Ready to release? Mixing and mastering
Scenario – The band you have
recorded the demo for during assignment 3 have asked you to mix and master
their recording to increase the quality. This will require you to work
individually to create your own mix of the song, as well as providing the band
with a remix of another track to demonstrate to the band your mixing style.
Task 1
You will
be required to remix another track from scratch to demonstrate all the
techniques below. This will be used to show your understanding of mixing
techniques.
You must
also apply these skills to mix the track you have recorded with the band. You
will be required to mix all you instruments separately to get the best quality
sound possible.
Pre-recording
|
Tick Once Evidenced
|
Compression
|
|
Expansion
|
|
EQ
|
|
Reverb
|
|
Limiting
|
|
Grouping
|
|
Pan
|
|
Mixing
original material
|
|
Remixing
material
|
Task 2
You are
required to master your finished mix using the following techniques. You will
have to use examples of other mastered tracks to produce the best quality
production possible.
Mastering
|
Tick Once Evidenced
|
Formatting
|
|
Multiband
compressors
|
|
EQ
|
|
Level of
mix
|
|
Sweetening
the sound
|
|
Mixing
down
|
Pre-recording:
Compression:
Compression is the ability to reduce the dynamic range of the quietest and loudest part in an audio signal. This is achieved by attenuating the loud parts and boosting the quieter parts of the audio signal. Compression is mainly used for three reasons:
- Even out a sound/s that has uneven volume levels
- Increase Loudness
- Tonal Changes
Expansion:
This ability is in essence is the opposite of compression, it expands the dynamic range of the audio signal.
Similar to limiters and compressers, an audio expander possesses the adjustable threshold and ratio. Expansion in fact effects the signal levels in the audio below the set threshold, whereas limiting and compression work on the signal levels that go above the set threshold.
Similar to limiters and compressers, an audio expander possesses the adjustable threshold and ratio. Expansion in fact effects the signal levels in the audio below the set threshold, whereas limiting and compression work on the signal levels that go above the set threshold.
EQ:
EQ is the ability to reduce or boost the different levels of frequencies in a signal. There are different types of functions within the EQ ability, the most common being treble/bass control. The treble control adjusting the high frequencies in the audio signal and the bass adjusting the low frequencies.
EQ is the ability to reduce or boost the different levels of frequencies in a signal. There are different types of functions within the EQ ability, the most common being treble/bass control. The treble control adjusting the high frequencies in the audio signal and the bass adjusting the low frequencies.
It is most often used to correct audio in which sounds unnatural, due to its quality or recording or source, taking as an example if the audio was recorded in a room which accentuates high frequencies, it can reduce those frequencies to a more suitable level for quality.
In essence it gives you the ability to boost high, mids and lows through frequencies.
In essence it gives you the ability to boost high, mids and lows through frequencies.
Reverb:
Reverb is an echo effect in which you can apply to recorded audio to simulate typical effects of reverb. Reverb is created when the produced sound reflects off of a number of reflections when recording, creating an echo effect as these reflections build up and eventually decay as it is absorbed by these objects in which it originally reflected off.
In essence this effects simulates playing the audio is a echo-y or reverberant space such as an empty garage. However If used correctly, in small amounts, reverb can smooth out, wet and sustain the audio.
Reverb is an echo effect in which you can apply to recorded audio to simulate typical effects of reverb. Reverb is created when the produced sound reflects off of a number of reflections when recording, creating an echo effect as these reflections build up and eventually decay as it is absorbed by these objects in which it originally reflected off.
In essence this effects simulates playing the audio is a echo-y or reverberant space such as an empty garage. However If used correctly, in small amounts, reverb can smooth out, wet and sustain the audio.
Limiting:
Limiting works similar to a compressor, however much more harshly. A compressor would smoothly reduce any gain above the set threshold, however a limiter will completely prevent any gain above the set threshold.
Grouping:
Grouping consists of pairing or grouping tracks of similar instruments in which so they can be affected all at once, creating ease in audio editing and ensuring all the relative tracks sustain the same settings.
Grouping consists of pairing or grouping tracks of similar instruments in which so they can be affected all at once, creating ease in audio editing and ensuring all the relative tracks sustain the same settings.
