One reason many MIDI compositions don’t sound convincing is legato. If the notes, especially violin phrases, do not sound connected, even casual listeners will know immediately. This is especially the case with strings, but of course all instruments deserve convincing legato. I’m far from getting it 100% right, but I have discovered some aspects that… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Struggling with Legato
Tag: advice
Easy Mixing Advice: Compression and Orchestral Music
It’s a common misconception that orchestra music doesn’t need compression. Especially film music relies on compression, it’s important for the “Hollywood sound” we’re used to listening to for the last 30-40 years. So, compression is basically a good thing. Two reasons why: Orchestra music with its loads of timbres and combinations of textures is inherently… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Compression and Orchestral Music
Easy Mixing Advice: Don’t underestimate Saturation
You did your best with reverb, eq and compression, yet your mix sounds “uncomfortable”? If you know that notion, you should make yourself familiar with saturation. Saturation is an effect that is provided by tube and tape recorder plug-ins. They come from the analog world and what they do is kind of magic that only… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Don’t underestimate Saturation
Easy Mixing Advice: Headphone Position
This is probably the most awkward advice you will ever get: Check the position of your headphones on your ears! No kidding. Some headphones, especially On-Ears, but also some Over-Ears, sound different depending on how (well) they sit on your skull. And some people have ears that are very sensitive to those fine position adjustments,… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Headphone Position
Easy Mixing Advice: Use Pre-Defined EQ Settings
If you’re like me then you are reluctant to use pre-defined settings, knowing that each situation requires specific treatment. That’s true, but if you’re just starting out using EQ and not really well versed, you might do your composition more harm than good. One possible way to go is: Look at the pre-defined settings and… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Use Pre-Defined EQ Settings
Easy Mixing Advice: EQ is relative
If you are just starting out using EQ, you might be overwhelmed by the possibilities to change the sound of your music. And you might say: “Yeah, let’s boost the 200 Hz because, hey, it sounds massive! Then let’s boost at 12000 Hz for clarity, and hm, boosting the 1000 Hz range actually gives some… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: EQ is relative
Easy Mixing Advice: Mind the low end and the high end
I told you these tipps were going to be very basic and this one is particularly obvious, but perhaps not for everybody: Not every thing you do wrong at the mixing stage will actually hurt your mix badly. Professionals will surely recognize deficiencies and many a decision might be a matter of taste (good or… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Mind the low end and the high end
Easy Mixing Advice: Mix in MIDI
This is probably the most important advice I will ever give you: Don’t rely on mixing audio, get it right in MIDI first. It’s hard to admit, because your composition is so well-crafted and sounds so good already and you like it and you are used to listening to it on your headphones that you… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Mix in MIDI
Easy Mixing Advice: Introduction & Distrust What You Hear
This new blog series is for you, if you’re a sample composer of orchestral works who (as I do) wants to compose and not spend your time mixing and mastering. If you haven’t got the budget for a studio or an engineer, you might find this upcoming series of blogposts useful. It took me years… Continue reading Easy Mixing Advice: Introduction & Distrust What You Hear