I will finally share some secrets about mixing!

  • Thread starter Thread starter sonusman
  • Start date Start date
No, Ed shouldn't publish, cuz he's doing fine right where he is. And he's got a corner already - this place.

And despite the wordy posts, he's one of three engineers on this board I could happily work with, and for two reasons, one of which is his work, and the other is he's fun. Plus, I bet he doesn't talk this much in the studio. :D
 
He probably talks even more in the studio; it's just that you won't be able to hear him.
 
Great Post

Ed,

I gotta hand it to ya, this post was even more thorough and well-thought out than you have ever been (IMO). This post put you in another dimension of engineering. Now there's talk of you publishing.....

One thing I'd like to interject to the entire group. I realize that there's a lot of "rockers" (as in guitars, amps, electric bass, drums and vocals). I think that's very cool. But at risk of offending some on this site, I think that many folks should get REal when it comes to accepting the reality and viability of sythesizer-oriented music styles such as pop, R&B, rap and other "electronic" music styles. Sure it may not be as fun to "engineer", because you're mostly dealing with sound from keyboard/sampler to preamp to recorder (as opposed to micing amps and such). Basically quality keyboard/sampler sounds, a good mic pre and good cable are all that counts.

Believe it or not, there are many people all over this world that actually enjoy music EVen if it doesn't have a hint of a guitar in it (not to take anything from guitar-oriented music). So while Madonna, Backstreet, Kirk Franklin or Jay Z's music may not move you, I suggest language that includes synth-driven music and doesn't look down upon it (engineering-wise). Because when it comes down to it, Tha' PEople buy it all, and probably will continue to do so whether you think it's real engineering or not.

Rev E
 
Bookmarked!! :) As a newbie it will take me a while to digest this....

Thanks sonusman!

zip
 
sometimes, synth bass sounds like crap

i don't think anyone is looking down on synth sounds. it's just that many synth sounds sound like crap and don't have the dynamic expression (i'm not talking about volume/velocity, i'm talking about fingering). although, my client base is broad (rock, country, r&b, hip-hop) i personally do r&b, reggae, and go-go.

at any rate, the only thing i didn't like about sonorusman's post was the very first line about monitoring too low. i wouldn't suggest pumping the volume until your ears bleed. i think the important thing is for an engineer to get adjusted to your monitors. they are your ears, and you should know how the audio content is going to translate from your perfect environment to the real world.
 
I disagree crosstudio - turning the monitors up occasionally is like blowing up and image to check the pixel detail. It's even better if you have a good set of monitors built into a good room. That's why they build them like that.

cheers
john
 
i didn't say never turn them up

if you read Ed Rei's online articles regarding mixing, i tend to agree with his line of thinking. it's better to mix low, and raise the volume of the mix on a 1 pass, but don't use that volume for mixing activities.

i use alesis monitor one's and a mackie 1604vlz pro, but even when i'm engineering at studios in the city (Wash. DC) on 'good' equipment, i prefer to keep the volume low when mixing and raise the levels to let the artist hear the mix.

after a few hours of mixing loud, you won't be able to hear diddley squat.
 
Ed,

Moderation is the key, sound is like taking a photograph, the only time you should use the zoom, is if you can't get past the bars on the gorilla cage.

The only reason for Eq is that you recorded like a gorilla, and came back latter in human form, and had to clean up the mess.

My father was a profesional photogapher. I asked him once what was the secret to being a profesional, he said heads bigger than a quarter.

So Ed, whats the secret to being an engineer?

GT
 
Eq, is a necessary evil, the more necessary the more evil!!

I still haven't bought a processor yet. I tried out the ZoomRFX-300, it sounded like crap, very noisy, and reverb better off dead.

Then I tried the lexicon MPX-100, it sounded like crap to only quieter. Quieter crap, now that's an adjective, you will only see here.

I have allways thought that no reverb is better than bad reverb.

GT
 
Now what would Peter Gabriel have to say about that, let alone Phil Collins
 
real guitar, fake bass

> Now what would Peter Gabriel have to say about that, let alone Phil Collins

...or The Fixx, or Jan Hammer, or Parliament Funkadelic, or Talking Heads, or...
 
Tony Levin rules, but why drag him into this? Larry Fast is also credited on some of Gabriel's albums for bass...synthesizer bass.

Also, I just remembered that Ray Manzarek filled in the bass parts for The Doors using (gasp!) an electric organ.
 
Yet again... my prayers are answered.

Ed you definately helped me out here. That's info I've never seen anywhere keep up the good work! I've been away from the site for a while (hopefully I'm back for good)... it's good to see that it's only getting better!

nay
 
Yea,
but that intro on Light my Fire kicks some serious bootay.
 
Many reasons to post..

.. and here they are

1. Thx Sonusman for a series of great advice.. I appreciate it.
2. Keeping thread alive and up there..
3. Increasing my post-count :-P
4. Another excuse for not going to bed 4:58am
5. thx again Sonusman... smacked my forehead a couple of times when I read that..
 
Thanks, Ed

Much appreciated. Especially the part about compression attack/ release stuff, i.e. the basics I don't yet know. I am surely gonna be rereading this thread.
 
sonusman said:
I was going to save this for an article, but decided after some recent listening to various projects done by home recording engineers that I would "rant" this in this forum.

Anway. Just a rant so to speak about mixing. If it helps anyone, great! If not, at least you have some more material to curse my name by…:)
Ed

[Edited by gidman on 12-25-2000 at 06:13]
Click to expand...
 
WTG ED

My edit erased everything I wrote, just like pc editing ha ha ha ha ha ha.

WTG ED !!!!

Great common sense mixing knowledge !!!!!
 
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