V-CERT MUSIC TECHNOLOGYUNIT 04 - MIXING MULTI-TRACK AUDIO

BRIEF

The year KS3 band have recorded a version of Dock of the bay in the Woodlands recording studio. They were limited on time and had limited takes. The recording studio technician is away and has requested that you mix the track for him when he gets back in 6 weeks.

UNIT 04 - MIXING MULTI-TRACK AUDIO

The learner will: 1 Be able to use audio effects processing during

a multi-track audio mix The learner can: 1.1 Connect effects processors using inserts,

sends/returns 1.2 Describe the basic functions of commonly

used effects processors 1.3 Select an appropriate effect for a sound

source 1.4 Justify the choice of selected effects on

technical and/or artistic grounds

EFFECTS PROCESSORS

1.1 Connect effects processors using inserts, sends/returns

Pass - Candidates connect effects processors using inserts, sends/returns

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in connecting effects processors

Distinction - Candidates show perception and insight in connecting effects processors, explaining the function of a range of effects paths and their relevance to the mix

EFFECTS PROCESSOR TASK Research – Find a description for the following

effects processors1. Software effects processor2. Hardware effects processor3. Digital effects processor4. Multi-effects processor

Practical – Walk around the music department a find these 4 different types of processor. Where did you find them?

Create – Slides in your presentation to show your understanding of effects processors

EFFECTS PROCESSORS Software effects processors -

On the digital side you can find effects in most music recording software packages. DAWs such as Ableton, Logic, Cubase and ProTools all come with audio effects built-in. Other software packages like Reason, Maschine, Traktor, Audacity, Peak, and Soundforge also come with audio effects.

Hardware effects processors – Rackmount units a larger version of a stompbox, usually with more effects available.

EFFECTS PROCESSORS Guitar pedal - Stompboxes, or

effects pedals, are designed to be positioned on the floor or within a pedalboard and operated with the user's feet.

Multi-effects processor - (also called a "multi-FX" device) is a single electronics effects pedal or rack mount device that contains many different electronic effects.  Multi-FX devices allow users to "preset" combinations of different effects, allowing musicians quick on-stage access to different effects combinations

What level would you give

this piece of work?

EFFECTS PROCESSOR TASK 2 Research – how does an audio signal

pass from a Mixing desk to a computer via an effects processor

Practical – Think of a selection of questions to ask the studio technician. View a demonstration of this device being connected and discuss.

Create - A diagram to show your understanding of this procedure

EFFECTS PROCESSOR DIAGRAM

Computer

Mixing Desk

Effects processor

USB Cable

Send to inputJack lead

Output to returnJack lead

EFFECTS PEDAL TASK Research – how does an audio signal pass

from a guitar to amp through an effects pedal

Practical – Set up an effects pedal. You will need

1. Guitar2. Amp3. Jack leads x24. Effects Pedal

Create - A diagram to show your understanding of this procedure

EFFECTS PEDAL DIAGRAM

Guitar amp

Guitar pedal

Guitar

Jack lead – Guitar to input

Jack lead – Output to amp

Complete the table to show knowledge of the following three terms.

Type Description Advantages and Disadvantages

Pre-fade

Post-fade

Auxiliary sends/returns

SENDS AND RETURNS

FUNCTIONS

1.2 Describe the basic functions of commonly used effects processors

Pass - Candidates describe the basic functions of commonly used effects processors

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding of the basic functions used in effects processors

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in their understanding of a range of functions of effects processors

FUNCTIONS TASK Research – Find a definition of the

following 4 functions1. EQ2. Panning3. Mixing4. Compressor5. Noise gate

Practical – Listen to the following clips of music and use your knowledge to select the correct function relating to each sound

FUNCTIONS

Function Description What's the use of the function

When would you use this

EQ – equaliser

Balance – Panning / Mixing

Compressor

Noise Gate

EQ: eg bass, middle, treble, shelving, swept mid Balance: use of channel pan and fader controls when

mixing to stereo; use of delay and reverb to add space and depth

Create - Complete this table to show what level of understand you have of these 4 functions.

EFFECTS

1.3 Select an appropriate effect for a sound source

Pass - Candidates select an appropriate effect for a sound source

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in the selection of appropriate effects for a sound source

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in their selection of an appropriate effect showing perception and insight

EFFECTS TASK Research – Use this website

(http://www.bossus.com/go/vpb-2/) to help understand aurally the differences between the effects. Choose two effects that you like and explain how they sound.

