Upon returning from AES in 1998 Charles Dye told Desmond Child within a year they would mix a record on Pro Tools, little did he know at the time it would go to number one eight months later. Since that time Dye has been a pioneer of DAW mixing. He knows what it takes to make a mix sound like a record, and he’s worked hard to learn how to get a warm analog sound in an all digital mix environment. Now he wants to teach what he’s learned.

“I love music," says Dye. "And helping an artist realize their vision has always been an incredibly rewarding experience. But the distant vicarious thrill I feel when helping aspiring mixers realize their visions in faraway studios has truly been the highest reward.”

Along the way, Dye conceived the break out mixing tutorial Hard Disk Life, introducing the concept of using DAW sessions to teach mixing. He has also toured the world with his mixing message and written countless online editorials as a tireless contributor at pro audio forums. And, all the time, testing and refining his theories, using the equations in practice. Now, Dye's revelations have been crystallized in Mix It Like A Record.

Can Mixing Be Taught?

It’s been said that mixing can be learned, but it can’t be taught. Charles Dye doesn’t believe this is true and together with Kagi Media they set out to prove it can.

"I considered working with Charles to translate his messages into the visual form an exciting challenge," says Jon Kagi.  "As we moved through the project, we kept our purpose focused; how can we best help people create great sounding music!”

"My mantra throughout was to create a product I would've killed for when I was starting out," said Dye.

To discuss mixing theories and reinforce their message, Kagi and Dye go on location. Creating Depth and Space in Your Mix, for example, was shot against the expansive backdrop of nothing less than the Grand Canyon, exemplifying the scope of the project and lengths Dye and Kagi were willing to go to teach mixing.

Shot at Supersonic Studios in Miami, a beautiful ICON-based control room, the in studio lessons dive deep into the heart of mixing by dissecting a mix; channel by channel, plug-in by plug-in, and automation move by move. Laying bare the reasoning behind every single tweak of Dye’s mix.

DVD Video

Stylistically ranging from cinematic to MTV-edgy, the video is designed to be educational and entertaining. The studio chapters are presented using full screen interface shots. Along with text banners that “drive home” important concepts, high quality audio auditions of each process and an overall modern look and feel.

With the synthesis of lessons taught “on the road” and in the studio, and the earnestness with which Dye delivers his messages, Mix It Like A Record is an energizing learning tool that succeeds in demystifying the art of mixing.

Pro Tools Sessions

The sessions detailed on the DVD are included on the ROM layer. Compatible with all systems (HD Accel, HD, MIX, LE and M-Powered), they center around a great song, arrangement, recording and production. Also included are dedicated Sony and Waves sessions.

From the pristine audio recordings, to the Dye session template and presets, to the “air-play” ready fidelity of the finished mix, the multi-track materials included on the DVD are a tool which can be a point of entry to professional production and mixing, a benchmark reference set against ongoing mix efforts and an enduring catalyst in the quest for better sound.