In several posts in our sound section we have insisted that an audio mix must be well balanced across the entire frequency spectrum. Always taking into account the large number of musical instruments that can be grouped around the mid-range. That’s why clarity is key, and one way to achieve it is to use an EQ to cut out parts of the range of one instrument that overlaps another.
Steps to make a good sound mix
- Set the master volume control to 0 dB:
If the overall levels need to be lowered during the mixing process, we will temporarily group all channel faders together and lower the level for this group instead of lowering the master level. Audio signals cannot modulate above 0 dBs. Starting with the potentiometers at a low level, there will be the space necessary to make modifications as the mixture progresses.
- Set all channel pan knobs to mono:
The volume levels of all channels must be at a nominal setting. The monkey is a very quick way to find out which instruments conflict with each other. As the song plays, the levels will be adjusted to find the best balance.
- Decide the most important element of the song:
With this data, you work to achieve the best possible sound for the audio track, including effects and more.
- Use equalization subtly:
It is about giving each instrument its own section of the frequency spectrum. Often it is better to trim than to magnify because more space is given to other instruments.
- Move pan control knobs to achieve good stereo sound:
If the audio mix already sounds coherent before you start panning, it will sound better once each track has its own stereo space. It is done by adjusting the stereo position, EQ and levels until you have a nice clean and spacious audio mix.
