#197: Why I Don’t Touch Plugins Before Doing This - The Art of Static Mixing (feat. Nate Kelmes)

Why do some mixes, even with top plugins and techniques, still sound off? The answer might lie in a step you’re overlooking: the static mix.
In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews talks with mix engineer Nate Kelmes to explore: What is a static mix in audio mixing? And why is a static mix important before adding effects? Nate explains how balancing levels and panning, before any processing, can account for 70–80% of a great mix. “If the plugins disappear, the song should still work,” he says.
You’ll learn how long to spend on a static mix (hint: 2–3 hours is a sweet spot), what the benefits of starting with a static mix are, and how a static mix improves overall mix quality by building emotion and clarity from the start. Nate also shares how a strong static mix can reduce the need for heavy processing later, making your workflow faster and more intentional.
From native DAW tools to vocal automation and top-down mixing, this episode is packed with actionable insights for producers at any level. If you want more cohesive, impactful mixes, this is where it starts.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Follow Nate Kelmes (natekelmes.com)
Listen to the Sound Discussion Podcast (sounddiscussionpodcast.com)
Listen to Microphones and Recording Audio with Mike Senior (sounddiscussionpodcast.com/episode/microphones…)
Listen to Music, the Industry and Everything Else with Warren Huart (sounddiscussionpodcast.com/episode/music-the-i…)
Send me a message (buzzsprout.com/1639201/fan_mail/new)
Support the show (patreon.com/InsideTheMixPodcast)
Ways to connect with Marc:
If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here (tidycal.com/inside-the-mix-podcast/discovery-c…)
Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips (synthmusicmastering.com/newsletter)
Follow Marc's Socials:
Instagram (instagram.com/insidethemixpodcast) | YouTube (youtube.com/marcmatthewsproducer)
Thanks for listening!!
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