Hi,

I started ear training a month ago since every professional mixer say it's a great habit. I'm using Soundgym. I've had really good results, I feel like I'm spending more time figuring out what frequency is bothering me rather than opening Pro Q3 and using spectrum to guess which frequency I should focus on.

I just don't know when to do it. I set my goal to 30 minutes every day, but depending on the moment I'm choosing I'm having different issues. I tried to start my day with it, I'm super focused in the morning. From 8 to 12 am everything seems easier. But at the same time I feel like I'm wasting some precious time that I could spend on mixes. Also when I start a mix right after it I already have some ear fatigue.
I tried to do it at the end of the morning but I get awful results since my ears are tired.

For some reason I have way less energy in the afternoon, maybe digestion is guilty but even after changing my diet I've having trouble to be focused. And I think it's a bad idea to "learn" when you're not fully focused. So I couldn't find any moment that seems ok in the afternoon.

Have you experienced this kind of problem ? If so did you find a good spot in the day for ear training ?

Thanks a lot !

Etienne.

you need to take breaks, yes diet is important, sleep is important as well and good health/nutrition, there are no distractions in my studio meaning no mobile phone, no email checking, and no internet when I am actually mixing a track until it is done, I tend to work for about 30-40 minutes and have a 10 minute break for my ears ideally in total silence then go back to it, I also do not mix loud and often in mono, it always gets better in stereo when it sounds good in mono.

Actually I do everything you mentioned haha, except for scheduled breaks. For some reason I feel guilty about it, and maybe that's just stupid.
But yes I'm very strict about lifestyle in general, only way to have time for everything. I'm just curious about how people deal with dedicated learning time in general. In my mind I have to be 100% focused for my clients since they pay me but at the same time learning is very important to keep improving so I'm wondering where should I make compromises.

you need to work on that then, because breaks are a big part of it, you will ruin your hearing if you don't do it longterm, it's just not worth it.

I do breaks, max 50 Min then min 10 Minutes breaks.
Soundgym showed me how different my skills in the morning vs in the evening are
I mix at low levels