mixing desk console

Mixing audio sounds in music is generally regarded as a baffling science by most ordinary folk... being musicians then, we're clearly knackered before we even start!

You've got all those buttons, dials, faders etc., just WTF are you supposed to do with them all?!

Well, fortunately for you TheWhippinpost summoned pro-sound engineer to the stars, Rick Snoman, to be questioned for what we're calling: a mixing tutorial.

Here, Rick is forced to reveal - in simple steps - the science of mixing-down sounds using Cubase as the virtual mixing-desk of choice in this candid discussion between myself - nobody muso - and his-self: professional sound engineer (Rick Snoman), one of the UK's top sound-refiners.


Mixing music tutorial and interview

As well as the music mixing tips and tricks revealed here, many people have written to say how interesting it was to read of the different, and common attitudes to music from different sides of the mixing desk, so to speak. Well, you decide, I still think the bass should be frickin' LOUD!

Anyway, here it is.
The transcript is live and un-edited: in other words, expect typo's, moments when we wonder off-topic, and connection drop-outs. So get yer notebook out, lock the doors and pay attention. Enjoy.


SPECIAL INTERVIEW:

RICK SNOMAN:
PRO SOUND ENGINEER


ABBREVIATIONS USED

  • cb = Cubase
  • res = Resonance
  • convo = Conversation!
  • freqs = Frequencies
  • eq = equalise

KWIK LINKS


BREAKING NEWS!

The Dance Music Manual - Tools Toys and Techniques by Rick Snoman is available now!

The Dance Music Manual Book Cover - Click to buy from Amazon

If you're still reading this interview by the end of the page then you're learning stuff, and no doubt gaggin' to try out some of the numerous mixing tricks. BUT WAIT!

Rick reveals 100's of tips and tricks from his professional career in his 510 page mega book, The Dance Music Manual, now updated to include more music genres including Drum and Bass.

Read Snoman's profile for brief content overview or just buy The Dance Music Manual now!


Mike@TheWhippinpost says: Shall we move on to the topic of the nite?

Snoman says:
okay

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Yeah, ok. - I've made this sample arppegio that that sweeps thru the freqs usin the res and cutoff. Now it starts off quite "bassy" and filters up to high freqs....

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
How would I isolate that?

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
It seems that when I try, I sacrifice either top or low end D'ya know what I mean?

Snoman says:
what's the sample of ?

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
It's just an arpeggio I did in Reason

Snoman says:
moving up and down the range

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Yeh

Snoman says:
well, there's no definate settings for any sound as EQ is a subjective art, a mix of both science and creativity

Snoman says:
theres no need to just pinpoint a specific frequency

Snoman says:
the sound you have will probably use a large amount of frequencies

Snoman says:
its not wrong to have a frequency that matches your drum sample if you follow

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Ok

Snoman says:
but you need to be cautious of the 'middle' frequencies

Snoman says:
those which dominate the 300-800Hz area

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Well, in the top range, it's overpowerin the mix, so if I try to correct that, in cb, I sacrifice the low end

Snoman says:
ahh !! it may not be EQ it needs

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Feckin hell - it's never been this bad - dropped conn again

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Sorry you were sayin don't worry, I'm copyin and pastin this in notepad as we go

Snoman says:
Ihehe okay, I'll prolly get kicked off in a sec (every 2 hours)

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
bloody hell!!

Snoman says:
are you using the appregio as a lead line ?

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
No not really

Snoman says:
can you describe the problem you have when it plays with the rest of your track

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
ok. well I'd obviously like it to give off that duh duh duh, nice rich bassy staccato like effect, risin up to the higher freqs (it's just one note played in 1/6s). when it reaches the higher freqs, it sort'a sounds squelchy and loud..

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
I'm, i guess, tryin to up the bassy volume without effectin the upper freqs as well

Snoman says:
this might be something that would be better sorted out in Reason by cutting the higher frequencies with a filter, have you tried that or does it 'ruin' the sound ?

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Yeah, ya could be right, i'll investigate that, but I've got a feelin it may well've "ruined" the sound cos I spent ages tryin to get it....

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
I tell ya waht

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
what even !

Snoman says:
use a high pass filter to cut off some of the higher frequencies

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
Is there one in cb?

Snoman says:
a filter ?

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
HP filter yeh

Mike@TheWhippinpost says:
we've got the auto gate thing

Snoman says:
got kicked off

Snoman says:
what were ya sayin'?


... Find out in Part 2: Mixing Drums in Cubase where we discuss how Rick uses the EQ mixing panel for cutting or boosting the snare, kick and hi-hats, as well as avoiding that "muddy" mix !
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