Does anybody else do this?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CaptainStrat
  • Start date Start date
C

CaptainStrat

New member
This is a tip I was given quite a while back (which I haven't really followed, my bad :o ) to gain a sense of perspective when I record/master/mix: keep a stereo track for a 'reference song' - a song from a CD you really like (say Pink Floyd's 'Wish you Were Here' ) and listen to it through the same setup: same computer, software, hard drive, sound card, speakers/ headphones ... well, you get the idea.

Pay attention to the lead vocal, the guitar track (s), the bass, the drums, the stereo spread, the effects, etc.

Then listen to your own tracks, how do the vocals, guitars, keyboards, etc sound compared to the finished product?

Too often I go gung ho trying to find the proper mic placement, sweet spot settings on the preamps etc, etc, and become frustrated with the end product because I have no point of reference ...

I can't remember where I got that reference track idea from, but it should be the first thing I do :o

Does anybody else use that trick?
 
Absolutely, listening to things on your monitoring setup your familiar with and like is essential in my opinion towards learning how it sounds. It's also good to take a break every once in awhile while your mixing and listen to some mixes you know are good to regain your perspective.
 
CaptainStrat said:
... keep a stereo track for a 'reference song' - a song from a CD you really like (say Pink Floyd's 'Wish you Were Here' ) ...
Click to expand...

Totally agree with the importance of reference mixes.

However, if I use Pink Floyd "Wish you were Here," I'm afraid I'm not going to get a whole lot done. :D

'
 
chessrock said:
Totally agree with the importance of reference mixes.

However, if I use Pink Floyd "Wish you were Here," I'm afraid I'm not going to get a whole lot done. :D

'
Click to expand...

Okay then, David Gilmour's 'Murder': nice acoustic guitar track, nice clean vocals, then distorted guitars, bass, drums, keyboards etc ... ;)
 
CaptainStrat said:
Okay then, David Gilmour's 'Murder': nice acoustic guitar track, nice clean vocals, then distorted guitars, bass, drums, keyboards etc ... ;)
Click to expand...


Alright. But considering it's only one of like two good songs on About Face ... it might still be a little distracting.

How 'bout Final Cut? I can appreciate the production work on that one. And I can only listen to like 30 seconds of that at a time. :D Perfect.
 
jimmy eat world is incredible at making me feel like i just bought my first behringer
 
That's a great tip. I do the same, although, with my crappy speakers I dunno how much it helps :-)
 
melodiousmonk said:
That's a great tip. I do the same, although, with my crappy speakers I dunno how much it helps :-)
Click to expand...

It ALWAYS helps.. You get to know your speakers better whether they are $1500 monitors or some bookshelf speakers... The better you know whatever you have the better you will be....

You will never get a mix like you would in a great room with excellent monitors but the more you know about your sound the better you will get..
 
I can't remember where I got that reference track idea from, but it should be the first thing I do

Does anybody else use that trick?
Click to expand...

Yeah. I keep comparison files of tracks that represent the sound I'm aiming at on my desktop to compare as I edit and process a file. The main thing it helps with is to keep my perspective more constant while I'm getting fatigued working in long sessions.

Tim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top