Testimonials

I’m not an engineer I’m a musician forced to mix his own work and not very confident about it, but your book makes me feel I WILL understand how to use EQ, compression and reverb one day. It made me think that the problems I’ve had with mixes – especially with EQ – are mostly because my ears are actually pretty good and I know intuitively that all that sweeping is not good for them and doesn’t reflect how they actually work. Most of all you suggest the whole thing is about groove, and if compression, delay, verb are all about groove then I am no longer afraid.. the rest is all about music and joy and I know I’m down with all that… well, I haven’t done any mixing since I read the book but I already KNOW that I’ve already improved, because my idea is a better one than it was a week ago. so thanks –

Your book seemed expensive when I bought it – it seems pretty cheap now.

Thanks again, for now… though early impressions are that my debt of gratitude will grow much beyond that, and continue much beyond the end of the chapters. Already I am finding it profoundly inspirational.

It is in a league of its own.

There are so many concepts in the book that address my biggest struggles: Locating the sweet spot for mic placement, what to listen for as I adjust an instrument’s level, how to methodically adjust a compressor, the rhythmic effect of reverb, the best sequence for mixing, and on and on.

I have read many books which provide good technical information, but few give me much help in explaining the essence of what I should really focus on during the different stages of mixing.

Your book is packed with revealing insights that lead me to say over and over “Alright, now I understand what I should be aiming for when I do that.”

Almost every page has some jewel, and I wonder over and over “Why have I never heard this before? It is so clear!”

Truly inspirational. Thanks so much,

I just love the visual way you descibe things, I’m sure loads of electronic producers would too.

It is by far the best book I have ever read on the art. The compressor combination lock was a lifesaver, and listening to the other tracks while altering one is good sense, and once I realised this from reading your book, it made my “job” (too much fun to be a job) much more fun.

I think it would be excellent if you could find your way to our school… you would probably sell a few books! yours sincerely,

What I learnt in a day of reading your book I didn’t learn in 12 months in a school dedicated to audio engineering.

Im the kind of person that learns hands on rather than reading it from a book. My mind just learns faster when I can see, feel and hear it. Your book was great, easy to understand and apply.

I used to record and mix by trail and error, its great to now actually have a foot hold on my mind and sound. Anyways Stav Happy Mixing with your mind…… and thanks for a great book

I’ll surely recommend the book to folks here in Indiana.

I also enjoyed the chapter on analog v digital. My instinct, from my limited (and distant past) use of tape, has always been that parts just blend better in analog – they have softer edges. In digital you have to work harder to glue the sounds together – smooth off the sharp edges. It was good to read your explanation of why this is actually so. … at least I now have a better understanding of how to get the most out of the medium. Thanks again and congratulations on the book, it’s top quality in every detail!

I am reading your book every night, I think its like my third read. each time I pick up more and more so it sticks in my brain and becomes more automatic. I for one would like to thank you again for writing this, and I am sure there would be countless others who would feel the same.

Life continues to amaze me………hope it does for you too…

Well done Stav. I can’t wait to get the book. As per normal, its 2:00 am and I going to suffer even more sleep deprivation when I read your book no doubt.

Hope to spend the weekend going through the book more methodically …

The book is great, nicely printed, (love the red ribbon) although I did notice more than one typo throughout the read. Fact remains that there is always something wild and uncontrollable about music (thats what we love about it) it’s great to see that a book about engineering music can have the same qualities!!

Keep up the great work, how long till the next book?? 🙂

Your writing style is very good at making difficult concepts and ideas easy (or maybe easier) to understand.

… you have written a very informative piece of documentation that I would highly recommend to anyone experienced in sound engineering or studying this art.

Thanks to Mixing With Your Mind, my guts are generating 40% better instincts!

PV – Holland

I was looking for a bookmark and then I realised you have a better alternative in built with the book. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. All the best mate.

Each Chapter is worth the price of the whole book.

I was amazed at the process when doing the ribbon. Put the speakers too close together and it just sounds weird. All the stuff that would normally be panned wide kinda gets lost and the middle of the mix gets sort of really pointy. And when you go too wide you hear the two speakers but the ghost sort of goes away.

