Sound mixing: 10 essential tips
I just found this helpful tutorial from The Whipping Post
And here is a basic overview of the tips:
1: Use MONO Sound Sources
2: Rest your ears
3: Keep the bass and kick panned dead center
4: Use EQ to cut, not boost
5: Fix frequency masking problems
6: EQ boosting also boosts your volume — keep this in mind when setting relative levels
7: Subtle effects are most effective — contrast is key
8: Use noise gates strategically, and before reverb
9: Cut off unnecessary frequencies, especially low rumble below 30-40hz
10: Avoid mixing with headphones
February 1st, 2008 at 1:16 am
note that these tips do not apply to all genres – namely, 1, 4, 7 and 8 are almost universally not applied in electronic music, which typically does not try to model sound as you would hear it in the real world. if it sounds good, it is good
February 24th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
#11. Always check your mix on headphones
February 26th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I have to disagree with duot4ngel – this tips apply to mixing any genre of music
February 26th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Ding a ling thing
February 27th, 2008 at 8:51 am
After checking it on headphones as Dee pointed out, check it on a variety of speakers (if ya got ‘em) If it sounds good in a pair of $10 computer speakers, it’ll sound good on just about anything. Also don’t forget to check it in mono… that’s sometimes the only way to pick up phase issues and other problems before it gets mastered.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I like to go and listen to tracks on a nice car system to check them out, it is a nice common enclosure of sound.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Thanks for the tips. What do you mean by noise gate?
February 28th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
“A Noise Gate is an electronic device or software logic that is used to control the volume of an audio signal. They are commonly used in the recording studio and sound reinforcement. Small portable units are also used by rock musicians to control unwanted noise from their amplification systems. Band-limited noise gates are also used to eliminate background noise from audio recordings by eliminating frequency bands that contain only static.
In its most simple form, a noise gate allows a signal to pass through only when it is above a set threshold: the gate is open. If the signal falls below the threshold no signal is allowed to pass: the gate is closed. A noise gate is used when the level of the ’signal’ is above the level of the ‘noise’. The threshold is set above the level of the ‘noise’ and so when there is no ’signal’ the gate is closed. A noise gate does not remove noise from the signal. When the gate is open both the signal and the noise will pass through.”
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_gate
March 6th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
No.4 is rubbish. Do both where required.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Another tip…pick an existing commercially produced song on CD that has the general balance you have in mind for your mix and listen to it in your mixing environment. The idea is not to copy specifics but to hear how a familiar mix reacts acoustically in your mixing environment.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
There’s a time and a place to break every one of these rules. But, for a lot of them, it’s rare. For instance, the only time when I don’t give my ears a break is when I’ve done all day mixing sessions (for live conventions). You can’t mix with headphones, but you need them to check your monitors. etc… etc…
But the CD tip is a good idea – for live sound it’s usually better to listen to the style somewhat extensively for a couple days before whatever – it’ll be easier to find the same sound.
March 17th, 2009 at 5:26 am
@Andy: Your opinion about #4 is probably just because you didn’t understand the point properly, and/or the fact that none of this is written in stone.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:53 am
Lars has the right idea.
These tips are exactly that . . . suggestions. You don’t have to follow them.
As a professional my best recommendation is . . . your ears and commonsense are your best guides. And when faced with problems, go back to basics.