| How do I get my mix to sound good in ALL systems... [message #221638] |
Wed, 14 February 2007 15:14  |
 C Dog
Messages: 54
Registered: January 2005 |
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I have been mixing hip hop on and off for a couple of years and it feels like I have reached a barrier. My mixes always sound OK but I just can't break through to that next level. Whenever I compare them to mainstream hip hop mixes, I can't, its just not comparable. You can pop in a professionally mixed cd anywhere and it sounds great. I am not looking for any miracle fix, but I am lookin for a few tips that will help me on my future mixes. I have uploaded a sample to my yahoo briefcase so you can have a listen for yourself:
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/kirchhogfarm@sbcglobal.net
The sample is in the "SDP Mix sample" folder.
Beware their is some explicit lyrics so please don't listen if this offends you.
-C
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| Re: How do I get my mix to sound good in ALL systems... [message #221900 is a reply to message #221638 ] |
Thu, 15 February 2007 07:08  |
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It sounds to me as if your problem is in your monitoring situation. If you do not hear correctly what is really going on, then how can you hope to translate to other systems?
Things are happening "electronically" in your signal path, and your decisions are reflected "electronically" down the line, on your stereo programme. But if you aren't hearing "acoustically" what is actually happening "electronically," then your decisions are not affecting your mix in the way that you THINK that they are.
What are your mix monitors?
Are they right against a wall, or worse, in a corner?
Do you always listen loudly?
This is where a professional mix/monitor situation, as well as a professional mastering room, come into play.
littlehat has two good suggestions (first two), and if you add proper "main" monitors to that equation, you will be much better off.
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| Re: How do I get my mix to sound good in ALL systems... [message #221966 is a reply to message #221638 ] |
Thu, 15 February 2007 11:29 |
PookyNMR
Messages: 1967
Registered: April 2004
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada |
Platinum Member |
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For monitor level, you can get a cheap SPL meter at an electronics store.
I was taught to primarily monitor your mix at 85 dB SPL "C" - keeping the Fletcher-Munson curves in mind.
Nathan Rousu
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| Re: How do I get my mix to sound good in ALL systems... [message #222078 is a reply to message #221843 ] |
Thu, 15 February 2007 16:57 |
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wwittman
Messages: 7491
Registered: May 2004
Location: New York |
Platinum Member |
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| littlehat wrote on Thu, 15 February 2007 02:21 |
A) Make mixing (not sound or texture) choices on smaller speakers.
B) Make level choices at low listening levels.
C) Make individual sounds smaller.
D) Mix dry until you hear sounds you like, then add grease.
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| compasspnt wrote on Thu, 15 February 2007 08:08 |
littlehat has some good suggestions, and if you add proper "main" monitors to that equation, you will be much better off.
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I feel oddly compelled to add that I don't do most of those things (except D) but i DO work mostly on the big main monitors.
Terry's right that good monitors you can TRUST make a big difference.
but I almsot always mix loud on the main monitors or very loud on the bookshelves if the bigs are not useable.
I PARTICULARLY ride solos or make big level changes while listening loud.
And I don't believe in making sounds small... I like every sound as full range as possible.
The secret of a good mix, in my view, isn't in the techniques and tricks... it's in being able to tell what you're listening to and then BALANCING everything.
William Wittman
Producer/Engineer
(Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield, Hooters...)
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