Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Great production isn't just about choosing the right sounds. It's about thinking ahead to the final mix from the very first decision.
Producer Oak Felder breaks down the thinking and techniques behind his mix-forward approach, using his work with UK R&B group FLO to show how those decisions play out in a real production. From creating space between kick and 808 to shaping drums, separating layered instruments, making room for vocals and using huge reverbs without losing clarity.
For Oak, the goal is simple: make the production feel finished before the traditional mix even begins. That means committing to sounds, knowing when not to keep tweaking and building a track that can stand on its own before it ever reaches the final mix stage.
Video Chapters:
0:00 - Introducing
1:16 - Rule 1: Start at 10
2:07 - Rule 2: Sidechain the Low End…Differently
4:55 - Rule 3: Unlock Your Mix & Side
7:36 - Rule 4: Make Your Drums Hit Harder
11:23 - Rule 5: Mirror the Groove with a Melody
13:56 - Rule 6: Commit, Bounce, Believe: The 2-Track Philosophy
15:08 - Rule 7: Carve Space for Your Vocals
17:49 - Rule 8: Sidechain Your Vocal Reverb
21:05 - Rule 9: Change the Texture of Your Backing Vocals
Song Credit: FLO “Cry Ugly” open.spotify.com/track/61p1mfca6giD6MP75hEu5m?si=a39fece9a4014960
Watch Oak Felder respond to social media's BEST mix tricks in Waves Trick or Trash youtu.be/8JF-HhpEOFY?si=gVKsils9YSeyNIn7
Plugins Featured
Curves Resolve: waves.com/plugins/curves-resolve
BB Tubes: waves.com/plugins/bb-tubes
Smack Attack: waves.com/plugins/smack-attack-transient-shaper
H-Reverb: waves.com/plugins/h-reverb-hybrid-reverb
Center: waves.com/plugins/center
Kaleidoscopes: waves.com/plugins/kaleidoscopes
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Follow us on Social Media:
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Facebook: rebrand.ly/wavesfb
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Visit our website: rebrand.ly/wavesaudio
Great production isn't just about choosing the right sounds. It's about thinking ahead to the final mix from the very first decision.
Producer Oak Felder breaks down the thinking and techniques behind his mix-forward approach, using his work with UK R&B group FLO to show how those decisions play out in a real production. From creating space between kick and 808 to shaping drums, separating layered instruments, making room for vocals and using huge reverbs without losing clarity.
For Oak, the goal is simple: make the production feel finished before the traditional mix even begins. That means committing to sounds, knowing when not to keep tweaking and building a track that can stand on its own before it ever reaches the final mix stage.
Video Chapters:
0:00 - Introducing
1:16 - Rule 1: Start at 10
2:07 - Rule 2: Sidechain the Low End…Differently
4:55 - Rule 3: Unlock Your Mix & Side
7:36 - Rule 4: Make Your Drums Hit Harder
11:23 - Rule 5: Mirror the Groove with a Melody
13:56 - Rule 6: Commit, Bounce, Believe: The 2-Track Philosophy
15:08 - Rule 7: Carve Space for Your Vocals
17:49 - Rule 8: Sidechain Your Vocal Reverb
21:05 - Rule 9: Change the Texture of Your Backing Vocals
Song Credit: FLO “Cry Ugly” open.spotify.com/track/61p1mfca6giD6MP75hEu5m?si=a39fece9a4014960
Watch Oak Felder respond to social media's BEST mix tricks in Waves Trick or Trash youtu.be/8JF-HhpEOFY?si=gVKsils9YSeyNIn7
Plugins Featured
Curves Resolve: waves.com/plugins/curves-resolve
BB Tubes: waves.com/plugins/bb-tubes
Smack Attack: waves.com/plugins/smack-attack-transient-shaper
H-Reverb: waves.com/plugins/h-reverb-hybrid-reverb
Center: waves.com/plugins/center
Kaleidoscopes: waves.com/plugins/kaleidoscopes
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: rebrand.ly/wavessubyt
Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: rebrand.ly/wavesig
Facebook: rebrand.ly/wavesfb
Twitter: rebrand.ly/wavestw
Linkedin: rebrand.ly/waveslnkd
Telegram: rebrand.ly/wavestl
Visit our website: rebrand.ly/wavesaudio
