Mixing & Mastering
You've got the parts recorded - this is the bit that turns them into a record. Signal flow, EQ and compression, the effects rack, and what actually happens at mastering.
35 articles
The Vocoder
A Vocoder – name derived from voice coder, formerly also called Voder – is a speech analyser and synthesizer.
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Mixing Electronic Music
Some of you may be aware that the primary use for a gate is to reduce noise and any unwanted signal that is present in your recordings. For example you…
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Equalization
Equalization is the process by which an equalizer is used to either boost or cut different frequencies in an audio signal in order to change its tonal…
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Modulation
We have discussed the most common modulation effects such as chorus, flanging and phasing. Now it is time to investigate other modulation effects.
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Signal Flow
Channel level is another important aspect of mixing, which begins to flesh itself out during the EQ’ing process. As each new element is introduced for…
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Monitor Placement
Typically you should be situating yourself and the two monitors at each corner of an equilateral triangle – pictured below – with you head positioned at…
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Mixing Desk Basics
Now we have an environment that isn’t coloring what we hear we can start to look at how we can improve the mix itself.
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Reverb
When we experience a sound we are not only hearing it from the direct source, but also from the environment in which it is situated (reflections from…
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Vocals
Dynamic control is an essential part of recording vocals. The best dynamic control is achieved from someone who knows good mic technique, getting closer…
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Filtering
There are many ways to access the power of filtering, but probably the easiest is to use a plug-in. Logic’s AutoFilter is a good example of Emagic’s…
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More Creative Mixing Techniques
Creative mixing is all about taking a unique and innovative approach to the mixing process. Here are some tips to help you mix creatively:
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Mastering
Mastering is a vital part of the recording process, so much so that a substantial amount of ‘mystery’ is associated with it. We’ve all heard stories of…
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Acoustics: The Basics
The diagram depicted below illustrates three of the more typical room shapes: square, rectangular and L-shaped rooms. The most favourable positioning of…
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Delay
Much of the contemporary applications of music technology have shifted away from the natural into, arguably, more creative and artificial-sounding…
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Phaser and Flanger
Phasing was the next purely electronic effect after the wah- wah and fuzz box, and it originally set out to emulate tape phasing. In the phaser, a signal…
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Basic panning techniques
The term stereo, short for stereophonic, involves the reproduction of sound using two separate audio channels that are then presented to a pair of…
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Dynamics
The human ear uses compression for pretty much the same reasons that we do in music, that being to control the level of an audio signal. As you may…
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Choosing Monitors
Setting up your Monitors and your room – What are the different types of monitors? – How should your monitors be positioned? – Getting the best acoustics…
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Mastering
A full guide to mastering - what it is, how multi-band compressors work on the master buss, choosing crossover points and prepping tracks.
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Mixing Electronic Music
Creative gating and side-chaining for electronic music - gated reverbs, rhythmic gating, cleaner effects and upward compression.
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More Creative Mixing Techniques
Reverse effects, distortion, miced amps and the practical side of sample clearance - what it costs and how to avoid needing it.
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Modulation Effects
Beyond chorus and phasing: ring modulators, frequency shifters, Leslie cabinet simulation and auto-panners, and where each one belongs.
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Filtering
How filters shape a sound - low-pass, band-pass, comb and notch - plus resonance, envelope control and using filters creatively in a mix.
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The Vocoder
What a vocoder actually does, the difference between carrier and modulator, how filter bands work, and how to sit one in a mix.
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Recording and Mixing Vocals
Comping, tone control, mic modelling, de-popping, pitch correction, compression, reverb and delay - the full vocal chain, start to finish.
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Phaser & Flanger
What separates a phaser from a flanger, the parameters that matter on each, and how to use them without wrecking your mix.
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Delay
From tape echoes to ping-pong delays: the parameters, how to match delay time to tempo, and using delay as a real mixing tool.
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Reverb
Chambers, springs, plates and digital reverb - what each parameter does, and how to place a sound in a space without drowning the mix.
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Dynamics
How compression works - attack, release, knee and look-ahead - plus noise gates and limiting, and what each is actually for.
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Equalization
Shelving, peak and graphic EQ, what lives in each frequency band, and how to cut and boost - with starting points for kick, snare and bass.
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Basic Panning Techniques
How to place instruments across the stereo field, why the low end stays centred, and how to avoid phase cancellation and masking.
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Mixing Desk Basics
Subgrouping a mix, using reference tracks properly, and keeping your monitoring level honest over a long session.
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Acoustics: The Basics
Why room shape changes what you hear, what standing waves do to your low end, and what RT60 means for a small studio.
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Signal Flow and Routing
Gain structure, why faders belong near unity, and how side-chain routing works - the plumbing that everything else in a mix sits on.
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Mixing: The Short Version
The whole mixing process, condensed: zeroing the desk, subgrouping, panning, using your ears, and where ambience fits in.
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