effective for certain types of recordings in which the vocal is more prominent than the rest of the music. Some engineers prefer the top-down approach because it forces them to get the exact vocal sound they want and ensures that no other instruments compete for space in the mix.
Most professional engineers, on the other hand, use a bottom-up approach. This method begins with laying a solid foundation with rhythm section instruments such as drums, bass, guitar, and so on. The lead instruments and vocals are then added to the mix. I mix this way more often than not, but I almost always have the vocal in the background while I get my other sounds in. This allows me to avoid making the rhythm section instruments sound too “big,” which could crowd out the lead vocal.
Editors note- Be sure to visit Mike’s incredible site to learn more about music engineering and producing!
What's Up To Other Music Producer:
🎵 Trending Now
- Best Music Production Microphone for Vocals: Top Dynamic Mic Review 2022
- Best Headphones For Music Production (2022 Review)
- What Are The Main Features Of A Laptop? (13+ Things To Consider Before Buying 2022)
- 5 Best Convertible Laptop Under $500 (2-In-1 For 2022)
- Best Budget Laptop For Watching Netflix & Streaming Youtube (2022)
- Best Laptop For Animation Students And Graphic Designers (2022)
- Best Laptops Under 1500 Dollars (Tips & Buying Guide 2022)
- Best 17 Inch Laptop Under $500 (Budget For Home Office 2022)
- 6 Factors To Consider Before Buying The Best Laptop Backpack (Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- Best Laptops Under $800 In 2022?
- Best Laptop Under 1000 Dollars (2022)
- Best Fast Laptops Under $300 (Nice For Light Use 2022)
- Best Laptop Under $2000 For 2022
- Pentesting & Kali Linux Laptops (10 Best Cheap Options For 2022)
- Best Laptops Under $400 (2022)
- 8 Best Laptops For Medical Students And Doctors (Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- 5 Best 2-In-1 Convertible Laptops Under $700 (Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- Looking For A Quality Cheap Laptop? Best Laptops Under $200 (2022)
- 9+ Best Laptops For Realtors And Real Estate Agents (Buying Guide & Review 2022)
- Best 2-In-1 Convertible Laptop Under $600 (5 Notebooks Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- Avantone CV12 Review 2022: The Best Modern Microphone For Vintage Classic Sound?
- Finding The Best Mid-Range Condenser Microphone? AKG Pro Audio C214 Review 2022
- Looking For A Convenient Smart Home Speaker For Music Streaming? Sonos Play:3 Review 2022
- Are Bose SIE2i Sport Headphones Good? (2022 Review)
- Finding The Perfect Earphone For Outdoor Uses? Skullcandy Inkd Earbuds Review 2022
- Pioneer SE-MJ71-S Steel Wheels Headphones Review 2022
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20 High-Quality Stereo Headphone Review 2022
- Earbuds For Sport: Yurbuds Ironman Inspire Duro Review 2022
- Experience Sound Like Never Before: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones Review 2022
- Logitech Speaker System Z623 Review 2022
- Blackstar HT5R Review 2022: The Best Marshall Amp Alternative
- Sennheiser CX 175 Earphones Review 2022: Cheap Quality Essential That You Should Have
- Sonos Connect: Amp Review (Best Wireless Amplifier 2022)
- Sennheiser CX 200 II Earphones Review 2022
- Are Marshall Major IV On-Ear Headphones Good & Worth It? (Best Comparison & Review 2022)
- Behringer MS16 Computer Speaker/ Monitor System Review 2022
- 5 Best Sweat-Proof Quality Earphones For Athletes 2022
- Loudspeakers Review: Sonos Play:1
- Monster NCredible NErgy In-Ear Headphones
