Key takeaways

• Wallace mixes with intent, not habit: He avoids templates and presets, tailoring each mix to the song. Every decision is made to serve the track’s emotion and impact.
• He uses an SSL 9000 Series Console: Wallace mixes through an SSL 9000 console, using its built-in EQ and dynamics to craft clean, punchy mixes. He prefers a hands-on, analog workflow to dynamically adjust settings with what the song needs.
• First, he creates a fast, rough mix: This captures the song’s feel and momentum and gives him a reference and benchmark to follow before diving into detailed processing.
• Parallel compression on drums is important: Wallace uses parallel compression to add power to drums without crushing dynamics. It keeps the kit punchy and present in dense mixes.
• He manually rides the faders: Manual automation plays a huge role in Wallace’s mixing, allowing dynamic shifts and emotional emphasis. It’s a creative tool for keeping the mix alive and engaging.
• He creates midrange clarity for guitars: Using EQ to carve space, Wallace can avoid masking with vocals and other midrange instruments. This ensures they cut through without overpowering other key elements of the mix.

Andy Wallace’s mixing setup and techniques

1. Wallace mixes with intent, not habit

Perhaps the most defining aspect of Andy Wallace’s approach is his belief in mixing with purpose. He doesn’t rely on stock chains or fixed templates. Instead, he responds to what each track needs, making decisions based on feel and musicality rather than presets.

This prevents his mixes from sounding formulaic and generic. It also means that every mix is custom-built to support the style and feel of the song. Wallace listens carefully, reacts instinctively, and never over-mixes for the sake of it.

His philosophy is simple: serve the song. Whether that means a bold effect choice or leaving a section untouched, everything is done with intent.

2. He uses an SSL 9000 Series Console

A cornerstone of Andy Wallace’s mixing workflow is the SSL 9000 Series Console. With its punchy sound and powerful tonal shaping through the onboard channel strip, the SSL desk allows Wallace to craft and carve space for every element in his mixes. He makes full use of the console’s built-in EQ and dynamics on each channel, often sticking with the SSL’s native tools rather than reaching for outboard gear.

The punch and clarity that Wallace achieves with the onboard EQ and compressors have become a defining factor of his hard rock and metal mixes.

Wallace leans heavily on the tactile nature of analog mixing, preferring to physically tweak parameters of his desk and adjust in real time. Having been a mainstay in his mixing arsenal for decades, the familiarity with the console allows Wallace to quickly make creative decisions and balance elements of the mix with ease.

This console also offers seamless automation and recall, which is crucial for maintaining consistency across revisions.

3. First, he creates a fast, rough mix

Before diving into detailed processing, Andy Wallace always starts with a quick rough mix. This initial pass helps him get a feel for the overall track, identifying the key elements, the energy, and how different parts interact. It’s not about perfect EQ or compression at this stage; it’s about finding the right balance and feeling.

By moving quickly and trusting his instincts, Wallace avoids getting bogged down in technical details too early. This approach also prevents over-processing and keeps the mix feeling musical and natural. Once he has a solid rough mix, he uses it as a reference point, helping to guide more detailed work later on in the mixing process. It’s a way to stay connected to the emotional core of the song.

This method also speeds up the decision-making process. With the main feel of the mix already established, it’s easier to know what needs adjusting and what’s already working. For Wallace, this step is essential to maintaining clarity and direction throughout the mix session.

4. Parallel compression on drums is important

One of Andy Wallace’s signature techniques is parallel compression, especially on drums.

Rather than heavily compressing the drum bus directly, Wallace sends a duplicate signal to an auxiliary channel where he applies heavily crushed compression using a 1176 or SSL G-Series compressor. Wallace can then blend this compressed version back in with the original to add the punch and aggression without sacrificing transients or dynamics.

This technique allows the drums to punch through a dense mix without sounding squashed. It’s particularly effective in rock and metal. By controlling how much of the compressed signal is mixed in, Wallace can dial in exactly how hard the drums hit at any section by riding the faders up and down to avoid overloading the mix.

The result is a drum sound that’s explosive while sounding cohesive and connected. Kick and snare maintain their definition, while overheads and room mics add depth and sustain. This balance helps Wallace create mixes full of life and movement.

5. He manually rides the faders

Automation is typically done as a final sweetener for most mixing engineers, but it’s central to Wallace’s mixing style, and he often spends considerable time riding the faders manually. It helps him emphasise key moments, pull back elements when needed, and keep the mix moving naturally with the energy of the track.

Rather than relying solely on compression, gates, or limiters to control levels, Wallace prefers this hands-on method because it preserves the natural feel of the performance. He rides vocals to maintain presence and clarity, especially during dense sections, and he adjusts guitar levels to match the dynamics of each part.

This technique also applies to drum fills, bass, and effect return channels – anything that could benefit from subtle movement throughout a track. For Wallace, automation is an essential creative tool and not a monotonous session finisher. It helps him guide the listener’s attention to the elements the music wants you to focus on, just another way for him to add life to a mix.

6. He creates midrange clarity for guitars

When it comes to mixing heavy guitars, midrange clarity is important. With dense arrangements and layers of distortion in rock and metal mixes, it’s easy for guitars to become muddy or overpowering. Wallace tackles this by carefully using EQ on guitars to carve out space in the midrange, typically reducing low-mids to eliminate boxiness and boosting upper mids to bring out articulation.

Wallce typically doesn’t mix guitars in isolation. He also pays close attention to how guitars interact with vocals. By ensuring there’s no frequency overlap between these key elements, Wallace avoids masking and keeps both parts clear and present. Sometimes, this means gently sidechaining guitars against vocals or using dynamic EQ to duck certain frequencies only when necessary.

The result is a guitar tone that’s aggressive but controlled – cutting through the mix without swallowing other instruments, even in busy arrangements.

FAQs

What has Andy Wallace mixed?

Andy Wallace has mixed many influential records throughout his career, with his breakthrough coming with his mixing of Slayer’s Reign In Blood, and has gone on to produce other high-profile records such as Nirvana’s Nevermind and Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut.

How does Andy Wallace mix?

Andy Wallace famously mixes using Solid State Logic (SSL) consoles. The sound of SSL 4000 E/G Series consoles can be heard in many records Wallace has produced and mixed. The SSL EQ and compressors contribute to the punchy, aggressive sound needed for the rock and metal records he frequently mixes.

Who is Andy Wallace?

Andy Wallace is an influential and widely respected mixing engineer in the recording industry. He is often described as legendary due to his work on best-selling, genre-defining albums. His career centres on rock, grunge, and metal artists like Nirvana, Slayer, and Linkin Park.

Final thoughts

Now that you’ve peeked behind the curtain of Andy Wallace’s mixing setup, you can see what it takes to get to the top of the mixing profession. It’s easy to see why many mixing engineers and producers cite Andy Wallace among the very finest.

If you want to adopt the same mindset, start with a fast rough mix, trust your ears, and focus on giving every element its own space. With these foundations in place, you’ll be well on your way to achieving mixes with the same punch, polish, and presence that define Andy Wallace’s work.