Mixing
In Class Presentation

desc

Mastering is--

• Editing minor flaws
• Applying noise reduction to eliminate clicks, dropouts, hum and hiss
• Adjusting stereo width
• Adding ambience
• Equalize audio across tracks for the purpose of optimized frequency distribution
• Adjust volume
• Dynamic range compression or expansion
• Peak limit
• Dither

s1

•Setup a Master Output and a Sub-Master Output in your DAW.

s2

•Organize your tracks in groups, and, where appropriate, use Sends to created an Aux Sub-Group for each instrumental group.

This would maintain stereo, but allow for group automation.

Would also allow group plug-ins applied to the sub-group, and also group send to the reverb.

•Do some light editing and MIDI mixing of your MIDI tracks.

s3

•Set up a DAW with an unused Send as an input, and install a Reverb plug-in as an insert.

Set the Mix on the Reverb to 100%.

You might select a preset as a starting point for this reverb.

•Set the reverb input and ouput, and the aux level all to Unity.

This is arbitrary. Later you may want to change levels, in some cases dramatically.

s4

•On tracks or track sub-groups, set up post-fader sends set to the Reverb input bus.

You might strategize at this point where you'd want a group to have a uniform reverb (e.g. trumpet trio) where'd set up the send on the sub-group, or on a group where you'd have different levels (e.g. drum set).

•Run your track and make sure the reverb is receiving signal.

s5

You might say at this point the mixing actually starts.

There are lots of ways to approach things, here is one...

•Using the solo feature, access instrument groups and check them for internal balance and panning.

You could install some EQ and compression plug-ins at this point, but be careful, things will likely change when other tracks are added to the mix.

•When instrument groups are sounding good, begin balancing among groups.

Here of course there are as many approaches as there are mixers and songs.

You might, for example, start with drums, add bass, then other rhythm section instruments, then vocals, then other instruments.

This is really the main mixing step and will probably take the most time.

s6

When you have a good general balance, you can begin the process of "tweaking."

I won't warn you too much about over-mixing, fader creep, ear fatigue, and so forth. Suffice it to say that "a little goes a long way."

•Begin adding in reverb, EQ, and compression on tracks and sub-groups.

Of course, these things may have happened earlier, and each step affects everything else. Just a couple of words to consider--

•Use the Limiter plug-in on the Master fader to check overall level.

Assuming you plan to master as a separate step, don't worry too much about how under-maximum your overall mix is. If you are hitting anywhere from -6 to -2 you should be fine.

s7

•Using a spectral limiter, check to make sure what you are hearing is what your music actually contains.

Be aware of Fletcher Munson curve in how loudly you are monitoring, too.

s8

•Create a rough mix that you would be happy with if it were the final product.

If you can, wait a day or two. Also, play your track on some other systems if available.

•Return to your project and create a final mix.

If you are mastering later, make sure to create a full-format 24-bit version at this point. You can also create if 16-bit and mp3 version if you need them.