Feared Mixing Competition 2013

I think this is probably the best way to start off 2013. The song is just amazing, it already sounds huge. I'm planning on submitting my entry sometime later too. Go to Youtube if you want to know more about the competition.

From the description:

"Mix the Feared song Possessed and have a chance to win awesome prizes from Randall Amplifiers, Seymour Duncan, Rocktron, Dean Markley, Warwick, Zildjian, DDrum, Presonus, Toontrack, Systematic Audio etc.

The competition is open worldwide!

Instructions:

1. To download the tracks go to this page and fill out the form:

http://www.fearedband.com/competition

2. Mix or remix the song in any way you want.

3. Post the song on Youtube OR Soundcloud and make sure to tag it with 

#fearedmixingcomp before February 5th 2013.

4. A jury will determine and announce three winners by the 10th of February 2013. The first prize winner get to choose 4 products out of the 12 prizes in the video. The second place gets to pick 4 of the remainder products and the third place gets the remaining 4 products [...]"

The Systematic Mixing Guide

The Systematic Mixing Guide is written by Ermin Hamidovic (aka "Ermz"), an Audio Engineer and Producer who runs Systematic Productions.

From the website: "The Systematic Mixing guide is the e-Book to kick start your journey toward absolute mix professionalism within the pop, rock & metal genres. Practical and direct information, conveying professional techniques, is guaranteed to give you the sort of mixing insight that would traditionaly take years to develop as a studio intern. These are the same techniques that have taken the author from being an industry newcomer, to one of the most highly sought after independent mix engineers in the country & abroad."

I have found this guide to be very helpful, it is an easy to read, simple, and detailed enough explanation of the mixing process which will present a bunch of tips and advice to improve your mixes. What I like the most is its focus on the genres I usually work with, and also the section about mixing bass. This section was definitely an "eye opener" for me. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a practical and objective way to learn more about mixing overall.