Audio Mixing Techniques 101
AMT101
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Session Setup
• Understanding of what is Session Management and its importance as a mix engineer
• Understand the function of correct naming conventions for session and track naming
• Apply correct track ordering and colouring structures as well as consolidation techniques to simplify a mixing session
• The utilisation of subgroups and mix-groups when mixing a session and the impact thereof on the simplification of the mixing process
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Balancing and Panning Techniques
• Understand the function and purpose of Faders and Pan Pots and what is affected when used when mixing
• Compare different perspectives on the initiation of the mixing processes
• Be conversant in the creation of panning strategies & perspectives for different instruments
• Ultilise and apply mixing techniques discussed to create a mix balance for a given song
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Equalizers
• Understand and describe standard Equalisers controls and parameters
• Understand different types of Equalisers and compare uses for each
• Describe the application of Equalisers and discuss its affect on the frequency spectrum within a mix
• Understand the application of additive and subtractive equalisation styles and practically apply to a mix
• Understand the problems that can occur in a mix with frequency masking and balancing
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Dynamic Processors
• Understand and describe standard Compressor controls and parameters
• Understand different types of Dynamic Processors and compare uses for each
• Describe the application of Compressors and discuss its affect on the dynamic range within a mix
• Understand the application of dynamic processors
• Understand the problems that can occur in a mix with dynamic range
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Time-Based Effects
• Understand what is reverberation and the three main component thereof
• Understand different parameters that affect reverberation
• Knowledge about different types of reverberation and their characteristics
• Types of artificial reverb that can be added to a mix within a DAW and all parameters relating to these plugins
• Apply reverberation within a mix Understand what is delay and the main component thereof
• Knowledge of the history of delays
• Understand different parameters that affect delay and timing subdivisions
• Knowledge about different types of delay and their characteristics
• Types of artificial delay that can be added to a mix within a DAW and all parameters relating to these plugins
• Practically apply delay within a mix
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Modulation
• Understand what is Modulation and its creative purposes when mixing
• Understand different parameters that can be affected by modulation
• The functions of a Low Frequency Oscillator and its effects on Modulation processors
• Knowledge about different types of modulation and their characteristics
• Types of artificial delay that can be added to a mix within a DAW and all parameters relating to these plugins
• Practically apply modulation processors within a mix
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Distortion
• Understand what is Saturation and Distortion, and its creative purposes when mixin
• Understand different parameters that can be affected by Saturation and Disorition
• The Impact of second and third order harmonics and its influence on distortion and saturation
• Types of artificial saturation and distortion that can be added to a mix within a DAW and all parameters relating to these plugins
• Practically apply saturation and distortion processors within a mix
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Automation
• Understand what is Automation and its functions Demonstrate the purposes of automation when mixing
• Understand different approaches to using Automation as a static or dynamic change to a mix
• Understanding of what parameters within a mix can be automated and practically demonstrate these functions
• Compare different automation modes and understand the impacts of using them in a mix