Question 5 – Mixing

Q.5 will always ask you to produce a final stereo mix. Using the step guides to mixing under task 1a here are some audio examples for you to import into a Cubase project and practice with.
Here are some example mixing tasks that you could apply with a mark scheme below:

You should now have the following tracks on the computer: bass, drums, vocals and guitar. You may wish to split the guitar part into two tracks, one clean and one distorted, so you can process the different tones separately.

Produce a final balanced stereo mix with the following features:


5a

Management & Controlling Dynamics of vocals and electric guitar (3)

Compress the guitar and vocal tracks.

  • The compression should suit the style of the music. 
  • Ensure that the dynamics of the performance are controlled and do not jump out of the mix. 
  • Do not over compress the tracks.

3 - In vocals, the peaks are controlled effectively in the chorus and the final phrase is clearly audible. The guitar sits in the mix without jumping out.

2 - The vocals have some appropriate audible compression but either the peaks are not fully controlled or the final phrase is masked by the guitar. The guitar sits in the mix without jumping out.

1 - Compression is present but poorly managed. Excessive pumping evident.

0 - No compression can be identified on any track.

5c

Management & Control of double tracking and pan on the guitar (3)

Apply stereo double tracking to both the clean and distorted guitar parts throughout.

Pan the double tracked guitar so that it is suitably wide, but not fully opposite panned.

3 - Excellent double tracking effect which sounds like two appropriately panned guitar parts.

2 - A wide stereo effect has been applied but it sounds like one processed guitar.

1 - A narrow stereo effect has been applied but it sounds like one processed guitar.

OR

1 - Guitar is double-tracked in mono / phases intrusively / delay time too long / has delay feedback.

0 - No double tracking effect can be heard on the guitar.

5e

Balance and blend (3)

Balance the mix.

  • The balance should suit the style of the music.
  • Ensure that all of the tracks can be heard clearly.

3 - Consistently well balanced and effectively blended across all parts of the mix.

2 - Most tracks are well balanced. A few misjudgements.

1 - Poorly balanced, detrimental to the musical outcome.

OR

1 - Not all tracks present / additional tracks.

OR

1 - The metronome has not been turned off.

0 - No mix on CD.

5b

Management & Controlling EQ of vocals (3)

EQ the vocals.

  • Give them a slightly brighter tone to bring them forward in the mix.

3 - The vocal is brighter than the original without extreme frequency exaggeration or restriction.

2 - Some effort has been made to apply EQ, but not with complete success. E.g. focusing on incorrect frequency range (thin LF or boosted upper-mids).

1 - EQ applied poorly, with extreme / inappropriate settings.

0 - No EQ can be identified.

5d

Application of reverb (3)

Apply reverb to each of the tracks.

  • 1.5 second reverb time.
  • The reverb should not be intrusive.
  • The vocals should have the most reverb, the bass should have the least.

3 - Excellent use of reverb on all tracks.

2 - Inconsistent use of reverb with some misjudgements.

1 - Serious misjudgement on 1 track or more.

OR

1 - wrong effect.

0 - No use of reverb on any track.

5f

Presentation of mix (3)

Produce a final stereo mix.

  • Ensure that the mix output is at as high a level as possible.
  • It should be free from distortion.
  • Do not limit or compress the mix output.
  • Ensure that the beginning and end of the mix are not cut off.
  • Silences at the beginning and end should not exceed one second.

3 - Beginning and end of mix does not cut out music or reverb tail. The beginning should have 0.2-1 seconds of silence before the music starts. The mix output should be near normalised with no distortion.

2 - Beginning and end of mix does not cut out music or reverb tail. The beginning has a silence of greater than 1 second.

OR

2 - The mix output is too low OR is compressed.

1 - Obviously chopped start or ending.

OR

1 - Any part is noticeably out of sync.

OR

1 - The mix output is unacceptably low or too high (distorted).

OR

1 - Excessive use of mix compression causes pumping.

0 - No mix present on CD.