Guidelines For A Rough Mix - Alesis Studio 32 Reference Manual

Guidelines for a rough mix

Creating a mix is easy; creating a great mix (one that jumps off the tape) is a lot
harder. There are those engineers who are in demand just for mixing because of
their sense of balance between instruments causes the mix to come alive with
excitement. Although outboard effects and tonal adjustments are important, you'd
be surprised at how good a dry (meaning no EQ or effects) mix can be if the balances
between parts are right. When you add effects and EQ, it will sound that much
better.
Since much of the art of mixing is totally subjective and up to the taste of the
engineer, a basic balance between instruments is necessary first before any tonal or
effect enhancements can really become effective. Here's a method to help you
quickly create a "dependable" mix; one that sounds good no matter what speakers
you mix or play back on. Although our example involves mixing the instruments
found in popular music, this method can be applied to any type of music regardless
of the instruments being used. Note: This is only a reference or starting point. Each
song is unique and calls for different balances.
To create a dependable mix:
1 Begin with all the Channel FADERS in the "- " (down) position.
2 Set the L/R MASTER FADER to the "0 dB" point (all the way up).
3 Raise the Kick Drum Channel FADER until the LED meters read "-3."
Mute the Kick Drum Channel by switching the MUTE button to the "On" (down)
4
position, so that the Kick can no longer be heard. DO NOT MOVE THE
FADER! Just mute the Kick Channel.
5 Raise the Snare Drum Channel FADER until the LED meter reads "0." Mute
the Snare Drum Channel, the same as the Kick.
6 Raise the Hi-Hat Channel FADER until it reads "-12" on the LED meter. If any
cymbals (ride or crashes) occur in the song, set those Channels to "-12." Mute
the Hi-hat and Cymbals Channels.
7 Raise the Toms Channel FADERS. Set them so that the LED meter indicates
"0." Mute the Toms Channels.
8 Bring up the Bass Guitar Channel FADER so that the LED meter reads "-6."
Mute the Bass Channel.
9 Raise the Channel FADERS with the rhythm guitar and/or keyboards so that
the LED meters read "-12," unless percussion instruments are involved (such as
cowbell, triangle or shaker), in which case the meters should read "-18." Mute
these Channels.
10 Raise the Channel FADERS with the keyboard pads, strings and/or organ so
that the LED meters read "-24 ." Mute these Channels.
11 Raise the Channel FADERS with the melody and solo instruments (such as
Studio 32 Reference Manual
Recording
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