Home Studio Tips: #3 Listening
Aug 2, 2014 15:19:39 GMT -7
bluzman, The Bad Poodle Experience, and 7 more like this
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2014 15:19:39 GMT -7
Hello friends,
Eddie wrote me with a question about 'benchmark recordings' to listen to and wondered about how people do long hours of listening/working with music.
Now that you have your speakers in the equilateral triangle and at least a little room treatment for early reflections you are ready to work with your monitors. This is sort of a rambling post so be warned.
Most people today are using powered monitors. Most powered monitors have a few trim adjustments on them. Usually volume, treble and bass controls. It's best to start with the gains up at least 3/4's of the way up. It's really important to have them at the same level so if there is any doubt set the volumes both wide open. That way you will know that they are exactly the same.
Set the bass and treble to their neutral position, no bass or treble added or taken away.
Get a few of your favorite records (big ones, not a local band's cd that was mastered by a kid in a bedroom) and do some listening.
Listen closely at your mix position and also listen in various spots around the room.
When I go to a new studio I do bring a couple things with me to check out the monitors.
For me Keith Richards' 2nd solo record Main Offender is a super hi fi version of a guitar based rock and roll band. The recording is so stunningly clear that at times I feel like I can hear the strap locks on his guitar jangling. The record was done by some of my favorite engineers and the quasi-reggae song "Words of Wonder" in particular has a truly fantastic mix with different reverbs and details.
Basically, a great sounding record that I know well. I can tell if the monitors are dull or scratchy. I can also tell if the bass sounds right to me.
Unless your speakers sound really wrong to you I'd try to stay with the neutral settings. If there is a ton of bass coming out of them you have 2 options. One would be to move your set up so the speakers aren't right against the wall. If you can't do that then maybe try the trim in the smallest increment. Hopefully you'll be comfortable with the sound. Check it all again in the center at your mix position then around the room.
Most recording consoles have a "Dim" button on them that you can press to bring the volume way down without actually turning down the volume. Checking your music at different levels is super important.
This move of Loud/Soft is really helpful when mixing.
If you go back to some of your favorite records you'll notice the guitar solo is just about the same level as the lead vocal.
Listen with it turned up, then listen really quiet. You should be able to hear the words and the solo clearly when it is quiet but they should both sort of 'blend in' when you turn the volume up.
Listening at different volumes is super helpful for finding the right levels.
You don't have to be blasting that often. Turning it way up occasionally is good for checking bass and kick drum but don't wear your ears out. Check the headphones every once in a while too. You'll hear reverb details and also might catch some mistakes that you have made.
I know sometimes we get so focused that we just black hole on the stuff and before you know it you've been working on something for hours. It's really important to take breaks. Good for your ears, and good for your head.
If you have been obsessing about a certain part of the song, take a break and then listen to the song from the top.
I told you this would be a rambling post:) Feel free to chime in w questions if you have them.
Eddie wrote me with a question about 'benchmark recordings' to listen to and wondered about how people do long hours of listening/working with music.
Now that you have your speakers in the equilateral triangle and at least a little room treatment for early reflections you are ready to work with your monitors. This is sort of a rambling post so be warned.
Most people today are using powered monitors. Most powered monitors have a few trim adjustments on them. Usually volume, treble and bass controls. It's best to start with the gains up at least 3/4's of the way up. It's really important to have them at the same level so if there is any doubt set the volumes both wide open. That way you will know that they are exactly the same.
Set the bass and treble to their neutral position, no bass or treble added or taken away.
Get a few of your favorite records (big ones, not a local band's cd that was mastered by a kid in a bedroom) and do some listening.
Listen closely at your mix position and also listen in various spots around the room.
When I go to a new studio I do bring a couple things with me to check out the monitors.
For me Keith Richards' 2nd solo record Main Offender is a super hi fi version of a guitar based rock and roll band. The recording is so stunningly clear that at times I feel like I can hear the strap locks on his guitar jangling. The record was done by some of my favorite engineers and the quasi-reggae song "Words of Wonder" in particular has a truly fantastic mix with different reverbs and details.
Basically, a great sounding record that I know well. I can tell if the monitors are dull or scratchy. I can also tell if the bass sounds right to me.
Unless your speakers sound really wrong to you I'd try to stay with the neutral settings. If there is a ton of bass coming out of them you have 2 options. One would be to move your set up so the speakers aren't right against the wall. If you can't do that then maybe try the trim in the smallest increment. Hopefully you'll be comfortable with the sound. Check it all again in the center at your mix position then around the room.
Most recording consoles have a "Dim" button on them that you can press to bring the volume way down without actually turning down the volume. Checking your music at different levels is super important.
This move of Loud/Soft is really helpful when mixing.
If you go back to some of your favorite records you'll notice the guitar solo is just about the same level as the lead vocal.
Listen with it turned up, then listen really quiet. You should be able to hear the words and the solo clearly when it is quiet but they should both sort of 'blend in' when you turn the volume up.
Listening at different volumes is super helpful for finding the right levels.
You don't have to be blasting that often. Turning it way up occasionally is good for checking bass and kick drum but don't wear your ears out. Check the headphones every once in a while too. You'll hear reverb details and also might catch some mistakes that you have made.
I know sometimes we get so focused that we just black hole on the stuff and before you know it you've been working on something for hours. It's really important to take breaks. Good for your ears, and good for your head.
If you have been obsessing about a certain part of the song, take a break and then listen to the song from the top.
I told you this would be a rambling post:) Feel free to chime in w questions if you have them.