3.6 Approach

3D stuff: Left & Right; high & low; back & front; e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flF3cAqoZ6Y

Emotional stuff: Energy vs Valence. Angry, Happy, Sad, Calm. x-ref mastering.com image.

• High Energy, positive valence: happy
• Low Energy, negative valence: sad
• High Energy, negative valence: angry
• Low Energy, positive valence: calm

Drums and Percussion 3.6.1

Bass 3.6.2

Vocals 3.6.3

Synths and orchestral 3.6.4

Overall balance 3.6.5

Steps

Add reference to more comprehensive video from Sara Carter

One intention. Repetition. Reflection.

Balance first

Problem fixing: go overboard with compression, or EQ, or Reverb. Teaches ears what's wrong.

No mix: listen to reference tracks. What feels close (and back)? How do transitions work?

Apply 1 thing: balance tweak, panning, problem, transition.

Export and listen elsewhere. When listening, write 1 good thing, 1 bad thing.

Kick & bass mixing

Split bass into 2 tracks: HPF & LPF -- to allow control

Split vocals into verse and chorus to treat differently.

Stereo output processing (not mastering)

• Curve EQ - to boost 20kHz to add openess. 72Hz. Poss 8kHz. Curve is soft. Possibly Mastering!
• Vari-mu compressor in link mode. Medium to fast releases.
• Saturation: tape for acoustic material; maybe not for electronic.

Ride the faders for dynamics.

No mastering or stereo bus processing at start of mixing.

• Mix Process
• Foundation First
• Mix Matrix
• Parallel Bus
• Vocal Chain