Mixing Notes
Maintaining Control
The most important part of being a mix engineer is maintaining control in your session.
Being organized and neat helps you make far fewer mistakes.
Session Setup
Start by relaxing and getting into the right mindset (e.g., playing a game).
Determine the specific task for the day.
Assistant Engineer's Role
The role of assistant engineers has changed over time; it's less about tape machines and patching.
Assistants often handle tasks like editing out explicit content or creating clean versions of songs.
Assistants also help with printing mixes (main, clean, instrumental).
Addressing Problems: Missing Files
Missing files are a common issue.
If a file is missing, identify it and assess its importance.
If the missing file is a vocal, consider how to patch it up.
Example: Copying a line from another section and time-stretching it to fit.
How could someone
Put the song in grid mode to ensure copied sections are in time.
Key point: Solve problems quickly and move on.
Initial Vision and Client Input
The primary goal is to fulfill the artist's vision.
Ask the artist or producer about their desired sound and references.
Use their input to guide the mixing process.
Session Organization
Color-coding tracks is crucial for staying organized.
Color-coding helps quickly identify different track types (e.g., leads, backgrounds).
Organized sessions save time by reducing the need to sift through audio.
Initial Mixing Steps
Take a listen to the entire song to get a feel for it.
Listen for any glitches, distortions, or unwanted sounds.
Remove all plugins to start with the raw audio.
Use Option + Command + Click will disable and enable all plugins.
Vocal Cleanup
Clean up vocals which can take 3-4 hours.
Remove breaths and other unwanted sounds from vocal tracks.
With Yellow Wolf's vocals, there were a lot of cuts to remove hard breathing sounds.
Subtractive Mixing
Focus on removing unwanted elements first, rather than boosting desired elements.
Remove what you don't like first.
This approach often leads to a better mix.
Mixing Order
Mix vocals first when your ears are fresh.
Then move on to drums, bass, and the rest of the music.
This approach ensures the most important elements receive the most attention.
Vocal Refinement
Clean up mistakes in background vocals.
Address pitch issues or inconsistencies.
Example: Copying and nudging vocal parts for a more uniform sound.
Avoid being overly detail-oriented; know when to stop tweaking.
Saving Work
Make it a habit to save frequently (Command + S).
Utilize Pro Tools' auto-backup feature.
Saving often prevents data loss and wasted effort.
Initial Vocal Processing
Add character and define the overall sound of the vocal.
Use de-essing to control sibilance, typically around Hz.
Compress lightly to add punch and presence.
Adding Delays
Use delays to fill gaps and create interest.
Automate delays to open up on specific words or phrases.
Experiment with groove and stereo imaging using delays.
Create a stereo sound.
Vocal Mixing Workflow
Listen to all vocals in context (lead, backgrounds) to ensure cohesion.
Apply the same delay settings to hooks for consistency.
Adjust delay timings to match the vocalist's phrasing.
Addressing Imperfections
Acknowledge that some imperfections are beyond repair.
Avoid wasting time on issues that won't be noticeable in the final mix.
If necessary, re-record the problematic part.
Rapping Vocals
Process rap vocals with de-essing and compression.
Apply delays to select words or phrases for emphasis.
Mixing the Music
Mute all vocals and start with the kick drum.
Identify all low-end sounds and their relationships.
Adjust levels to prevent clashing.
Next, focus on the drums (snares, etc.) to create a cohesive kit sound.
Instrumentation
Bring in the most dominant instruments (piano, etc.).
Pay attention to dynamic changes throughout the song.
Adjust levels and EQ to create a balanced mix.
Crank up the volume in certain spots.
Guitars
Sometimes the artist wants the track to sound a certain way.
In this case, Yellow Wolf wanted the guitars to be boxy and thin.
String Section
Work with the dynamics of the strings.
Assistant Engineer Feedback
Listen For sound that is not part of the music to avoid crashing and burning.
A good assistant engineer is attentive and provides timely feedback.
Final Touches and Bussing
Use EQ and filters to shape the overall sound.
Bus all tracks to a main bus (e.g., "money team bus").
Create different passes (main, TV, instrumental, acapella, clean) by routing the mix through different buses.
Workflow Refinements: From the research, I learned the importance of session organization, like color-coding tracks to identify different elements during mixing. This can help me stay more organized and allow for quicker navigation through complex arrangements in my remix.
Sounds to Recreate: I aim to recreate the nostalgic chiptune sounds that are prominent in Toby Fox’s Undertale score. Utilizing simple synthesizers or MIDI plugins to mimic those retro video game tones can enhance the thematic consistency of my remix.
Vocal Editing Techniques: I discovered various vocal editing techniques, including de-essing and subtle compression to control sibilance and maintain vocal clarity. Additionally, experimenting with automation for effects like delays can add interest to vocal lines in my remix while maintaining a coherent sound.