Mixing Tips
description
Transcript of Mixing Tips
Mixing Tips
Tools
• DAW=digital audio workstation
– Can record into a DAW; use H4N in this class
• Soundcard=device that allows you to plug mics and other audio devices into computer/DAW, and manipulate level, +48v, etc.
• Monitors=how you hear your mix. Speaker monitors are preferred over headphones
– Flat frequency, critical listening
Non Destructive Editing
• File referencing
• Multitrack in a DAW is a time map; it is a way of mapping time references of original files
• Done in a “session” or EDL
• When you save the file in a DAW project, the original audio file remains the same
Destructive Editing
• Manipulating the original file
• You “destroy” or change levels, frequencies, etc. of original audio
• DO NOT do this with your original audio; make copies of original files if you want to manipulate them
• Editing actual waveform
When to use...
Non-Destructive:
– To mix a sfx using multiple sound files
– To mix dialog tracks from multiple files
– To do a re-record...the final mix of sfx, Foley, dialog and music
When to use...
• Destructive:
– To make a new audio file of an original file
– To trim, process, normalize a singular file to use in multitrack
– To reduce noise from a file
DJ food stamp tips
• Take breaks when editing; your ears get tired
• Reference playback: play your mix in your car, on computer, on hi-fi system...how does it sound?
– It should sound as good on a clock radio as in a hi-fi system
• Use monitors to listen for clicks, pops hum, etc.
DJ food stamp tips cont'd
• Always check your VUs and use your eyes
• Use VUs to maintain proper levels (your eyes)
– Dialog should be mixed at -12dB to -10dB; louder sounds like gunshots, explosions may peak at -6dB to -3dB (dynamic range)
– Dynamic range creates emotion, motion, and feeling
DJ food stamp tips cont'd
• Fade from and out to the ZERO line
– If not you will have pops and clicks to fix
• When you layer tracks, amplitude increases on the overall level. You job is to harness this
• Learn, learn, learn the software
• Learn shortcuts and customize workspace
Viers' 10 Recording Commandments
• 1. Name all soundwave files descriptively
• 2. SAVE all the time, S⌘
• 3. Work non-destructively!!! In audio waveform editing, work with COPIES!!!
– Save different session versions of mixes
• 4. Make copies of sound files and keep with session files
• 5. Crop and save SFX as audio files
10 Recording Commandments Cont'd
• 6. Balance levels for stereo unless you are going for the imbalance as an effect
• 7. Fade sfx in and out to “ramp” sounds or fade out to fix imperfections. On fade out, let sfx complete itself before fade
• 8. Limit clicks and pops: fade to the zero line
• 9. Learn where to make cuts. Try to limit how many cuts you make. Xfade
• 10. Protect your ears
And...
• Learn media management...
• Multitrack sessions “refer” to audio sound files. If you open a session and don't have the audio files on the disk, you won't have a session.
– Put copies of the original files you use in a session in a folder with the session
• Seriously, talk to me if you don't get this.