mixing
7 blog posts use this tag
Stop Mixing in Solo
I used to EQ and compress in solo a lot. In fact, my first couple of years as a serious audio engineer I would frequently be tempted to do most of my processing in solo. Whether I was EQing a kick drum, or compressing a lead vocal, or adding saturation for color, I would think to myself that I can hear the processing better in solo anyways so why not just quickly solo the track, do the processing, then do…
Subtractive EQ First, Additive EQ Second
Most mixing engineers, from intermediates to professionals, know how to use EQing to great effect. Even novice mixing engineers know there way around an EQ, as it's commonly understood that EQing is what helps you balance the frequencies within a given mix and that you should remove what is not needed on a given track and boost the frequencies that you want to emphasize. But I want to elaborate on a memorable experience (one of several, in fact) from when…
Mixing in Mono (during Volume, Compression, & EQ adjustments)
I want to discuss a mixing technique that I first learned from Graham ( The Recording Revolution ); namely, “Mixing in Mono.” The suggestion is to monitor in mono while making volume, compression, and EQ decisions. To be more specific, once you've completed your initial adjustments in mono, flip back to stereo and see whether it made an improvement. By making critical decisions in mono, you are effectively going to make better decisions that will improve, not only mono compatibility…
Make Bold and Meaningful Mixing Decisions
I remember when I first started mixing, I would use EQ and compression on almost every track. At the time I was still learning how to use EQ and compression, so maybe it was fresh in my mind and I wanted to use this knowledge, but I basically decided that EQ and compression were professional mixing tools so they must be good to use at any chance I could. In my mind it seemed that more frequency and dynamics processing…
The Difference Between Mixing & Mastering
Mixing and Mastering have a lot of similarities; they use the same basic set of tools (EQ, compression, limiting, and more) and they require the same basic set of skills. But they are different processes, and for good reason. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion as to what those differences are and why those differences matter. My aim with this blog post is to provide a detailed analysis of how Mixing and Mastering differ from one another. I'll begin…
Top 10 Plugins for Mixing & Mastering [2020 update]
I made a similar post in 2018 but my choice of mixing and mastering plugins has changed a bit. I've had more time to acquire new plugins as well as test competitor plugins (such as Native Instruments VC-2A versus Waves CLA-2A) and decided to revise my initial selection, although many of the plugins remain from my original list. “This is one of my favourite reverb plugins for drums, guitars, pianos, and vocals. Modeled after the EMT 140 plate reverb housed…
Top 10 plugins for Mixing & Mastering [2018 version]
I've been mixing and mastering since 2011, and I've experimented with a large number of plugins. Over time I've noticed that I continually reach for a particular set of plugins. I've decided to compile a Top 10 list of my favourite ones. “This is by far my favourite plate reverb - it provides plenty of character that's great for livening up a vocal or a drum bus, and the controls are both intuitive and powerful, which make it a breeze…