Mixing vrs mastering

[PRETTYfromDAWGS]

I'm new to this site and I love it. I like to think there are others like me in the world that are do-it-yourselferz.....i have a ?

Whats the real difference between mixing and mastering?? to me mixing is getting the sound to be recorded right and mastering is, once you've recorded right, getting the "mix" to sound great when you burn it to a cd. Any thoughts on this???

 

[Track Rat]

I believe that mixing is assembling a song from that indivdual parts that were created during the tracking stage. Mixing is balancing the levels of the individual instruments in relation to each other in the context of a particular song. Carving sonic space with equilization in tracks that are competing with each other so individual instruments can be heard.
Mastering on the other hand is a couple of things. Taking a group of the tunes that are mixed and arranging them in a play order, topping and tailing the individual tunes (adjusting the amount of silence, if any, between songs, fade ins and outs), cross fading tunes where called for. Adjusting the relative loudness of the tunes so they all play at the same appearant volume. making any EQ adjustments, applying compression (if nessassary) to even out dynamics, etc, And generally polishing an album and making it into a single body of work and creating a glass master in preperation for mass production. Well, that's what I think anyway.

 

[PRETTYfromDAWGS]

Thanks. That helped..... When I master, I do exactly what u said....make 20 tracks a complete cd- a complete body of work.......

ok, more questions.....I have a urge to know!

What exactly is "cross fading?"

What is compression? is it more along the lines of data compression (i'm a computer geek) or like noise reduction/hiss reduction compression??? I'm confused. I want to spend $$ on a compressor but I think I need to find out what it's used for first!!!

again, thanks in advance for even taking the time out to read this.

PRETTY

 

[Tukkis]

Try doing a search for compression on this board. You'll find heaps of info on it.

Try some of these:

http://www.studiocovers.com/articles3.htm

http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/files/B425578C027460898625661000745390

Welcome to the board
Tukkis