Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools

Mixing remains one of the most illusive arts of recording practice and can take a life time to master. Looking at practices, concepts, tools and mixing instruments the author provides a comprehensive insight to the art and science of mixing.

Whether a hobbyist of professional this book covers basic concepts to advanced techniques as well as tips and tricks and is a vital read for anyone wanting to succeed in the field of mixing.

The book is accompanied by the website www.mixingaudio.com, featuring a sample chapter, illustrations, audio and a user forum.

* Rounded, extensive and complete coverage of music mixing
* Includes a DVD with over 700 audio samples and 4 sample mixes
* Covers new topics and mixing trends such as computer centred mixing

Mixing remains one of the most illusive arts of recording practice and can take a life time to master. Looking at practices, concepts, tools and mixing instruments the author provides a comprehensive insight to the art and science of mixing. Whether a hobbyist of professional this book covers basic concepts to advanced techniques as well as tips and tricks and is a vital read for anyone wanting to succeed in the field of mixing. This book is accompanied by the website www.mixingaudio.com, featuring a sample chapter, illustrations, audio and a user forum. It is rounded, extensive and offers complete coverage of music mixing. It includes a DVD with over 700 audio samples and 4 sample mixes. It covers new topics and mixing trends such as computer centred mixing.

Absolutely first rate. The standard of writing by Roey Izhaki, as well as the examples on the CD are just superb. - Mark Mynett, Senior Lecturer, Department of Engineering & Technology, School of Computing & Engineering, University of Huddersfield

Acknowledgments		xi
Introduction		xiii
Symbols and formats used		xvii
Part I Concepts and Practices		1	(74)
Music and mixing		3	(9)
Music --- An extremely short introduction		3	(4)
The perfect mix		7	(5)
Some axioms and other gems		12	(6)
Louder perceived better		12	(2)
Percussives weigh less		14	(1)
Importance		15	(1)
Natural vs. artificial		16	(2)
Learning to mix		18	(10)
What makes a great mixing engineer?		18	(4)
Methods of learning		22	(2)
Mixing analysis		24	(1)
Reference tracks		25	(3)
The process of mixing		28	(16)
Mixing and the production chain		28	(4)
The mix as a composite		32	(1)
Where to start?		33	(6)
Deadlocks		39	(1)
Milestones		40	(1)
Finalizing and stabilizing the mix		41	(3)
Related issues		44	(14)
How long does it take?		44	(1)
Breaks		45	(1)
Using solos		45	(1)
Mono listening		46	(2)
Bouncing		48	(5)
Housekeeping		53	(1)
Mix edits		53	(2)
Mastering		55	(3)
Mixing domains and objectives		58	(17)
Mixing objectives		58	(2)
Frequency domain		60	(4)
Level domain		64	(3)
Stereo domain		67	(4)
Depth		71	(4)
Part II Tools		75	(408)
Monitoring		77	(16)
How did we get here?		77	(4)
Choosing monitors		81	(3)
The room factor		84	(4)
Positioning monitors		88	(5)
Meters		93	(6)
Amplitude vs. level		93	(1)
Mechanical and bar meters		94	(1)
Peak meters		95	(1)
Average meters		95	(3)
Phase meters		98	(1)
Mixing consoles		99	(29)
Buses		100	(1)
Processors vs. effects		100	(2)
Basic signal flow		102	(6)
The importance of signal flow diagrams		108	(9)
Groups		117	(7)
In-line consoles		124	(4)
The monitor section		128	(12)
Solos		131	(4)
Correct gain structure		135	(2)
The digital console		137	(3)
Software mixers		140	(23)
Tracks and Mixer Strips		141	(5)
Routing		146	(3)
The internal architecture		149	(14)
Phase		163	(14)
What is phase?		163	(2)
Problems		165	(3)
Tricks		168	(9)
Faders		177	(7)
Types		177	(2)
Scales		179	(2)
Working with faders		181	(3)
Panning		184	(21)
How stereo works?		184	(2)
Pan controls		186	(8)
Types of tracks		194	(4)
Panning techniques		198	(5)
Beyond pan pots		203	(2)
Equalizers		205	(57)
Applications		206	(3)
The frequency spectrum		209	(5)
Types and controls		214	(18)
In practice		232	(17)
Equalizing various instruments		249	(13)
Introduction to dynamic range processors		262	(8)
Dynamic range		262	(2)
Dynamics		264	(1)
Dynamic range processors in a nutshell		265	(5)
Compressors		270	(65)
The course of history		271	(2)
The sound of compressors		273	(1)
Principle of operation and core controls		274	(13)
Additional controls		287	(8)
Controls in practice		295	(17)
Applications		312	(10)
Tricks		322	(5)
More on compressors		327	(8)
Limiters		335	(3)
Gates		338	(27)
Controls		339	(12)
Applications		351	(4)
In practice		355	(3)
Tricks		358	(7)
Expanders		365	(9)
Controls		366	(2)
In practice		368	(3)
Upward expanders		371	(3)
Duckers		374	(6)
Operation and controls		374	(3)
Applications		377	(3)
Delays		380	(17)
Delay basics		380	(4)
Types		384	(5)
In practice		389	(4)
Applications		393	(4)
Other modulation tools		397	(8)
Vibrato		397	(1)
ADT		398	(1)
Chorus		399	(2)
Flanging		401	(1)
Phasing		402	(2)
Tremolo		404	(1)
Reverbs		405	(46)
What is reverb?		405	(1)
Applications		405	(5)
Types		410	(8)
Reverb programs		418	(3)
Reverb properties and parameters		421	(13)
Reverbs and stereo		434	(3)
Other reverb types		437	(6)
Reverbs in practice		443	(8)
Distortion		451	(9)
Background		451	(1)
Distortion basics		451	(3)
Ways to generate distortion		454	(3)
Amp simulators		457	(3)
Drum triggering		460	(5)
Methods of drum triggering		461	(4)
Other tools		465	(10)
MS		465	(5)
Pitch shifters and harmonizers		470	(1)
Exciters and enhancers		471	(2)
Transient designers		473	(2)
Automation		475	(8)
Automation engines		476	(1)
The automation process		476	(3)
Automation alternatives		479	(1)
Control surfaces		480	(3)
Part III Sample Mixes		483	(57)
Hero (Rock)		485	(14)
Drums		486	(5)
Bass		491	(1)
Rhythm guitar		492	(1)
Distorted guitars		493	(2)
Lead guitar		495	(1)
Vocals		495	(4)
It's temps Pt. II (Hip Hop/Urban/Grime)		499	(14)
Beat		499	(3)
Bass		502	(1)
Other tracks		503	(4)
Vocals		507	(6)
Donna Pomini (Techno)		513	(13)
Ambiance reverb		513	(1)
Beat		514	(5)
Sound FX		519	(1)
Bass		520	(1)
Vocal		521	(1)
Other elements		521	(5)
The Hustle (DnB)		526	(14)
Ambiance reverb		527	(1)
Drums		527	(5)
Motif elements		532	(3)
Pads		535	(1)
Horns and brass		536	(1)
Risers		537	(2)
Strings		539	(1)
Appendix A Notes to frequencies chart		540	(1)
Appendix B Delay time chart		541	(10)
Index		551

Roey Izhaki (Author) Roey Izhaki has been involved with mixing since 1992. He is an academic lecturer in the field of audio engineering and gives mixing seminars across Europe at various schools and exhibitions. He is currently lecturing in the Audio Engineering department at SAE Institute, London.