- What Music Gear To Shop On Amazon Prime Day 2022? Best Home Studio Products Deals That You Should Check Out
- Best Amazon Black Friday Deals For Music Producers 2022: A Full Home Studio Shopping List That You Don’t Want To Miss To Improve Your Masterpieces
- Top 2 Best Gaming Monitors Under $200: A Review In 2022
- How To Start A Gaming Channel On YouTube: Get These 5 Essential Equipment 2022
- Best Cheap Budget Laptop For Music Production (2022)
- Best Desktop PC Computer For Music Production & Home Recording (2022)
- 23+ Best Gaming Laptops Under $300 (Review 2022)
- Best Gaming Laptop Under $1000: Buying Guide 2022
- Best Laptops For Producing Music (Review 2022)
- Best Cheap Gaming Laptops Under $500 (Review 2022)
- Starting Your Own Music Business And Seeking Some Help? Make Sure You Don’t Miss These Resources Out In 2022
🎵 Music Studio Gear
- What Are The Main Features Of A Laptop? (13+ Things To Consider Before Buying 2022)
- 5 Best Convertible Laptop Under $500 (2-In-1 For 2022)
- Best Budget Laptop For Watching Netflix & Streaming Youtube (2022)
- Best Laptop For Animation Students And Graphic Designers (2022)
- Best Laptops Under 1500 Dollars (Tips & Buying Guide 2022)
- Best 17 Inch Laptop Under $500 (Budget For Home Office 2022)
- 6 Factors To Consider Before Buying The Best Laptop Backpack (Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- Best Laptops Under $800 In 2022?
- Best Laptop Under 1000 Dollars (2022)
- Best Fast Laptops Under $300 (Nice For Light Use 2022)
- Best Laptop Under $2000 For 2022
- Pentesting & Kali Linux Laptops (10 Best Cheap Options For 2022)
- Best Laptops Under $400 (2022)
- 8 Best Laptops For Medical Students And Doctors (Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- 5 Best 2-In-1 Convertible Laptops Under $700 (Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- Looking For A Quality Cheap Laptop? Best Laptops Under $200 (2022)
- 9+ Best Laptops For Realtors And Real Estate Agents (Buying Guide & Review 2022)
- Best 2-In-1 Convertible Laptop Under $600 (5 Notebooks Buyer’s Guide 2022)
- Avantone CV12 Review 2022: The Best Modern Microphone For Vintage Classic Sound?
- Finding The Best Mid-Range Condenser Microphone? AKG Pro Audio C214 Review 2022
- Looking For A Convenient Smart Home Speaker For Music Streaming? Sonos Play:3 Review 2022
- Are Bose SIE2i Sport Headphones Good? (2022 Review)
- Finding The Perfect Earphone For Outdoor Uses? Skullcandy Inkd Earbuds Review 2022
- Pioneer SE-MJ71-S Steel Wheels Headphones Review 2022
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20 High-Quality Stereo Headphone Review 2022
- Earbuds For Sport: Yurbuds Ironman Inspire Duro Review 2022
- Experience Sound Like Never Before: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones Review 2022
- Logitech Speaker System Z623 Review 2022
- Blackstar HT5R Review 2022: The Best Marshall Amp Alternative
- Sennheiser CX 175 Earphones Review 2022: Cheap Quality Essential That You Should Have
- Sonos Connect: Amp Review (Best Wireless Amplifier 2022)
- Sennheiser CX 200 II Earphones Review 2022
- Are Marshall Major IV On-Ear Headphones Good & Worth It? (Best Comparison & Review 2022)
- Behringer MS16 Computer Speaker/ Monitor System Review 2022
- 5 Best Sweat-Proof Quality Earphones For Athletes 2022
- Loudspeakers Review: Sonos Play:1
- Monster NCredible NErgy In-Ear Headphones
- What Music Gear To Shop On Amazon Prime Day 2022? Best Home Studio Products Deals That You Should Check Out
- Best Amazon Black Friday Deals For Music Producers 2022: A Full Home Studio Shopping List That You Don’t Want To Miss To Improve Your Masterpieces
