For new sausage makers I would suggest you just do small batches, less than 5 lbs until you get the spice mix you like. Sort of like reloading you taylor the load for your rifle, taylor the sausage spicing to your likes. It may take a few batches to get it where you want it. Everyone is different and the spices I like may be too much or not enough for you. Experiment a little . Thats the beauty of making your own sausage. Once you get what you want then you can make bigger batches.