Daniel Dehaan

Week-07

Overview

Mixing is the art and science of combining multiple audio elements into a cohesive whole. This week covers the foundational concepts of mixing: balancing levels, managing frequency content, creating depth with space, and positioning elements in the stereo field. These skills are essential for any composer delivering professional-quality audio.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

  • Apply the four dimensions of mixing: level, frequency, depth, and width
  • Create clear, balanced mixes with appropriate frequency separation
  • Use panning and stereo techniques to create width
  • Apply reverb and delay to establish depth and space

Topics Covered

The Four Dimensions of Mixing

Level (Volume)

  • Establishing hierarchy
  • Relative balance between elements
  • Gain staging
  • Headroom management

Frequency (EQ)

  • Carving space for each element
  • Avoiding frequency masking
  • Complementary EQ decisions
  • High-pass filtering for clarity

Depth (Front-to-Back)

  • Reverb and delay for distance
  • Pre-delay and early reflections
  • Volume and brightness relationship
  • Creating foreground and background

Width (Stereo Field)

  • Panning fundamentals
  • Center vs. sides
  • Stereo widening techniques
  • Mono compatibility

Static Mix Fundamentals

Building the Foundation

  • Start with the most important element
  • Build around the core
  • Check in mono frequently
  • Reference commercial mixes

Level Setting

  • Leave headroom (-6dB to -3dB peaks)
  • Use consistent monitoring level
  • Make relative adjustments
  • Trust your ears over meters

Panning Strategies

  • Kick, bass, lead vocal: Center
  • Supporting elements: Spread L/R
  • Create balance and symmetry
  • Consider frequency when panning

Frequency Management

The Frequency Real Estate Problem

  • Limited space from 20Hz-20kHz
  • Multiple elements competing
  • Masking reduces clarity
  • Solutions: EQ, arrangement, orchestration

Complementary EQ

  • If one element is boosted, consider cutting another
  • “Puzzle piece” approach
  • Avoid boosting the same frequencies everywhere
  • Sometimes cutting is better than boosting

High-Pass Filter Usage

  • Clean up low-end mud
  • Most elements don’t need sub-bass
  • Typical settings: 60-120Hz for most sources
  • Leave headroom for bass and kick

Creating Depth

Reverb for Space

  • Short reverb = close/intimate
  • Long reverb = distant/large space
  • Pre-delay separates source from reverb
  • Reverb EQ: roll off lows and harsh highs

Delay for Depth

  • Short delays (< 100ms): thickening
  • Medium delays (100-300ms): depth
  • Long delays (> 300ms): rhythmic/echo
  • Feedback creates distance

Volume and Brightness

  • Louder = closer
  • Brighter = closer
  • Softer + darker + more reverb = further away

Stereo Techniques

Basic Panning Rules

  • Low frequencies: Center (bass, kick)
  • Lead elements: Center or slight off-center
  • Supporting elements: Spread across field
  • Create balance: mirror L and R

Stereo Widening

  • Double-tracking
  • Chorus/detuning
  • M/S processing
  • Haas effect (use carefully)

Mono Compatibility

  • Always check in mono
  • Phase issues become apparent
  • Ensure nothing disappears
  • Center elements should remain strong

Resources

In-Class Activity

Mixing Practice Session

Part 1: Static Mix (25 min)

Using a provided multi-track session (or your own project):

  1. Set levels only (no processing)

    • Start with the most important element
    • Build the mix one element at a time
    • Aim for balance and clarity
    • Leave -6dB headroom on master

  2. Pan elements

    • Keep bass/kick center
    • Spread other elements across the field
    • Create left/right balance
    • Check in mono

  3. Evaluate

    • Can you hear everything clearly?
    • Is there appropriate hierarchy?
    • Does mono sound acceptable?

Part 2: Frequency Carving (20 min)

Apply EQ to separate elements:

  1. High-pass filter everything except bass/kick

    • Strings: 80-100Hz
    • Guitars: 100-150Hz
    • Vocals: 80-120Hz
    • Percussion: varies

  2. Carve complementary spaces

    • If the lead has presence at 3kHz, cut supporting elements there
    • If bass is full at 100Hz, thin the kick slightly
    • Create “holes” for elements to fit

  3. Compare with processing bypassed

    • Note the improvement in clarity

Part 3: Depth and Space (20 min)

Add the third dimension:

  1. Create reverb sends

    • Short room reverb (for close elements)
    • Longer hall reverb (for distant elements)

  2. Assign elements to sends

    • Lead: minimal reverb
    • Supporting: moderate reverb
    • Pads/backgrounds: more reverb

  3. Add delay for depth

    • Create a subtle delay send
    • Short delay (50-100ms)
    • Filtered (darker)
    • Apply to elements that need depth

Part 4: Final Polish (15 min)

  1. Stereo check

    • Verify width and balance
    • Check mono compatibility

  2. Level automation

    • Ride important elements if needed
    • Ensure consistent presence

  3. A/B comparison

    • Compare with a reference track
    • Check overall tonal balance
    • Verify loudness is appropriate

Part 5: Export and Review (10 min)

  1. Export a stereo mix
  2. Listen on different playback systems (headphones, phone)
  3. Note any issues for revision

Deliverable: Mixed audio file with before/after comparison, demonstrating balance, frequency separation, and depth.