What is it?
Mixing – At the end of the recording session we will have
a multitrack master recording of your performance. Each microphone or
other sound source is usually recorded onto its own track. These are then
combined (mixed) to produce a master stereo (2-channel) recording. During
the mixing process, the volume, position, “tone”, reverberation etc of
each source can be changed individually. With a band or choir
performance, once the ideal balance is achieved it usually requires no
alteration throughout the performance. For a rock band, adjustments may be
required throughout each track.
 Automated Mixdown –
My mixing desks (both Mackie digital 8-bus - pictured right)
have full moving fader automation. Whenever a mix is run, the desk
remembers every move of every control and will reproduce that exactly
every time. This allows very fine tuning of complex mixes where required
to get everything sounding good.
Digital Editing – this ensures the best performances are
edited together and sequenced as required for the final CD. Where you have
recorded several “takes” of a performance I can edit these together into a
single “best” take. Also, with performance / concert recordings the start
can fade in with initial applause and fade out with encore applause and
the gaps between items can be adjusted to suit. This is most easily
achieved with the mixed-down stereo signal using state-of-the-art software
(Wavelab v6) but for difficult edits can be done very
accurately with the original multitrack recording on the Mackie HDR
24/96 recorder. I am an experienced editor and my edit points are
almost always “invisible to the naked ear”.
• Tech Alert!!! - The
equipment used is capable of 24bit/96kHz digital signal processing.
Mastering
- Mastering is the last process that a recording
undergoes before duplication. It turns a collection of mixed
tracks into a finished product where the different pieces work
well side by side, and the final CD plays back faithfully on as many
systems as possible. This is achieved by digital sound technology
together with my experienced ears. The process can range from a
simple job of level changes and subtle equalization (tone changes) to
advances procedures to bring old, lifeless, or muddy recordings back to
life.
What do You Get?
- Tech alert !!! - Using high
resolution Waves and Steinberg plug-ins in the Wavelab editing software I can use the minimum required of
any or all of the following processes to make your recording sound its
best…
o Editing - This includes separating a concert performance
into individual tracks, fading applause, removing unwanted noises etc.
and sequencing tracks into the required playing order.
o Limiting – ensure the maximum volume produced from the
recording does not go above what playback systems can handle.
o Normalising – Ensuring each track plays back at a sensible
volume compared to other tracks on the recording.
o Multiband Compression - to smooth out unwanted level changes
and, only if required, reduction of dynamic range to make it sound as
consistently loud as a CD for radio play.
o Enhancement – add top-end sparkle to old, dull recordings.
o EQing / Tone balancing – ensuring a natural balance of low,
mid and high frequencies.
o Compilation of the master CD track list.
o Burning the "Red Book" master CD and
checking it plays correctly.
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