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.