Part #12_Whaaatt?_1 thru 5 summed up

    

Around the campfire at the Old School Music House Paul told us a story of a young audio engineer who photographed Paul’s console settings. As the story is remembered this young operator used Paul’s settings via the photograph to set up his console for a show he was mixing the next day. Paul said it sounded awful. When the young engineer asked Paul why it sounded so bad Paul told him …I was mixing jazz, you’re mixing rock.

In summary:

Part 1 …In order to mix music you must be objective, it is very difficult to achieve; it’s an involved detachment …its called empathy (to the show). It is also imperative a mix engineer knows how to listen …not just hear but listen.

Part 2 …Every piece of equipment is unique in its sound. Those “colors” are what you use to paint your mix. Too much of the same color is difficult to look at in any painting.

Part 3 …Building requires structure, even in chaos. Start you mix at the beginning. Grouping sections or blocks makes mixing life easier.

Part 4 …Raising Faders to build a broadcast quality product requires an understanding of audio levels beyond stop at the red light and back er down a little.

Part 5 … Bass and Drums are the foundation of your mix. Your mix has a limited amount of air space in it for instrumental tones to shine.


Don't Choke the life from your mix
There is no correct way to mix music, no correct settings to use to make your stuff sound BIG. Anyone who tells you so is either unrefined in their knowledge of life down the rabbit hole of creativity or …they want your money. It is the bold and daring who make advancements. Fear not the prison guards we call Critics.

Next up Whaaatt_6 thru 11


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