Practical – Import a clean guitar audio file into Cubase and apply these effects to 4 different tracks

1. Distortion2. Reverb3. Delay4. Chorus

Create – Slides in your presentation to show your understanding of those 4 common effects

EFFECTS

1.4 Justify the choice of selected effects on technical and/or artistic grounds

Pass - Candidates justify the choice of selected effects on technical and/or artistic grounds

Merit - Candidates demonstrate technical understanding in their selection of effects and their artistic merits

Distinction - Candidates show originality and creativity in their choice of selected effects informed by critical judgement

EFFECTS TASK 2

Additional information: Justification can be technical (reducing noise, masking errors, positioning in mix etc) or artistic (adding depth, imitating an environment etc), or a combination of both.

Effects Technical justification

Artistic justification

Distortion

Reverb

Delay

Chorus

Create- Complete this table to show what level of understand you have of the differences between technical and artistic justifications

Research – Define the terms technical and artistic and write a paragraph explaining the differences between them.

UNIT 04 - MIXING MULTI-TRACK AUDIO

The learner will: 2 Be able to mix multi-track audioThe learner can: 2.1 Play back and monitor recorded tracks 2.2 Assess the quality of individual sounds 2.3 Add EQ to enhance audio quality 2.4 Apply effects processing to individual sounds

as part of the recording/mixing process 2.5 Balance sound sources 2.6 Record/save final mix 2.7 Observe appropriate health and safety

procedures during mixdown

Additional information: Candidates must perform at least one independent mix leading to an acceptable musical outcome. Candidates could be observed carrying out mixes, and the record of observation used as evidence. Written reports making use of annotated photos and/or video recordings/logs/diaries may be acceptable.

QUALITY OF SOUND

2.2 Assess the quality of individual sounds

Pass - Candidates assess the quality of individual sounds

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in assessing the quality of individual sounds

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate insight and perception which informs their judgement of the quality of individual sounds

QUALITY OF SOUND

Tracks Reason for choice

Bass Drum Timing

Snare Recording quality too quiet

OH L Musician error

OH R Signal strength

Bass Sound of instrument

Guitar

Piano

Female vox

Male vox

On sound cloud there are two recordings for the piano, guitar , female and male vocals. You must select one of each and give reasons for you choice (signal strength, musician errors etc.)

PLAY BACK

2.1 Play back and monitor recorded tracks

Pass - Candidates play back and monitor recorded tracks

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in their playback and monitoring of recorded tracks

Distinction - Candidates show insight and perception in their playback and monitoring of recorded tracks demonstrating critical judgement

PLAY BACK

Import your audio tracks

Press F3 to get your mixer, adjust the volume of all tracks so each instrument can be heard

This is your transport panel where you are able to play and stop the project.

EQ

2.3 Add EQ to enhance audio quality

Pass - Candidates add EQ to enhance audio equality

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding which informs the use of EQ to enhance audio quality

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate fluency and originality which informs their judgement in their use of EQ in enhancing audio quality

EQ To adjust the EQ of a

track you must click on the equalizer tab on the left side.

You are then able to draw in the wave format to suite the track use EQ 2 and 3

This site will help to give you a rough idea for each instrument and the reason for adapting the EQ

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/home-recording-eq-frequency-guidelines.html

EFFECTS

2.4 Apply effects processing to individual sounds as part of the recording/mixing process

Pass - Candidates apply effects processing to individual sounds as part of the recording/mixing process

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding which informs their application of effects processing

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate fluency and originality which informs their judgement in their application of effects processing

EFFECTS

To add an effect you need to click the insert tab.

Click in a box and you will be given a selection of effects.

If you click on the black tab of the chosen effect you will be given a list of pre-set settings use this as a starting point, adapt this afterwards

EFFECTS Vocals – reverb, pitch correction,

compressor Drums – reverb, compressor Guitar – reverb, modulation, delay Bass – compressor, reverb Piano – reverb modulation

Noise gate

BALANCE

2.5 Balance sound sources

Pass - Candidates balance sound sources

Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding which informs their application of balancing sound sources

Distinction - Candidates demonstrate fluency and originality which informs their judgement in their application of balancing sound sources

BALANCE Balance: use of channel pan and fader controls when

mixing to stereo.

To pan your tracks open the mixer (F3) and at the top of each track will be where you can adjust the pan. Use this diagram as a guide. Imagine a live set up

SAVE

2.6 Record/save final mix

Pass - Candidates record and save the final mix

Merit - No Merit for this AC

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

SAVETo save your project click file, then save as

Select your drive and the music technology folder. Click save.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

2.7 Observe appropriate health and safety procedures during mixdown

Pass - Candidates observe appropriate health and safety procedures during mixdown

Merit - No Merit for this AC

Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

HEALTH AND SAFETY POSTER Create a poster to identify all possible

risks when working in a recording studio.

DIARY ENTRYUnit Log of information

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7