jack antonoff

Mixing Is Arranging.

Mixing is arranging. Nowadays most mixing problems stem from lack of decisions. If your song sounds muddy, it probably is. Too much information fighting for the same frequencies. Good arranging is like good writing. You aim to convey your message in the fewest possible number of words. Clarify your idea. Use fewer words. Fewer notes. Fewer instruments. When facing this problem, try muting parts one by one. Appreciate the difference, then decide. Complex and busy arrangements do have their place. But it takes a lot of experience to make them work seamlessly. ﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋ Alma Mater Today I’m featuring this… Read More »Mixing Is Arranging.

Mastering Your Own Mixes? Think Again

Mastering your own mixes makes zero sense. There, I said it. I see so many young cats these days doing everything themselves. Everything. On the one hand, I’m proud of them for not being afraid. On the other, I resent them for not realising their mistake. Mastering your own tracks is the biggest de-service you can do them. There is a reason why we have mastering engineers. There’s also a reason why mastering studios cost a fortune to build. These days, though, none of that seems to matter anymore. Anyone with a laptop and a (cracked) license for Ozone will… Read More »Mastering Your Own Mixes? Think Again

Reverb & Dirty Talk: A Short Essay on the Venice Bitch.

Disclaimer: contains swearing and non-PC content. Read at your own peril. Elisabeth “Izzy” Woolridge Grant, better known as the flamboyant Lana Del Rey, has been in the industry for almost 20 years now. Time flies, doesn’t it? While I used to casually enjoy her vibe, I’ve learned to appreciate her work more and more. As the years go by, the absence of stylistic compromises speaks to me. I love her signature sound much more than I used to. I’ve quieted down myself, I guess. I’m not as angry anymore. More sarcastic than before, definitely, but oh well. It’s a defence… Read More »Reverb & Dirty Talk: A Short Essay on the Venice Bitch.

An Open Letter to Taylor Swift

Dear Taylor, Where to even begin? Congratulations, I guess, are in order. Your third re-recorded album, Speak Now, will come out next week, on July 7th. You’re knocking these out of the park every single time. I cannot wait for the 2024 version of Reputation. That will be a fine day. But let’s back up a little bit. Since your first country record in 2006, things got out of hand, and fast. Releasing a record every two years, you made country pop works with Fearless and Speak Now. And that’s when you started to explore other things, which led you… Read More »An Open Letter to Taylor Swift