Pictured is a visual representation of the stereo imaging for ‘Africa’ by D’angelo (including only the main instruments, not sounds that are only present for short moments of the track)
One interesting element of this song is that the vocals are further back in the mix than the drums and percussion, which is untypical for most commercial mixes. This is the case with many D’angelo tracks, as the rhythm tends to be in the driver’s seat with his music while the vocals serve more as an instrument than the centre of the track.
While it’s important to rely more on your ears than eyes while mixing, visual representations such as these can help in conceptualising depth and space in mixes. Considering where each instrument is coming from in the stereo field and how it interacts with the space around it is a core element of mixing, whether you are attempting to simulate the realism of a tight room or create ethereal soundscapes.
While creating a visual representation of every song you’re mixing and every reference track you use in the process may be unrealistic, taking the concept behind it in to your thought process when mixing can help to create more immersive listening experiences. For example, picturing the instruments as actually being played in a room and what that room looks, feels and sounds like, as well as who and where you are in that room, can help to create a sense of depth that is often forgotten; I believe that mixing in the box can make engineers lose sight of this as the process of staring at a flat, rigid DAW for hours can prevent you from hearing the instruments as part of the room, as supposed to the workflow of using analog gear that has you engaging with the space you are in more.
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