The best part of this video is watching someone else using a reference and seeing what they hear and what decisions they would make from what we both hear.

I remember years ago (even before the AirPods) an engineer buddy of mine saying the apple earbuds are the new ns10s, and I think that's proven to be pretty spot on. I always reference on them and it's super helpful.

One thing I’ve learned over the years mixing on headphones is that it actually does help with stereo image if you know what you’re listening for. Like it’s easier for me to tell if there’s too much 500hz in LR guitars on headphones cuz the guitars feel like they’re poking into my ears, snare almost feels tilted forward when the EQ balance is correct - that kinda thing. Like Jordan says, overall level balance is sometimes easier to get right on monitors but I always find more cleanup on my headphones than I hear initially on the NS10s.

@MasTerSn1p3r

Жыл бұрын

Yesss. Headphones are great for creating a spatial image in the mix. EQing left and right guitars or keys differently, for example. It helps to get a really precise, clean mix too. Overall level balance is a good point though; I could see monitors being a better solution for that. I like to turn them way down until I can barely hear the quietest element of the mix, and then bring everything to a level that sounds good around it. This might be trickier to achieve on headphones. But I think headphones are perfectly fine to mix on 85-90% of the time.

I check and mix sometimes on airpods. I also listen to other music on airpods while I work, run, go for a walk so I know them pretty well, I think that is key!

@dodo13500

Жыл бұрын

Same!

I always begin a mix in headphones and finish on my monitors. I find hearing compression easier in headphones and it helps with panning to set an even stereo field.

Did a mixed a release on apple headphones, and was very surprised by the positive feedback I got on the mix. It sounded good to me, sounded good on the monitors after I mixed it.

@MasTerSn1p3r

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Both of my releases so far were mixed on headphones, and I have gotten positive feedback as well. I don't see a problem with it, as long as you know what you're listening for.

I've been mixing around 60% of the time on my AirPods. My studio monitors are just for refinement, and that's it. And honestly, my mixes have never been better!

It's nice to have someone take the time to try it out. Related to that, the overheads in the reference are a little darker. I have to admit, I always do my eq boosts according to the airpods. because when I do low end boost on my monitors, it always sounds there was a rumble, but on airpods it stays weak. since I know this, I believe that we should hear some things differently than they really are. we should always recheck from the listener perspective. ✌🏻

I literally just discovered what a huge help these AirPods are for mixing and referencing levels. My Yamaha HS7's have been turned off for the entire mix down of my current Synthwave track.

Love your simplistic approach man. I agree 100% whether it's speakers or your room etc... what matters most is that you KNOW what great mixes should sound like through them... I just got a Avantone mono speaker to switch from my dynaudios and it;s super mid rangy which is cool similarly to the NS10s. I gotta get use to it and hear a lot more records through it but so far I prefer just using it to check how the low and mids translate but I don't find myself making decisions through it yet especially messing with any super highs or super lows. I'll have to give my airpod pros a try too! ha

It’s nutty how good you are at implementing your tools to recreate a mix balance.

Finally a video like this! I love producing and mixing with Airpods because you can actually hear what you are doing. Mixing only with speakers would be a nightmare for me. Of course, you have to check the mix on different systems (monitors, car, laptop...), but starting with Airpods is the way to go in my opinion.

Super cool video! I enjoyed having a solid reference track against your A/B while watching this. It's hard to get a reference point in a lot of YT videos. I'd love to see more like this. Awesome stuff, as always sir!

Completely agree it sounds better. I suspect its from the mid range addition. Love mids. And you can get louder mixes that way.

I personally liked your mix more than the reference track… 😅 The reference track sounds very bouncy in Compression and like there is a boost around 600/1000Hz

The adptr streamline plugin is good for referencing and comparing levels as well as having the codec options built in to hear what it’s sound like

I found that Metric A/B is a great main buss plugin for both audible and visual mix referencing. The 1/3 octave spec an is really helpful in getting you into the ballpark of a pro level mix.

