Mixing Down Using Panning Tutorial
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Posted on Apr 29, 2005 09:01 pm
RobertJ
Excuse Me, I Like 2 Ask Question
Member Since: Dec 05, 2004
[size=6]Mixing Down Using Panning[/size]
By RobertJ
1.Record the song (intro,outro,hook,verses,bridge,etc).Dont do anything just get them all recorded, as perfect as you can.Double (overlay) every verse and chorus (could do intro and outro, your choice).
2.After you record everything, lable everything with names(V-1A = Verse 1 First Voice, V-1B = Verse 1 Overlay,etc)
3.Clean up every wave (Noise Reduction) and delete silence.
4.Now Pan:
Chorus 1A: 80 Right
Chorus 1B: 80 Left
C-Adlibs: Center
.....
Verse 1A: 100 Right
Verse 1B: 100 Left
V-Adlibs: Center
This will let the chorus stand out from the verse..causing a nice effect and catches attention.
5.Now adjust volumes. Verse 1A and Verse 1B, should be equal volume. If one is set -2 and on is +4..Its okay as long as when you play it there equal.If not,adjust them til they are, and make sure you can hear the verses.Alot of time, you might need to put a wave in SOLO MODE to see how loud it is compared to the other wave.Dubs should be the only wave lower then the rest..when you play the song you wanna hear the dubs but in most cases you dont want to much attention to them.ADD ANY EFFECTS YOU WISH BESIDES ECHO OR REVERB
6.Now after you compeleted the following steps and the result so far is good, cut and fade the beat if its longer then the song intent.
7.On the next possible empty track, mix all tracks down (not mono, you only record in mono).Now double click bringing the mixdown to edit view.Go to Effects >> Delay Effects >> Studio Reverb >> Small.The reason you aint add reverb or echo to the verses or chorus's is because when u do it again on the mixdown its to echoey.And trust me add reverb on the final mix,yes,even the beat.You can also do compressor or limit the final mix.Your not limited to what you can do.I'm teaching you the basic for mixing using panning. Enjoy.
And now your done.You can do alot more, know that you know the basics...
i need to reload the images on a hosting site
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May 01, 2005 12:55 am interesting indeed, but i'd never do any of that....i don't wanna rip it apart, but "default mixing schemes" are not a good idea. i shouldn't say never, but i don't *re-reading*, i don't see anything there that makes sense (to me) at all.
nothin' personal man, everyone is most definately entitled to their own 'style'. and that is good.....
my biggest issue is vocals should be mono most of the time, they are the absoulte center of the song, stereoizing them for special effect every once and a while is ok, but all the time?? that's a bit much.....name me one "pro" song that does that. and if you want the chorus to jump out, do the opposite and go tighter for verses and wider for choruses.
i'm not tryin' to belittle you by any means, that's a good step twards becomming an article 'contributer' here, which i commend you and could never do myself, props to ya for that, the pics were a very nice touch too.
but who am i to judge? your style could be the next "new sound"....it's art, and in art there are no rules.
peace
wyd
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
May 01, 2005 02:03 pm I don't mean to be rude but this is wrong on so many levels, I mean, a template for mixing? C'mon...
"The reason you aint add reverb or echo to the verses or chorus's is because when u do it again on the mixdown its to echoey"... This isn't just butchering the english language but it is BAD advice.
I'm sorry but to come off as "this is the way to do things always" just doesn't sit well with me. There are so many half-truths out there now that lead hungry newbies astray. I know because I was there not too long ago and it can be quite frustrating.
May 01, 2005 03:46 pm Whilst I agree with the sentiments in the posts above and I personally dont use mix templates, I dont see any harm with Roberts intentions here.
I think it's more a case of Robert sharing what he does than writing a definitive tutorial that will work for all...
Lets all be fair on that score - and hell, if Robert can make his mixes in this way - fair dues. That said, the great thing about this place is everyone gets their say - we can all take as little or as much from it as we want and I think most folk expirement anyway...
And Robert, if ye have an article ye wanny post, feel free to drop it to dB or any other mods or admins and we can take it from there bud. Its a nice thought all in and one not to be misinterpreted.
That said, I personally think its fair to say each song needs its own set of mixing rules, characteristics etc and this is best gained by experimentng at individual song level...each to their own tho.
All the best.
Coco.
May 03, 2005 05:39 am I never thought of panning the chorus and and verses differently...... wow im gonna try that.
Cheers Rober J
May 04, 2005 12:55 am Mmm. I like the fact that you are willing to share your mixing experience with everyone, Robert. While I am in general consensus with the views expressed above, I think it's cool that you are willing to contribute in any way you can. Thats what makes this site so damn cool.
Seeing as you are willing to share your experiences, here's one of mine:
I am doing a cover of "Look What You've Done" by Jet. I always put my vocals in Mono, panned dead center. I wanted some ambience, but using reverbs and delays on the main vox track was making nothing but mud. I recorded another vocal track in stereo, added delay, and mixed it really low in volume. This gave me all the ambience I wanted without making a bunch of mud. For some reason, using the same method with two MONO tracks only didnt produce the same effect.
Keep trudging along and use whatever methods sound best to you. Cheers!
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
May 07, 2005 09:53 am Hey robert, thanks for taking the time to post that!
Tutorials are cool in my books. I am now working through one for Harbal myself. Great way to get a jump start on the learning curve!
I've got a couple of groups in house that want stuff 'tricked out' here and there. This word back and way out left, that phrase 'in your face' etc. I'm sure I will be using some of your tutorial's suggestions somewhere down the line!
