How to Create Compelling Mixes

Craig Anderton is an internationally recognized authority on music and technology. He has played on, produced, or mastered over 20 major label recordings, did session work in New York in the 1970s on guitar and keyboards, played Carnegie Hall, and more recently, mastered well over a hundred tracks for various artists. His onstage career spans from the 60s to current, EDM-oriented solo performances. As an author, he co-founded Electronic Musician magazine, and has written over 35 books on musical electronics and over a thousand articles. He has also lectured on technology and the arts in 10 countries, 38 U.S. states, and three languages.

• Acknowledgments Introduction. About This Book Considerations of Modern MixingTips and ReferencesChapter 1. Mixing Philosophies Are You a Musician, Producer, or Engineer? Right Brain vs. Left Brain The Importance of “Feel” The Importance of the Arrangement What’s Your Intended Result? Key Takeaways Chapter 2. Technical Basics Hearing and Frequency Response Monitoring and Acoustics Test Your Mix on Multiple Playback Systems Key Takeaways Chapter 3. Basics of Mixing with Computers Mixer ArchitectureUnique Aspects of Mixing with Digital Audio Key Takeaways Chapter 4. How to Use Plug-Ins Plug-In Technologies Plug-In Formats Stereo vs. Mono Plug-Ins Effects Plug-Ins Are Always “Re-Amping” The Four Places to Insert Effects Using Virtual Instrument Plug-Ins Using Hardware Effects when Mixing Key Takeaways Chapter 5. Mixing and MIDI Mixing’s Most Important MIDI Data Virtual Instruments and CPU Issues Enhancing MIDI Drum Parts in the Mix Enhancing Synth Parts in the Mix Humanizing Sequences How Timing Shifts Produce “Feel” Tempo Track Timing Tweaks Proofing MIDI Sequences Key TakeawaysChapter 6. Preparing for the Mix Before You MixMental Preparation, Organization, and Setup Review the Tracks Render Soft Synths as Audio Tracks Set Up a Relative Level Balance Among the Tracks Key Takeaways Chapter 7. Adjusting Equalization Overview Equalizer Responses Main EQ Parameters Dynamic Equalization Spectrum Analysis Linear-Phase EqualizationMid-Side Processing with Equalization The Pros—and Pitfalls—of Presets EQ Applications Additional Equalization Tips Key Takeaways Chapter 8. Adding Dynamics Processing Manual Gain-Riding Level-Riding Plug-Ins Normalization Limiter Compressor Loudness Maximizer Expander Transient Shaper Noise Gate Sidechaining Should Compression Go Before or After EQ? Key Takeaways Chapter 9. Adding Other Effects Console Emulation Tape Emulation DistortionDelay Stereo Image Enhancers Modulation Effects (Chorus, Flanger, etc.) Auto-Pan and Tremolo De-Esser Multieffects Plug-InsPitch Correction Pitch TransposerExciter Restoration Plug-Ins Multiband Processing Key TakeawaysChapter 10. Creating a Stereo Soundstage Panning Basics Panning TipsBinaural PanningThe Audio Architect: Building Your Acoustical Space About Reverb Create Virtual Room Mics with Delay Plan Ahead with Reverb and Panning Key TakeawaysChapter 11. Using Mix Automation What You Can Automate Automation Basics Automation Methods Automating Plug-Ins Using Hardware Control Surfaces Automation Applications Plug-In Automation Applications Virtual Instrument Automation Applications Key Takeaways Chapter 12. Review and Export Mastering While Mixing—Pros and Cons Export Your Mixed File Check Your Mix Over Different Systems Key Takeaways Appendix. Mixing with Noise Why Mixing Can Be Challenging The Backstory Behind Using Noise Mixing with NoiseSummary