Colin Brittain mixes "Not the Only One" by Papa Roach

Handling the mix is Collin Brittain, whose work with acts like All Time Low, Hands Like Houses, and 5 Seconds of Summer has defined a new standard for radio-ready guitar-driven music. A former drummer turned mixer/producer, Collin brings a rhythmic sensibility and modern gloss to every session. His approach to “Not the Only One” is a balance of punch and precision: detailed editing meets wide stereo imaging, heavy automation, and effective saturation techniques that bring out the track’s energy without smearing the mix.

This session presents significant challenges and learning opportunities. You’ll navigate tight modern drum editing locked with layered guitars and bass, multiple layers of processed clean and driven guitars, and highly detailed lead and backing vocal production. The vocals in particular are heavily stacked and aggressively processed, offering lessons in de-essing, multiband compression, and saturation control. There’s plenty of advanced automation to explore, particularly in dynamics rides and the buildup to key transitions.

Download the multitracks and dig into this mix to sharpen your skills in mixing contemporary hard rock at a high level.