Was curious about the MyMixLab Dynamic EQ video done by Luca Pretolesi. He moves fast but, thoroughly explains masterful Dynamic EQ technique using one plugin to correct, control and enhance a instrument track. Good, efficient workflow to learn & use.

 

A long-term friend who has engineered on three platinum records said that every engineer on the planet can do it better. Just ask them.
In many ways, engineering is like performing on a chosen instrument you dedicate your life to. The more you do it, the better you get at it.
Even then, if the engineer is hired by a producer and label, all the skills in the world make no difference if the Producer wants a specific thing and says no to every engineering idea, principle and move the engineer makes or goes against everything they were taught. In that scenario, the engineer is truly only a grunt that must do as they are told whether they agree or not. some producers are open to suggestions, some are not.

The best way for an engineer to become really good used to be by becoming employed by a studio and gradually work their way up so they were in the thick of it in a paid, working environment. Those days are long gone and if a position at ground level appears, it will probably have a million applicants because the world is full of unemployed audio engineering school graduates.
These days, probably the most important thing if you are engineering your own music is that you are happy with it. Pleasing everyone is not only unrealistic, but it is also impossible. Trying to do that will only guarantee disappointment.

P.S. How do you know if you are happy with it? You never have any need to ask anyone what they think or for feedback because their opinion does not matter. Once you put it out there, everyone is an expert and you will get opinions anyway, so the author being happy is really the only important thing. There is no perfect engineering course, they do not exist. Principles are important, no argument. Adapting and practice is more important. What works for one style of music rarely transfers exactly to another, otherwise, there would not be different mastering techniques for genres which exist even in today's end-user plugins. If your music, make sure you are happy. If it is a client, make sure they are happy. Simple really.

 

Last edited: Jun 3, 2021