Area for Improvement 1: Recording + Processing Vocals
As highlighted by the 2nd core recording coursework feedback, we struggled with the recording and processing of the vocals in the recording. Vocals are a vital element of modern pop music, and as someone who aims to improve my skills as a mix engineer, achieving a great vocal sound is a skill I wish to achieve.
In order to improve my knowledge and practical skill in mixing vocals, I have obtained the book “mixing with the mind”. The chapter “Superstar Lead Vocal Sounds, a wide range of sub-areas are covered regarding both vocal recording and mixing. This will help improve my knowledge and method in this area, and as a result help my method.
I will also analyze the vocals of existing commercial records that I admire In order to familiarise myself with the consistent features of vocals that occur across the electronic music genre.
Area for Improvement 2: Mixing Bass
As someone who wishes to someday work as a mix engineer in the genre of electronic music, getting the Bass just right is arguably the most important element of the mix. Feedback suggested this was an area I had struggled in, both in core recording and other coursework submissions. I plan to Analyse a range of records within the genre of electronic music, listening to them through a Low pass filter in order to compare how the sub frequencies behave when somewhat isolated, and how they differ.
Area for Improvement 3: EQ
In the feedback, there were several issues regarding both individual EQ’ing of elements in the mix, and overall EQ balance of the overall mixes. I believe that EQ is an area that I have given minimal research, and am unable to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different EQ units, both in the digital and the analogue domain. I plan to address this:
A) By reading several relevant chapters in “mixing with your mind”, and Bob Katz “Mastering Audio”, I aim to improve my knowledge of Eq’ing techniques used in the mixing process.
B) By using the outboard in the studios at LIPA, I aim to familiarize myself with the strengths and weaknesses of different EQ’s, and achieve appropriate selection of Eq’s in the mixing process.
C) Improve my ability to identify frequencies in the frequency spectrum by doing the critical listening activites supplied on Moodle. This will improve my ability to pin point trouble frequencies and address the issues.
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