What is the difference between Tracking, Monitoring, Mixing, etc?

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joms

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Please help a newbie.

What is the difference between Tracking, Monitoring, Mixing, etc? (any other words i need to know?)

I've come across these words and im not 100% sure if i got it right. So far i think Tracking means recording to a computer? Mixing is listening to your recording in a DAW and editing it?. Whats monitoring?
 
Tracking is the first stage of the recording process. It can be to computer, to standalone recorder or to tape, where the term originated when multi-track tape decks become the norm.

Mixing is when you take all those recorded tracks and mix them down to a one (mono in the old days) or two (stereo) tracks.

Monitoring refers to the listening process both during tracking and maixing...and it involves using purpose-built studio speaker monitors to gauge the quality of the tracking and/or the mixing.
 
miroslav said:
Tracking is the first stage of the recording process. It can be to computer, to standalone recorder or to tape, where the term originated when multi-track tape decks become the norm.
Click to expand...

Thanks sir but your definition of tracking as "The first stage of the recording process" doesn't help me understand the definition of tracking that much. There can also be a lot of things done in the first stage of the recording process like vocalization of the singer, mic placement, leveling the volume of the mic in the mixer, even turning on the computer itself... lol. Sorry i don't want to come out as being an ass but your definition of tracking didn't help clarify the term as much. Thanks though

For monitoring/mixing, is it safe to say that if i buy a headphones that is good for mixing, it will also be good for monitoring? (i know that headphones are taboo for mixing but sometimes your choices are very limited). Or do I need a headphone for mixing and another type of headphone for monitoring? (i know that mixing headphones favor the open back while the tracking are better with closed headphones.... etc)
 
OK....I'll simplify it.

Tracking is the part where you record your instruments, singers to tracks in the computer, recorder or tape deck.
You know....when you press RECORD, and the audio gets recorded to a track(s).
 
When the tape is rolling (or the software is recording), you're tracking.

When you're making adjustments to your collection of audio tracks, you're mixing.

When you're listening to anything, you're monitoring it.
 
Thank you very much. So if i am going to invest in headphones, i would choose this:

Say I have $400 to spend on headphones:
a) Tracking = get closed headphones and spend less money on this ($75)
b) Mixing = get open headphones and spend a lot of money on this ($200)
c) Monitoring = get open headphones and spend medium money on this ($125)

Did i get it right? or do i only need 2x headphones, 1x for tracking (closed - $75) and 1x for both mixing and monitoring (open - $325)?
 
Why don't you just get one pair of headphones and use it on everything?
 
joms said:
Thank you very much. So if i am going to invest in headphones, i would choose this:

Say I have $400 to spend on headphones:
a) Tracking = get closed headphones and spend less money on this ($75)
b) Mixing = get open headphones and spend a lot of money on this ($200)
c) Monitoring = get open headphones and spend medium money on this ($125)

Did i get it right? or do i only need 2x headphones, 1x for tracking (closed - $75) and 1x for both mixing and monitoring (open - $325)?
Click to expand...

Spend $75 on headphones for tracking, then save the rest of your money and invest in some reasonable speakers for mixing and playback.
 
^^^ +++1 what Gecko said. You can use headphones to check a mix, but mix with monitor speakers, if at all possible.
Monitoring is a process (just like tracking and mixing) - when you are tracking and listening to it with headphones, you are monitoring; when you are mixing and listening with speakers or headphones, you are monitoring.
 
Steenamaroo said:
When the tape is rolling (or the software is recording), you're tracking.

When you're making adjustments to your collection of audio tracks, you're mixing.

When you're listening to anything, you're monitoring it.
Click to expand...

This is a great, easy to understand definition. Wish I could hit Steen with more rep, but it won't let me! :D
 
gecko zzed said:
Spend $75 on headphones for tracking, then save the rest of your money and invest in some reasonable speakers for mixing and playback.
Click to expand...

