Mixing Insight

[milfus]

well scientificly, 80db is the end all be all level to mix at, its where your lows and highs have the most level response sonicly, but your ears can adjust to anything, what I do, is I will mix at 80 db, but I take a break, just 10-15 or so every hour to let em rest, and let me shift focus off the mix, so I can come back with fresh ears, now if I am mastering, after an hour, I need a bit longer before I go back in, just cause I really strain my earsbut that doesnt mean I am saying ONLY mix at 80db, just that you should at least check your mix at 80db now and then, just because its pretty standard, at 60db your bass is slightly boosted, and at 100 your highs would be boosted

[bigbluebarry]

Mewman... what's the name of that book? Could you tell me of this db meter of which you speak of?

[wodinlord]

May 9, 2008, 12:04pm, milfus wrote:well scientificly, 80db is the end all be all level to mix at, its where your lows and highs have the most level response sonicly, but your ears can adjust to anything, what I do, is I will mix at 80 db, but I take a break, just 10-15 or so every hour to let em rest, and let me shift focus off the mix, so I can come back with fresh ears, now if I am mastering, after an hour, I need a bit longer before I go back in, just cause I really strain my earsbut that doesnt mean I am saying ONLY mix at 80db, just that you should at least check your mix at 80db now and then, just because its pretty standard, at 60db your bass is slightly boosted, and at 100 your highs would be boosted If anybody is interested in how the ears frequency response changes with volume - Google Fletcher - Munson curve (Munsen? I forget)Wodinlord

[ernstinen]

May 9, 2008, 11:13am, davekershaw wrote:I heard David Crosby the other night saying they would bring something like Paperback Writer out, and he just felt like giving in!Ha! "Paperback Writer" was the FIRST song that they recorded after their tirade about the bass sound. I believe that's also the first song Paul used a Rick bass on, too.BTW, if you're a David Crosby fan, check out his first solo record called "If I Could Only Remember My Name." It's fantastic! Lots of his West Coast buddies play on it, but it's pure Crosby with his great vocals. --- The bass sound on that recording is really cool. I think it was the Airplane's bass player --- can't think of his name offhand. Lots of "thunk" so the notes stand out, but lots of bottom end, too. Maybe an Alembic or some hi-end bass those guys were starting to use back then.Ern

[Mark Kaufman]

Mixing is really maddening....quite the art. As I take in all this good advice, it strikes me interesting that for all the money spent on excellent, state of the art monitors, it still comes down to how it sounds in the other room, or through crappy speakers, or through a boombox.One producer I know loves to mix with a combo of Yamaha NS-10s and AKG141 phones. He says they produce a very flat, dull response...but when you get your mix sounding good through them, they sound amazing everywhere else. He says he came to this process after listening to many fabulous mixes in recording studios with sparkling sounds through world-class speakers...only to find they sounded like doodoo in his car.

[milfus]

wilden a. munsonits the munson curve, yeah I shoulda mentioned that

[devin]

May 9, 2008, 10:06am, lyle wrote:Where can I buy a good mono button?Mark, I've got an extra one here you can have. I ordered mine from Music 123, but they are only sold in pairs. What's your address?

[Mark Kaufman]

May 9, 2008, 12:54pm, ernstinen wrote:Ha! "Paperback Writer" was the FIRST song that they recorded after their tirade about the bass sound. I believe that's also the first song Paul used a Rick bass on, too.Close...but Paul got his Rick in August of '65 and used it almost exclusively during the Rubber Soul sessions. Seems like the winner for first use of the Rickenbacker was probably "Think For Yourself". (I adore geeky Beatles gear discussions!)http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_ ... 144&Page=2

[Mark Kaufman]

May 9, 2008, 1:06pm, devin wrote:May 9, 2008, 10:06am, lyle wrote:Where can I buy a good mono button?Mark, I've got an extra one here you can have. I ordered mine from Music 123, but they are only sold in pairs. What's your address?Pairs, eh? Can't fool me--those are Stereo Buttons. Nice try, pal.

[liamkelly]

May 9, 2008, 1:01pm, lyle wrote:Mixing is really maddening....quite the art. As I take in all this good advice, it strikes me interesting that for all the money spent on excellent, state of the art monitors, it still comes down to how it sounds in the other room, or through crappy speakers, or through a boombox.