Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

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MoreSpaceEcho
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Sat May 15, 2021 8:02 am

On the subject of camera mic distortion, pretty sure this is the last word:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jvLvfebqM

Opinions may vary but I find this hilarious to listen to.

I'm barely in this but that's young(er) me on the SG.

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Nick Sevilla
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by Nick Sevilla » Sat May 15, 2021 9:00 am

MoreSpaceEcho wrote:
Sat May 15, 2021 8:02 am
On the subject of camera mic distortion, pretty sure this is the last word:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jvLvfebqM

Opinions may vary but I find this hilarious to listen to.

I'm barely in this but that's young(er) me on the SG.
Yep. won't be long before someone makes a plug in that does this. LOL.
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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roscoenyc
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by roscoenyc » Sat May 15, 2021 12:59 pm

MoreSpaceEcho wrote:
Sat May 15, 2021 8:02 am
On the subject of camera mic distortion, pretty sure this is the last word:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jvLvfebqM

Opinions may vary but I find this hilarious to listen to.

I'm barely in this but that's young(er) me on the SG.
Missing the "like" button again!

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digitaldrummer
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by digitaldrummer » Wed May 19, 2021 11:39 am

suddenly this thread has become more relevant for me... (and sorry if I'm hijacking but I think this fits in with the original theme?) I've had someone ask me to give them mix help for home studio recordings and I think basic recording technique will be part of the discussion too. We'll have our first session this weekend. I mentioned all of the resources online, but they want an interactive dialog (and is willing to pay by the hour). I think that makes sense. there will be no dumb questions, rolled eyes, rules or internet trolls...

Some of the topics I've been thinking about to discuss:
- Know the interface - how to setup, configure, and what it all means
- DAW - this may be tricky because I'm most familiar with Pro Tools - so it may be more high-level concepts
- Setup templates so you can start recording quickly without losing a vibe/idea
- bit rate and sample frequency - when/where does it matter
- train your brain to switch from "engineer" to "artist" - or separate days (today I will setup sessions or mix, tomorrow I will record, etc.)
- for mixing, train your brain to "listen to the song" vs. being laser focused when needed (it can be hard to switch back and forth)
- basic setup of mics/etc. for vocal, guitar, bass, drums, etc.
- mic preamp choices overview and what's different from your interface...
- plugins - start with a couple and learn them inside out, then learn a few more. now stop using only presets.
- mixing, routing in a DAW, bouncing a mix (editing will be too much for right now)
- recording levels, mix levels, master levels
- know when a mix is done (or when to quit)
- and I think we might just dive into a real mix from the ground up (I really like the "Live from the lab" tracks that Telefunken provides for this kind of thing) -- this can also help a beginner hear what a recording in a good studio, with good equipment and usually proper setup can sound like.
- and I like covering all of these basic because I think eliminating bad habits will lead to a better mix in the end.

what else would you discuss with a relative beginner, or maybe someone with limited experience, to help get them going in the right direction?
Last edited by digitaldrummer on Thu May 20, 2021 5:58 am, edited 2 times in total.
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A.David.MacKinnon
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Wed May 19, 2021 1:02 pm

I'd discuss arrangement. The mix is an extension of the arrangement (the whole recording is really). If the arrangement doesn't work the mix won't work. Knowing when that's the issue can save a lot of hours.

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vvv
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by vvv » Wed May 19, 2021 1:09 pm

Don't forgot, lava lamps.

mic types (you kinda mention)
gain staging (you kinda mention)
compression and/or other effects incl., as recorded vs. in the mix
monitors/monitoring
bandcamp;
blog.
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digitaldrummer
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by digitaldrummer » Wed May 19, 2021 1:51 pm

arrangements - yes! and I have lava lamps so that will just be implied...
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joninc
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by joninc » Wed May 19, 2021 2:30 pm

i think listening to a few favorite recordings together and analyzing can be very helpful too....

I heard someone say "everything is mixing" - and it's true.. arrangements, choice of instruments/mics/tones, levels, close/far, bright/dark, loud, soft ... it all adds up to the final product.
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digitaldrummer
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by digitaldrummer » Wed May 19, 2021 3:14 pm

joninc wrote:
Wed May 19, 2021 2:30 pm
listening and analyzing ....
yes, good point!
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Scodiddly
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Re: Mentoring and Giving Mix Feedback

Post by Scodiddly » Wed May 19, 2021 6:29 pm

Somewhat on topic, who else has read Mixerman's "Musicians Survival Guide to a Killer Record"?

Really great content for somebody who isn't an engineer, and includes a lot on arrangement and performance as well as recording.

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