Yes, $325 will get you some M-Audio BX5's or Rokit 5's and you'll be much happier not having headphones on ALL THE TIME! BTW, there's some nice stuff out there for $75...Sennheiser HD205, AT M30X...
Spending $400 is easy in the studio world, but running a decent set of phones and minimum studio monitors is a good place to start. If you can up the ante just a bit and get Rokit 8's or the JBL 8's you'll be even happier! :D
 
Thanks for the comments. Sorry i wasn't able to reply right away as I got busy with work.

Anyway, on another note, it seems that I've gotten a negative reputation from this thread which was given perhaps by RAMI as he messaged me as such:

"Thread: What is the difference between Tracking, Monitoring, Mixing, etc?
Yes, you are being an ass. Stop wastingpeople's time."

My question is, where in this thread did I become an ass and step beyond the line to deserve a "Latest Reputation Received (-8039153 point(s) total)" ?

I am really new at this so is RAMI a moderator and he slapped me with a violation of the rules or something? Please enlighten me why I wasted people's time? Isn't this a forum to help new people as well or are we not welcome and only PRO people have the right to post or make a thread?

To my recollection, I replied respectfully to miroslav's post and did it as honestly as I can. I even said "sir" and told him that his comment being "Tracking is the first stage of the recording process" doesn't really help me understand the meaning of tracking. And for this I get a gazzilion negative points?

What do you want me to do Mr. RAMI? Say to everyone who posts on my thread that their comments helped me out understand my questions despite it not being true? Otherwise I get negative reputation points?
 
If you click settings near the top right it'll tell you who repped you...For better or for worse. ;)
 
joms said:
Thank you very much. So if i am going to invest in headphones, i would choose this:

Say I have $400 to spend on headphones:
a) Tracking = get closed headphones and spend less money on this ($75)
b) Mixing = get open headphones and spend a lot of money on this ($200)
c) Monitoring = get open headphones and spend medium money on this ($125)

Did i get it right? or do i only need 2x headphones, 1x for tracking (closed - $75) and 1x for both mixing and monitoring (open - $325)?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you don't need to buy pairs of headphones for different jobs.

Ideally you'd have a good set of monitors in a decent environment. These are for critical work, making judgements and the balance of your mix, etc.

You'd also have a decent pair of headphones with good isolation for tracking, editing at night, whatever....

The point here is that while you're recording something new you can hear the reference mix but the microphone can't. Isolation is important.
Really, these headphones can be cheap and nasty as long as they've decent isolation.
They don't need to sound good because all your critical decisions are made while listening on your studio monitors.

If you don't have the money or room for monitors then spend a bit more on headphones and get some of the mid-high range closed back Sennheisers or something.
Yes, open back get a better rep for quality but they're not as useful for tracking.

Remember:
Stereo image can't be accurately assessed on headphones no matter how good they are so always check your mixes on speakers, even if it's just a stereo hifi.
Hope that's useful.
 
joms said:
Thanks for the comments. Sorry i wasn't able to reply right away as I got busy with work.

Anyway, on another note, it seems that I've gotten a negative reputation from this thread which was given perhaps by RAMI as he messaged me as such:

"Thread: What is the difference between Tracking, Monitoring, Mixing, etc?
Yes, you are being an ass. Stop wastingpeople's time."

My question is, where in this thread did I become an ass and step beyond the line to deserve a "Latest Reputation Received (-8039153 point(s) total)" ?

I am really new at this so is RAMI a moderator and he slapped me with a violation of the rules or something? Please enlighten me why I wasted people's time? Isn't this a forum to help new people as well or are we not welcome and only PRO people have the right to post or make a thread?

To my recollection, I replied respectfully to miroslav's post and did it as honestly as I can. I even said "sir" and told him that his comment being "Tracking is the first stage of the recording process" doesn't really help me understand the meaning of tracking. And for this I get a gazzilion negative points?

