Listen to the microphone in context with other elements of the recording
Problem: evaluating microphone in isolation, not in context
When evaluating a microphone's sound, it's important to listen to it in the context of the full recording. The speaker demonstrates this by using the MU-1 on a piano and listening to it with other instruments and…
Avoid adding EQ or compression during initial microphone testing
Problem: over-processing during initial microphone evaluation
When evaluating a microphone's sound, it's important to listen to it without any processing to get an accurate sense of its natural characteristics. The speaker demonstrates this by using only panning and no EQ or…
Use meters to monitor levels and waveform shape
Problem: unbalanced or distorted levels
Using a metering plugin like Skeptor can help monitor levels and waveform shape in real time. This is useful for ensuring that the track is well-balanced and that no elements are clipping or being overdriven. The video…
Use daylight in the studio for better workflow and mood
Problem: poor lighting affecting mood and workflow
Daylight in the control and live rooms improves the overall mood and workflow of the studio. It's rare in New York City, but having natural light makes the space more inviting and can help with focus and creativity. This…
Use coaxial speakers for directional sound imaging
Problem: imprecise stereo imaging
Coaxial speakers, like those from Reflector Audio, provide a directional sound image with a tweeter and multiple woofers aligned in a single unit. This design helps in achieving precise stereo imaging and a focused…
Use multiple reference speakers for mixing
Problem: mix not translating well across systems
Having multiple reference speakers, such as the Reflector Audio coaxial speakers and others at East Side Sound, allows for cross-checking mixes on different systems. This helps ensure that the mix translates well across…
Buy multiple copies of gear and choose the best one
Problem: uncertain quality of gear purchase
Marc Urselli buys three or more of the same gear (like Warlitzers or mics) and sends them to a professional (like Matt Wells) to restore and evaluate. He then selects the best one for himself and sells the others. This…
Use sunlight in the studio for natural lighting and ambiance
Problem: studio lacks natural ambiance or lighting
The speaker mentions that the studio has sunlight, which is not only good for visibility but also contributes to the ambiance of the space. Natural lighting can have a positive effect on the mood and atmosphere of the…
Calibrate your room for accurate monitoring
Problem: inaccurate monitoring, poor translation
Room calibration ensures that your monitors are reproducing sound accurately without coloration from the room's acoustics. Using tools like SoundEye Dereference and a measurement microphone allows you to correct for…
Use high-quality audio interfaces for accurate monitoring
Problem: inaccurate signal conversion, poor monitoring
A good audio interface ensures that the signal from your DAW is accurately converted to analog, allowing for precise monitoring. Ozgun uses the Moto M4, which has four inputs and outputs and provides a clear visual…
Use dual monitors for better workflow and visual feedback
Problem: cluttered workspace, inefficient workflow
Using two monitors allows for better workflow, with one screen dedicated to the DAW and the other for visual feedback, such as plugin interfaces or reference tracks. Ozgun uses two screens — one for Ableton Live and the…
Use high-quality headphones for critical listening
Problem: inaccurate headphone monitoring
High-quality headphones like the Anon Bonono can provide accurate sound reproduction, especially when paired with a good headphone amplifier. Ozgun mentions that these headphones are extremely good but requires a…
Calibrate your room using a measurement microphone and calibration software
Problem: inaccurate monitoring due to room acoustics
Room calibration ensures that your speakers reproduce sound accurately by compensating for acoustic anomalies in your listening environment. This process involves placing a measurement microphone at your listening…
Use a stereo profile for speaker calibration when using two speakers
Problem: imbalanced stereo image due to incorrect calibration
When calibrating a stereo setup, it's important to use a stereo profile that accounts for the spatial characteristics of your room and speaker placement. This ensures that the calibration software correctly measures and…
Place the measurement microphone at ear level and in the center of your listening position
Problem: inaccurate calibration due to improper microphone placement
To get the most accurate room calibration, the measurement microphone should be placed at the same height as your ears and in the center of your listening position. This mimics how your ears receive sound and ensures…
Adjust speaker levels to ensure both speakers are balanced
Problem: unbalanced speaker levels affecting stereo image
During calibration, it's important to check and adjust the levels of both speakers to ensure they are balanced. If one speaker is significantly louder than the other, it can lead to an unbalanced stereo image and…
