Achieving a mix that is both clear and impactful can be a challenge. Getting a great mixing engineer (and then a great mastering engineer) to work on your music will help, but the arrangement and song structure decisions made by the artist and producer in the composition process are particularly consequential.
One useful idea that guides my mixing and arrangement decisions is what I refer to as the focus element. This is the most important musical element at any given moment in a track. By identifying the focus element in each part of the track, you can make deliberate choices about how to create a dynamic mix that draws the listener's attention to the things you want them to hear as the track progresses.
This concept builds on what was discussed in my last article about the musical rule of three, a compositional concept based on the premise that the brain can only focus on three elements simultaneously. Keeping the arrangement simple using the rule of three, along with particular consideration for the focus element, can go a long way to achieving a clear and impactful piece of music.
Identifying and Supporting the Focus Element
Identifying the focus element is useful in both the arrangement and mixing stages. I regularly pause and ask myself: "what’s the most important part of the arrangement right now?". The answer could be anything from a lead vocal (often the answer!) to a synth melody, a drum fill, or even a characteristic sound effect.
Once you've identified the focus element, there are many ways you might support it in the mix. Some examples include:
- Level: The most obvious way to draw attention to an element is simply to turn it up. On the other hand, turning down other elements might be a more effective way to create space for the focus element to shine if you don't want to boost the overall track level. Use volume automation to draw attention to specific moments.
- Equalisation: Subtle EQ boosts in the focus element’s dominant frequencies can help it cut through the mix. EQ dips in other instruments at similar frequencies can prevent them from masking the focus element.
- Controlling dynamics: Compression can help the focus element maintain a consistent presence in the mix by controlling its dynamic range. Some sound sources, such as vocals, can be highly dynamic with loud and soft parts in the same recording. Without compression, the soft bits can get lost in the mix, while the loud bits may jump out too much. Compression can even it all out so you hear everything at a reasonable level.
- Sidechain ducking: Ducking automatically ducks the volume of less important tracks while the focus element is playing, and lets them return to their regular level when it's not. The most obvious example of this technique is in dance music where bass sounds and synths duck down every time the kick drum hits, then quickly return to regular volume, creating a pumping sound and making the kick drum beats much more impactful. In EDM, the obvious ducking is part of the aesthetic, but you can use the same technique in other genres in a more subtle way to improve clarity without the ducking effect being so noticeable. Advanced sidechaining techniques using dynamic EQ or spectral dynamics can be used to only reduce specific frequencies in the supporting tracks for an even more transparent result.
- Panning: Panning the focus element to the centre can give it a sense of prominence. Panning other elements to the sides can suggest positioning and create width while also freeing up space for the elements in the middle.
Examples From My Music
Here are some specific examples of how I've used the focus element concept in my n1ghtmar3cat tracks:
- "Your Song": This track is mainly about the vocals. There are a lot of quirky production moments scattered throughout the track, but you’ll notice that most of these do not happen while I’m singing. Whenever there are lead vocals, they are the focus, and everything else takes a back seat. There are several moments where there’s a gap in the vocals, providing an opportunity to feature other elements like the sound of a tape recorder button being pressed (at the start and the end), a weird note that descends in pitch as if it was coming from a record player losing power (0:45), the introduction of a warped piano part (1:55), or a crushed drum beat (3:51). Featuring instrumental elements in the gaps between the vocals can provide ear candy to keep the listener engaged.
- "Time": Similar to above, there are lots of unusual production moments in this track, but they’re all poking through between the vocal lines rather than overlapping. The production elements that take focus in the moments between the vocals help to support the song’s narrative, but while the vocals are present, they are the focus.
- "Curtain Call": In the verses and choruses, the lead vocals are the focus element and the instruments play supporting roles. After the first chorus (0:46), the xylophone-type instrument takes centre stage for a short instrumental passage before the vocals return for verse two, so they are turned up and mixed as the focus element. In the bridge (1:37), the lyricless vocal “oohs” become more of a supporting element as other production elements take centre stage in the mix. These include a newly introduced crushed drum part; some high-pitched, effected vocal sounds; and the xylophone, which all take turns coming in and out of focus as the song builds to its dynamic climax. By the time the final vocal passage begins, the production has pulled right back again.
Practical Tips for Producers
Here are some tips for producers who want to bring the focus element concept to their mixes:
- Start by listening to your track with fresh ears. Play it through and note down the most important element in each section.
- Put the right things in focus with automation. Once you have a well-balanced static mix, add volume automation to make sure the main thing is in focus for each section of the song.
- Remove or turn down other tracks. Making more room for the focus element might be a better choice than just turning it up.
- Use a combination of techniques. Making several subtle moves with different techniques can be more effective and less obvious than one big move, such as combining touches of EQ, compression, volume automation, and distortion to help the focus element poke through the mix.
- Don't be afraid to make bold choices! Occasionally, the most effective (and fun) way to draw attention to a focus element is to make it really stick out with some big production moves. Turn some saturation knobs too far, put a big phaser on it, make it louder than you think you should - it might work, and that might end up being the thing people remember!
- Remember that the goal is to create a clear and impactful listening experience. Every decision you make should serve this purpose.
Get familiar with the concept of the focus element, use some of the techniques outlined above, and I'm confident you'll notice a difference in how your music comes across.
💬 What's the biggest challenge you face when trying to make specific elements stand out clearly in a mix? Share your experiences
💭 If I've mentioned anything that you'd like me to cover more in-depth in a future article, let me know!
