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Sound Production: Multi-track Mixing

 

​Outcome 1

 

For the first outcome in Multi-track Mixing I had demonstrate an understanding of the art and science of mixing. The key points of this module from the module descriptor are:

 

  • Evaluation of sound engineering and mixing techniques.

  • Identification of production techniques.

  • Role of the mix-down engineer.

 

To pass this outcome I had to submit an 800 word essay about a song I chose and describe:

 

  • What I thought the mix engineer had done to mix and master the song. Stating what time/dynamic effect processing had been used and on what instrument.

  • What microphones would have been used and speculate how the song was recorded, e.g. microphone placement.

  • What instruments in the song had been panned and in what direction.

  • The role of the mix-down engineer in a multi-track session.

 

​Outcome 2

 

For the second outcome I had to mix down a multi-track recording, incorporating signal processing techniques. The key points of this outcome were to have a/an:

 

  • Understanding of equipment used and its interconnection.

  • Understanding of mixing techniques.

  • Recognise problem areas within a mix-down session

  • Use of signal processing.

  • Understanding of imaging or signal placement within a mix-down session

  • Use of time domain effects.

  • Correct use of monitoring in context.

  • Appropriate documentation.

 

I passed this outcome by mixing three songs of 12 tracks or more. A check list of the mixdown was to:

 

  • Achieve a balanced multi-track mix.

  • Find any problems within the mix and fix them.

  • Use signal processing: i.e. EQ, dynamic processing, effects processing.

  • Display an understanding of stereo imagining within the mix.

  • Control the overall mix-down to an appropriate level.

  • Use different sources of monitors to hear the difference of quality.

  • Produce a mix-down from a multi-track recording. 

 

​Outcome 3

 

For the third outcome I had develop an understanding of, and utilise current mix-down formats. The key points of this outcome were:

 

  • An awareness of mix-down formats.

  • Limitations of formats.

  • Appropriateness of format for purpose.

  • Appropriate use of format in a mix-down situation.

  • Correct use of connections or interfaces.

  • Understanding and use of correct levels recorded to mix-down format.

  • Correct use of archiving notes and labelling of mix-down media.

  • Labelling and associated records.

 

I passed this outcome by bouncing down the three songs that I had mixed. I also had to:

 

  • Know the different mix-down formats used in a multi-track mix-down sessions.

  • Select a format to mix-down the mixes I had done.

  • Bounce down my three mixes so that they were ready for mastering.

  • Label all my mix-down media for safe file handling.

 

Outcome 4

 

For the final outcome of this module I had to create and edit a mix-down master. The key points of this outcome were:

 

  • Understanding of editing techniques appropriate to purpose.

  • Correct use of audio editing tools/system.

  • Identify edit points and execute correctly.

  • Identification of final mastering media appropriate to purpose.

  • Use of final mastering media and equipment appropriate to purpose.

  • Understanding requirement for archiving notes and labelling of mix-down master.

 

I passed this final outcome by submitting the three mixes I had mixed and:

 

  • Produced a final mix-down master.

  • Applied suitable signal processing.

  • Mixed-down on to a CD.

  • I also produced a 500 word evaluation on one of the mixes I had done.

 

I really liked doing the Multi-track Mixing module because I really like getting stuck into a mix and just spending hours mixing. I found going into more depth about EQ’s, Compression, Reverb and other effect processes interesting as it means I know how they work and what they do when I change the settings of them.

 

I feel that the module will have helped me a lot with my chosen field of the audio industry because it has taught me all about balancing and producing good mixes which will help when mixing audio for multimedia. Also the knowledge I gained about all the effect processors, I can transfer all that information and use it on mixes for audio for multimedia to edit different Foley, ADR and other film sounds.  

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