Better Mixes Write Up

Static Mix
A static mix is a mix that has no automation. Automation is used in many ways for different plugins
to change settings as the track is playing. For instance there could be a rise in a dance track which
you want to sound more effective so to do this you may want to take some oh the high frequencies
out but add them in more rapidly as the build up gets closer to the drop. In a static mix however you
wouldnt be able to do this as this is a mix which allows no automation

Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
Signal to noise ratio is the balance of Wanted
noise to unwanted noise. For example if you
recorded a singer in a room where there was
lots of people talking there would be a low
signal to noise ratio. The aim of recording is to
get the clearest sound possible so for this you
will need a high signal to noise ratio. That is why
a lot of studios sound proof rooms to record
instruments to get a better sound and SNR
ratio.
DBFS
DBFS stands for Decibels Relative to full scale. This relates to logic and mixing as it is the
foundation of what you need to know about faders and what the limit is in terms of levels. The
maximum possible digital level is 0 DBFS.
Dynamic Range
Dynamic range is the contrast in the loudest and quietest parts of a track. For example a song may
start of very quietly but build up into an epic ending. The dynamic Range in that song would be
very big as it is not constantly at one
volume; this is where compression
helps as you can make sure that the
entire track is at the same volume. In
the average Pop song the dynamic
range is usually between 6 to 10db
but dynamic range really varies
through genres some classical music
have dynamic ranges of up to 15db
whereas other genres such as


Dubstep will have little dynamic range with ranges of only 1db.
Headroom
Headroom is a term in music which describes the amount of volume that you have to work
with in your mix before it starts to clip or distort. For instance if you had made a song and
were mixing it and the highest decibel level was -5db then your headroom would be 5db.

EQ / Frequency Spectrum
E.Q. stands for equalization it allows you to alter volumes of certain frequencies of a sound. This
helps in mixing as it enables you to get rid of certain unwanted frequencies in your mix, this makes it
sound much more clearer and defined. Say for instance you had a kick drum that sounded like it had
too much bass, well with EQ it is possible to get rid of them this is one of the key tools when it
comes to mixing and needs to be experimented with to get a good mix for every track. Every song is
different and requires various EQs compression and other effects to get a good mix. There are 3
main elements to an EQ: Frequency, Volume (Gain) and Bandwidth. Frequency comes in many
ranges such as high shelf and Low cut. Volume is pretty self-explanatory you are able to reduce or
boost the volume of your selected frequency. The Bandwidth is how much you want to boost or cut,
if you wanted to boost the high end and mids you could do this with one EQ by using the Bandwidth.
Digital Distortion (as opposed to analogue)
Digital distortion is when a sound is too loud inside of your DAW so it makes the mix clip.
Digital distortion is more or less always bad as it can glitch your creation and leave it


sounding unlike what it did before the digital distortion occurred. One way to see digital
distortion is to bounce your song when the mix is clipping, as this when exported will sound
poorly made. However with Analogue Distorion its a different story analogue distortion gives
certain sounds or recordings warmth adding to the characteristics of some sounds. For
instance if you had recorded an acoustic guitar through an analogue mixing desk then some
analogue distortion would be automatically added. A lot of people prefer this method as it
gives sounds a more unique warmth.

Compression Threshold & Compression Output /
Gain

A Threshold in a compressor is like a benchmark for where you want your compressor to start
working. Its like a fader on a mixer that you dont have to move it stays in that postion and activates
compression to whatever exceeds its limit. The Gain is used on the compressor to make up for any
lost volume when compressing, depending on what ratio and other settings you have applied you
may need to apply a lot or even cut some gain.



Compression Ratio


In a compressor there is a control Called Ratio this is used to determined how many
decibels are compressed. The amount of gain reduced is controlled by the Ratio. For
example if the ratio was 1:1 this means that if the input level was 1db over the threshold,
the output would be 1db over the threshold


Compression Attack / Release
Compression Attack and release is part of a plug-in on logic and also a piece of outboard gear that
can provide you with a few controls to alter how quickly your effect is applied. For example if you
had a compressor applied to a channel with a very fast attack the compression would be very
exposed but punchy sometimes you may want this sound for example on a kick drum if you want a
more harder and distorted sound. But a lot of the time you want a compressor to almost sound
somewhat natural. You dont want to alter it too much as you have a wide variety of other plug-ins
to do this with. You can see the attack and release controls in the picture I have chosen. Both
controls are measured in milliseconds for precision. You can use these tools combined with the
other controls in your compressor the shape the sound of your mix. So basically the Attack controls
the speed of which the compression is applied whereas the release determines how long it takes for
the compressor to stop compressing.