Audeze talks with Barcelona engineer Panxii Badii

Panxii Badii wearing Audeze MM-500 headphones in the studio

Audeze Artist Profile

Panxii Badii

Panxii Badii is a mixing engineer based in Barcelona. His journey in music has taken him from touring around the world with artists like Jorge Drexler, Lila Downs, and Nuria Graham, to his own mixing studio where he has been mixing full time over the past years.
 

In His Own Words

 
"With the MM-500, the headphones enter early in the mixing process so I'm making more vibe decisions on them, not only "technical." They are so natural-sounding, clear and musical that they give me a great reference to balance some aspects of the mix."
- Panxii Badii
Audeze MM-500 headphones in the studio

Notable Works by Panxii

Can you pick a few highlights from your work that you're especially proud of?

Ej Marais - Dream Cafe (EP - Mixed)

Marta Knight - Strange Times Forever (Album - Mixed)

Pale Moon - Dopamine (Single - Mixed)

Guillem Roma - Ya nunca lo sabrás (Single - Produced and mixed)

Clara Peya - Corsé (Album - Mixed) feat. Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Leo Rizzi, Salvador Sobral...

How would you define your main role on most of your projects these days?

As a mixing engineer one of my primary roles is to bring the sonic vision of artists and producers to life and enhance it. I try to understand every project before mixing it so I like to work closely with them.

What was some favorite music growing up and how has that evolved?

I fell in love with music at an early age. My family comes from Latin American, I grew up in Europe, and I have an Arabic surname, so I was exposed to a wide variety of musical influences and culture while growing up. Music had a constant presence at home. I studied music since childhood and started to play with bands and tour around as a teenager. I loved when we were recording in the studio or doing demos at the rehearsal room so this guided me to the engineering side of music where I found my place.

Can you name any factors that influenced the course of your musical life?

I've been inspired by listening, reading, and collaborating with many incredible mixing engineers, producers and musicians. I learn something new every time I work with visionary people that have a clear idea in their minds. Additionally, I find inspiration in visual arts, paintings, dance... For me, music is not only about sound but also about movement, shapes and colors.

Can you describe a moment of frustration from your past work, and how you may have overcome it?

In the past, comparing my work to other's was a useful learning tool but it could also be quite frustrating not to achieve similar results. These days, I listen to the mixes of people I admire and inspire me but do not directly compare, as every song has its own direction and this can make me lose the focus.

What is your current favorite instrument, effect, or piece of gear?

Recently, I've been predominantly working in-the-box (ITB), using a wide range of plugins to enhance my workflow. Some of my favorites that use in many of my mixes include CLA-76, Lo-Fi, Spectre, Sontec EQ, MBSI, Pro-Q, Ozone 11, Valhalla Vintage Verb, EMT 250, Decapitator, and more.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path?

For those aspiring to become mixing engineers, my advice is to mix as often as you can and explore different genres. Collaborate closely with the producer to understand and fulfill their vision. Creating a personal mixing environment where you feel relaxed and confident is fundamental, and don't forget to take breaks from work!

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you use them in your workflow?

Headphones have become an integral part of my workflow, especially when I need to fine-tune details in a controlled, acoustically neutral environment. They've also been invaluable during my work on tour, providing stability and flexibility to work wherever I am.

How have your Audeze headphones affected your work? Can you tell us what you've been working on with them recently?

Before I used headphones more as an extra tool to make specific checks on my mixes. With the MM-500, the headphones enter early in the mixing process so I'm making more vibe decisions on them, not only "technical." They are so natural-sounding, clear and musical that they give me a great reference to balance some aspects of the mix.

I've been mixing a lot of great music these last months from different artists like Pale Moon, Valeria Castro, Sam Berridge, Socunbhoemio, Amanda Álvaro, The Bird Yellow...

I used to be skeptical about using headphones as the only source for mixing or mastering until I collaborated with a mastering engineer who works only on headphones. The incredible results he achieved transformed my perspective on their utility in the studio.

Artists may receive discounted Audeze product in exchange for interviews and opinions. Audeze does not solicit specific outcomes as part of any artist agreement.