Unit 48: Mixing and Mastering

Task 1: remixing another task from scratch: https://soundcloud.com/user-219131996/mixing-and-mastering

Importing Tracks: I downloaded my track via the VLE and then inserted them into an audio track on Cubase and copied them to the working directory.

Grouping:I have grouped my tracks by adding folder and FX tracks to make my work look more organised.

Limiting(Cut the tracks):To limit the tracks I cut tracks using the cut tool to remove and unwanted sounds between the playing of the instruments to make the quality of the track sound better.

EQ:An equaliser works by changing the frequency,which is measured in Hz, of the audio by changing the wavelengths of the sounds, this helps optimise the track and makes it easier to listen to as the audio will be more level. In my track I used each group's FX track to EQ the sound and try and make none of the instruments too overpowering or too quiet. While not making any of the instruments clip.

Compression:Compression: is a dynamic processor the slows down sounds waves which the narrows the dynamic range. I then used a compressor to compress the sounds and create a threshold that the sound could not go over, I did this to try and reduce clipping, after compressing the sound I then put some make up gain on the effect so I did not lose any sound in the compression process.

Panning(Balancing): To balance out the track I panned some of the interments into the left and right speakers, an even amount on both side so neither is overpowered, to create a more stereo sound when someone is listening.

Reverb:  when the reverb effect is turned on this makes the sound feel as though it is being performed in a room and not in a studio, when the reverb effect is turned on the sound is called wet when it is turned off it is called dry. make the sound more authentic and not sound like it was recored in a studio I added some reverb, for example in the brass FX track I used the hall preset to make the brass after a longer fade out after a sound rather than just stopping.

Noise Gate: A noise gate works in a similar way go compression by changing the sound due

to a certain threshold however a noise gate completely cuts off any sound waves above a

certain dB for example if you set the threshold to 4 and a sound wave at 6 dB was input, the

sound would not be output.          

Distortion:  For distortion I used the VST amp rack on the guitars to make them sound more unique and create a more vibrant and full sounding guitar rather than both the solo and normal guitar sounding similar.

Expansion:To finish of my FX channel I then added an expander to allow the quieter sounds to be heard easier without the having to increase the gain of the whole track.

Mastering:

There are two ways you can master a track, first, by bouncing it down and then importing it back into a new project in Cubase and then use the effects panel to master the track. The alternative way, the way I used, was to go into the mixer and then use the effects on the stereo out channel from both of these methods you can then use different effects to affect the whole track. Such as the EQ and the Multiband Compressor. A multiband compressor allows you to control and compress the low, mediums, medium highs and the highs.

Task 2 remixing my own track: https://soundcloud.com/user-219131996/that-way-mix-and-master

I want it that way mix and master:

First I grouped all of my tracks into their parts Treble, Synths, Bass, Drums and then FX are left ungrouped. I did this to make the workspace neater and easier to navigate.

I then add EQ to some of the drums to make them sound cleaner and to sound like they had more bass and also removed some of the high sounds.

After that I balanced out the sounds by making my layered chords split between the left and rights

I also automated one track to go between the L and R to finish balancing the track.

For the mastering of I want it that way I added the effects to the stereo out rather than mixing it down as this allowed more fluid editing of both of the track.

I added reverb to each track that I thought sounded to dry however most of the instruments used in this track are synthesizers which already featured reverb from the start and did not need any additional fx.

On the stereo out I added on a multiband compressor which allowed me to compress the different parts of the track, lows to highs, separately to achieve the best sound.





I have also kept the stereo out sound of my track to 0 as this is the universal volume for all tracks so, if it is played on a radio, a person listening would not need to turn it up or down to hear it.

After I finished the track I then mixed it down to a . wav track which then allowed it to be uploaded to sound cloud or be listened to out side of Cubase.

I have sweetened the song to make it sound more polished and have a more professional finish and sound more clear compared to a raw unedited sound that does not meet the quality intended.

Unit: 49 creative task

Track: Here or via https://soundcloud.com/user-219131996/composition-finished

Composition:

Structure: The structure of music consists of certain elements: Introduction, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge, Conclusion/Outro, An instrumental solo.

An intro is a unique bit of music at the beginning of the song.

A verse is usually before the pre-chorus or the chorus and then also after the chorus, verses never usually repeat.

A pre-chorus is a optional section that transitions into the chorus.

A chorus is the main part of the song and is repeated throughout the song.

A bridge is usually used to transition from the chorus into a verse allowing the song to flow easily.

An outro is the conclusion to the song and is a unique part of the song.

My track has an Intro (The A Section), a chorus (A1) a verse (B) It also has a bridge allowing the A1 to flow into the B section more fluidly.

Form: 

The 4 mains forms of music are:

Melody Chain: Which follows the ABCD or AABBCCDD
Binary Form: AB each often repeated AABB
Ternary Form: ABA often repeated AABA
Rondo Form: which is either asymmetrical ABACADAEA or symmetrical ABACABA
My track followed a classical technique by using a A A1 B A1 form.

Genre: Genres of music usually depict what type of form the song takes along with what instruments are used for example: Folk music often uses acoustic instruments not electric like most modern rock music does. The genre for my track is: Electronic as it features synthesisers and other electronic instruments and styles. 

Statement: a catchy part of the song that is often used throughout the track and is often the part you remember when you think of the song. In my track the statement is the violin and then end of each 4 bar rhythm as it repeats the same melody.   

Repetition: Usually a chorus repeats it self over and over in the song as it is the main part people remember and build familiarity with the song. Also chord patterns are repeated in a song and then build upon to create the melody. In my track I have repeated the A1 section and also repeating the chords in each part.

Inversion: A way of changing the chords used by changing the order in which the notes are played. In my track I have inverted a melody line which is the last bar in each 4 bar melody.

Difference: I have changed the 4 bar melody used in my track subtly each time it is played creating a difference in the track but also repetition to make the song sound more familier.

Individuality: My track reflects on my individuality by using classical and electronic instruments creating an unusual style and unique sound as I like both sets of instruments it suits my individuality well.

Originality: Something that is not copied or sampled from something else and is new. Apart from the 1 sample in my track the rest of the song is original and unique.

Composers rights: Composers have the copyright to their music from then they copyright it to 70 years after their death meaning no one else can use your music unless the came up with it originally and can prove it.

Sound Design:

Sampling Techniques: I got my sample from: freesound.org, and sample it by putting the mp3 file into my cubase software and then cutting it to the right length and moving each part around to where i needed it.

Waveform Structures:This is the structure of the wave in my sample that I have used in my track, I change the pitch in the pitch shift by changing the wavelength of the waves. I have also changed the amplitude of the wave with effected the volume, which is how i achieved the fade in effect.

Waveform editing techniques:

I edited the waveform using the pitch shift and fade in audio process, which made the sample be transposed by 3 keys and allowed a fade in effect

Availability:

software inputs: The software inputs I used were Halion Sonic SE and Sylenth1: 

Analogue and digital inputs: Analogue input would be a human voice as it does not consists of ones and zeros on a binary level, on my track I used digital input via keystudio to input my notes straight into the midi format.

Editing sources: I have edited my samples via the audio processes and changed the synth via the sylenth interface.

Sound libraries: I got my sample from Freesound.org and my drum samples from media bay

Playback equipment: I can input sounds via key studio on cubase and also play them back via cubase's audio output.

File transfer: I have transfered my files via soundcloud so other people can listen to it.

Formats and compatibility: The format for my track is .wav other audio files are: Mp3, FLAC,WMA,Ogg.

Copyright Issues: I would not have any copyright issues If i tried to sell my track as no samples used have copyright that would stop me from releasing it.