Apply a flat target response during calibration for accurate monitoring
Problem: room coloration affecting frequency balance
When calibrating your room, using a flat target response ensures that your speakers reproduce sound without any frequency bias. This allows you to make more accurate mixing and mastering decisions, as the sound you hear…
Use a reverse EQ to flatten the frequency response of your room
Problem: room acoustics affecting frequency balance
After measuring the frequency response of your room, the calibration software applies a reverse EQ to flatten the response. This compensates for acoustic anomalies such as bass buildup or dips in certain frequency…
Reference other tracks to ensure mixes translate across environments
Problem: mixes that don't translate to other systems
Mixing without referencing other tracks can lead to mixes that sound good in your room but fail to translate to other listening environments like headphones or different speakers. By referencing commercial tracks, you…
Ensure your room is flat for accurate mixing
Problem: inaccurate mixing due to room acoustics
A non-flat room response can distort your perception of the mix, making it difficult to achieve a balanced sound that translates well. By ensuring your room is treated and your monitors are flat, you eliminate the…
Workflow: Headphones can be effective for mastering
Stefan shares his preference for mastering on high-quality headphones (e.g., RZ LCD 5S) over speakers. This challenges the assumption that mastering must be done on studio monitors, highlighting the value of detailed…
Mastering on high-quality headphones is viable with proper stereo image awareness
Problem: misconceptions about headphone mastering
Headphones can be effective for mastering if you account for their different stereo imaging compared to speakers. The speaker emphasizes avoiding cross-feed or room emulation plugins, focusing instead on ensuring…
Monitor artist posture and projection during recording
Problem: inconsistent vocal projection affecting clarity
Keeping an eye on the artist's posture (e.g., head position, projection direction) ensures proper mic technique and vocal clarity. This is especially important for artists who may not be familiar with mic handling, as it…
Add minimal reverb in headphone mix for natural vocal monitoring
Problem: artists struggle with unnatural vocal monitoring
A small amount of reverb is added to the headphone mix to help artists hear their voice more naturally in enclosed headphone environments. This compensates for the unnatural acoustics of headphones, which can make voices…
Communicate clearly about headphone mix setup
Problem: artist misunderstanding headphone mix controls
The engineer discusses the setup with the artist to ensure they understand how to adjust the mix. This includes explaining the presence of the click track, reverb, and volume controls. Clear communication prevents…
Avoid overcomplicating headphone mixes with effects
Problem: overcomplicated mixes causing artist confusion
The engineer keeps the headphone mix simple, focusing on clean levels and minimal processing. This avoids overwhelming the artist with unnecessary effects and ensures they can focus on their performance. It also prevents…
Prioritize delay compensation for clean direct signal
Problem: latency causing timing issues during recording
The engineer ensures the artist hears a clean, direct signal without internal processing or delay compensation. This prevents latency issues that can throw off timing and make it difficult for the artist to perform…
Use proper monitoring for critical listening
Problem: inaccurate monitoring leading to poor mix decisions
Headphones or studio monitors provide accurate frequency response and stereo imaging, allowing producers to make precise mixing decisions. This is crucial for identifying issues like phase cancellation, frequency…
Mistake: using laptop speakers or phone for critical listening
Problem: inaccurate monitoring leading to poor mix decisions
Laptop speakers and phones have limited frequency response and stereo imaging, making it impossible to hear subtle mix details. This leads to poor decisions about balance, stereo width, and low-end clarity. Professional…
Test phase alignment across multiple playback systems
Problem: inconsistent low-end translation
Phase issues may not be audible on studio monitors but can cause problems on phones, car stereos, or small speakers. Using a phase alignment tool ensures your mix maintains low-end integrity across all listening…
Check stereo/mono using a utility plugin
Problem: phase issues, mono compatibility
Use a utility plugin to analyze if a sound is truly stereo or mono. This helps identify phase issues and ensures the sound occupies the correct spatial position. The speaker demonstrates this by muting the right channel…
Bounce track to check waveform integrity
Problem: unintended transients, clipping
Use the 'bounce' function (Cmd+B in Ableton) to export a temporary version of the track. This allows the producer to visually inspect the waveform for clipping or irregularities. The speaker uses this to ensure the synth…
