Mixing question

[ben111g]

Hi, I am new to mixing and I have been trying to mix on my computer and comparing the sound between my CD player and my car. I played the same tracks on my computer using WMP and it sounded ok, I turned the Graphic Equalizer off, and I could hear it crackling in places. What I want to know is, is that how I should be listening to it, with the Graphic Equalizer off to mix, as I don’t have options like that in my car or on my CD player?

 

[Br3n]

you should be mixing with the eq off but when listening to it back on your cd player or car system leave the system to how you have always listened to it ie eq left as it always is. Then you will get a better idea of how it sounds and your not guessing to if your cd player is making it sound worse or the mix itself is bad.

 

[mixsit]

Hi, I am new to mixing and I have been trying to mix on my computer and comparing the sound between my CD player and my car. I played the same tracks on my computer using WMP and it sounded ok, I turned the Graphic Equalizer off, and I could hear it crackling in places. What I want to know is, is that how I should be listening to it, with the Graphic Equalizer off to mix, as I don’t have options like that in my car or on my CD player?

Not sure but it looks like you're playing with maybe four variable listening versions(?
Typically we want to mix on as neurtal a method as we can, including at least initially how finished CDs sound on it as well and use that as sort of a base line to work from. The point there is to learn or more or less get use to that system's tone traits, relative to all the completely variable systems, i.e. way 'non flat' in a million different ways out in the real world.
An interesting twist then is if we assume that most of that outside world- and more importantly here, you, are used to hearing things with a big smile curve (or what ever), the tempation might be to ask why not mix with that eq on?

Can't say exactly other than it seems more practical to get used to hearing it and working 'flat (+/- of course..) to keep the variable at a min, and use the outside world as the test for surprises that pop out and further adjustment to compromise as well as possible out there.

After a bit.. at in least my experience I ended up just liking music on fairly neutral playback.

 

[ben111g]

Thanks, I will ignore that then, at least for the moment. I only noticed that button the other day anyway. When I listen to music in the car or on my CD player I try to leave everything set as normal, I am not much of a fan of the preset sounds or adding extra bass etc.

 

[Br3n]

it doesn't really matter how everything is set up aslong as you are familiar with the sound it makes with other stuff then you can get an idea of your mixing sounds.

 

[diggy_dude]

Regardless of the settings on the playback system, turning the eq off shouldn't cause a crackling sound. Did you try it in another media player?