But get it right….hmmmm…yummy.

Switching the room end to end and getting the ribbon right has had another really strange side effect, Stav.

I used to have six bass traps at the end where my mix position now sits. When it was at the “back” of the room, I used to get a really bad bass bloom there. Now, with the room swapped, I can move from the mix position to the back of the room and there is very little difference.

I’ve got at least four bass traps I don’t need!

As I’ve said, I still have a long way to go, but, you’ve firmly pointed me in the best direction to avoid a lot of crap.

Please do write another book…

Thank you again just for being who you are!

The best parts for me were the real life situations you described. They seemed to put things into a much more accessable context. However, the book is amazing and, even though I know you’ve only put about .002 % of your knowledge into it I’ve learnt soooo much!!! The part on compression sorted me out so quickly! Perfect! But then so many other parts did too.

Many, many thanks again. Sooooooo worth the money!

Started reading about monitors set up.

Played with the monitors and Crazy thing happened. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the sound in my mixing room became full and concentrated and centered. I could hear every instrument and its place in the stereo mix.

Craziest thing is that it sounded like the Sound was in the middle of the room not coming from any particular speaker wasn't a direct sound. It's like my whole room became one big speaker. And you know what, no, it doesn't really matter where I move in the room, it's consistent sound doesn't phase in and out. Now it doesn't matter if I go up or down, to one side or the other, always feels like somewhere is in the middle of the room no matter where I go. It's just crazy. This morning went back in to my studio and tried it again just to make sure that I wasn't hallucinating.

Yep - it's still the same. Sounds Like I can hear everything now. Thank you.

I think this is a big step for me on the Journey to become a mixer.

Having practiced and then successfully tried some of the extraordinary and peculiar recording techniques Stav shares in his revealing book, I can testify that it has been a rewarding, effective learning experience that has enabled me with an edge I long sought, in making better records and being able to offer artists more than I ever thought imaginable. The book is more than a technical support manual, instead it offers an empassioned and sometimes emotionally inspiring perspectives and analogical insight to shine a light that brings into focus aspects of the processes rarely documented by seasoned veterans of the craft. As taste and mix styles fashionably change with the times, much of this book reveals the hard and fast, unchanged magic of mastering the highly disciplined and demanding craft of sound engineering, as only Stav himself could ever translate. The book does not misleadingly promise anything beyond providing insight and techniques any aspiring or seasoned engineer does well to take on board. When one is ready for what this book can offer, Stav lays it all at your feet. What one chooses to do with it, is a matter of personal perciverance and decided dedication to reach beyond the ordinary, and the reward is discovering the extraordinary within oneself and a lifetime of happiness in ones efforts with sound. The lifetime mentoring Stav includes with his book is an indescribable asset even the most experienced of engineers could benefit from. The real question regarding "Mixing with your Mind" by Michael Stavrou is simple.."Are you ready to expand into the greatest version of your engineering Self?"

I actually can't hear it. All I did was follow your direction but I feel like a total champion badass recordist!!

Thanks for the info! I've actually read MWYM 3+ times already, and it has completely changes the way I hear the world (my mixes have improved quite a bit too!). I previously used a copy borrowed from a friend, but have gotten so much out of it that I decided to order a copy for my brother. Reading this, I have to say I am thrilled with all the additional information and support provided, so I wanted to say thank you for that, and for all the hard work you've put into crafting such a fantastic book.

I'm 26 and have been producing for about 8 years, but am finally diving in deep to the world of engineering so I'll surely be reaching out very soon with questions!

Thanks again and Happy Holidays!

My son has just returned from Australia bearing your book. I can't wait to immerse myself in it, having read the introduction. It feels like the ONE book out of the 1000's out there that I've naturally landed on after the RIGHT kind of conversation about music...as opposed to all those (to me) irritating "one-upmanship" chats one can sometimes find one's self involved in regarding technical / studio stuff. My approach to anything is instinctively "mind first", an approach naturally evolved from the earlier part of my life as an artist, where no-one really banged on about this or that pencil :) Happy holidays, and I REALLY look forward to getting the benefit of your experience.