@TrevorWesleyOfficial

Жыл бұрын

For sure! I use that thing everyday! lol Great references are so key!

@dirkbrouns5293

Жыл бұрын

Agreed - could not mix without that plugin anymore.

@dareomisore7883

Жыл бұрын

Yesssss !!!! Metric AB on every single session !!!

Jordan, I’ve learned so much from you - you have a way of simplifying things for me that would otherwise keep on confusing. Thanks for this encouragement. =)

Yeah sounds better. I recently got the wired ones. Helping with low end and transient details in general.

Very noticeably bigger and fuller. I think one big reason mixing in headphones can be helpful is that you tend to be more particular and precise with your mix decisions. It forces you to be more careful and intentional, at least from my experience.

I love how you use your own plugins!

About 12 years ago I ditched my studio monitors and used some Yamaha home stereo speakers I bought in the 90s from Dillard's, back when they sold electronics... and powered them with a basic Panasonic receiver with the treble and bass turned up almost all the way and mixed that way. I was so tired of taking mixes to my car only to hear wildly out of whack lows and highs that my studio monitors weren't communicating to my ears. This took my mixes to a whole new level. Everywhere I took my mixes, I found that it just worked. Or at the very least they sounded the same everywhere. I'm back on studio monitors after a long recording hiatus, Yamaha HS5s, and I'm considering pulling out the old Yamahas again. I just can't see the advantage of mixing on speakers that don't sound like everyday speakers. I also immediately check my mixes on my air pods, and I spot many of the same issues. Too much bass and brittle highs. The Air Pods can't handle too much low end and will quickly tell you if you're out of spec. I also tried mixing with my live in ear monitors recently and that seemed to work pretty well. I have a house full of kids and a wife that gets annoyed easily if I mix at necessary volumes, so I haven't really given the new Yamahas a chance at normal to loud volumes. I'm loving your videos!

The new mix is fuller and more polished sounding. Hard to match the mids on the vocals because of two different tonal qualities between the reference track singer and your mix’s singer. Very good result!!

Grab your free Mixing Cheatsheet to learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes: www.mixcheatsheet.com

@allieboy181

Жыл бұрын

Site does not work

The new mix sounds so full. Really cool

As soon as you played Put the knife away.. I immediately listened to every word you said! Man I love that fucking album!

AirPod Pro coupled with ADPTR Metric AB is my go-to… works great

Great video. Both songs sound great! Jordan opting for 60Hz hiss from the CLA-76 on the overheads was kind'uva surprise to me.

@firstarcanist4952

Жыл бұрын

He always leaves it on the 60 Hz. When I do that the hiss adds up and starts taking away from the mix, but he never seems to have that problem, never knew why

New mix sounds great. With earbuds it is easy to make the mix too hot and squashed sounding so I definitely feel short doses for earbuds have some benefits as long as you go back and forth with speakers, regular headphones, and ear buds.

@MasTerSn1p3r

Жыл бұрын

True, it's easier to get a mix "wrong" on headphones but I think that is part of why they can help achieve better mixes. You just have to make it that much better, translation wise, for it to sound good. And that will improve the overall mix quality. Honestly, as long as you finalize with a car test and/or room test in an environment you're used to, I personally think mixing in headphones most of the time is just fine.

Would love to get your take on VSX, been a game changer for many people.

I remember you streamed the mix for that song in real time back in 2019. After that I bought your mixing course. It'd be great if you do that again someday

Great video! Your quick re-mix feels fuller I must admit I was a little weary of Cervini claiming he "mixes 95% to 100% on HP's and 70% on Apple AirPods". It seems like a dangerous game to play given how easily HP's/AP's tire the ears out, but it seems the low-mid/mid range is a bit easier to realize with a ref mix on AirPods. I'm hearing some side-chaining of the OH's against the kick in some areas on Zakk's Mix

@MelomanTheNerd

Жыл бұрын

I’m also hearing some 600-800hz sucked out of the guitars on Cervini’s mix so that he might be pushing that up on the OH’s. Perhaps some M/S on stereo bus, as well.

