Brian Malouf describes signal processors as the primary means by which mix engineers influence the sound of the audio they are mixing. Of equal importance is the signal path a mixer constructs to achieve the sonic results he or she is going for. Equalization (EQ) and compression on both individual channels and on auxes (or groups) are the primary subjects of this mixing tutorial.
- [Voiceover] It's safe to say that the nuts and bolts of…signal processing, is EQ and compression.…And we've talked about different ways…to set those individual devices up.…But I also want you to think about…the order in which you process a sound.…In other words, what comes first,…the compressor or the EQ?…So I wanna demonstrate a couple of different instruments…that will show you some vast differences in sound…according to the order in which you place your processors.…The first example is a simple one,…and it's all done within the plugin itself,…and I've got this SSL plugin going again.…
I'm gonna solo the snare drum.…Listen to this.…(drums)…And this is without any signal processing at all.…(drums)…Airs on.…So I've added some compression and some gate and some EQ.…Some radical EQ.…And see how the ring has gone away?…Hear again.…(drums)…Okay, but here's something you might not realize happens.…
Right now, the way it is,…the compressor comes first, and then the EQ.…So the signal gets compressed,…then it gets routed to this EQ module.…
Brian starts with the basics of creating a mix template and getting a good raw balance of the instruments in the mix. He then dives deep into signal processing techniques on many types of instruments, including drums, bass, guitar, keys, vocals, percussion, strings, and brass. He'll pick out and treat individual tracks with compression and EQ, add space with reverb and echo, and modulate the sound with flangers and phase shifters. Pro Tools is used throughout the course, but the techniques will work equally well with the DAW of your choice.
- Customizing a mix template
- Understanding the interplay of volume, panning, EQ, and dynamics
- Processing drums
- Processing lead and background vocals
- Gain processing
- Treating the bass guitar and synth guitar
- Placing piano in the mix
- Treating strings and brass