How to Mix Drums

The last few installments of this recording series covered the tools we use for mixing — EQ, compression, and effects — so now it's time to delve into how to go about mixing each instrument. This week, we’re starting with the foundation: drums.

Before we get into it, it should be noted that mixing is not a linear process. You can’t be sure that the drums sound right until you see how they work with the bass, but the bass has an important relationship with the guitars, which directly affects the vocals, which also affects the drums, and so on.

That said, the order in which we cover each instrument doesn’t have to be the order that you do your own mixing in. If you’d rather start with guitar or vocals, that’s totally fine. Do what makes you most comfortable. What matters most is how each piece fits together in the end. If you're just starting to get your drum track recorded, you can check out some tips and tricks here.

This is an excerpt from How to Mix Drums, originally published by Reverb. Read the full version here.

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