5 Benefits of Audio Mixing
If you’re looking for an audio track to shine, a competent producer applying the art of audio mixing can provide a great deal of clarity and balance. This is true whether you’re recording a voice-over, a guitar track, or an ambient zen soundscape.
Many people understand that audio mixing is there to help the track “sound better,” but the specifics of how this process is achieved are not always apparent.
You can think of audio mixing as if a writer were compiling a novel - they might start out with a first draft of their manuscript, but as their editor returns with feedback, they’ll shift sections around and implement changes to ensure the story, writing, and pacing flow better. The same professional focus is applied to audio mixing.
It’s why many audio producers will encourage turning off “volume normalization” on your streaming apps, so you can correctly hear the balance of the mix and how certain elements of the track have been geared for their presence.
What Are The Benefits Of Audio Mixing?
1. Controlling Dynamic Range
A good audio mixer will manage the volume of each track component to make sure it’s in line with the artist’s distinct vision, achieving measured balance and preventing clipping. Using compressors, limiters, and balancing various track components, they achieve a pleasant listening experience.
2. Balancing Frequencies & Blends
Volume is just one component of a well-mixed track. Considering the presence and clarity of the entire audio spectrum will achieve a better track. Measuring equalization, boosting frequencies, and creating a balanced sound allows every element to blend well together without losing out the intricacies of each contributing instrument. You might liken this to a great chef using disparate flavors to achieve a delicious meal while still ensuring those flavors can be identified.
3. Achieving Clarity
Highlighting important elements, making sure each track is as clean and defined as possible (unless the opposite effect is intended), and making fine-tuned adjustments such as light autotuning work can achieve clarity in the track. You might liken this to a photographer touching up their image with creative intent in image editing software, such as increasing the contrast or reducing sharpness.
4. Retaining Creative Intent
An audio mixer will ensure the original creative intent of the artist is achieved. In some cases, this can even mean removing limiters for intentional distortion. Other examples of creative intent include low-fi music, including background noise, producer tags, intentional clutter, and more. They also remove elements that haven’t been planned in advance.
5. Achieving Compatibility
Not all audio formats are alike. Many are lossy, and some are lossless, such as the difference between MP3 (and its various bitrates) and FLAC. A good audio mix will be calibrated to ensure compatibility with mono or stereo systems. Music may even be mastered for surround sound formats like DTS or Dolby Atmos.
Work at a Recording Studio in Santa Monica, CA For Your Next Sound Project
Transform your sound today using lmnl studio’s unparalleled audio mixing solutions. At lmnl studios, we bring your music to life, offering a harmonious blend of technical expertise and creative finesse. We aim to achieve your vision. Our highly experienced audio engineers carefully balance every element of audio, ensuring clarity, depth, and a captivating sonic experience for every fan of your stellar audio project.
Contact us to get started.
