How to Create Compelling Mixes: (The Musician's Guide to Home Recording)

The best recordings are for nothing if the mix doesn't present those tracks in the best possible way – and this book is all about how to make mixes that pull the listener in. It's not just about the technology, but the art of mixing as well. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include: • Feel vs. perfection • The importance of the arrangement for mixing • Tailoring material for your audience • Monitoring and acoustics • Software mixer architecture • Unique aspects of mixing with digital audio • How to use plug-ins • Integrating external hardware with computers, the “12-step program” to create great mixes • Panning techniques • Equalization • Dynamics processing • Time-based effects • Placing effects in the right order • How to use automation • Hardware control surfaces • Mixing with virtual instruments • Adding expressiveness in the mix • Using ReWire, beyond conventional mixing techniques • Mixing and MIDI, and much more Far from being a laundry list of mixing techniques, How to Create Compelling Mixes places equal emphasis on the art of mixing. With copious illustrations and featuring the judicious use of sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know “why” as well as “how ” How to Create Compelling Mixes is essential reading about how to get the most out of this crucial processor for mixing and mastering.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction. About This Book Considerations of Modern Mixing Tips and References Chapter 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 Architecture Unique 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 Takeaways Chapter 6. Preparing for the Mix Before You Mix Mental 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 Equalization Mid-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 Distortion Delay Stereo Image Enhancers Modulation Effects (Chorus, Flanger, etc.) Auto-Pan and Tremolo De-Esser Multieffects Plug-Ins Pitch Correction Pitch Transposer Exciter Restoration Plug-Ins Multiband Processing Key Takeaways Chapter 10. Creating a Stereo Soundstage Panning Basics Panning Tips Binaural Panning The Audio Architect: Building Your Acoustical Space About Reverb Create Virtual Room Mics with Delay Plan Ahead with Reverb and Panning Key Takeaways Chapter 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 Noise Summary

About the Author :
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.