How to Create Compelling Mixes

<p><strong>Craig Anderton</strong> 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 <em>Electronic Musician</em> 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.</p><br>

<p><strong>Acknowledgments<br /><br>Introduction. About This Book</strong><br /><br>Considerations of Modern Mixing<br /><br>Tips and References<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 1. Mixing Philosophies</strong><br /><br>Are You a Musician, Producer, or Engineer?<br /><br>Right Brain vs. Left Brain<br /><br>The Importance of “Feel”<br /><br>The Importance of the Arrangement<br /><br>What’s Your Intended Result?<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 2. Technical Basics</strong><br /><br>Hearing and Frequency Response<br /><br>Monitoring and Acoustics<br /><br>Test Your Mix on Multiple Playback Systems<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 3. Basics of Mixing with Computers</strong><br /><br>Mixer Architecture<br /><br>Unique Aspects of Mixing with Digital Audio<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 4. How to Use Plug-Ins</strong><br /><br>Plug-In Technologies<br /><br>Plug-In Formats<br /><br>Stereo vs. Mono Plug-Ins<br /><br>Effects Plug-Ins Are Always “Re-Amping”<br /><br>The Four Places to Insert Effects<br /><br>Using Virtual Instrument Plug-Ins<br /><br>Using Hardware Effects when Mixing<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 5. Mixing and MIDI</strong><br /><br>Mixing’s Most Important MIDI Data<br /><br>Virtual Instruments and CPU Issues<br /><br>Enhancing MIDI Drum Parts in the Mix<br /><br>Enhancing Synth Parts in the Mix<br /><br>Humanizing Sequences<br /><br>How Timing Shifts Produce “Feel”<br /><br>Tempo Track Timing Tweaks<br /><br>Proofing MIDI Sequences<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 6. Preparing for the Mix</strong><br /><br>Before You Mix<br /><br>Mental Preparation, Organization, and Setup<br /><br>Review the Tracks<br /><br>Render Soft Synths as Audio Tracks<br /><br>Set Up a Relative Level Balance Among the Tracks<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 7. Adjusting Equalization</strong><br /><br>Overview<br /><br>Equalizer Responses<br /><br>Main EQ Parameters<br /><br>Dynamic Equalization<br /><br>Spectrum Analysis<br /><br>Linear-Phase Equalization<br /><br>Mid-Side Processing with Equalization<br /><br>The Pros—and Pitfalls—of Presets<br /><br>EQ Applications<br /><br>Additional Equalization Tips<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 8. Adding Dynamics Processing</strong><br /><br>Manual Gain-Riding<br /><br>Level-Riding Plug-Ins<br /><br>Normalization<br /><br>Limiter<br /><br>Compressor<br /><br>Loudness Maximizer<br /><br>Expander<br /><br>Transient Shaper<br /><br>Noise Gate<br /><br>Sidechaining<br /><br>Should Compression Go Before or After EQ?<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 9. Adding Other Effects</strong><br /><br>Console Emulation<br /><br>Tape Emulation<br /><br>Distortion<br /><br>Delay<br /><br>Stereo Image Enhancers<br /><br>Modulation Effects (Chorus, Flanger, etc.)<br /><br>Auto-Pan and Tremolo<br /><br>De-Esser<br /><br>Multieffects Plug-Ins<br /><br>Pitch Correction<br /><br>Pitch Transposer<br /><br>Exciter<br /><br>Restoration Plug-Ins<br /><br>Multiband Processing<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 10. Creating a Stereo Soundstage</strong><br /><br>Panning Basics<br /><br>Panning Tips<br /><br>Binaural Panning<br /><br>The Audio Architect: Building Your Acoustical Space<br /><br>About Reverb<br /><br>Create Virtual Room Mics with Delay<br /><br>Plan Ahead with Reverb and Panning<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 11. Using Mix Automation</strong><br /><br>What You Can Automate<br /><br>Automation Basics<br /><br>Automation Methods<br /><br>Automating Plug-Ins<br /><br>Using Hardware Control Surfaces<br /><br>Automation Applications<br /><br>Plug-In Automation Applications<br /><br>Virtual Instrument Automation Applications<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Chapter 12. Review and Export</strong><br /><br>Mastering While Mixing—Pros and Cons<br /><br>Export Your Mixed File<br /><br>Check Your Mix Over Different Systems<br /><br>Key Takeaways<br /><br><br /><br><strong>Appendix. Mixing with Noise</strong><br /><br>Why Mixing Can Be Challenging<br /><br>The Backstory Behind Using Noise<br /><br>Mixing with Noise<br /><br>Summary</p><br>