Art of Mixing

Creating an audio mix that is pleasing to listeners is a true art form. The manipulation of the source signals' level, dynamics, and panoramic position, and the addition of effects such as reverb and delay, can have a huge impact on the overall feel of a song.

The Art of Mixing explores the many creative and technical considerations necessary to mix in today's music production environment, regardless of platform or format. This course teaches the different steps of the mixing process, including equalization, panning, dynamic processing (compressors, gates, expanders, and limiters), reverb and delays, as well as automation techniques and practical examples. The techniques presented apply to any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), or digital or analog console.

The course analyzes some of the most famous and revered brands and models of mixing gear, including comparisons between analog and digital outboard gear versus plug-in emulations and plug-in unique processors. It features video, sound, and visual examples based on common platforms such as Pro Tools, Logic, and Digital Performer, as well as a hybrid mix performed in an SSL 4000 G console, combined with Pro Tools and a huge variety of outboard gear.

Students will be required to deliver a mix every week for critique by the instructor. For each mix assignment, students will use professional recordings especially made for the course, in a variety of styles. The goal of the course is to impart both a technical and artistic approach to mixing and for students to acquire the core skill set needed to mix multi-track master recordings to a stereo final mix-down suitable for release.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• understand the technical requirements needed to prepare recording tracks for mixing
• implement professional music standards for organizing your mix session and delivering the final mix
• apply editing tools needed to improve musical performance, such as vocal tuning, vocal comping, and tempo editing
• understand and use different types of equalizers, compressors, gates, reverbs, delays, chorus, flangers, and many other processors necessary to mix effectively
• employ automation techniques, from basic to using all kinds of parameters
• apply mixing techniques specific to drums and vocals
• thoroughly analyze and evaluate your own mix and others
• identify the main mixing trends per genre of contemporary music

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