CMU School of Drama


Monday, November 02, 2020

7 Tips for Getting a More Dynamic Mix

Pro Audio Files: Tips 1-7: use less compression. That’s it. End of article. Just kidding! Honestly, using less compression is probably the most surefire way to ensure a more dynamic mix. But as someone who loves some heavy handed compression, I’m not even going to pretend that I endorse a suggestion like that.

1 comment:

Elliot Queale said...

Dynamics in the sound world often feels left out of the discussion when compared to its siblings of rhythm and pitch. However, dynamics play an unbelievably large part in shaping whatever it is you are trying to capture, whether that is a single recorded voice to a full symphony orchestra. I think the seven points this article makes are great ways to approach setting up a channel to maximize its function in the greater mix. My favorite is point number 3, which is to lay off the solo button. I know I had tendencies to solo tracks early on, and don't get me wrong it can be extremely useful at times. But the reality of a mix is, well, it is a mix of multiple sounds. In some ways it is like cooking. Sure, you can really hone in on one ingredient in a dish, but the reality is what makes the dish special is the combination with other ingredients and how they balance each other. I also like the note about trusting your musicians and artists. They have just as much of a right (and sometimes are more of an expert than you are) when it comes to shaping the sound of their instruments. Trust that the artists you work with will make good artistic choices. Not to say they may not need some processing, but don't be afraid of the authenticity of a lightly processed channel.