Today's post comes from Steven at Gear Savvy. Here are his tips to mix guitars and bass. 

We're willing to bet that nearly every guitarist and bassist started their career by playing acoustic guitars and having to record it at some point. That’s why we’re going to give you some advice on how to do it on your own. And, since there is no good song without a proper bassline, we’re going to cover some bass recording tips, as well.

Luckily, no matter if you’re playing metal or jazz, there are general rules that apply to all genres and we will gladly help you learn some of the mixing basic principles today.

Advantages of Learning to Mix Guitar Well 

While it’s not necessary for every player to know how to mix, it has become quite affordable thanks to Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) and all the computer software out there. So here are some advantages if you decide to get deeper into mixing:

It's a Budget Saving Skill

Renting a decent studio can cost you a lot and, frankly, to be honest, nowadays there are many plugins and amp simulations that might sound as good as the real thing, especially in the studio mix. The only tracks left that need to be recorded in the proper studio are drums and vocals. So, if you learn how to mix well, you can save yourself or your band a lot of money that can be invested in better equipment later.

May Provide Extra Income

It’s not just that you will save some money from not renting a studio, this may become your side job, too. If you become good at it, you may get an invite to mix for someone else, or maybe work as a sound guy for a live show or for editing a podcast. The thing about mixing guitars is that you will eventually learn more about other instruments as well and be ready to take the next step.

You Evolve as a Player

Once you put your time in learning how to mix, you will understand the nature of your instrument’s sound much better. It will also shift your approach to everything music-related. As you keep recording yourself, your playing and tone sculpting, in particular, will improve. It will be much easier to see a bigger picture behind the song arrangement and think less as a musician and more like a producer. Even listening to music will become different and you will be surprised how you can detect even fine details.