I mixed on consumer headphones for 5 years! It took me ages to finish my mixes but my results were good regardless.

@Ou_vision

Жыл бұрын

Tell me about it 😩

This video reminded me that I need to use reference tracks more often. Thanks! 🙏

@davejohnsonmusic

Жыл бұрын

Yes, but don't use them like he is for this example. Generally, you just want to throw on the reference briefly in the beginning, 2/3 and at the very end. However, pay attention to the things he's listening for between the two mixes. That is the biggest takeaway.

Excellent video, such golden advice

After I go between my KRK Rokits or sometimes Kali monitors, and beyerdynamic headphones, my last step is always making sure the mix still sounds good in apple earbuds and car stereo.

The original mix, for me sound better overall, more polished with definition. The new version sound obviously more full on the midrange, but maybe lack a bit of sparkle? (The Zakk production to my not expert ears seems to be a little overcompressed) However both awesome mixes as ever! Ciao Jordan!

This is an interesting subject. I have a good monitoring setup, but can't take full advantage of them in my small apartment. My DT 770 Pros have been a godsend! Again, the key is listening with them a LOT and knowing how they sound. Just like speakers, actually!

Sounds better. Dont forget your extra experience since the original mix is incorporated also.

Yeah I mix a lot on Airpods and they are great since I end up spending maybe even an hour each day listening to music I love on these. I think that it's also worth checking the mix on Airpods connected to the phone since the result can vary a bit. That's what I learned from listening to a mix of mine while going to the university

Listening on DT-990s, initially hearing the Zak mix A/B with yours, your mix was hands down more to my liking.Zak's mix has what I think some folks call "anxiety" freqs, there is a harsh uptight band of freqs that makes it not nice to listen to IMO. Was a nice experiment but please keep doing what you already were doing! I liked the original mix better, it was a bit lower in volume but smoother and fuller to me.

Great video, Jordan!

great video, I always test a mix with through the phone speaker and then ear buds then end with a car test. Thats where most people listen to the music.

You mix like a god :D and there's so much plugins in the project?! what kind of a computer are running there, is it a native setup?

I'd be curious if you'd have a similar result if you started the mix from scratch though? You started with what was a finished mix and then continued to make improvements. Structurally, the "hard parts" of the mix were done already.

Great video Jordan! I loved seeing how you used the reference track and the results were quite amazing. Can you also share the name of the artist? I want to check more of their songs out. Thanks again!

I tried airpods pro on my mix and was surprised by amount of artifacts I had on my low end, then started to mix ont them more and more and I have improve my mixes. Just looked ont the net of someone else using them for mixing and found this video.

Your a really good mixer! Something that I have been noticing lately is two things. 1. A good ”old fashion” mix where low mids are great, still sound better in airpods and laptop speakers even if I hear that the small speakers are being a bit ”challenged” - I think it adds to the excitement. 2. A mix that is ADAPTED or ”safe” on small speakers really needs great care to not sound BORING. Especially EDM. There is nothing worse to my ear then playing a mix on bigger speakers and hearing this hollow low mids and bass that has been sort of dissaproved because it ”wont work on consumer earpods anyway” My 2 cents.

Holy shit I can’t call leave how much your mix improved when you took the high-end off the snare

Zakk also has far more stereo spread. Great video.

Dude, have you considered testing Slate VSX? Would be interesting to hear what you think!

very cool! listening on my NS-10s that reference has a LOT of mid range to it. I enjoyed the sonics of your mix compared to it

I’ve been using Sony 1000xm2’s for years. Along with hs8’s in a treated room.

Generally using in ears might be beneficial to cross check as that's how many do listen but not "Airpods" specifically. There are many Bluetooth in ears out there with Apple's variant being adequate but certainly not the best.

Your mix actually sounds better than the reference track in my opinion haha both however sound awesome! 🤘🏽

I have found over the last few years I can only mix on headphones, I'm old and don't like to work loud enough to drive the monitors perhaps? I immediately hear things on phones I miss in speakers, I can't hear anything over about 14k, doesn't help, thanks for doing this, I have been thinking of getting some for reference, much appreciated!

Dude your mix sounds better to my ears!

@DJ-Ophidian

3 ай бұрын

Same here.

Thanks for talking sense my friend

Hi! Are these AirPods 2.gen? Great videos!

I use airpods a lot for checking panning, sibilance and leveling

While I cant really hear the difference because I am watching uour video on Android, I get the concept. I have been mixing on my Logitech PC speakers for a few years, then jump to headphones, then back, then export to MP3 from Cubase and play it via Bluetooth in the truck. I don't even use my KRK or Genelec monitors anymore.

Can you describe how you did the routing to get the output from Prol Tools to your Mac ?

The best reason I can see to use these types of headphones/earphones is to get a more realistic view on the music, hearing what's likely to be what most other hear.

Smart! Since the airopods suck with mix, you can get a stereo feeling of what the listener hear through speakers.

Great video.

85% of my mixes are done on a pair or Bose QC25's turned on. Turning them on is SUPER important because the low end is extremely flat in comparison to other closed back headphones and the top end is also not nearly as extreme. I've owned a pair for over 10 years and so other than my car it's the listening tool that I know the best but I guarantee they are great for mixing on. The biggest reason I go out to my car is actually about making sure specifically the drums are not to loud or quiet because I'm able to turn my car radio up to the point that I can feel the lower frequencies in my chest which for some reason is the only way I can truly accurately judge the levels.

Bring your session on a laptop and plug it on the aux of car stereo? Btw been thinking for years to hack a mono phone and check right away on them instead of one of those silly plugins. Great content maaan. 🤨

anything that is good for hearing great mixes is great for doing good mixes, and a good mix is a lot about clarity and less about loudness and fullness, I think even though you used reference track, and used very much more than just earpods (I mean unconsciously from memory ) I still prefer orginal.

For working remotely, this setup is extremely powerful!

I'll have to try this. I can't stand earbuds and I don't know why anyone would voluntarily use them. But I'll put up with a little discomfort if it helps my mix.

Could also be, it was time to get a second set of speakers, with a broader frequency range then the NS-10's? Seems like you are finally hearing some the missing frequencys on the Airpod's?

I think your mix with the high mids sounds like it fits the singers voice better. The reference track sounds like it fits the other singers voice better with the lower mids

Name of the song ? Its really good??

You’re mix sounded way better than the reference!

This video has been a gamechanger for me personally. I had always mixed on my beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO's and then the mix would sound like absolute dog shit on my phone, car, soundbar you name it. Using this method in the video, everything sounds a million percent better. Like others have said, wouldn't make major song decisions on anything with them, but the airpods are extremely helpful in the mixing process.

Had a question in regards to getting rid of harsh high frequencies in my screams without removing too much. I’m using a Neumann tlm 104

@hardcoremusicstudio

Жыл бұрын

Try a tape saturation plugin first in the chain to smooth the highs... but I think the mic choice is what's creating the harshness. Sell it and get an SM7b

I've been checking blends on crappy speakers for decades. All the old timers do. We just don't talk about it. I blend on custom built speakers (similar to Altec "Reds"), check on cans, then cheesy intercom speakers. Another technique form the 1960s was to build a 100 mW. A.M. transmitter (we could actually BUILD stuff), then check the mix in our cars in the parking lot. No kidding. Bill P.

Do you need to set up an Aggregate audio first to do this?

even from the beginning i really didn't like that goldfinger mix. it's so boxy. there's some kind of weird resonance around like 600-800 somewhere. yours sounds so much nicer in headphones and through my monitors.

But did you make the choices you made because of the ear buds or because of the reference track?

how do you connect airpods with your interface output?

While other sponsored creators are pushing Atmos and 34 speaker setups to appease online retailers. All we really need is headphones to mix a good song. I love it

How do you connect the AirPods to protools? Can you show me that?

