In music production, it’s common to agonize over the mixing process to achieve balance, create space, and make transitions more effective. This can involve drastic EQ, compression, and countless effects; but no technical wizardry can elevate, or honor, a song the way a good arrangement can. In part, because instruments aren’t fighting to be heard in a song that’s well arranged.
Every home recording artist knows the frustration of bringing one element of a mix into focus, only to realize another is now competing for attention, or suddenly lacking in another critical way. This often becomes a cycle that is only broken when the mixer finally breaks down.
THE ROLE OF ARRANGEMENT
A song’s arrangement hinges, in part, on what instruments are playing when, and how they interact with one another. And if instruments that occupy the same frequency range are playing at the same time, there can be a buildup of unpleasant frequencies, resulting in a “muddy” sound.
Bob Katz’s Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science includes a drawing from 1941 by E.J. Quinby of Carnegie Hall, which illustrates the range of frequencies occupied by orchestral instruments (see below).
As you can see, these instruments occupy very different frequency ranges, notwithstanding overlap. Unfortunately, unless you’re working in classical or jazz, you’re probably managing a number of instruments that occupy the same space. One solution is to experiment with different octaves and “voicings” (i.e., play the same chord differently). For instance, on a guitar, you could play the same chord further up the neck and/or implement inversions (i.e., play the same notes belonging to a chord, but in a different order). And if you’re arranging electric, or amplified, instruments, make sure to get a good tone from the start and adjust the dials on your amp, instrument, and/or pedals accordingly.
A good arrangement will also help you optimize other elements, like buildups and transitions. If one of these things isn't working prior to the mixing stage, there might be a compositional issue that's preventing you from achieving the desired impact. Address it now and find a solution so you don't have to manufacture the emotion later. (If you're not in a band, you won't have the luxury of arranging your song in real time, so you'll have to get creative and use a hybrid approach, which I delve into at greater length in my free guide 7 Steps For Better Home Recordings, which you can access by signing up for my mailing list here.)
CONCLUSION
While mixing is an integral part of the production process, a well-crafted arrangement is integral to how successful the mix will ultimately be. So don't wait until the mixing stage to address foundational issues. Instead, start with a clear vision of how each element will interact with one another. Doing so will streamline the mixing process and preclude the need for excessive processing. Whether you're producing classical symphonies or contemporary hits, the principles of arrangement are the same, and they'll help you to deliver the impact your song deserves.
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