- Top 2 Best Gaming Monitors Under $200: A Review In 2022
- How To Start A Gaming Channel On YouTube: Get These 5 Essential Equipment 2022
- Best Cheap Budget Laptop For Music Production (2022)
- Best Desktop PC Computer For Music Production & Home Recording (2022)
- 23+ Best Gaming Laptops Under $300 (Review 2022)
- Best Gaming Laptop Under $1000: Buying Guide 2022
- Best Laptops For Producing Music (Review 2022)
- Best Cheap Gaming Laptops Under $500 (Review 2022)
- Best Headphones For Music Production (2022 Review)
- Best Music Production Microphone for Vocals: Top Dynamic Mic Review 2022
- Home Studio Gear: When To Use A Multi-Pattern Microphone? 2022
- Music Production Studio Essentials: A Guide To Setting Up The Perfect Recording Space 2022
- Q Acoustics 2020i Bookshelf Speakers Review 2022
🎵 Headphone Recommendation
- V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Noise-Isolating Headphones Review 2022
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20 High-Quality Stereo Headphone Review 2022
- Monster NCredible NErgy In-Ear Headphones
🎵 Earphone Recommendation
- Sennheiser CX 281 Earphones Review 2022
- Monster DNA Over-The-Ear Headphones Review 2022
- Earbuds For Sport: Yurbuds Ironman Inspire Duro Review 2022
🎵 Microphone Recommendation
- Looking For A Good High-End Studio Microphone? Manley Reference Cardioid Review 2022
- Are You Finding The Best Mic For Your Home Recording Studio? Tips For Selecting A Microphone 2022: Tip 5
- Are You Finding The Best Mic For Your Home Recording Studio? Tips For Selecting A Microphone 2022: Tip 4
🎵 Speaker Recommendation
- Looking For A Convenient Smart Home Speaker For Music Streaming? Sonos Play:3 Review 2022
- 5.1 Sound with Q Acoustics 2000Ci Centre Speaker Review 2022
- Loudspeakers Review: Sonos Play:1
🎵 Guitar Recommendation
- The Epiphone Les Paul Standard Offers Good Cheap Guitars: A Review In 2022
- Yamaha’s Best Classical Guitar So Far? Yamaha CX40 Electro Review 2022
- Yamaha CPX1200II Review 2022: One Of The Best Acoustic Guitars?
🎵 Online Music Streaming
- A Legendary That Changed The Music Industry: Napster, The European Rhapsody 2022
- Sonos Connect Review 2022: Best Stereo Sound For Home Music Streaming?
- How To Get Caught While Pirating Music Online? 2022
🎵 Recommended Laptop For Music Production
- Best Laptops For Producing Music (Review 2022)
- 23+ Best Gaming Laptops Under $300 (Review 2022)
- Best Desktop PC Computer For Music Production & Home Recording (2022)
🎵 Drum Kits Recommendation
- Yamaha Gigmaker Drum Kit Review: The Beginners’ Choice 2022
- Beginner Music Gear: Sonix Drum Kit Review 2022
- Mapex Voyager Review 2022: Is It Good For Beginners?
🎵 Music Production Plugins
- Headphone Maker’s Unlimited Music Service: Beats Music Review 2022
- Best Amazon Black Friday Deals For Music Producers 2022: A Full Home Studio Shopping List That You Don’t Want To Miss To Improve Your Masterpieces
- How To Learn Music At Home? ArtistWorks: The Online Music School You’ll Need In 2022
🎵 Beginner's Home Music Production Tips
- Budget Home Music Production Ideas: How To Mix Like The Pros On A $99 Budget? 2022
- Midi Sequencers Or Audio Sequencers? Everything You Need Before Choosing The Right Sequencer In 2022
- 5 Music Production Tips For Beginners: Things You Should Know For Audio Editing 2022
🎵 Music History Overview
- How To Be A Successful Producer? Dissecting The Music Industry 2022
- 10 Iconic Musicians Who Lost Their Hearing
- How To Get Caught While Pirating Music Online? 2022
🎵 For Gaming