Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Mind if I add a few comments?




1) Take breaks, your ears get tired and you end up overcompensate for it. 
Come back after you have gotten some sleep (Yeah right!)

>>>Very true, I also find it helps to not only take a break, but to take a 
break outside of the studio (bedroom) where you're working too.  I like to 
go for walks/runs outside, gives your hearing a fresh perspective, and 
renews your sense of "openness" and depth. <<<

3) Listen to a CD in the same style (mix wise) as what you're doing.  That 
way you can keep track of the way your monitors behave or misbehave, and 
also give you some reference points on what to emphasize on the mix.

>>>I like to save copies of my reference tracks as wav files on my hard 
drive.  That way, I can import them into the current DAW session and place 
them on a muted track. Then you can just solo the reference track now and 
then to check you mix.  This also makes sure the reference is played back 
through teh same software and covertors, thereby eliminating as many 
descrepancies as possible. <<<

6) Listen on a pair of crap speakers, the favourite reference crap 
speakers are old Yamaha NS-10's but a nice crappy pair of Radio Shack 
Optimus speakers will do nicely in a pinch.  Since most people will hear 
your music over speakers like these, try to make sure it doesn't 
completely fall apart when the speaker has. (Note: this part is 
meaningless if you are a DJ and have no intention of EVER releasing your 
stuff to be played on, god forbid, crappy speakers.  Dj's and Live PA's 
just need to make sure the audience has enough bass to keep the airout of 
their chests  - not enough oxygen left to note any problems in the 
mix...BWAhahahHAhahHAhahahaha)

>>>We'll ignore the fact that most club speakers are shite, super-clubs 
with Turbosound rigs excluded of course :) <<<

7) Check your mix over white noise, preferably pink noise.  Most people 
listen
to music in their cars, and if you have a real commute on your hands you 
will
listen to MOST of your music in the car, so make sure your mix can sound 
good
over road noise. 

>>>Umm, I like to just burn a test mix and jump in car.  This is my final 
listening test location too since, as you say, most people spend their 
time in the car listening to music. <<<

(unless you are naturally lucky and are next to a freeway onramp or near a 
busy interesection in Oakland, like me).

>>>Ummm, yeah, that's some really god luck there :) <<<

8) Convince all your friends to listen to your new track while you can 
listen in (that's right keep a CD on you at all times!)

>>>Very good point!  I always have a stack of CDs with my latest tunes in 
my car.  You never know who you'll meet!  You don't ahve to have nice 
labels or anything, but be sure to put your contact info ON THE CD ITSELF! 
 Many people are lazy and lose cases, so don't rely on that for your 
contact info.  Better yet, put it on both! <<<

9) Don't overcompress. Period.  No really.

>>>Amen!  This is more of a mastering tip IMO, but you can get really 
loud, expressive music without killing it through a brick-wall limiter 
(T-racks, L2, Finalizer, etc).  I rarely compress more than 3dB through 
these means, and only on the peaks.  If you do your arranging and sound 
design work correctly, your track can be more than loud enough to compete. 
<<<

rEalm







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