1st Year Producer
A beginners guide to mixing
Welcome to 1st Year Producer
This is a site dedicated to young, aspiring mix engineers who want to learn the art of audio production. Here at 1st Year Producer we lay the fundamental building blocks to create better and better mixes. We focus on simple tasks, called Challenges, to help establish those basic skills that every mix engineer needs to learn when first starting out. These challenges are specifically designed with the beginner in mind using simple tasks and vocabulary to guide you to success. Audio production can be a very intimidating undertaking but with 1st Year Producer we got you covered!
See what’s the latest in the Studio Corner
3 plugins that changed everything
Discover which 3 plugins new producers need to learn first
7 steps to owning your own recording studio
Owning your own home studio is not as hard as you think
Creating your signal path
Learn the basics of what a signal path is
Discovering the different types of microphones
Learn what types of microphones you will be working with in the studio
Gift ideas for new music producers
Looking for gift ideas for your young producer
How important is the click track
Learning how to use a click will take your music production to the next level
How to blend your Kick and Bass Guitar
Controlling the low end is a huge part of learning how to mix
Editing drums like a professional
Learn how to edit drums like pros
Getting that analog sound in your DAW
Getting that analog sound in your DAW is not as hard as you think
How to make microphones sound better
Discover these simple techniques to improve the sound of your microphones
How to prepare your track for mastering
Follow these steps every time to get your tracks ready for mastering
Making a Vocalist feel comfortable in the studio
Discover how to ensure a great vocal performances each and every time
Must have microphones for beginners
Discover the perfect starter microphones for new home studios
Secret tips for recording guitar
Capture that amazing guitar tone with these studio techniques
Secrets of recording drums
Don’t let recording drums intimidate you. Learn what it takes to capture a great drum sound in the studio
Sennheiser MD 421: The Perfect Drum, Guitar & Vocal Mic
Discover why the Sennheiser MD 421 Dynamic Microphone is a must have in every studio
Special Occasion Microphones
Less common microphones you need to know about
The one microphone I cannot live without
Learn why the Shure SM7bB is the center of our studio
Top 5 reasons your mixes suck
Crafting a good mix can be complicated if you are making these mistakes
Understanding Microphone Vocabulary
Ever wonder what is happening inside a microphone
Gain Staging vs Headroom
Knowing the difference between gain staging and headroom will take your recordings to the next level
What is Notch Filtering
Notch Filtering is a type of precision Equalization every good mix has
What order do you record a song in
Having structure while recording will take your sessions to new heights
What you need to do before you record a band
Before you even hit the record button, follow these steps with the band you are recording
Why Automation is so Important
Automation can take your mixes to the next level, find out why
Why Compression is Killing Your Mix
Discover how the use of over compression can damage a mix
Greatest Microphone of All Time
Discover why the Shure SM57 is the greatest microphone of all time
Developed with the beginner in mind!
No complicated techniques
No confusing terms
Mix Challenges
Dive into the world of mixing with our Mix Challenges and learn that Simple tasks, Create great mixes. Here at 1st Year Producer, we focus on the beginner, the young aspiring audio engineer who wants to learn the fundamnetals of mixing.
Downloads
In the world of mixing you need experience to create better mixes. Our library of full Multitrack Sessions will help guide you in the right direction. Download and Import and apply the techniques you learn in your Challenges to become a better mixer at your own pace.