Portfolio Write Up
Read through the brief.
Research and explain basic recording techniques such as:
- Microphone positioning
- Microphone choice
- Using a mixing desk or soundcard
- Using software (DAWs) – what are they?
- The difference between live recordings and multitrack recordings
- The difference between analogue and digital
Research and explain basic mixing techniques such as:
- Volume and panning
- EQ and frequency ranges of particular instruments
- Compression (ratios, threshold, attack and release) and gate
- Reverb and Delay
- Any other other effects you wish to comment on
- Using plug-ins on the main mix bus
Document the individual recording session you have taken part in. Explain the processes you completed and why. Evaluate your recording session – what went well and what could be improved if you did it again?
Document the mixes you have completed. Explain the processes you have implemented and why. Evaluate your mix – what works and what could be improved? You should aim to complete more than one mix and evaluation.
Evaluate and reflect the overall project:
- What have you learnt?
- What are your strengths?
- What could you improve?
- How does this project relate to industry, why is it useful and is it a subject you’d like to study further?
Other topics to consider:
- History of recording and formats – Slides
- Examples of influential recording engineers/music producers and famous recordings -Rick Rubin, George Martin, Article on recording engineers (in class we looked at Duke Ellington, Les Paul, Pink Floyd, Eurthymics & Bon Iver)
- The importance of recorded music within the music industry
Basic Mixing Tips
Pick the busiest and loudest part of the track to loop and mix – if this sounds good then the rest of the mix will! Try to be reductive rather than additive when mixing to avoid instruments fighting for the same space in the mix. Give your ears a rest regularly and use other mixes you like as a reference point.
- Organise your stems – label tracks properly, colour instruments, mark the songs (verse, chorus, bridge).
- Plan what you want your mix to sound like before you start. Where would you like instruments to sit in the mix? For example, do you want the guitars to be very prominent?
- Set the volume of the tracks correctly in order to get a good ‘static mix’.
- Group tracks together – especially important for the drums!
- Use panning to space your mix effectively. Keep the kick, snare and vocals dead center as they will drive the track.
- Apply EQ appropriately to different instruments – I recommend a high pass filter on almost everything!
- Apply compression appropriately where necessary – be careful not over compress.
- Apply reverb to give a sense of space – again be careful not to add too much!
- Experiment! Try other plug-ins that you feel could enhance your mix. For example, delay on the vocals, chorus on the guitars (maybe in the verse of the song). Be creative! You are in control of what the listener hears.
- Try adding compression and maybe even EQ to the main mix channel.