Pan:
Panning is the ability to distribute the audio signal either in mono or stereo pairs into a new stereo or multi-channel signal, using the pan control setting in your DAW. It is usually used for mellifluous purpose to appeal to the listener or create a specific effect to support the other relative tracks/sources of the audio.
Panning is the ability to distribute the audio signal either in mono or stereo pairs into a new stereo or multi-channel signal, using the pan control setting in your DAW. It is usually used for mellifluous purpose to appeal to the listener or create a specific effect to support the other relative tracks/sources of the audio.
Mixing Original Material & Remixing Material:
Mixing original material & remixing material is simply mixing pre recorded audio and adapting it to your desired intentions for better or diversity.
Mixing original material & remixing material is simply mixing pre recorded audio and adapting it to your desired intentions for better or diversity.
Noise Gate:
A noise Gate, attenuates signals below the set threshold. An example of its use would be such as a guitar recording, however the parts in the song/audio where the instrument is not being played, elements such as the guitar amp will produce unwanted noise. A noise gate can then be used to simply cancel out the unwanted noise when the instrument is not being played, shutting the gate and opening when the instrument is being played.
Mastering:
Formatting:
There are a range of different formats in which you can export your final product too, all with different properties causing advantages over one another. For quality the most common format of export would be WAV files, they create a crisp and clear final product however a bigger file size in comparison to the well known MP3 files, which are much more accessible in their file size yet lower quality.
There are a range of different formats in which you can export your final product too, all with different properties causing advantages over one another. For quality the most common format of export would be WAV files, they create a crisp and clear final product however a bigger file size in comparison to the well known MP3 files, which are much more accessible in their file size yet lower quality.
Multi band Compressors:
Multi band compression in essence splits the audio signal into different frequency bands and separately processes them, therefore not affecting the other frequencies.
In a nutshell, it allows you to compress the four frequencies, being the lows, mids, highs and highers. Its accessibility allows you to manipulate the frequency band to where you want it to start and end. In conclusion, makes the sound more mellifluously pleasing if used correctly.
Multi band compression in essence splits the audio signal into different frequency bands and separately processes them, therefore not affecting the other frequencies.
In a nutshell, it allows you to compress the four frequencies, being the lows, mids, highs and highers. Its accessibility allows you to manipulate the frequency band to where you want it to start and end. In conclusion, makes the sound more mellifluously pleasing if used correctly.
EQ:
EQ is the ability to reduce or boost the different levels of frequencies in a signal. There are different types of functions within the EQ ability, the most common being treble/bass control. The treble control adjusting the high frequencies in the audio signal and the bass adjusting the low frequencies.
It is most often used to correct audio in which sounds unnatural, due to its quality or recording or source, taking as an example if the audio was recorded in a room which accentuates high frequencies, it can reduce those frequencies to a more suitable level for quality.
In essence it gives you the ability to boost high, mids and lows through frequencies.
In essence it gives you the ability to boost high, mids and lows through frequencies.
Level of Mix:
The level of mix is the volume level of each track/audio element, this can be adjusted individually to each track, this allows you to level out each track to fit the relative tracks in the song/audio, making specific elements stand out over others such as Vocals.
Sweetening the Sound:
All of these stages can be considered to sweeten the sound if used correctly, each of the plug-ins however could completely ruin the track if overused or wrongly used, could make the track distorted or overproduced.
All of these stages can be considered to sweeten the sound if used correctly, each of the plug-ins however could completely ruin the track if overused or wrongly used, could make the track distorted or overproduced.
Mixing Down:
Your DAW will have an option called either “mix down” or “render” (more common these days). What this option does is combines the output of all your tracks, at their current volume relative to the other tracks, into one audio output. It’s like putting lots of things (like 5 audio files) into a funnel, and having only thing (wav or mp3 file) that is a mixture of the 5 sources come out the small end.
Your DAW will have an option called either “mix down” or “render” (more common these days). What this option does is combines the output of all your tracks, at their current volume relative to the other tracks, into one audio output. It’s like putting lots of things (like 5 audio files) into a funnel, and having only thing (wav or mp3 file) that is a mixture of the 5 sources come out the small end.
