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Mixing
The word "mixing" means two
different things in the context of audio recording:
adjusting the fader levels, balance, equalization, etc. so that the live
sound is properly recorded in the first place
the art of turning the live sound you recorded in step 1 into a finished,
polished masterpiece that's ready to listen to
One might argue that I'm splitting hairs here, since Step 2 above
involves much of the same kind of adjusting, balancing, EQ, etc. as Step
1.
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But they are indeed two different
things. The techniques and skills involved in recording are at a more
prosaic level (and primarily covered in the Recording section), while
Mixing (also known as "mixing down") is more of an art. In either case,
you'll want to learn about the equipment and the techniques for getting
the most out of it, and that's what this section of the site is all
about.
Mixing down from multiple tracks to stereo is the second step of the
process involved in making a finished song. With the type of equipment
usually used in home recording studios, you basically flipping a few
switches on your multitrack recorder, turning it from a recording console
to a mixing console. As in cooking, you add seasoning, such as effects
and EQ, to your taste. |
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While most people focus on the
recording part (even the name of this site reflects that), most of the
creativity and personal satisfaction of the entire process, for me, comes in
the mixing session. It's the same reason some people would rather be film
editors than cinematographers, I suppose. Mixing is where all the hard
decisions get made, and can make the difference between a workmanlike
recording and a masterpiece of sound...even starting with the same source
material.
For serious mixing, you need studio monitor speakers. While mixing on
headphones gives you a great experience, it won't translate to speakers
correctly. Since headphones almost always have better bass and treble
response than speakers, your final mix will sound dull and lifeless when you
hear it "normally".
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