Use rock wall insulation and double dry wall for soundproofing in a converted garage studio
Problem: Poor sound isolation and uncontrolled acoustics in a converted studio space
Converting a garage into a studio requires addressing sound leakage and acoustic treatment. Rock wall insulation and double dry wall layers significantly reduce external noise and internal reflections, creating a…
Adapt your setup to unconventional environments
Problem: rigidity in production environments
The speaker discusses using a mobile rig on a boat, demonstrating a mindset of flexibility and resourcefulness. This approach allows for creative production in non-traditional spaces, emphasizing that high-quality work…
Mixing in a bad room is possible with experience and reference monitors
Problem: inaccurate mixing due to poor room acoustics
While a good room is ideal, experienced engineers can mix in bad rooms by understanding how the room reacts and using reference monitors like NS10s. These monitors are intentionally harsh to help identify issues that…
Avoid switching between monitoring systems during mixing
Problem: inconsistent monitoring leading to poor decisions
Experienced engineers warn against constantly switching between headphones, studio monitors, and different speaker setups. This creates inconsistent reference points that confuse the brain and make it harder to make…
Use multiple speaker systems to check bass frequency response
Problem: inaccurate low-end perception on single monitoring setup
The producer uses Genelecs (with built-in subwoofer) and NS10s (with subtle subwoofer) to cross-check bass frequencies. Genelecs emphasize low-end weight while NS10s provide a more neutral perspective. This workflow…
Test mix on different playback systems
Problem: inconsistent translation across systems
Checking the mix on headphones, studio monitors, and consumer speakers reveals frequency response issues. This is critical for genres like dubstep where low-end impact must translate across systems. It ensures the mix…
Check if kick, snare, vocals, and bass remain audible at low volumes
Critical elements must be perceptible even at low playback levels. This test ensures your mix maintains clarity and impact in real-world scenarios where listeners might not play music loudly.
Use A/B/N testing with reference tracks
Problem: losing context during long mixing sessions
The speaker advocates for continuous A/B/N comparisons between the rough mix, the current work, and commercial reference tracks. This prevents ear fatigue and ensures the mix stays competitive. The technique involves…
Mirror rough mix timing for precise A/B testing
Problem: inaccurate A/B comparisons due to timing mismatch
Using a plugin to align the rough mix's timing with the current mix allows exact moment-to-moment comparisons. This is especially useful when the rough mix was bounced with the same cycle range as the session. The…
Check loudness without relying solely on meters
Problem: over-reliance on meters
The speaker evaluates loudness by listening to the track's volume and dynamic range rather than strictly relying on metering tools. This auditory approach helps identify if the track feels 'loud enough' in context,…
Use output modes to monitor added stereo signal or original mids
Problem: uncertainty about plugin’s impact on mix
The plugin includes output modes that let you isolate the stereo widening effect or focus on the original mid frequencies. This helps verify that the plugin isn't introducing unwanted artifacts while maintaining stereo…
Verify plugin improves the mix when bypassed
Problem: plugin degrades mix quality
A key principle is that the plugin should always make the mix sound better when active. This ensures the stereo widening isn’t masking the original signal or introducing unwanted artifacts. Use this as a quality check…
Mute the master track when working on individual elements to avoid context bias
Problem: context bias, inaccurate mixing
Muting the master track while editing individual elements prevents the brain from normalizing to the overall mix. This forces you to hear elements in isolation, making it easier to identify issues like frequency masking…
Wear a hat while mixing to avoid muffled low-end perception
Problem: inaccurate low-end mixing
Hats can dampen low-frequency perception, leading to overcompensation in bass and kick processing. This is a common mistake in home studios where producers wear hats during mixing sessions. The physical barrier of a hat…
Save up for high-quality gear instead of making marginal upgrades
Problem: inconsistent gear upgrades leading to wasted money
Investing in a high-quality pair of headphones or gear that you truly love and can commit to long-term is more beneficial than gradually upgrading with cheaper options. This approach avoids cluttering your studio with…
Use multiple screens for better workflow and organization
Problem: cluttered workspace or inefficient workflow
The speaker mentions keeping a window open on another screen as part of their usual workflow. This helps in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, such as arranging while monitoring the drum groove or other elements. It…