What is mixing anyway? If you're in a recording studio mixing an album, or feeding the sound to a video tape or to an audio cassette for example, then you are performing a sound reproduction task. If you are mixing the sound for a P.A. system, then you are performing a sound reinforcement task.
Sherman Keene suggests in his book, Practical Techniques for the Recording Engineer, that there are eight properties to a good mix which are as follows:
1. Powerful and solid lows2. Proper use of the very powerful mid range areas3. Clear and clean highs4. Proper but not overburdening effects5. Dimension - some sense of depth6. Motion - movement of the instruments using pans to heighten the music7. At least one true stereo track (e.g., strings, piano, hopefully something used "up front" in the mix)8. Some acoustic information - not just delays and reverb
Although his comments are directed at doing an album mix, they are true for a sound reinforcement mix as well. Only six and seven are slightly irrelevant for our typically mono sounds systems. If you sit down with this list in front of you and listen to a few of your favorite albums, what he is trying to say will begin to sink in. Then the concept can be applied to your own approach to your mix.
The best mixing engineer is often a musician. This is primarily because a musician knows what to listen for. He has spent years developing this sense. One way to look at it is that you are constantly shaping the overall dynamics of the music.
So is mixed music original, if so in what way?
Taipale, Curt. “Music Techniques.” www.churchsoundcheck.com. 1988. 27 July 2009
Sherman Keene suggests in his book, Practical Techniques for the Recording Engineer, that there are eight properties to a good mix which are as follows:
1. Powerful and solid lows2. Proper use of the very powerful mid range areas3. Clear and clean highs4. Proper but not overburdening effects5. Dimension - some sense of depth6. Motion - movement of the instruments using pans to heighten the music7. At least one true stereo track (e.g., strings, piano, hopefully something used "up front" in the mix)8. Some acoustic information - not just delays and reverb
Although his comments are directed at doing an album mix, they are true for a sound reinforcement mix as well. Only six and seven are slightly irrelevant for our typically mono sounds systems. If you sit down with this list in front of you and listen to a few of your favorite albums, what he is trying to say will begin to sink in. Then the concept can be applied to your own approach to your mix.
The best mixing engineer is often a musician. This is primarily because a musician knows what to listen for. He has spent years developing this sense. One way to look at it is that you are constantly shaping the overall dynamics of the music.
So is mixed music original, if so in what way?
Taipale, Curt. “Music Techniques.” www.churchsoundcheck.com. 1988. 27 July 2009
I feel that mixing music and sounds is truly an art form. A person still needs at least an ear for music if not proper training in order to successfully create a mix. You are essentially perfecting the sound to your best abilities. How many songs would sound poorly without sound engineering?
ReplyDeleteMixing techniques are used in most of the songs that are being recorded and played. This technique of mixing two tracks or other sounds to a music is a great idea. Nowadays mixing tracks together is person that called a DJ. DJ is a guy or a girl who’s playing a song that’s mixed and they are often played in clubs or bars or to a special occasion. Music that’s being modified from an original version is called a “remix”. Remixes these days are more enjoyable to listen to then the original version depending on what you desire.
ReplyDeleteMixing music is definitely an art or science. I think that the technology has allowed more people to be an artist or scientist however. Today a kid can make a beat on a video game. I know some poeple who have computer devices and make beats in there basements, without a professional studio. It is much easier in the world today to create a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteI find that mixing and layering can have a really great effect when the right person uses them. One such person is Emmy Rosum. She was the lead actress in the newest Phantom of the Opera. Her first CD was absolutely amazing. For one of her songs she layered over 150 tracks over each other that made it sound like there was an entire choir singing with her. So very relaxing. Its great how music can do that.
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