LEVEL 2 - Gain, Signal Chain & Reference Mixes
Mixing & Mastering | Music Production Certificate
< Go back to Mixing & Mastering
< Previous level Next level>
Reference Mixes
Reference mixes are commercial quality mixes that have usually been mixed and released in a specific genre or style.
This lesson explains the importance of referencing mixes. Referencing other mixes helps the mixing engineer stay on track and keep an objective opinion on the mix they are working on.
Analyzers
This lesson explains the use of analyzers in the purpose of mixing. Analyzers are tools that help the audio engineer see their audio signal measured in many aspects. One could draw an analogy to measuring verticality of a wall when building a house, you could build one without that but it is much better to be sure.
Gain Staging
Gain staging refers to the process of adjusting the level at each point of amplification to ensure an optimal signal-to-noise ratio, without distortion.
This lesson explains the gain staging in the purpose of mixing. Gain staging is very important in making proper decisions while mixing music. It is also crucial for keeping nominal levels between processes.
Grouping Channels
This lesson explains grouping (busing) channels for the purpose of mixing. Grouping channels allows for easier control or processing over groups of elements.
Inserts & Returns
This lesson explains inserts and returns. Insert effects are used to process the entirety of a signal in a serial fashion. Return tracks allow us to apply parallel processing to signals.
Level Balancing & Panning
This lesson explains level balancing and panning. Balancing the levels and deciding on the panning of individual tracks is the first step when mixing.
Level balancing refers to the process of evening out the volume levels of audio so that they do not interfere with each other but rather sound complimentary to the ear.
Panning is the distribution of a sound signal into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field determined by a pan control setting.
Mastering Gain Structure
This lesson explains mastering gain structure. Here we go over the nature of the mastering chain and how there are stages where the gain of the signal changes purposefully and stages where it does not for the same reason.
