If you’ve spent any time recording music from home, you’ve likely fallen into the trap of thinking, “We’ll fix it in the mix.”
It’s a phrase that haunts home producers and musicians alike—a dangerous mindset that leads to frustration, disappointing mixes, and wasted time.
The reality? Mixing is not a magic wand. No amount of EQ, compression, or effects can truly fix a bad recording, poor arrangement, or weak performance.
In this post, we’re going to break down why you should never rely on fixing things in the mix and what you should do instead to ensure your music is radio-ready before mixing even begins.
Why “Fix It in the Mix” Is a Dangerous Mindset
Mixing is an essential part of music production, but it should be about enhancing a great recording, not fixing a bad one. If you believe mixing can turn a messy, unprepared track into a polished masterpiece, you’re in for a rude awakening.
Here’s why this approach is a mistake:
1. A Bad Recording Can’t Be Saved
A bad recording—whether it’s poor mic placement, noisy signals, or sloppy performances—won’t magically improve in the mix.
Mixing can’t remove excessive noise without destroying the tone. It can’t fix a take that lacks energy. It can’t make an out-of-time performance sound naturally tight.
✅ What to do instead: Focus on getting the best possible recording upfront—proper gain staging, controlled room noise, and solid performances will always yield better results than relying on post-processing.
2. Editing Is More Important Than Mixing
One of the biggest secrets in professional music production is that editing matters more than mixing.
Mixing can’t make up for:
- Vocals that aren’t properly tuned or aligned.
- Drums that feel inconsistent due to poor timing.
- Arrangements that are cluttered and don’t allow space for each instrument.
✅ What to do instead: Before mixing, make sure your tracks are edited, cleaned up, and properly prepped. This means comping your best takes, tuning your vocals subtly (not over-processing), and aligning timing issues to create a cohesive foundation.
3. Poor Arrangement = A Weak Mix
Even if your recordings are clean, a bad arrangement will sabotage your mix.
Mix engineers can tweak frequencies to create space, but they can’t fix a song where every instrument is fighting for the same sonic real estate. If your track is too crowded or lacks dynamics, it won’t feel professional—no matter how well it’s mixed.
✅ What to do instead: Think about how your song evolves.
- Does your chorus hit hard enough?
- Is there enough contrast between the verse and chorus?
- Are instruments stepping on each other’s frequencies?
A well-arranged song practically mixes itself before an engineer even touches a fader.
4. Mixing Can’t Fix a Weak Performance
A mix engineer can enhance emotion, but they can’t manufacture it. If a vocal sounds lifeless, no plugin can inject passion into it.
✅ What to do instead: Instead of relying on studio trickery, capture the best possible performance.
- Record multiple takes and choose the best one instead of assuming a bad one can be fixed.
- Experiment with microphone technique to find a more natural sound.
- Lean into emotion—if a take feels dull, step back and re-record with more energy.
5. Emotion > Perfection
At the end of the day, listeners connect with feeling, not technical perfection.
Some of the most legendary albums were made in imperfect conditions. Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago was recorded in a cabin with basic gear, yet it’s deeply emotional and raw.
✅ What to do instead: Don’t obsess over perfection. Instead, make sure your song carries an emotional weight that resonates with listeners.
How to Avoid the “Fix It in the Mix” Trap
So, what’s the right way to approach music production?
1️⃣ Focus on pre-production – Sketch out your arrangement and ensure your song structure is solid before recording.
2️⃣ Record it right the first time – Mic placement, performance energy, and clean takes will always beat “fixing” issues later.
3️⃣ Edit before mixing – Ensure timing, tuning, and comping are locked in before a mix engineer even touches the track.
4️⃣ Know when a take needs to be redone – If it doesn’t feel right, redo it—don’t assume a mix will save it.
5️⃣ Remember: Music is about connection – A well-mixed song still needs emotion. Make sure the performance speaks before worrying about mix techniques.
Final Thoughts
Mixing is not a magic trick. If you don’t lay the right groundwork in recording, arrangement, and editing, no amount of mixing will make up for it.
If you find yourself thinking, “We’ll fix it in the mix,” stop and ask yourself what the song truly needs in the moment. Fixing things before the mix will lead to better results, a faster workflow, and music that actually connects with your audience.
What’s your experience with the “fix it in the mix” mentality? Let me know in the attached YouTube video’s comments!
