In this video, Eric discusses one simple idea that will help drastically improve your guitar mixes.
This One Technique Will Help You Mix Guitar Better
In this video, Eric shares a single, highly effective technique for improving your guitar mixes: focusing on how the guitar fits within the entire mix, rather than trying to make it sound perfect on its own. He emphasizes that great guitar tones come from context, not isolation — and this mindset shift can dramatically improve your mixes.
The Core Technique: Mix in Context, Not Solo
What It Is:
Eric explains that the most important technique is to avoid mixing your guitar in solo and instead make decisions while listening to the full mix.
Why It Matters:
A guitar that sounds amazing on its own can actually clash with vocals, bass, or drums once everything is playing together. Mixing in context ensures the guitar supports the song rather than competing with it.
Why Soloing Can Hurt Your Mix
What It Does:
When you solo a guitar track, you’re tempted to:
- Add too much low end
- Boost too much high end
- Over-process the tone
Why It’s a Problem:
These decisions often make the guitar sound “better” alone but worse in the full mix, where it can become muddy or overpower other elements.
How to Apply This Technique
Step-by-Step:
- Keep the full mix playing while adjusting your guitar
- Make EQ and level decisions based on how it sits with:
- Vocals
- Bass
- Drums
- Only briefly solo if needed — then immediately return to the full mix
Key Tip:
Eric emphasizes using your ears to judge balance and space, not just tone.
Using EQ to Fit the Mix
How It Works:
Eric demonstrates how EQ should be used to create space for other instruments, not just enhance the guitar.
Examples:
- Cutting low end to avoid clashing with bass
- Adjusting mids so vocals remain clear
- Controlling harsh frequencies
Why It Matters:
Proper EQ helps each instrument occupy its own space, making the overall mix sound clearer and more professional.
The Bigger Mindset Shift
What It Is:
The real takeaway isn’t just a technical trick — it’s a change in perspective:
- Don’t ask: “Does this guitar sound good?”
- Ask: “Does this guitar work in the mix?”
Why It Helps You:
This shift helps you make decisions that serve the song as a whole, which is what separates beginner mixes from professional ones.
Conclusion
The key to better guitar mixes isn’t a plugin or preset — it’s mixing in context. Eric’s technique shows that by keeping the full mix playing and shaping your guitar around the other instruments, you’ll create clearer, more balanced, and more professional-sounding tracks.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/e-KW-61oioY
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