Your tips have helped me more than anything I've learned in the last three years.

Rob Heaney, the recording engineer/producer who recommended the book called it the Best book ever. I'm anxious to read it.

At the moment I can only listen on headphones - but whatever you've done feels much more satisfying, warm and now I love the bass drum! Thanks so much. I am hearing more detail in the vocals and it all seems to be beautifully balanced in the highs and lows. I never get a sense that the vocal is dominating and it feels like a band altogether in the studio - wow, Stav - thank you!

Can't wait to send this to my musical colleagues in Germany.

Deepest thanks,

I am used to receive mails from auto-responder but yours sounds like it was written by a human being or a smart automate :-)

I am looking forward to dive in your book.

Happy new year and best wishes from grey Berlin!

I have a close to final major mix done and I can tell you that I read your book almost every day and each time I get something out of it. It is a brilliant piece of work on an esoteric and hard to communicate set of things.

Just wanted to let you know your book came in a couple days ago and it's amazing! There's so many good ideas I haven't been able to find anywhere else. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

My sister bought me "Mixing with your mind" for my birthday and gave it to me last week after I mentioned that I was wanting to pick it up.

I am currently studying at AIM (nearing the end of my degree - only beginning my learning!) ... I absolutely love it, even after only reading through a few chapters so far. So firstly Thank you for this incredible book!

I connect with and am inspired by your philosophy and approach to the whole process from before the recording stage, the mindset through to the final product. As you allude to, anyone can learn the technical aspects, it's capturing the energy and emotion and presenting that in an engaging and almost tactile way that is so important.

Thanks again Stav

I really can't overstate quite how much I've improved as a consequence of your ideas. The section on compression changed my world.

This monday I've received the book, and I've readed two times yet. Awesome, useful and wonderful.

The book arrived :) already started reading it and it's incredible. The part about the ribbon effect with speaker placement is something I've never heard before and I'm anxious to figure out a good placement for my speakers!

Pretty blown away by MWYM I believe it to be the best book on the subject available (by a longshot)

I just finished the book; you have the magic ability to explain things in words compatible with my brain. Things I've been reading and experimenting as a hobby for years now make intuitive sense.

I wish I had read your book a few years back. It is for me the missing link in between the more technically-minded books and the very hands-on youtube vids out there. It’s like having my own personal wise man. It makes me want to remix everything I mixed in the last few years... I love your psychological approach to the techniques and trade! It already helped me improve my mixing!!!!

Have a great day !

The magic is within your words, and the information you impart is invaluable, and as you say 'an ace up our sleeve'. I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth but, I do see where you are going, magicians never reveal their tricks, unless there is an established understanding.

Your knowledge and outlook in your book truly inspired me to create Art. Sound has been a part of my life for a long time, I love what I do, and your book honed that love that allows me to fully express myself through, I am indebted to you just for that.

I really hold your perspective close to my heart. I am grateful for you sharing more of yourself with me, and I really do owe you a lot.

Thank you Stav,

I truly love your book, it is very refreshing, and has taught me a lot.

I am working hard to get our first CD all mixed and mastered and reference your book a lot.

Working through a few bits of troubles, some from the original recording (done before reading the book). The recordings after your guidance are so good, very little needs to be done. These are jazz recordings done in a living room, piano, drums, acoustic bass, sax and trumpet. They fill the room with wave forms that bleed into everything, but I am embracing the bleed. One of the biggest lessons learned was - embrace the bleed - I was wondering why after EQ'g a track the mix sounded like crap - until I embraced the bleed and EQ'd to the mix.

Working on some transients - this is a transient rich environment - and working with the VU meter and peak meters to get the full "expensive" sound.

Take care, and thanks for the book and advice along the way!

I have to say, even though I haven't even finished reading the book yet, I'm trusting my ears more, I'm having more fun and I'm generally more confident to just try things.

My biggest session recently was a jazz trio, It was great fun!