Mixing and mastering

Mixing and mastering

Task 1

·      Setting up a project

·      Grouping tracks

·      Limiting: changing the EQ

·      Balancing

·      Effects: Reverb, EQ and Distortion

First I had to set up the tracks first by downloading them and then dragged them all onto Cubase 6. I then had to colour code the tracks and group the tacks (except for the piano, bass and the drums). The reason as to why I have colour coded and labelled my tracks is because it makes my project look more organised and I know what each track is without having to solo it and listen to it.

I used FX channels to group all of my tracks together and I have colour coded them so they match the colours on my tracks and that I know which set of tracks I’m changing the volume and effects on.

I had to change the EQ on some of the tracks because some of the frequencies on the tracks were either not pronounced enough or they were pronounced too much and they need to be turned down.

EQ is where you change the frequency of the track to alter the sound of it so you can make certain parts of the track stand out. For example: I have changed the EQ of the kick drum so it sounds more “bassy” and more pronounced and I have changed the EQ of the vocals to get rid of any of the unnecessary high pitch sounds.

I have added effects on all of my tracks. This is because I wanted to make the track sound more interesting and to make some of the tracks sound more live and not artificial.

Using effects is when you alter the sound of a track to make it sound different.

For example: the guitar solo has some distortion and reverb on it so it can stand out for when it does it solo and to make it sound like it’s live.

Another example is on the vocals where I have added reverb, which makes the vocals sound like its being performed in a room such as a hall, and it gives that “echoey” effect on it and its also there to make the vocals sound more “alive”. This also applies to the backing vocals since those where done by the same person.

I have added a VST Amp in the bass, which is another effect that I have used. What it does is that it creates a digital amplifier (which makes the bass sound like its been plugged into an amp) and it makes the bass sound less artificial and more “bassy”. I can also alter the sound of the bass by making small tweaks on the amp, like you would on a real amp. This includes altering the gain, bass, treble and many other features that you would on a normal amplifier.

I haven’t included this in the bass but by adding the VST Amp, it gives you more options such as microphones and pedals. The pedals would be better for the guitar tracks, especially for the guitar solo.

I have also added some compression to compress the tracks. What this does is compress the dynamic range of the tracks so it doesn’t sound so bombastic compared to the other tracks.

I also had to turn down some of the tracks since they were clipping.

If the entire track as a whole is clipping then it means that something is way too loud so it means that you need to go back to the start of the track and find out where it clips and turned down the track that has forte dynamics.

To get rid of the “clip” signal, you just have to click on it to get rid of the clip sign, however it will reappear if a track has caused clipping in the overall track.

It’s also difficult to control the clipping since your stereo out’s DB has to be on 0, so you really have to control your entire track DB and if that doesn’t work, go back to your EQ and change the EQ slightly.

Task 2

Before I could export the track, I had to alter the track as a whole and to pan each of my tracks.

Panning is where you shift the tracks into a certain direction so it comes out of that side of the headphones. (Example images are shown below)

I mastered by using the mixer and pressed on the “E” on the stereo out and then I had to add “multiband compression” and this allows me to change and control each sound and frequency level that the song has as a whole.

(Also, I was able to do some mastering on the Cubase project that I used for the mixing, which is what I am doing since I don’t have to switch between projects.)

 Trombone

Right hand side of the headphones

 Trumpet
Left hand side of the headphones

Afterwards, I had to export my track into a .wav file so I can put it into a separate Cubase file.

I did this by going into “project” and finding “export”. I then had to click on “Audio mixdown” and it allows to me convert my Cubase project into a file. However, before I can convert it, I have to make sure that all of my tracks are “highlighted” before I can do anything. What this does is that selects all of the tracks that aren’t muted and allows them to be heard when you convert them.

The final thing to do is to check that the KHz is set to 44 and that it’s on a 16 bit, otherwise its not going to work.

Once all of that is done then you can export it.

SoundCloud Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-308391730/stick-together