Air pods are the new NS10s.

Do you use a gate on your drum tracks? If so, do you think you’ll do a video on it? I don’t know whether or not to use a gate on my drum tracks as I’ve heard on various forums that the cymbal bleed from the various drum mics can make the overall drum set sound “better”. Thoughts?

@JacklegEnterprise

Жыл бұрын

Oh I hope he answers you and does the video. I use a gate on snare, toms, kick.

@Fexiheit

Жыл бұрын

Yes he uses gates on all drum shells :)

I hope this isn't a stupid question, How do you actually get the output from your audio system into the Airpods etc ? I would like to give this a try myself.

@saychance3686

7 ай бұрын

bluetooth as usual. change output settings in the settings on your computer

that's funny I mix most of my stuff on AirPods and mastering engineers always tell me how great my mixes are and I am afraid they find out its made on AirPods Pro 2nd gen (which are a beast btw)

Seeking pillow! Through my long storm! (I don't know what that means but great song).

All you need to really do to mix is know your system freq very well. If you mix on headphone, eventually you'll recognize it's faults and then you compensate, reference then compensate. . Slate VSX proves this in many factors.. This is why pros move from one reference to another..

Hey man whats the artist and song called? Greetings from Germany

Bass has way more thick low mids on REF track.

How did you connect airpods to your interface?

Whats the song and band called?

So let’s say l mix on senheisser hd 560s, l have airpods also (normal 2nd gen) should l finish my mix completely on my 560’s and then pop in my airpods to see what l like and don’t like ? And should l fix my mistakes while having the airpods on or go back on the 560’s and correct them ?

I like the new mix better. Realisitically, I feel like people can mix on any headphones, speakers, or whatever, regardless of what room situation you have as long as you reference and mixing at a more conversational volume. I remember taking audio classes at my local community college and they always say you should never mix on headphones or ear buds. The reasoning I don't remember, but obviously, if the pros can do it, so can you as long as you reference.

@MasTerSn1p3r

Жыл бұрын

Audio classes will give you quite a bit of misinformation about what you should and shouldn't do (as someone who went to a four-year program for this). There are so many "rules" surrounding mixing, and most of them are pretty much bogus especially nowadays with the advancements in technology. Jordan has said similar things in some videos-for example, he pointed out that a lot of old pros will tell you not to boost or cut more than like 3dB but he says there's literally nothing wrong with it and he does it all the time. In my opinion, if it sounds good it is good (just make sure you check your final mix in multiple environments before calling it good... translation is essential)

@iseeu-fp9po

Жыл бұрын

@@MasTerSn1p3r What was the reasoning behind "the +/- 3 dB"-rule?

@zacharydefosse4965

Жыл бұрын

@@iseeu-fp9po there was some validity to certain mixing tips like that back when everything was analog. Not exactly sure why though. I think J has a video that goes into a lot of detail about this topic

@iseeu-fp9po

Жыл бұрын

@@zacharydefosse4965 Ok, thanks.

I also had an idea to mix in my car)

@rockboy360

Жыл бұрын

that's a lot better

@boonie2006

Жыл бұрын

I’ve done this before… was great except my laptop lasts about 10 minutes when it’s not plugged in 😫

@kaiulrich6185

Жыл бұрын

Same here

To be honest I think the mix you started with was better than the reference you started with.

Great idea for a video Jordan. I agree, after the tweaks you made to the original mix it did like the sound bit fuller and a bit better, but, I still think your original mix sounds good as well. The Goldfinger song you referenced (I went and listened to it after watching this) -- the elements in it all sounded a bit different,...especially IMO, the guitars. To my ears, more of a boxy midrange almost like a distortion pedal straight in. It works for the song but, not my favorite type of guitar tone.

How I mix in the car: two ways. 1. Use listen to and loop the track stream it to my phone and listen that way. 2. Take my laptop and load the project on that.

I tried to set up my AirPods Pro with protools AUX IO and it is greyed out and says H/W Buffer size not compatible. Has anyone had this?