What do you want me to do Mr. RAMI? Say to everyone who posts on my thread that their comments helped me out understand my questions despite it not being true? Otherwise I get negative reputation points?
Click to expand...
I just found it suspect that you supposedly didn't know anything about the most simple and basic concepts like tracking, mixing, etc.....Yet, all of a sudden you seemed to know enough about tracking headphones, mixing headphones, etc...to question Miro's response to you.....It makes no sense to me that you supposedly don't know anything about one, but know all about the other. In fact, I'd say it makes so little sense that it's impossible. I still think you're wasting people's time.
 
steenamaroo - thanks very much if you are the one who gave me rep (im green again =). I tried checking the settings on top right but i cant find who gave me rep so im just guessing its you.

For monitor speakers, Im sad to say that I dont have the space for it. The space where I have my computer is very small and cramped. (believe me i tried to look for space). Another thing is, I can't play things that loud since my neighbors would attack me.

For Tracking headphones, yeah i kinda got it that you need isolated headphones. I just tried singing thru my mic and damn, it recorded some parts of the backing track as well that came from my headphones.

Thanks again for the rest of your comments, really helpful. I'm a bit decided now to get either the AT ath-m50 or sennheiser HD280/380 for my tracking headset. I might just borrow my friend's sennheiser HD595 for mixing and see how it goes from there.
 
joms said:
Please help a newbie.

What is the difference between Tracking, Monitoring, Mixing, etc?
Click to expand...
So, I'm supposed to believe that someone doesn't know this^^^^^^^^^^


But does know this:
joms said:
i know that headphones are taboo for mixing but sometimes your choices are very limited.......i know that mixing headphones favor the open back while the tracking are better with closed headphones.... etc)
Click to expand...
How can one not know one, but still know the other?

Makes no sense to me, and I call bullshit and trolling.
 
joms said:
I'm a bit decided now to get either the AT ath-m50 or sennheiser HD280/380 for my tracking headset. I might just borrow my friend's sennheiser HD595 for mixing and see how it goes from there.
Click to expand...

You still don't need a separate pair for each task.
I have HD280s. They'll do just fine.
Bottom line - mixing on headphones is no good but if you're going to do it the Sennys will be adequate.

RAMI said:
What are you talking about, Steen? You don't have to click anything, it tells you who repped you right on the page.
Click to expand...

Where? I have to click settings to see the list of previous reps.
I do get a notification when it's new rep, but that just takes me to the settings page too.
 
RAMI - I only do this as a hobby (along with setting up car audio, home audio, computers, etc) and I do all my hobbies when I get some free time from my hectic work. I don't have the leisure to read and study all the technical jargons associated with my hobbies. Actually, I just learned recently that isolation is not the same as cancellation in headphones. I really thought they were the same at first. I only learned this when I went to a headphone shop to look around. (by the way I live in the Philippines and in the headphone shop, they don't know the term tracking as well. They do know the term recording and mixing). By the way, to tell you how newbie I am, I just installed studio one in my desktop computer and all i can do is how to open a session. I dont know how to put any effects, copy tracks, how to make it louder, etc. I have just done a voice recording and im trying to put it in studio one. (which I am successfull in doing by draging the .mp3 recording to the middle portion of studio one. Thats my progress so far.

update:
I know that mixing headphones favor the open and tracking likes closed because I just recently READ it from forum threads here. If you dont believe me, look at the history of my threads. I started out asking about how to make our videoke session better and how to use mixers in our videoke and such. Then I went further to recording our voice from our videoke/karaoke parties then on how to record in general to get a good vocal recording. It is only now that I am diving into mixing. During our videoke sessions with my friends, we don't use headphones when recording. We just sing in the mic right away and record things live. Tracking, monitoring and other technical jargons weren't introduced yet during my earlier research (videoke/karaoke threads) as well as when I was searching for good mixers/mic for our karaoke/videoke setup. (what i learned back then was how to eliminate feedback in speakers, how to hold mic properly, that a good mixer is needed (good preamp), difference between a dynamic and condenser mics and such.

Oh and I know this "first stage of the recording process like vocalization of the singer, mic placement, leveling the volume of the mic in the mixer........" when i was searching for a mixer for my karaoke/videoke setup.

Anyway, I don't want to explain myself further as I just want to move on and learn more about mixing and how to make our vocal recordings better. Thanks again for the replies.
 
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