Chapter 3 RA_noahvincelette.docx

Chapter 3: Mix Preparation Reading Assignment 1\. Why is it not a good idea to work on the original session file? What's the first thing you should do? It is good practice to always work on a copy of an original session file. The first thing one should do when receiving an original session file...

Chapter 3: Mix Preparation Reading Assignment 1\. Why is it not a good idea to work on the original session file? What's the first thing you should do? It is good practice to always work on a copy of an original session file. The first thing one should do when receiving an original session file is to back it up in three separate locations, for example, on a system drive, a removable drive, and a cloud. Next, a working copy with the session date should be made before any work is undertaken on the file.\ \ Doing this ensures (1) the original session file will always be available -- even if an unforeseen act such as a power failure, theft, data corruption, or natural disaster were to happen and (2) the session can always be restored to its original state. 2\. What should you trim regardless of whether it was recorded during basics or overdubs? The heads and tails of takes should be trimmed regardless of when they were recorded. 3\. What happens to edits if they don't contain any crossfades? Why is it a "good practice" to have crossfades on every edit? If crossfades are missing from edits clicks and pops can occur. 4\. Once all your edits, comping and tuning is complete, what is it a good idea to do? All clips should be consolidated to make session organization and navigation easier. 5\. Why is it important to clearly label each track? Labeling tracks is essential to a well-organized session. As a project progresses, it can be hard to remember which tracks are final or were considered good takes. Also, if collaboration happens across the project being able to find 'acoustic\_guitar-left.wav' is more intuitive than looking for a random name that a DAW may have generated. Logical names that follow naming conventions are important to organization, collaboration, and archival purposes. 6\. What are major timesavers in any DAW and essential to an efficient mix? What do most veteran mixers do with these? Memory locations and window configurations make mixing much more efficient. Marking important elements of a mix and adding pre-roll to sections are things that veteran mixers tend to do. 7\. Why are subgroups useful to a mix? How do subgroups work best? Subgroups are helpful because they allow for sections of a mix to be adjusted together. Effects like EQ and compression can also be applied across the group if needed. Setting up subgroups before mixing can save time. For example, certain elements may want to be brought up slightly during a chorus to add energy. 8\. Usually, there are certain tracks that will use a particular effect. What should you do with those channels? These channels should have routing (aux send) applied and the particular effect(s) instantiated on the aux inputs. If all tracks are using the same eq/compression setting they should be assigned to a subgroup where the effect can be applied globally. 9\. Why do the kick, snare, bass, and vocal usually need a compressor during the mix? To control the dynamics of these sources. 10\. What are some things you should do to calibrate your hearing when preparing to mix? To calibrate your hearing, spend time away from loud noise before mixing, eat a proper diet, relax your jaw, identify the loudest and softest sounds you're hearing, and turn the monitor level down. 11\. What happens if you close your eyes while mixing? Three-dimensional visualization of sound can be improved when closing eyes while mixing. Removing visual stimuli can improve auditory awareness. 12\. Why should you have a pen and a pad of paper ready to write on? When mixing, you may hear something or have an idea and forget where/what it was. Having a pad and pencil allows for notes to be taken quickly, settings to be notated, etc..