Final Product:
Grouping:
Starting off, the first thing I did when given each stem was to group them together in Cubase. This meant first identifying the instruments and sounds used in each track. Whilst grouping and identifying tracks I colour coded each track.
Colour Coding and Labeling Tracks:
Colour Coding tracks very much minimalise confusion when mixing, I chose to co-ordinate them with each relative track to their instrument type, example being Light Blue for Vocals and Backing Vocals.
Grouping:
Starting off, the first thing I did when given each stem was to group them together in Cubase. This meant first identifying the instruments and sounds used in each track. Whilst grouping and identifying tracks I colour coded each track.
Colour Coding and Labeling Tracks:
 |
| Before Grouping and Limiting |
Colour Coding tracks very much minimalise confusion when mixing, I chose to co-ordinate them with each relative track to their instrument type, example being Light Blue for Vocals and Backing Vocals.
 |
| After Grouping and Limiting |
Grouping:
During this stage I also added tracks into tracks using the same instrument, this was achieved by receiving their outputs and inputting them into one track. Ending with three in total: guitar, brass and drums in order to adapt the tracks in the group all at the same time and be equal to one another, being able to add effects such as EQ, compression etc.
Limiting:
This is the stage in which we can delete parts of the stems where no audio is needed or is being outputted. This minimalises any unwanted noise such as background noise. A prime example of this in my mix is the guitar solo appearing at the end of the track.
It is in fact possible to limit the track automatically using a noise gate, however can not always be as effective as desired.
EQ:
Once all of the project was set, we began putting an EQ on all of the given stems.
The plug-in had an X & Y axis, with the X axis changing the frequency of the audio and the Y changing the amount of sound being outputted. Kick Drum: Higher low output, Reduced high and mid output.
Hi- Hat: Higher High output.
Guitar: Higher Mid Output
Brass: Reduced Low Output.
The only struggle I encountered was EQ'ing the vocals due to the vast range of tone change throughout and differentiation. In conclusion I ended with:
Vocals: Reducing High Outputs, increasing Mid and Low Outputs.
Compression:
In this case, I barely used the compression as I believed it made the song sound less ranged, reducing the tone. The only case I used compression for my advantage was in the Vocals.
Expansion:
I again only used this effect for one purpose, this was to exaggerate the drums in the song, giving them more impact.
Reverb:
I used reverb mainly on the vocals, It gave a more real and warm feeling to the audio making it less crisp. The only other instrument I used this on was the Guitar, for a similar purpose to the expansion on the drums, to give it more impact in the song.
Distortion:
I used reverb mainly on the vocals, It gave a more real and warm feeling to the audio making it less crisp. The only other instrument I used this on was the Guitar, for a similar purpose to the expansion on the drums, to give it more impact in the song.
Distortion:
Using this effect for the Guitar, It again created a more warm and realistic feel to it, fitting more to the relative tracks making up the song. Using the preset stein-berg Amp Simulator Plug-in I chose the 'California Combo' preset changing the guitar style as I believe it fitted the tone of the song more appropriately.
Pan:
I did not use the Pan on a majorly creative scale, however did use it to increase the range of the audio when using a stereo output. Using Brass mainly, putting one stem directly in the left ear and the other relative brass stem in the right ear, It was also subtly used in other areas such as the piano stems however not very noticeable, just at an attempt to increase the range.
Mixing Original Material:
We were given a set of eleven Stems to mix.
Multi band Compression:
After all the past stages, we mixed down the audio and combined it into one track, this is so the multi band compressor can be used to manipulate all of the audio at one time.
Using it, I cancelled out the Highers, Leveled out the mids and boosted the lows, this changed the final track entirely and gave it more range as a whole.
Final Outcome:
https://soundcloud.com/user-993214192/sound-production-mixing-mastered
Mixing and Mastering our own tracks:
Track/song before mastering:
https://soundcloud.com/user-993214192/what-do-i-desire-jazzhip-hop
Final Track/song after mastering:
https://soundcloud.com/user-993214192/what-do-i-desire-jazzhip-hop-1
Sources:
https://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/the-beginners-guide-to-compression--audio-953
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/processing/expansion/
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/eq/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverberation
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/processing/limiter/
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