An Approach to Stem/Bus Mixing Electric Guitars Acoustics Pianos Synth ETC

An Approach to Stem/Bus Mixing Electric Guitars Acoustics Pianos Synth ETC


Some time has passed since the last post, nothing much in the studio has changed, except I may have not posted we added an Oud guitar to the stringed instruments, special thanks to Gary for helping with the tuning pegs which until he showed me how to keep them tight, meant the 11 strings were drifting quicker than I could practice a tune on it.


Here is a simple idea I practice when mixing larger sessions down to stems , this actually applies to playing the mix back through busses too. The sections of the music are divided into I) rhythm, ii) accompaniment and iii) vocals (or lead instrument) when mixing the accompaniment a key feature to the accompaniment working along with the rhythm is the bass guitar or bass synth. Due to this 4 string instrument needing to be clearly heard and the 6 string guitars and the pianos or synths are able to invade the bass guitars sound territory easily my approach is to make way for the bass by cutting the balance of the accompaniment in the bass area. This may not mean using EQ it may mean mixing the individual instruments that have those frequencies lower than the instruments with the higher frequencies.
This approach is further magnified by mixing the accompaniment stem or bus without the bass playing back, I will have listened to the track a few times before so I roughly remember its path but not having it in on the stem recording means to me I know more precisely where the lower end of the accompanying instruments finish and then when its all put back together again the bass can be adjusted to taste then.

Hope this helps you along your mixing journey.


Matt

The Top 5 Locations to Listen To New Music


Bought a new album or single and need an idea where to listen to it ?

5 Listening Location Ideas

1. Beside a lake or waterfront.

Water is a key element in soothing, offering perception and serene shimmers through its reaction to breezes and nature

2. A Rooftop balcony

Cities with tall buildings may not be the oldest in England (see Colchester) but they are certainly the most developed, industrious and a thriving community below inspires where a blue Dalton China mug may fail.

3. Under an elevated motorway section

The urban decay often attributed to vehicle use , exhaust fumes etc is distinguished in these hard to turn around areas, if you've new metal or perhaps Nicholas Maw these galleries of social space provide shelter from the elements a different angle on modern routines and are not always safe places , so please be observant, if you do not feel safe, leave.

4. The local Library

Isolation from noise has been a priority for reading rooms from the outset, take close backed headphones to minimise the transfer of your enjoyment to those wishing to maintain their own privacy.

5. An out of hours nightclub

During the daytime very little occurs in most night clubs, yet a lot of effort goes into installing a sound system into the venue. Contacting the booking office in advance is essential , disappointment is quite likely due to insurance, but if you do manage to get into a nightclub the mono summed bass and the installations stereo options provide yet more versions of your purchase.


why include a blog on a business commercial web site ?

Why include a blog on a business commercial web site ?


1. It offers a sense of realism about who you will be paying

2. It may demonstrate flaws and imply another business is more suitable

3. You (i hope) used plenty of attention in earning the money you are using for the item, service, artwork, recording, title, etc it is likely you will want a critical option of the 'person' you are paying

4. its a word count that google absorbs then moves your output nearer the end users search.

5. Kids have mood swings, as do adults who appear young at heart, something to think about

6. A tree does have more uses dead than alive

7. It takes all sorts to make music, beware of Walter Mittys.

8. There is music everywhere now, even in the jail house bogs.

Why Dusters (the short much less words version)

The Wet Wipes work less well the duster and spray works better


Like me, you will meet those rich enough to argue over lettering, calligraphy, and type setting till they are satisfied, i don't play in bands with many of them, i do listen to their music now and again


Never argue with people richer than you, - Vladimir Lenin 1914


T-shirts were available

Recording Quiz (satire)

Welcome

Here is an easy quiz for you to write down the answers and email them to admin using the contact form

1. What age is important in recording ?

2. what year was the LED diode compressor used to move away from the problems of valve bias ?

3. How many channels do you need to make a mono recording ?

4. Who stole the Happy Birthday Melody from Sergei Prokofiev ?





Good Luck