Hope your weekend has started off well. I wanted to start off this Saturday by telling you all how much of a joy it is to mix. I must start of by saying that I never dreamed of having all the equipment that I have now to mix in multiple ways. My sister had bought me a Numark Mixtrack 3 DJ controller several years ago, and I mixed from time to time, but never really took it seriously, because I was still in a dark place mentally. I had a fallout with someone who was a so-called friend now that I look back on it. He had all these ideas for a business that went south rather quickly. And, when it turned out to not be what he had hoped, I was the collateral damage. I remember being down for over a month over this, and when I finally caught my breath, I called a good friend of mine, who had also discussed the possibility of us working on something together.
It was during the course of that conversation that she said something to me that completely changed my life and how I think about things. She told me that I didn't need anyone to do something great. That I could do it on my own. I was a little upset and taken aback by that comment. After we hung up that night, I started plotting me next move.
Later on, I started looking at online degree programs and ended up applying to DeVry University. It was a struggle at first, but about a year ago, I got into a couple classes that I really ended up doing well in. They had enrolled me in a digital imaging course that was hard to get at first, but by the time that third week was over, I really ended up nailing the last five weeks and making perfect grades on every assignment they threw at me.
That didn't last long though. I was in a web development program, thinking I could write code on websites. So, believe me when I tell you that shit is for the birds. Anyway, I ended up withdrawing from DeVry, and yet again, I ended up back at the point of plotting my next move.
It was in late July last year that I was again looking at online degree programs. The part I left out is that DeVry had convinced me to resume classes even after I had enrolled at another university to be named momentarily. So, I went back to class in July, but it didn't take very long for me to really come to the realization that web development was not for me.
The university I had been accepted to before all this happened just came calling. I knew this was my last legitimate shot at college. At 40+ years old, it felt like this was the time. So, I called the college back to see if they still wanted me. They did and I honestly never looked back. It was not two weeks after enrolling that I ended up meeting the love of my life and I knew I had made the right choice.
Now, you're probably wondering where this is all headed, since this was supposed to be a story on mixing. Trust me, there's a little more meat to the story.
I had always dreamed of working in a professional recording studio, and needless to say, one was on the way. The school I got into was Full Sail University and after passing the first semester, I got everything I needed to mix in multiple ways. New MacBook with all the software I need to become a pro. Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools. Scarlett audio interface. Professional monitors and headphones. Audio Technica mics. Maybe now you can see where this is all going. A professional studio to do everything I ever dreamed of and more.
The mix I posted last night was the culmination of everything going back to my Numark Mixtrack controller. While the mic levels were far from perfect on that mix, it is still a mix that I'm quite proud of. I now have everything I need to not only produce, mix, master, as well as compose music, but I now have everything I need to do so much more.
The point of all this is that all of you have the power to do so much. And I want to throw my support back to all of you by saying that you guys all have a purpose, just like me. It's never too late to chase that dream. You'll never truly be happy until you do something fulfilling with your life. I learned that the hard way.
So let's put that serious talk behind us. I have a treat for all of you this weekend. Gonna throw a few of my old mixes out here for you guys to enjoy this weekend. I can't do that without first thanking everyone for supporting me. It's been a hell of a journey, and the best is yet to come.
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