MixedByAli: The Grammy-Winning Engineer Who Started with Cracked Software

MixedByAli, the Grammy Award-winning mix engineer, recently appeared on the R&B Money Podcast, hosted by Tank and J Valentine. In a wide-ranging conversation, MixedByAli discussed his journey as an engineer, the evolution of music production, and the importance of innovation and collaboration.

Early Influences and the Entrepreneurial Spirit

MixedByAli's passion for music began in his youth, where he honed his skills as a self-taught producer and engineer. He started by creating ringtones for his friends, using cracked software and a basic setup. "The equipment was just a cracked version of Cool Edit Pro... a headphone microphone, and that was it," he said. "I found software that allowed me to crack the old Nextel phones and put ringtones on there without those beeping ringtones."    

This early entrepreneurial spirit and passion for music led him to pursue a career in the industry. He reached out to industry professionals like TDE's Punch and Dave Free, seeking knowledge and opportunities to learn. "I hit Punch, I was like, 'Yo, I'm not looking for anything but just information, knowledge, how can I work with you guys?'" MixedByAli recounted. "And Punch told me to come by, and from there I kind of just stayed."    

The TDE Years and the Value of Mentorship

MixedByAli's career took a significant turn when he joined TDE, where he worked alongside artists like Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock. He credits this period as a crucial learning experience, where he honed his skills and developed his unique sound. "That was the first album that I was working with stems," he said of his early days at TDE. "Everything separated, and everything before that, mind you, I'm working with two tracks."    

He also emphasized the value of mentorship and collaboration, particularly his experience working with Dr. Dre on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. "Dre's teaching me the console and how to mix on the SSL," MixedByAli said. "So I'm taking all the digital tricks that I've acquired throughout my own personal journey of trial and error, and now I can apply it on the analog concept with that sound."    

The Evolution of Mixing and the Importance of Innovation

MixedByAli reflected on the evolution of mixing, noting the shift from clarity and depth to a more bass-heavy and distorted sound. "My era of music, the 2010s, 2020s... my whole mixing process was making an artist sound like they're standing in front of the speaker," he said. "But that was the music for that time. I feel like now where everything is at, everything has the low-end driving, low-end distorted, the Travis Scott type of sound."    

He also discussed the rise of in-the-box mixing and mastering, noting the advantages and disadvantages of both analog and digital approaches. "You can only push a record so far on a console compared to mixing in the box," he said. "You can get more loudness in the box."    

Building a Legacy: From Engineer to Entrepreneur

MixedByAli's journey has taken him beyond the mixing board, as he has founded several companies, including No Name Studios, No Name Recordings, and EngineEars. He spoke about the importance of building a legacy and creating opportunities for other creatives. "My legacy now lives through millions of other creators using the platform that we built based on my journey and experiences," he said.    

He also emphasized the importance of staying uncomfortable and constantly seeking new challenges. "I thrive on being uncomfortable because you're growing at that point," he said. "Like everything's a test. You're going to be hit with all types of stuff. It's like how you're going to react when it comes."    

Advice for the Next Generation

MixedByAli offered advice for aspiring engineers and creatives, stressing the importance of dedication, focus, and continuous learning. "Stop overthinking," he advised. "Just dive in and figure it out. Don't be afraid of failure, because that's your biggest blessing."    

He also emphasized the importance of staying present and taking advantage of opportunities. "Time moves so fast," he said. "Just constantly always be willing to listen and learn."