Every year, on the third Saturday in May, Europe goes to war.

There are no casualties because we compete through song. But the songs will haunt you for the rest of your life.

I am of course referring to the Eurovision Song Contest that has been going on since 1956. Wikipedia has an abundance of history to devour (or you know, stay away from completely).

In case there's any doubt, I dislike Eurovision so ironically that it's gone around in a circle, kind of like a hipster that's gone so far that he's become a clean cut office worker. It's honestly quite confusing.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's over, because it's lasted since the '50s, but it's OVER!

This year we have quite the cast of characters to endure. Here's a quick rundown of some of the 25 countries competing:

• We have Australia competing (don't ask) with a dress that swings like a giant pendulum.
• Belarus is trying too hard to make us like it.
• Denmark gets the award for most Danish song (I mean...it's SO Danish...).
• Norway gets the award for most Swedish song.
• This year's host, Israel, gets the award for Most On the Nose Song Title ("Home").
• Ireland seemed to be trying to reclaim their former glory from the early '90s - they won four times in five years between 1992 and 1996 - but alas, they got kicked out in the semi-final.
• Russia seems to have the biggest Game of Thrones fans.
• Spain always has a special place in my heart (and the song is just FUN).
• San Marino gets the award for Easiest Sing-A-Long Lyrics.
• The Czech Republic is my clear favorite.
• But my loyalty will always lie with Iceland, spewing their hate as usual.

Quite the spectacle and a great time for your fridge and freezer to break the day before you throw a Eurovision party for 30+ people...

However, one thing came to mind while my wife forced me to watch all the songs is that although they are all incredibly different from each other, from different countries with different instrumentation and styles derived from their culture, I bet that every single mixing engineer who mixed those songs used a combination of EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and saturation.

So if you want to mix songs in any genre, from any culture, regardless of the quality of the song itself (unfortunately), you're going to need to know how to use those five processors to make your songs sound professional.

That's where Step By Step Mixing comes in, and today is the last day to take advantage of the 50% discount offer on the Step By Step Mixing Video Package or the big Awesome Audio Training Bundle.

And if you want to grab the brand-new 2nd edition of Step By Step Mixing on paperback, you can also get the PDF for free if you just email me your Amazon receipt.

Here's where you go next to start making pro songs that make people yell "YOUR MIX: DOUZE POINTS!"

www.StepByStepMixing.com

P.S.

Just noticed a new review on Amazon from David Fowler, a Step By Step Mixing reader:

"Helpful Information to Make Better Mixes. This informative book provides helpful information to improve your mixes. It can also inspire home studio operators to experiment with other approaches to making the music sound its best. Well worth the investment."

Join the thousands of satisfied Step By Step Mixing readers that have learned how to use EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and saturation to make powerful and punchy mixes from their home studio before the promotion ends tonight.

Here's the link again:

www.StepByStepMixing.com

Discounts and Offers Run Out In: