Comprehensive Mixing Course Overview

Sep 1, 2024

Mixing Course Summary

Introduction

  • 12-hour comprehensive mixing course.
  • Covers fundamentals and advanced techniques:
    • Volume balancing
    • Session setup
    • EQ
    • Compression
    • Reverb and Delay
    • Saturation
    • Parallel processing
    • Workflow

Resources

  • Free mixing workflow cheat sheet available.
  • Additional cheat sheets and frequency charts included.

Overview of Mixing

Definition of Mixing

  • Second to last stage in music production cycle.
  • Process of blending individual tracks into a cohesive piece.
  • Involves adjusting levels, panning, EQ, dynamics, and spatial processing.

Importance of Mixing

  • Ensures clarity, balance, and emotional impact in music.
  • Does not fix timing, performance, or recording issues.

Key Components in Mixing

Sonic Spectrum

  • Frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz.
  • EQ shapes tone of instruments.

Dynamic Spectrum

  • Difference between loudest and quietest parts.
  • Tools include faders, compression, limiting.

Spatial Dimensions

  • Tools like reverb and delay enhance listener immersion.

Mixing Techniques

Volume Balance

  • Foundation of a great mix; accounts for 80% of the overall sound.
  • Establish right volume levels before adding effects.

EQ Basics

  • EQ allows control over frequencies in the mix.
  • Essential for enhancing clarity and separation.

Session Setup

Steps for Session Setup

  1. Build a new session.
  2. Organize tracks.
  3. Identify phase issues.
  4. Noise gate unwanted bleed.
  5. Gain stage everything.

Importance of References

  • Use professionally mixed songs as reference tracks.

Dynamics Control

Techniques

  • Compressor: reduces dynamic range; controls peaks.
  • Limiter: prevents audio from exceeding a certain level.
  • Clipper: chops off the top of peaks for a distorted effect.

Parameters of Compression

  • Threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup gain, knee.

Spatial Processing

Use of Reverb and Delay

  • Create depth and width in a mix.
  • Different types of reverb for varying effects: room, hall, plate, spring, chamber.
  • Delay types: analog, digital, ping-pong, slapback.

Reverb Parameters

  • Pre-delay, decay time, wet/dry mix, density/diffusion, size, tone, modulation.

Final Remarks

  • Mixing is an art and a science.
  • Balance and dynamic control create emotional impact.
  • Importance of practice and ear training.