Dumb Question: mixing down?

[musicsdarkangel]

What is mixing down?? Whenever i record in cubase, i leave it all unpanned, make the sounds level, and just export to one file. Is that a good idea or is there a better way of doin this stuff?


BTW, on my computer through headphones it lies to me, and i put it through my other computer and the bass is way too high etc. Should i get monitors? (recommend me fine cheap ones that'll do the trick if ya can =) )

thanks

 

[RWhite]

I would divide the production process into 3 phases:

1) Recording or tracking: recording your raw tracks. Typically mono sources to single tracks, stereo to two. During the process apply whatever hardware/software trickery to insure that each individual sound source is recorded as well as it can be.

2) Mix down. Take the tracks you have recorded and combine them into a single stereo track (more if doing Dolby 5.1) that is the best overall combination you can get, in accordinance with the client and your own skills & taste. Applying software and hardware trickery as reqiured to get the best overall track you can get.

3) Post Production / Mastering. Take the stereo track from step 2 and do further processing to it. Originally "Mastering" had much to do with getting a sound that would play well off of a vinyl album. Now it often has to do with getting a sound that will sound "good" over FM radio.

Thats my definition, anyone else have a radically diferent one?

With regard to your own situation, while I use Cakewalk I am certain Cubase can "export" to a single stereo file. In Cake I do step 1, then makeing panning adjustments, add effects, and then "mix down" by exporting my finished stereo file.

Most of the time I do not go past Step 2, but I'm starting to experiment using Sound Forge to "master" my mixed down stereo files.

Good monitors help in steps 2 & 3 by accuately reveiling what your instruments are doing, so you can (hopefully) avoid the scenario where your mix sound great on one system and crap on another.

 

[laj35]

Agree with RWhite for the most part. I too use Cubase, and my steps are similar.

1. Track: Record everything with only minute tweaking, no addition of effects and/or little EQ, just basically get it onto the PC and as cleanly and precisely as possible.

2. Edit/Mixdown: Now I put all the plugins and my CPU to work by adding effects, EQing and setting up the stereo field (panning, leveling volumes). After I'm completely satisfied with the mix I mix it down to one stereo .wav.

3. Wave Editing/...mastering: I then import the mixed down .wav into Wavelab and do the final editing, frequency analysis, and final burn the final copy.


Of course this is just how I do it and I'm a ways away from where alot of the guys on this board are at. I too have a slack monitoring setup but am looking into it all now. The Tannoy Reveals seem to be grabbing at my attention (and probably my wallet soon) and I've heard good things about Alesis' stuff. These two are in the upper range of affordable gear. Again, this is just how I go about it all so eat a nice chunk of salt wit this.

Laj