We’re going to film a video called “mix trick or trash?” for YouTube. Well read out a common mixing tip, then each vote if it’s a great trick, or total trash. What are the most controversial mixing tips and tricks you can think of that we could cover?

In a commercial, release-ready track, do you prefer live acoustic drums or an e-kit? I'm not asking "what's more fun to play" or "what's more authentic." I mean purely from a results and workflow standpoint: consistency, translation, mix speed, revision flexibility, and final master impact. If you're recording a real kit in a typical home or project studio scenario, you're dealing with mic count, placement, phase, bleed, and room tone. In your experience, does the final record actually benefit enough to justify the time, expense, and risk? I have both types of kit, but only enough room to set one up at a time, and the e-kit is much easier to work around. I find that in my studio the acoustic kit's cymbals are much too loud in the final mix compared to the e-kit, but, then again, the e-kit cymbals often feel like they're lacking some character or charm. That might just be my e-kit, though. It's a budget Alesis kit. I'm genuinely curious where experienced ears land on this in 2026. If the goal is a commercial track that competes, do you prefer live drums, an e-kit, or a hybrid (live cymbals with sampled shells, room mics plus triggers, etc.)? What's your default and what makes you change your mind?

What DAWs is everyone using and why did you choose that particular one or more? Mine is Steinberg Nuendo 4.3. I also just got FL Studio.