We all know how tempting the solo button is.
It lets you focus on a single track, make it sound great, then move on to the next one.
It makes our job so much easier, we don't have to work hard to hear the changes we're making to the track. But this little button holds us back from getting a better mix.
Why shouldn't we use this button so often? If it makes us hear the track better, it will probably make us do better mixing decisions, right? Wrong.
There's one thing we need to understand:
Making a track sound good in solo, does NOT make it sound good in the mix
This is super important so I'll say it again.
Working on a track to make it sound good in isolation does NOT make it fit better in the mix.
I want you to remember this every time you're about to hit that solo button.
Mixing In Solo Is Useless
No one cares how your tracks sound on their own, because no one will hear them on their own.
And you shouldn't care either.
All you should care about is how the track sounds in the mix.
And if it doesn't benefit the mix, and no one will ever hear your tracks soloed, there is no reason to mix in solo.
It's pointless.
This is true for mixing in general, but especially for EQ.
EQing an isolated track is as useless as adjusting the volume of an isolated track.
There is no context to tell us what do to and how to treat the track.
Don't Mix In Solo
I know, it's hard and frustrating to EQ a single track with all of the other tracks in your way.
You can't hear the track you're working on, its buried in the mix!
Well, guess what?
THAT'S the problem you need to fix! THAT'S the reason you grabbed that EQ!
And you CAN'T fix this problem in solo, you can't even hear it in solo.
Working on isolated tracks won't get you anywhere.
Mixing In Solo Is Mixing Blindly
Making you pass by and ignore the sonic problems that you should take care of.
Because these problems are not in your tracks, they are in your mix.
They only happens when your tracks are played together, in the context of each other.
You can't hear it in solo, and you can't fix it in solo.
You NEED to listen to the entire mix to hear and fix these problems.
Don't Ignore This One
Mixing in solo is one of the worst thing you can do for your mixes and your mixing skills.
Give it a try, and hear the difference for yourself.
Combine it with mixing in low volumes, and mixing in mono, and you got yourself a healthy, professional, and productive way of working.
You can only improve by doing this.
So can't I use the solo button ever again?
Don't worry, you can.
The solo button is there for a reason.
You might need to check for noise, mic bleed, editing, and this type of technical stuff.
Just don't use it as a mixing tool.
But how can you handle a busy mix without using the solo button?
It's very simple. Start with only one track. When you start a new mix, mute all of the tracks, except for one. Which one? Try to choose the main instrument of the song.
It can be the drum overheads, a big piano, or any track that feels like it has the most weight, and carry the whole song.
Then, simply add one track at the time, get a good volume balance, and see if they fit together without any problems. If you hear any problems, like masking or unstable volume, grab an EQ or a compressor and fix them, without using the solo button. Sound simple doesn't it?
I know, it's much harder to mix this way, but that's how you truly get an amazing mix.
So challenge yourself on your next mix, and ignore that solo button.
It will be your best mix yet, guaranteed.
Do you use the solo button often while you're mixing?
Did you ever try to use it less?
Let us know in the comments!